Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

By Grace You Are Saved! (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Bryan Schneider · February 15, 2020

Ephesians 2:1-10

sharonrpc.org/sermons/by-grace-you-are-saved

Summary

Humanity's natural condition is spiritual death in trespasses and sins, not mere sickness or a need for self-improvement.
Sinners walk under the world's rebellious course, the devil's influence, and the desires of fallen flesh, and are by nature children of wrath.
The decisive turn is “But God”: rich in mercy and great in love, God makes spiritually dead sinners alive together with Christ.
God's power in raising Jesus from bodily death is the pattern and source of his life-giving work in believers.
Salvation is entirely by grace through faith, God's gift rather than human work, decision, or ground for boasting.
Grace does not produce passivity; those saved in Christ are God's workmanship, created for good works he prepared beforehand.

Do I treat sin as a minor weakness, or believe Scripture's diagnosis that humanity apart from Christ is spiritually dead?
Which pressures of the world, attacks of the devil, or desires of the flesh most compete with holiness in my life?
When seeking assurance, do I begin with Christ's resurrection and God's grace or with the quality of my own performance?
Am I resting salvation on a past decision while living as though Christ were not King?
How can parents and teachers point children to Christ now without suggesting they need a dramatic life of rebellion for a valid testimony?
What good work has God placed before me as the grateful fruit of grace?

Spiritual death: The fallen condition of being unable and unwilling to live toward God while walking in trespasses and sins.
Children of wrath: Human beings in Adam who stand guilty under God's righteous judgment because of sin.
Grace: God's undeserved favor freely making sinners alive and saving them in Christ.
Made alive with Christ: God's resurrection-like work of giving spiritual life and transferring sinners from their former bondage into Christ's reign.
Good works: Obedient fruit prepared by God for those already saved, never the cause or price of salvation.