“We Have Been Set Free!”

“Saved BY Grace FOR Good Works!” Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13

As the deputy led Fitch out of the courtroom, the deputy was heard to have said, “You’ll just have to do the best you can.”

Here is where New Testament Christianity differs from all other religions. Salvation is not by works, but by grace…

to better understand the fact we are saved to do good works Purpose: to better understand the fact we are saved to do good works

I Grace Makes Good Works Possible

The Bible says, “apart from grace, good works are impossible…” Not saying a lost pagan cannot perform charitable deeds, but the greatest works of charity in the eyes of man are meaningless to God because the are outside the realm of grace.

I Grace Makes Good Works Possible A. Apart from Grace Good Works are Impossible

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who see Him.”

Romans 8:7-8 “…because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

This emphasizes the seriousness of being “lost” – Ephesians 2 and Colossians 2 both described the lost as “dead in trespasses and sins.” – i.e. as far as being able to do something acceptable to God, the unforgiven sinner is dead!

I Grace Makes Good Works Possible A. Apart from Grace Good Works are Impossible B. Grace Recreates – Making Good Works Possible

Ezekiel 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Read recently that 15% of the time paper clips are actually used as paper clips… Think of the examples of things used for everything but their intended purpose…

Australian sheep rancher bought a Rolls Royce limousine Australian sheep rancher bought a Rolls Royce limousine. It had every imaginable option, even a partition between the driver and the passenger compartments. The rancher explained this was his favorite option because and we quote, “It keeps the sheep from licking my neck while I’m taking them to market.”

II Grace Makes Good Works Necessary A. Good Works Are Not Necessary for Salvation

Romans 11:6 “But if it is by grace, it is not longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

“Jesus Paid It All” – too often we live as though He paid the down payment but we’re now stuck with the installments…

II Grace Makes Good Works Necessary A. Good Works Are Not Necessary for Salvation B. Good Works Are Necessary for Love

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”

In this book, a little boy named, Nat was in the orphanage In this book, a little boy named, Nat was in the orphanage. Nat was an extra “good boy.” One day, however, he broke a rule and got into trouble. The headmaster, Mr. Bhaer knew he had to be punished; so, he took Nat into a classroom and shut the door. All the others thought the “goodie-two-shoes” was finally going to get it; so, they watched through the key hole. Here’s what they saw…

Conclusion and Summary That’s the whole point of our texts and of this message. The more we love God the harder it will be for you and me to hurt Him. How we must realize every sin “hurts” God. How we must realize good works are the result of grace and NOT the cause of it. Brethren and friend, we are saved BY grace, THROUGH faith, AT baptism, FOR good works!