Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not

of works, least anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good

works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ”

Ephesians 2:8-10

“The Dangers of Grace”

“…obsessed with safety, but we are reckless…”

Every 8.5 seconds?

“Sometimes the safest way to live is to be a little afraid” Jonan Lehrer, WSJ

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10

Fear: awe, respect, honor, submission

“Sometimes the safest way to live is to be a little afraid because

the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”

“If we are reckless with life saving resources, are we equally reckless

with grace?”

Evangelism

Proverbs

Evangelism

Proverbs

The Dangers of Grace

Passing what you have …but do you have a dangerous grace?

Passing what you have …but do you have a dangerous grace?

“The Dangers of Grace?”

Too Fast

Cultural Pressure

Easy Believe-ism

Too Fast

Cultural Pressure

Easy Believe-ism

“If belief were all that was needed, why not become a Christian?”

Dietrich Bonheoffer

Easy Believe-ism accommodates asinful lifestyle.

Too Fast

Cultural Pressure Easy Believe-ism

Hypocrite

ADDRESS 4 QUESTIONS:

ADDRESS 4 QUESTIONS:WHAT IS GRACE?WHEN DID IT START?HOW MUCH THE COST?WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

What is Grace?

“You have heard, but I say….” (Jesus)

What is Grace?Not mercy –

Mercy is God’s view of man and God sees him as miserable and pitiful in his fallen state.

What is Grace?Not a license to sin.

“…shall we sin more so that we receive more grace – by no means!

(Romans 6:1)

What is Grace?

Not sincere feelings.

What is Grace?

Not narcissistic humility.

What is Grace?

Not an “experience”...

What is Grace?“We are sinners saved by grace.”

TRUE: but ½ the quotient!

What is Grace?“We are sinners saved by grace.”

TRUE: but ½ the quotient!

What is Grace?

1. Grace is the unmerited favor of God to us

2. Ephesians 2:8-10

What is Grace?

1. Grace is the unmerited favor of God to us

2. Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, least

anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God

prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ”

Ephesians 2:8-10

1. God loves us freely without merit and bestows his blessings upon us through Christ Jesus; life, death,

resurrection.

2. Grace also means “power”. Grace does its work in our hearts to conform us to the likeness of His Son!

Ephesians 2:8-10

1. God loves us freely without merit and bestows his blessings upon us through Christ Jesus; life, death,

resurrection.

2. Grace also means “power”. Grace does its work in our hearts to conform us to the likeness of His Son!

Ephesians 2:8-10

“Our actions/attitude should be the reflection of grace in us, we consent to live the life of faith – a life in which,

every moment, everything is expected from God. It is only then that we shall experience that sin shall not, never, not

for a moment, have dominion over us.”

Andrew Murray

“Favor & Power”

ADDRESS 4 QUESTIONS:WHAT IS GRACE?WHEN DID IT START?HOW MUCH THE COST?WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

When did it start?

There are not 2 Gods1. OT cranky God2. Milquetoast NT God

When did it start?

God never changes1. OT covers 1000’s of yrs.2. NT ~ 60 yrs.

When did it start?

Grace started: “In the beginning…”

When did it start?

“And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins and clothed them” Gen 3:21

When did it start?

“ He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.” Gen 3:24

When did it start?

“Say to them; As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die O house of Israel.” Ezekiel 33:11

When did it start?

“And Jehovah passed before Moses and proclaimed “The Lord, The Lord a God merciful and gracious” Exodus 34:6

When did it start?

From the beginning – and God never changes!

God’s grace never changes!

ADDRESS 4 QUESTIONS:WHAT IS GRACE?WHEN DID IT START?HOW MUCH THE COST?WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

FREE….right?

Free checkingFree vacations

Free offerFree samples

Free checkingFree vacations

Free offerFree samples

Free = what is the value?

Free = ? value

• For a limited time only!• A $99 value• Free…….with shipping and handling

Is Grace really free?

Is Grace without a price?

“The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)

Jesus lived • What Adam couldn’t accomplish• What no man has been able to do• A sinless life

Jesus lived • What Adam couldn’t accomplish• What no man has been able to do• A sinless life

Jesus lived • What Adam couldn’t accomplish• What no man has been able to do• A sinless life, became sin, and

received our “payday” of death

How much the cost?• Cost God His only Son• Cost Jesus His Life

How much the cost?• Cost God His only Son• Cost Jesus His Life

• Cost you a lifestyle

How much the cost?• A sin you enjoy

• Confession and repentance = admitting you were wrong

How much the cost?• A sin you enjoy

• Confession and repentance = admitting you were wrong

• Dying to the old life & following Jesus

Grace is costly!• Caused men to leave their nets and follow

Jesus (Mk 1:18)

• Can cost a man an eye …rather than sin (Matt 18:9)

• Cost a woman her dignity…willing to eat crumbs under the table like a puppy (Matt 15:27)

Grace is costly!

“…you were bought with a price!”1 Cor. 7:23

Grace is costly!

Jesus said, “…count the cost” Luke 14:28

Grace is only through Jesus

That is not arrogant, intolerant or exclusive

God never said there were “paths” to Him…

God never said there were “paths” to Him…

Jesus said “follow me”

God is more than a “destination”, He is also a “direction”!

God is more than a “destination”, He is also a “direction”!

“There are many paths to whatyou call god” (Oprah)

Keeps men lost,Frustrated, Un-forgiven

A dangerous view of grace!

Jesus paid and I followed…

ADDRESS 4 QUESTIONS:WHAT IS GRACE?WHEN DID IT START?HOW MUCH THE COST?WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

Drift In the life of a Christian is dangerous

Ask tough questions• Am I living too fast?

• Cheating on little things – that are growing?

• Rationalizing or wanting affirmation of sin?

• Committed to Christ or “easy believe-ism”?

Ask tough questions• Am I living too fast?

• Cheating on little things – that are growing?

• Rationalizing or wanting affirmation of sin?

• Committed to Christ or “easy believe-ism”?

Ask tough questions• Am I living too fast?

• Cheating on little things – that are growing?

• Rationalizing or wanting affirmation of sin?

• Committed to Christ or “easy believe-ism”?

Ask tough questions• Am I living too fast?

• Cheating on little things – that are growing?

• Rationalizing or wanting affirmation of sin?

• Committed to Christ or “easy believe-ism”?

Seeker• Admit: fallen short of God’s plan

–Turn from a sinful lifestyle (repent)

–Commitment to believe & follow Jesus

• Begin life transformation!

Seeker• Admit: fallen short of God’s plan

–Turn from a sinful lifestyle (repent)

–Commitment to believe & follow Jesus

• Begin life transformation!

Seeker• Admit: fallen short of God’s plan

–Turn from a sinful lifestyle (repent)

–Commit to believe & follow Jesus

• Begin life transformation!

Seeker• Admit: fallen short of God’s plan

–Turn from a sinful lifestyle (repent)

–Commit to believe & follow Jesus

• Begin life transformation - walk!

No do-over

No mulligan

Bad theology(wishful thinking)

“Are you reckless with life saving resources, and

equally reckless with grace?”

God’s grace:Favor and Power

Always and never ending

Jesus paid the price and we follow

God’s grace:Favor and Power

Always and never ending

Jesus paid the price and we follow

God’s grace:Favor and Power

Always and never ending

Jesus paid the price and we follow

God’s grace:Favor and Power

Always and never ending

Jesus paid the price and we follow

“Sometimes the safest way to live is to be a little afraid because

the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”