3. A Positive Outlook Romans 3:23

4. Consider The Ephesians  They are described in desperate condition  Dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1)  Walking with world and the devil (Eph. 2:2)  Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind (Eph. 2:3) “sons of disobedience” “children of wrath”

5.  Yet, the saints at Ephesus are described as:  “Holy and without blame” (Eph. 1:4)  Received the “adoption of children” (Eph. 1:5)  “Accepted” by God (Eph. 1:6) How can this be?

6. Explained As Salvation By Grace Through Faith (Eph. 2:4-10)  Begins with the great love of God (v. 4)  Grace & mercy are founded upon the great love God has for all (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:6)  This love is not because of who we are, but who God is (1 Jn. 4:8-10)  Involves the “rich mercy” of God (v. 4)  “Mercy” is defined by Vine as “the outward manifestation of pity”  Available to all (cf. 1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9)

7.  Involves being “quickened … together” with Christ (v. 5)  Those who were dead are made alive (v. 1)  The “with Christ” aspect is fully explained in Colossians 2:11-13  Involves being “raised up together with Christ” (vv.6-7)  We should refer back to Ephesians 1:20  Speaks of a position in a spiritual realm  We enjoy specialized blessings now (Eph. 1:3)  Even more “in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:21)

8.  Involves “faith” and not meritorious works (vv. 8-9)  Salvation is first and foremost “by grace”  Salvation is “the gift of God”  Salvation is “according to His mercy He saved us...” (Titus 3:5)  Salvation is not without obedience (Heb. 5:9)  Salvation is not an “entitlement”  Salvation is by grace through faith which includes “an appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21, NASB, ESV)

9.  Involves being “created … unto good works” (v. 10)  God has “ordained that we should walk in them”  Be a people diligent in good works (Titus 2:11-14)  Therefore, the people of God should... “…be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1) “…be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8) “…learn to maintain good works” (Titus 3:14)

10. A Truly Remarkable Transformation  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17)  It is “by grace through faith” that...  “Children of wrath” can become “children of God”!  “Sons of disobedience” can “receive the adoption as children” of God!  We can be “accepted” by God!

11.  If you are a Christian you should have a positive outlook  The gospel certainly does!  Why would anyone who has been saved by God’s grace continue to operate under a clog and cloud of doom and gloom? (1 Peter 2:9)