1. Faith and Works – How they fit 1. Faith: How we say Yes to God’s gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). 2. Good Works: How we say Thank You for God’s gift of salvation (Ephesians 2:10).

2. Grace = getting what we do not deserve (Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Wages – Eternal death (hell) is the punishment we do deserve Wages – Eternal death (hell) is the punishment we do deserve Gift – Eternal life (heaven) is the incredible gift that we don’t deserve. Gift – Eternal life (heaven) is the incredible gift that we don’t deserve.

3. Saved from what? (Romans 5:9) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! (Romans 5:9) Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Saved = God withholds His wrath toward our sin. Saved = God withholds His wrath toward our sin.

4. Believe in Christ = Faith = Trust (Ephesians 2:8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (pistis) (Ephesians 2:8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (pistis) (John 3:36) Whoever believes (pisteuo) in the Son has eternal life (John 3:36) Whoever believes (pisteuo) in the Son has eternal life To believe in Christ is to trust in His death on the cross to pay for our sins. To believe in Christ is to trust in His death on the cross to pay for our sins.

5. Eternal life is really free! (Ephesians 2:8,9) (John 5:21) … the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (John 5:21) … the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. (John 10:28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. (John 10:28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. (Romans 6:23) … but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) … but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Revelation 22:17) … whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17) … whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Mark 10:15) I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15) I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

6. We are saved by faith in Christ, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.“ (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.“ What are you trusting in to get to heaven? What are you trusting in to get to heaven? ChristGood Works Christ + Works

7. Evaluating our good works as believers 1. Am I doing the good works God planned for me? If not, why not? Am I just too busy – doing what benefits me? Am I just too busy – doing what benefits me? Am I distracted from good works by sin? Am I distracted from good works by sin? 2. Am I doing the good works God planned, or the ones I want to do? Am doing the “good works” that make me feel good or feel important? Am doing the “good works” that make me feel good or feel important? Am I doing the “good works” I do because I want to please people – or God? Am I doing the “good works” I do because I want to please people – or God? Am I just doing the good works that are easy for me? Am I just doing the good works that are easy for me?