SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
                                                 Ephesians 2:1-10

INTRODUCTION:
1. The study of God's salvation for man and man's decisions concerning it are of                greatest importance.
2. Another reason why this study is important is the confusion that exists about it in the      religious world.

I. MAN'S NEED:  1-3
    A. One must first be impressed with the need for salvation or nothing will be done                (Illustrate:  a well person doesn't take medicine)

    B. "Dead through your trespasses & sins".... "children of wrath"
         1. Dead spiritually - separated from God, Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 6:23
         2. Your sins - James 1:14-15
             a. Not Adam's sin - Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 5:14
             b. Sin is very personal
         3. Trespasses and sins - against God, a violation of God's law - 1 John 3:4;                        Genesis 39:9; Psalm 51:4; Matthew 7:21-23

    C. Sin encompasses the whole of man's life:  cf. 2 Cor. 7:1
         1. "Walked" by course of this world - 1 Jn. 2:15-17
         2. "Spirit" that works in the sons of disobedience - Rebellion
         3. "Lived" in lust
         4. "Doing" desires of flesh & mind

II. GOD'S GRACE:  4-7
     A. "But God..." (note the contrast to the previous verses) - 4
         1. Mercy - ability to show sympathy with the misery of others and respond to their               needs.
             a. Not empathy - God cannot be tempted to sin
             b. Not apathy - God is not unfeeling to man's plight
             c. Our God is a compassionate God - Matt. 9:36; John 1:18
         2. Love (agape) -  the highest form of love prompted by a sense of value in the                  one loved instead of whether the recipient is deserving - Rom. 5:6-8; 1 John                   4:9-10
         3. Kindness - in contrast to being harsh with us (what we deserve), he provides                  for our ultimate good - Jesus Christ, the expression of God's grace - John 1:17;              Isaiah 53:4ff.

     B. Raised man from spiritual death to spiritual life - 5; John 10:10; Rom. 6:3-4

III. MAN'S FAITH:  vs. 8-10
     A. Faith is man's response to God's grace; the exercise of man's will to choose -   cf.          Josh. 24:15; Matt.  23:37

     B. God has never forced grace on man - cf. Namaan (2 Kings 5)

     C. Faithful obedience to God's word - cf. Ephesians - 1:13; Acts 19:5, 18

                                                                                                      - Dan Richardson