Our faith is in what God has done for us, not what we do for ourselves. Ephesians 2 (whole chapter ) Ephesians 2 : 8-9 Faith in Christ  (the One who saves you ); good works do not save us.  Putting your faith in God  (through Jesus Christ ). The blessings of God - gives us the right to take responsibility in doing the things of God and we experience the blessings of God. There is one new man - the people of the Church.   The Church is where his family is. Ephesians 2 : 20-22 (Metaphor) We have the idea of church being organizations.   But church should be structured as a family - that's how God wants us to live. The Church is compared to a city; and every person saved by faith in Jesus Christ can live there.  In a family we serve each other;  we are also children, and friends. The Church is also compared to a building.   OT given as a physical sign of what would come in the spiritual. Building - foundation  (prophets and apostles;  today we are).  The foundation is built

To understand Ephesians 2 you need to read the rest of the Bible. v 15  -  One new man - the Christian. Christ died on the cross to fulfill the Old Testament and bring in the New Testament. v 8 & 9 - learn these two verses.  You cannot save yourself;  Christ saves us.  We come through faith - faith in Christ. v 10 - if you get saved and nothing happens,  you're a liar.   It's not about what you get right; it's about what God molds you into by what you do through your life  journey. This passage speaks of what we were like before we came into the kingdom of God.   By faith in Christ Jesus we are saved.  We are citizens of God's kingdom now.  v 1-3 - Pauk used 4 ways to describe how we were before coming to Christ: - dead to Christ (spiritually dead); - followed the ways of the world; - followed the ruler of this world  (devil); - gratify the cravings of the flesh. Sometimes we go back to these things.   Life is a journey and we walk (or run) this journey.

Romans 4:1-16; Gal 3:19; Deuteronomy 32:20 It is vitally important that every Christian study the life of Abraham, because one of Paul’s greatest revelations was that he was the ideal pattern for mankind’s justification with God. Paul came to understand that righteousness, and from that full justification could only come by God’s grace, through faith, apart from any of mankind’s human efforts. For Paul, Abraham was the proof of this. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all…Romans 4:16. Not only was Abraham, the Patriarch of the Jews, declared righteous by God specifically because of his belief apart from keeping a list of commandments (Genesis 15:6), but that declaration of his righteousness and right standing with God came centuries before the Law had been given through Moses. While there were many

Bible references:  John 5:30; 6:38; Eph 6:15-16; Eph 2:1, 5 We do have problems but we shouldn't have.   It's done! Jesus died on the cross.  He rose again.   As his people we should live in victory. After the cross: He rose on 3rd day He ascended into heaven The Holy Spirit came down Romans 7:7-12 When law introduced to us we have this rebellious nature in us Law in its fullness = life Law not fulfilled = death We can't fulfill law ourselves,  we can't get there.  Christ died for us. The law was excellent.   The problem is us.  The law has been fulfilled by Christ.   He fulfilled it, not us. Romans 8:1-5 We can't live the law perfectly. The law was excellent. The cross has been done; Jesus gives us life.  He then gives us the Spirit. We can choose whether to stand on our own merits (keep every law) or stand in the Lord (grace) Your choice in life- sin or Christ. Slave of sinfulness or a slave of righteousnessness.  Our choice. Choose lawlessness

Who is to Blame? The following statements seem unreal and yet this is what people have stated on insurance accident claims forms. ”I left for work this morning at 7am as usual when I collided straight into a bus. The bus was 5 minutes early.” (Clearly the bus’s fault!) ”I knew the dog was possessive about the car but I would not have asked her to drive it if I had thought there was any risk.” (How could he have known?) ”The accident happened because I had one eye on the truck in front, one eye on the pedestrian, and the other on the car behind.” (Clearly God’s fault – more eyes needed!) ”No one was to blame for the accident but it would never have happened if the other driver had been alert.” We live in a culture of blame instead of personal responsibility. The Bible is different in that it very much supports personal responsibility for the choices and decisions we make. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words. It is expressed in the choices

Rom 10 1.  Israel really misunderstood way to salvation. 2.  Salvation is by faith. 3.  JC has fulfilled whole law.  The father sees Jesus and we are counted just because of this. 4.  No matter how bad you think you are; God’s grace is greater. 5.  The Jews looked to the law, not to grace 6.  Martin Luther found grace in God’s word. ‘The people at that time did not believe God’s grace sufficient. 7.  God’s grace is sufficient.  By the righteousness Jesus Christ gives you thru your faith. 8.  Because they misunderstood God’s grace and message of salvation. 9.  The generation that came out of Egypt, died because they didn’t believe. 10.  God has given you a gift, salvation, claim it.  God has given u a territory, use it. 11.  Church was the center light, now we are a little light shining in darkness 12.  God called them to into and possess it B.   All who call upon the name of the lord will be saved. Confess with your mouth; believe in your heart, you will be saved. 14. We

What is love, and how do we look at it from a faith point of view, and how do we do that. Well first of all we need to search out how we feel about love, and what see God says about love. Song of Solomon 8: 6-7 Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, passion as cruel as Sh’ol; its flashes are flashes of fire, [as fierce as the] flame of Yah. 7 No amount of water can quench love, torrents cannot drown it. If someone gave all the wealth in his house for love, he would gain only utter contempt. I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels; but if I lack love, I have become merely blaring brass or a cymbal clanging. 2 I may have the gift of prophecy, I may fathom all mysteries, know all things, have all faith — enough to move mountains; but if I lack love, I am nothing. 3 I may give away everything that I own, I may even hand over my body to be burned; but if I lack love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind

Last week we talked about our starting point and the difference our view of the world will be when it starts with God the Creator, so let us find out or for some review the Word of God and find out more as to how, why and what of being “Right with God is about.” 1. We learn from our own experience read Romans 5: 1-5 Because we are made “right” by faith - with God we have the following: Peace with God- knowing right from wrong through His Word. Access to God’s grace- help given to man by God Joy in the hope of sharing God’s glory – our destiny is to be in heaven with Him for eternity. God’s love poured out into our hearts - the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. 2. We learn this because of what Christ has done for us – showing us God’s great love.  While we were: Weak: Christ died for the ungodly v6 Sinners: Christ died for us v8 Enemies: we were reconciled by His death v 10 (reconciled = to cause to be friendly or harmonious again – establish harmony, in this case us

 What is Faith?  - Dictionary definition. Abraham  1. strong or unshakeable belief in something, esp without proof or evidence 2. a specific system of religious beliefs: the Jewish faith 3. Christianity  trust in God and in his actions and promises 4. a conviction of the truth of certain doctrines of religion, esp when this is not based on reason 5. complete confidence or trust in a person, remedy, etc 6. any set of firmly held principles or beliefs 7. allegiance or loyalty, as to a person (our loyalty is to Jesus Christ) or cause. 8. bad faith  insincerity or dishonesty 9. good faith  honesty or sincerity What the Bible- God’s Word says about faith; Read Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. The whole of chapter 11 of Hebrews is on the faith of ordinary, everyday people called by God. If you would like to do a study on faith – find a concordance and look up the

Bible References:  Matthew 5:20; Romans 1:1-17; Romans 16:25-27 Our righteousness comes from Jesus Christ.  Live a life of victory.  God wants us to live a life of victory.  To do so we need to Read the Bible and Live by the Word of God.  Example:  The apostle Paul had is Damacus conversion, he then went and was taught, (approx. 3 years) before he began his ‘public’ Christian ministry.  Paul knew the Scriptures very, very well.  He knew Israel’s history, he knew the law.  He allowed God to re-teach him about His Son – Jesus Christ – Fully God and Fully Human.  Paul learnt to live a life of victory.  His obedience came from faith in God.  Why do we obey God?  Duty?  Peer Pressure?  This brings suffering and bitterness.  We obey God because of Jesus Christ in our life – He gives us Victory. Christianity does not consist of knowledge only (information) but obedience to the plan God has for each of us in our lives.  Obedience to the Lord.  Obedience in faith.  Trusting God will do what

Bible References:  Duet. 6:1-23; Romans 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:1-14; Duet. 4:32-40; Ex. 1:11; Ex. 12:15; Ex. 19:24 We are called to live in obedience of faith.  We are to maintain what God gives us.  Before you gave your life to the Lord, you were in slavery – e.g.  to pride, sin, money, lust, things, other people. In the end what you gain materially here on this earth stays here.  God calls us to be obedient in faith.  We can’t save ourselves.  We can’t deliver ourselves from sin.  Only God can.  The world critizes the Church (just as they critize Israel).  We are called to obey God and be faithful. It’s not about what you or I have done.  It’s about being faithful to God .  God asked the Israelites to keep commandments. He gave them (Duet. 6) including the 10 commandments.           1.       Be devoted only to God           2.       Have no substitute “gods”           3.       Uphold the honour of God’s Name           4.       Keep God’s day for Him and for yoursel

Bible References: 1 Peter 1-2:4; John 19:30; 1 Peter 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 17:1-4; Hebrews 11:1-6; Hebrews 11:7-13; John 3:16; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:20 Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:6 " And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. " We are born again by the: Spirit of God Word of God Will of God Mercy of God On the cross Jesus Christ said Ït is finished". Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you don't need to keep striving to be saved.  You Are saved.  God accepted you as you are when you came to Him.  Like a parent who delights in their children, so God delights in you - his son; his daughter. Jesus Christ has brought and wrought out your salvation.  We can't add or take away from what He has done.  Nothing we can do by working hard, striving to be our best will add to the act of Salvation.