Category: You (All) Are God’s Work of Art

Ephesians 2:1, 10 (NLT) – Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…

“Paul was under no illusions about the degradation of mankind…Yet he refused also to despair because he believed in God. True, the only hope for dead people lies in a resurrection. But then the living God is the God of resurrection. He is even more than that: he is the God of creation.” [John Stott, The Message of Ephesians]

1. What is the condition God has rescued us from? What is the current condition of our campuses, our cities?
2. What is the hope for their rescue, just as it was for us?

May we see the condition of those who need life around us, and respond in prayer that believes in our living God, the God of resurrection and creation.

God, would you open our eyes to see the world around us? Fill us with your great love for our campuses and our cities, and with faith in You for those who are in desperate need of life. I bring __________ to you today….

Let’s proclaim who our God is as we sing “Way Maker” by Leeland (Click here).

– KW

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NRSV) – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

“..this new creation is to be active and productive like the Creator…Salvation is not from works, but it surely is for works, that is, living obediently and productively.”
[Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians, NIVAC]

1. According to this verse, what role does good works have in our salvation and life?
2. Where do these good works in v. 10 come from?
3. What good works has God prepared for you to do today, this week?

As God’s masterpiece, we are not just a beautiful painting that sits on a wall, but we have a life to live, doing good works that God prepared long ago for us. Our new way of life is one with Jesus, participating in the things He is doing, living a life of Jesus’ love in this world.

Father, thank you that you have already prepared things for me to do today – ways for me to think, times to pray, praises to sing, people to love…. Help me to walk with Jesus today in good works.

Let’s worship to “This Beating Heart” by Matt Redman (Click here).

– KW

Ephesians 2:7,10 (NLT) – So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus…

“God’s purpose in doing all this is that he might have a display case in which his own grace — the glory of his character and being — can become evident…Each one of us will be a vivid demonstration of the grace and the perfection of God’s character. The glory of his Person will be visible in us throughout the coming ages — especially as it is manifested, says Paul, by his kindness toward us.”
[Ray Stedman, https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/ephesians/on-display]

1. According to these verses, what is the best display of God’s skill and kindness?
2. What are some specific things in your life God has skillfully shaped or transformed by His grace and kindness?

We are on display as examples of who God is and what God does. As His masterpiece, the imprint of His grace and kindness is all over us. That frees us to know who we are and leads us to worship God.

Father, thank you for your grace and kindness that has skillfully created us into Your masterpiece. We are Yours!

Let’s worship to “Here I Bow” by Bethel Music (Click here).

– KW

Ephesians 2:6 (NLT) – For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

1. What does it mean to be united with Christ Jesus?
2. What area of your life do you feel is beyond God’s control and power?
3. How does being united with Christ address that feeling?

There is a recent area in my life where I began to question if things would ever change. I was stuck in viewing myself as separate from Christ, powerless and change felt impossible. But this truth of being raised with Jesus and exalted with Him in victory over sin has rescued me into faith.

God has joined us to Christ so solidly that what happened to Jesus has also happened to us. His victory is now our victory. His power over sin and death is now our power over sin and death – because we are united with Christ. And this is our present reality!

Father, sometimes this reality feels so different from our daily experience. Help us to live in the amazing truth of the Gospel each day, that You have raised us to life.

Let’s proclaim this reality as we sing “Raised to Life” by Elevation Worship (Click here).

-KW

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT) – But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

“In giving his gift of salvation, God revealed a heart and soul full of mercy, love, grace and kindness. If God has done all this to change our death to life, what a wonderful and loving God he shows himself to be! God is for us.” [Klyne Snodgrass, Ephesians, NIVAC]

In the past I felt I had to be perfect for others to love me. Once when I was young I opened a present of erasers and my grandmother said, “She doesn’t need erasers!” I felt that my value was in being perfect and was afraid of making mistakes. What a wonderful relief that God doesn’t only accept perfect people; He is instead rich in mercy towards us, and we can come to Him unafraid. God is truly for us!

1. In what areas do you need to experience relief that God is for you?
2. How does God’s rich mercy that embraced us even when we were dead encourage you to trust He is for you?

Father, thank you that You have revealed Yourself to be rich in mercy and love towards us. You are truly for us!

Let’s respond in thankfulness as we sing “Love Won’t Give Up” by Elevation Worship (Click here).

– KW