Notes - 3rd September 06

Bible passages:
Ephesians 2:1-10

What do we understand by 2:1–2, ‘you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live’? If we have been Christians for as long as we can remember how might we apply this text?

2:3-4 talks of us all as objects of God’s wrath, following the ways of this world and the Spirit at work in all who are disobedient. What does it mean to be ‘by nature an object of God’s wrath’ (2:3)? Do we recognise this as our position without Jesus Christ? If this is the case, what might it mean for people who consider themselves generally ‘good people’?

What do we understand by grace?

The following questions relate more specifically to Sunday’s sermon.

How important is the distinction made in the statement: ‘you are not saved by service but you are saved for service’?

If God’s purpose is that we should walk in the good works he has prepared in advance for us to do (2:10), how can we learn to recognise these good works? (NB: The King James version translates this verse ‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them’)

Sunday’s sermon suggested that walking in good works was more than just ‘one-off’ activities. Instead it was claimed that this describes our lifestyle. How can we know what a truly godly lifestyle looks like?

Christianity is sometimes criticised for being too individualistic. Is this fair criticism?

Sunday’s sermon also spoke of God’s ultimate purpose being more that just ‘converting’ us. Does this statement make sense? What then is God’s ultimate purpose? How might this answer the above criticism?

How do we handle the mystery that God’s purpose is being worked out and yet bad things still occur? What does it mean to say that God is ‘in control’?