“Revival: The Necessity of Grace” - Eph 2: 8-10 Devo

November 19th, 2017

Devotional

“Revival: The Necessity of Grace” - Eph 2: 8-10

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “By Grace” - Eph 2:8

I often find myself wondering if we, as a Church universal, have lost some of the power of grace. When most people give their testimony there is a lot of uplifting of what God has done. Statements such as “I once was…. But by the power and grace of God I am….” Are not uncommon. There is a fundamental recognition that we need the power of God to change us.

Yet, often after we are saved we forget that part of our story, that part of our identity. We try to make things happen in the Church on our own, instead of relying on the power and grace of God. The Apostle Paul states in today’s scripture that it is by grace that we have been saved. That it is not of us, it is a gift from God.

We live in a day and time when we revel in stories of how people have turned their lives around. Stories of how they have bettered themselves. But as a Church we need to be telling a different story - not how people by their own power and ambition changed their lives, but instead of a God who changes lives through the grace of Jesus Christ. 

What is your testimony? How is God’s grace part of your story?

How do you react when you hear that salvation is a gift from God? Does this resonate with you? Why or why not?

Prayer: Gracious God, you have given us the gift of life and have given it to us abundantly. It is only through the power of the cross that we can stand and testify to your goodness and mercy. Lord, help us to tell our story with you at the center every chance we get. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Not by Works” - Eph 2:9

The Christian teaching around works can be quite confusing. On one hand we clearly hear what Paul is saying in today’s scripture, we have not been saved by works. If we were saved by works, salvation wouldn’t be a gift, it would be something that we have earned. And if it is something that we have earned, then it would be something that we could boast in, saying that we have done it. Instead, we are to boast in God, saying what God has done. 

But on the other hand, we are to have good works that reflect God’s goodness and glory in the world. How can we hold these two things in tension? We certainly should not think that Paul is telling folks to not have good works at all - to not do good in the world. But what he is saying is that out of gratitude for the gift that has been given to us, we are to serve God freely and joyfully in this world. Not to try to repay God for what God has done for us, but rather to rejoice in the grace that God has given us. 

How do you serve God? 

How are grace and service connected for you?

Prayer:  Precious Lord, sometimes the Christian life and teaching can be confusing for us. But if there is one thing that we can claim resolutely it is that you save. We don’t save, Lord, but you do. So help us to celebrate that gospel truth in our lives as we seek to proclaim that message to others as well! Amen. 

Wednesday: “God’s Handiwork” - Eph 2:10

The Bible is the story of creation and redemption. In Genesis 1, we find the story of the creation of humans, in which God says “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness….” This statement can make people uncomfortable, because it can be misinterpreted to mean that we are gods, which is clearly not what the passage is saying. Instead, by bearing the image of God, we are able to deeply connect with God and be in relationship with the Holy One. 

Paul writes that we are God’s handiwork (God’s creation), created in Christ Jesus to do good works. These good works are all around us, just waiting for us to do. It may be helping an elderly neighbor with groceries. Or offering to babysit for a mom. It may be letting someone in a hurry go before you at the grocery store. Or visiting the sick or those in prison. Whatever God is calling us to do, we do it because of our relationship to God. And we know that we do not do good works alone, Christ Jesus is right beside us, as we glorify God and live into the image of God that dwells within us. 

How can you celebrate that you are God’s handiwork?

What do you sense that God is calling you to do, in terms of good works? What is stopping you?

Prayer: Lord, we have been created to glorify your name. Lord, help us to boldly serve you through our good works. Each day, may we respond to your call and opportunities in our lives so that we can be known as your faithful servants. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. 

Thursday: “Sin” - Romans 7:9

It can be hard to clearly define sin. Sin is that which separates us from a Holy God. It can also be described as missing the mark of what God has for us. I think it is a combination of both of these definitions that the Apostle Paul writes about today. He certainly speaks of missing the mark when he describes doing what he ought not do and not doing what he ought to do. But sin also separates us from God, to the point where the only thing that can restore that right relationship, the only thing that can redeem us in the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes we get it into our minds that God is a judgmental parent - sternly punishing us when we sin. But more often in the New Testament we have Jesus describing God as one who pursues the lost in order to restore them - searching for the lost sheep, celebrating over the lost son. God desires to abolish sin and restore us to right relationship, if only we would accept the gift that Jesus is offering us. 

What are some of your images of God?

How do you respond when you know that you have sinned? 

Prayer: Lord, we confess that we seem to sin and miss the mark more often then we get things right. Help us, Lord. Forgive us when we come to you as lost children. Restore us to right relationship with you. Save us, we pray. Amen. 

Friday: “No Longer I” - Romans 7:10

Sometimes it can seem like sin has such a stronghold in our lives, that we have no idea how we can have victory over it. The first step is to admit that we cannot have victory over it on our own. We are powerless to sin without the saving work of Jesus Christ. Second, we need to come before Christ and ask for forgiveness and admit that we are in need of a Savior.

The Apostle Paul, however, wrote to the Romans well after he was saved. Often the roots of sin can be so deep, that we need to keep coming to Jesus asking for forgiveness. We don’t do this because we purposely sin, for that is not the point of grace. Instead, we come to Jesus for forgiveness when we stumble into sin, trusting in the love and grace of a Savior to continue to restore us and move us on towards perfection. 

What do you need Jesus’s help in having victory over today?

What role does confession play in your prayer life?

Prayer: God, we come before you today and plead the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, Lord, it seems like sin has deep roots in our lives. We ask today, that you cut them off. Plant in their place a tree of righteousness within in that bursts with good fruit, as we focus on your grace and mercy. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Revival: Works of Mercy” -  James 2: 14-18

Family Activity: Talk about Jesus together. Parents - why is Jesus important to you? What do you wish to share with your children about the power of Jesus in your lives? Close by praying to God, thanking him for what Jesus has done for us.