Discuss the meaning of being “saved by grace”.

Question:

Discuss the meaning of being “saved by grace” in Ephesians 2:8-9.

Answer:

Before we can begin to talk about what it means to be “saved by grace” we must understand that which presupposes this need  –  that is the condition in which we find ourselves  –  dead and under God’s wrath. It only takes a cursory reading of Romans to see how Paul begins with God’s nature and then speaks of His wrath presenting an accurate context with which we must understand our reality. God is sovereign and righteous and His wrath is upon us (Romans 1:17-18). Furthermore, we see the state of all humanity clearly expressed as we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12).

Once again, in Ephesians, we see Paul start with the cold hard fact that we are “dead in [our] transgressions and sins”. We also see in verse 2 that we had once followed the ways of the world and the “ruler of the kingdom of the air”, which is especially harsh wording as that is the opposition to God on both a spiritual and physical level (note: opposition doesn’t imply God can’t do away with Satan if God wished it). We are called to always be heavenly focused on God’s will and not to be caught up in the world  –  remember we are in the world not of the world. And the spiritual charge is that the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” is Satan himself and we once followed …

A Study on Miracles

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” - Hebrews 2:1-4

Key takeaway(s):

1. Defining “miracle“ is of utmost importance as it leads directly to revealing our view of God
2. In all of Jesus’ miracles there is almost a disengagement from the miracle event so that we can focus on the meaning.
3. Defined as: a miracle is an unusual and significant event (terasa) which requires the working of a supernatural agent (dunamis) and is performed for the purpose of authenticating the message or the messenger (semeion).

Overview:

Defining “miracle” is of utmost importance as it leads directly to revealing our view of God. Why do I say this?

Well, it stems from a discussion we had in fellowship one evening. We were discussing demon possession and if it still happens today and digressed to a discussion on miracles and if they also happened today and why do they seem to happen rarely if at all.

We had an energetic and lengthy discussion on this topic and a view was expressed that …

Childlike Faith?

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” - Mark 10:15

“And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” - Matthew 18:3-5

Key takeaway(s):

1. A very common way people have described the type of faith we should have is “Child-like”, but what does that mean?
2. A child can be naive, troublesome, ignorant, etc. So which metaphorical characteristic is intended to describe the type of faith we should have?
3. Humility is presented as that characteristic

Overview:

Understanding the type of faith we should have is fundamental as it underlies our view of God and our serves as the framework for our relationship with Him.

Those who attend church often have probably heard of the reference to child-like faith and I have always sat there wondering if this was contradictory to the numerous passages that speak to testing with evidence (John 20:19-29), or growing up from infancy in Christ (Ephesians 4:14), or growing up in our salvation (1 Peter 2:13). I wasn’t assuming it was a real contradiction but I wanted to find out how I could understand it correctly. After all, saying to have “Child-like faith” can mean many things can’t it? Children can naive, naughty, or nice can’t they?

I …

Desperate Faith - Don’t be afraid, just believe.

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” - Mark 5:36

Key takeaway(s):

1. How often do we come to Jesus with a “desperate faith”?
2. Jesus is always concerned and can do all and does not care for the logic of others
3. Jesus responds with peace, freedom, and presence

Overview:

In this business world, where I spend much of my time (at least while I am employed ), is a world that doesn’t show appreciation for “desperation”. In fact, I don’t recall a time I have heard that word used in a positive context.

Dictionary.com defines “desperate” as the below. I have italicized all the negative words or examples included in the definition.

1. reckless or dangerous because of despair or urgency: a desperate killer.
2. having an urgent need, desire, etc.: desperate for attention.
3. leaving little or no hope; very serious or dangerous: a desperate illness.
4. extremely bad; intolerable or shocking: clothes in desperate taste.
5. extreme or excessive.
6. making a final, ultimate effort; giving all: a desperate attempt to save a life.
7. actuated by a feeling of hopelessness.
8. having no hope; giving in to despair.

Did you notice 7 of the 8 definitions have a negative denotation or connotation? Which one didn’t? … That’s right point number 6. I like that one  –  “giving all” stands out to me and ironically the example given is to “save a life”… How nicely set up

So often we come to church, we go to fellowship, we go about our walk with God and understand who He is and what He …

Faith vs. Reason?

Key verse(s)/quote(s):

“I don’t want to believe, I want to know.”  –  Carl Sagan

“The battle is between faith and reason on one side and emotions and imagination on the other…”  –  C.S. Lewis

“We must not encourage in ourselves or others any tendency to work up a subjective state which, if we succeeded, we should describe as “faith”, with the idea that this will somehow insure the granting of our prayer.… The state of mind which desperate desire working on a strong imagination can manufacture is not faith in the Christian sense. It is a feat of psychological gymnastics.” - C.S. Lewis

Key takeaway(s):

1. God requires belief and trust in moments of human weakness, but faith is what makes us strong. Faith is the state of being convinced about what we hope for.
2. Faith never means gullibility
3. It is possible to increase your faith
4. Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted

Overview:

One warm evening in May, I had ventured downtown with my fellowship to visit the ROM (Free night ). After parking in Yorkville and walking south to Bloor and Avenue on the North East corner we passed by this sign outside a church.

As a few of us walked by and continued to cross the street I commented that the sign irked me. It was a horrible message to be sending out to the world about God and not only that… it came from the “church”!

Ironically, they had quoted the famous mathematician Blaise Pascal who was the member of a small …