In Christ Alone We Are Prepared For Good Works

Dr. Nicolas Ellen February 19, 2017 Ephesians 2:10

Key Point: “We were never made or remade to live for ourselves. We were created for transcendence. The borders of our lives were always meant to be way bigger than the borders of our lives. When we live this way, by his grace, we not only become part of the most important work in the universe, but we are given back our humanity”. (A Quest For More by Paul Tripp pp.209-210)

I. We are God’s Workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works.

  1. In Christ we have been delivered from sin and made into a new spiritual creation.
  2. B. In Christ we have been created to do morally upright tasks that are beneficial to others and Glorifying to God.
  3. God prepared in advance a path of work, a sphere of moral action that is to be accomplished by us, who are in Christ.

II. This path of work, this sphere of moral action can be summarized into two basic roles which can also be seen as our responsibilities in Christ.

  1. In Christ, we are to function in the role and have the responsibility of being an

Ambassador- one who represents Christ to the world while presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9).

  1. In Christ, we are to function in the role and have the responsibility of being a Builder-

one who spends his life helping other Christians grow to maturity in their character and faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-16, Colossians 1:28-29)

  1. We can be Ambassadors and Builders as single people, as married people, as family members, as American citizens, as foreigners, as co-workers; as people in authority, as people under authority or even as people equal in authority to others.

III. Our path of work, our sphere of moral action in Christ can be carried out through:

  1. Meeting needs with the intent of using that opportunity to function in our role as Ambassador or Builder.
  2. Speaking the truth in love with the intent of using that opportunity to function in our role as Ambassador or Builder.
  3. Building relationships with the intent of using that opportunity to function in our role as Ambassador or Builder.

Dr. Nicolas Ellen

Bio

Nicolas A. Ellen is the Senior Pastor of Community of Faith Bible Church. He has served in full-time ministry as a Christian Education Director, Associate Pastor, Assistant Pastor and Senior Pastor in the Houston, Texas area since 1999.