Ephesians 2:8-9

“By Faith Alone”

September 27, 2026

1. Faith From God is a Gift:
2. We Do Not Have the Right to Boast

This brand of “faith” that Paul uses in verse eight is the whole experience of salvation, including faith, such as salvation is a gift and not a reward. Salvation cannot be “of works” simply because it has already been finished on the cross.

God has gifted us with His grace and faith, but it did cost something; not for His people, it cost Him His Son on the cross. The moment we think we can pay that back, it is not a gift to us any longer.

Even the best works done by humans are not done independently but through God’s grace, and can never earn merit from Him. Consequently, salvation rests on this foundation.

How do live the gift of faith and grace from God?

• Humble Ourselves in recognizing faith as God’s work.
• Rely on the Spirit for trust, guidance, and strength.
• Move in obedience which is the natural fruit of God-given faith.
• Develop one's faith through engagement with Scripture, prayer, and community involvement.
• Rest peacefully in God’s grace, knowing that their faith is supported by Him, not by their own efforts.

Recorded 9/20/2026

Pastor Larry Stephens starts a 5-week series on the elements of salvation, beginning with "Grace Alone." Through Grace alone, we remember where God has brought us from. By grace, we are now alive and intentionally set for the Kingdom.

What Does Knowing God’s Grace Teach Us? Knowing that salvation is by Grace, Faith, and Christ alone teaches us the humble posture we take in salvation. Knowing God’s grace brings humility and reminds us that salvation is entirely God’s work. As opposed to the position of earning salvation by penance, Grace teaches that salvation is offered by God alone and cannot be earned. By Grace alone teaches us to have confidence in the character of God. We can have the highest confidence that God not only calls people to be saved, but will see it through and complete the work He started, Php 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus, as our good shepherd, will shepherd His people from start to finish. And because God has demonstrated His grace to those He has called to salvation, we also demonstrate grace to others as a foundation of good works flowing from grace and faith. Basically, sola gratia reminds us that salvation is completely a gift from God’s grace, offered from start to finish. It encourages believers to place full trust in God’s mercy, respond with heartfelt faith, and live in gratitude and obedience as a beautiful expression of His grace.

Romans 12:3-8

“A Church United: Family Resemblances”

September 13, 2026

1. A Church United Must Also Be Humble:
2. A United Church Will Use Its Gifts:

Paul is pleading with his brothers and sisters in Christ: present yourselves to God, sold out and to His service, like bringing a sacrifice to the altar, but instead like an animal to be slain and dead, one that is alive with praise and worship. His second plea? Do not be like the way of this world, with the lust of the eyes and the pride of this life. “Do not be conformed or transformed by the world but renew your mind. First, upon rebirth, there is this radical transformation (metamorpho): sinners are brought to salvation by the work of Christ. Two imperatives that James gives are to pray and to confess to one another, that your soul may be

healed from its burden.

Instead of thinking more highly of yourself, use sound judgment when thinking of God’s abundant grace. You do not deserve what we have in this life, certainly not salvation. We do not deserve ministry positions or social status; it is all filtered through the grace of God. If it was not for God’s grace, we would all be lost and undone.

Because we are in Christ and are led by the Spirit of God, we all have a family resemblance in how we love God, grow as disciples, and serve one another. These family resemblances first aid us all in looking like Christ, and puts us on in the same mission together.

How can we build up the church in unity by using God-given gifts?

Build Unity by Loving God- Loving God with all our being builds unity because it changes our heart and mind. It builds unity because, as we love God, we love others in return.

Build Unity by Growing Disciples-Unity in the church depends on growing in our relationship with Jesus and equipping others to follow Him more closely.

Build Unity by Serving Others- One of the most visible and powerful ways to build unity in the body of Christ is to serve others.