Sermon
INTRODUCTION
SIDE ROADS AND SAINTHOOD
Ephesians Series
When you hear the word “saint” what comes to mind?
St. Sebastian
St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Jude Thaddaeus
St. Joseph
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Christopher
St. Valentine
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Patrick
St. Michael the Archangel
The Way to Be A Saint is to
Be A Sinner…….
saved by Grace
The way to be a Saint is to Be a Believer in Christ, and only Sinners are qualified.
God’s grace only comes to save sinners.
SIDE ROADS
Doctrine is not a dirty word and these doctrines are for ALL believers to embrace
The real issue, and the problem that the Bible
solves, is “how can we get God to accept sinners?”
The more we understand this grace, the greater should be our praise to
God.
This letter is about a COMMUNITY of GRACE
Lessons on Sainthood
BEING A SAINT IS A SHOCKING TRUTH THAT
SHOULD THRILL US!
The defining truth about a Christian is that he/she is a
SAINT,
We are no longer defined by our sin, but by God’s grace
toward us IN CHRIST.
Do you think about yourself the way Paul describes you
in this letter?
SAINTS ARE CALLED TO REFLECT THE ONE WHO HAS BLESSED THEM. 4:1
1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV)
Paul distinguishes Christianity, which is fueled by grace, from
religion, which is fueled by merit
“Behavior determines blessing. ”
“Blessing determines behavior”.
A SAINT, A CHRISTIAN BELIEVER, is one who is
“full of faith”
A Christian is one who is identified by faith in Christ and love toward God and
others.
Being a Saint isn’t about having to wrap ourselves in the robes or our own obedience; it’s about resting in the righteous obedience of Christ.
Being a Saint isn’t about the tests that we pass; it’s about our failures that are forgiven through the life and death of Christ.
INTIMACY WITH GOD- Praising God for His Grace is a pathway to intimacy with the Father
COMMUNITY WITH BELIEVERS – Value others who have been graced and adopted as beloved children
INFLUENCE WITH NON-BELIEVERS – No one is beyond the reach of God’s amazing grace.
Every Day is a special “Feast Day” for us as saints –
We can feast on a relationship with God
through Christ as we meet Him in His Word.