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.