It is by grace that you have been saved and this is not of yourselves - it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are Christ's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do.

1. Oregon City Evangelical Church
Application October 18, 2009
Sermon Notes
Pastor Tom
8. Reflect on a time when you did a “good work” when
your heart was not “in it”.
What was the outcome? Ephesians 2
I. All of us share a common HISTORY and PROBLEM ! Vs.
2:1-3
What were some of the emotions you had as you
No matter what age a person comes to Christ, the only difference
served? is the amount of TIME one had to write a history.
Knowing that God wants us to do our good work in
an attitude of love, what would you like to see Our histories are similar and our problem is IDENTICAL !
different the next time?
II. God’s Grace Can Completely Change the REST OF OUR STORY!
Vs. 4-9
9. What “good works” do you believe God has gifted you In Scripture, this three letter preposition, but, introduces the
for and called you to do? possibility of something completely different!
What steps will you take to more fully do
what God is directing in your life? “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not of
yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can
boast!”
III. We are SAVED by Grace to do WORKS of Grace in order to
EXTEND the Reach of His Grace! Vs. 10-22
“We were not saved for ENJOYMENT , but for EMPLOYMENT .”
Retired pastor and former denominational superintendent.
Prayer Corner:
Pray for someone in your Growth Group, asking God to 1. Engage in the good work of LETTING PEOPLE KNOW
help them do the “good works” that He has called them that God has brought them near through the Blood of Jesus.
to do.
2. Engage in the good work of TEARING DOWN WALLS
Ask God to continue revealing His calling in your own of hostility, division and broken relationships inside the church
life. Be sure to listen for anything God might reveal to and in the community.
you.
3. Be a voice and advocate for UNITY IN CHRIST in the
church and community of churches.
Prayer Tip:
Pastor Dee Duke suggests 2 keys to group prayer: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
1. PRAY LOUD! (Loud enough for everyone to hear you.) works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
2. PRAY SHORT! (Let others have a turn!) I invite you
Let’s LIVE and WORK together in the new story of
God’s grace!

2. Growth Group Study Guide Into the Word
Week of ___October 18, 2009__ 4. Look at Romans 6:19-23. What benefits does a person
reap from God’s gift of salvation?
Getting Started
1. From where did your ancestors emigrate? What 5. Read Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:27-31. What
changes did they make in family name, occupation or spiritual gifts are listed? What does this tell us about the
traditions? different ways people will do the “good works He
prepared in advance for us to do”?
2. Share a story about yourself or someone you know who
had a spiritual change when they began a relationship
with Jesus? 6. Read the following passages and write down some of
the “good works” that God wants to be done in this
world.
a. Matthew 5:23-26
b. Matthew 5:43-48
c. Matthew 25:31-46
3. If you had one day to live over again, what day would
d. Matthew 28:18-20
you pick?
7. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 13. What principles do you
discover regarding a person’s heart attitudes as they do
good works?
Share an example of someone you have
observed doing the good works of God with the
attitude God desires.