<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Summary</b>:<br>Paul describes the believers’ past condition: they were once spiritually dead, shaped by the patterns of the world and influenced by forces opposed to God. Their lives were driven by selfish desires, making them subject to God’s righteous judgment like everyone else.<br><br>But God, rich in mercy and overflowing in love, intervened. Even when they were spiritually dead, He made them alive together with Christ. God raised them up with Christ and gave them a place with Him in the heavenly realm. All of this was done so that, throughout all ages, God might display the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness through Christ.<br><br>Paul emphasizes that this salvation is entirely a gift - it does not come from human effort or personal merit. It is God’s work from start to finish. Believers are described as God’s workmanship, created anew in Christ with a purpose: to live out the good works that God prepared for them long before they ever knew Him.<br> <br><b>Teaching</b>:<br>Living by faith is God’s grace. Our faith begins by God’s grace, continues by God’s grace, and bears fruit by God’s grace.<br><br>God’s grace is salvation, and salvation is a gift He has given us. When we receive a gift, we ought to give thanks. Is there anything in our lives now that God has not given? Since He has given everything, we should give thanks for everything. And a truly grateful person offers all their heart, will, devotion, time, and money.<br><i><br></i><i>Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Mar 27, 2026</i><i><br></i><i>Ephesians 2:1-10</i><b><br></b><b><br></b></p>
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