Christ and Creation

Unit 3: The Fruits oj New Life

(Lessons 10-14)

NEW WORKS IN GRACE

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INTRODUCTION I DEVOTIONAL READING:
A. "I DON'T NEED YOUR CHARITY" . PSALM 86:1-13
I was brought up in a lower-middle class, blue-collar neighborhood where I BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE:
most people worked in trades or heavy industry. My grandfather was a con­ , EPHESIANS 2: 1-10
struction worker who had grown up on a farm and left school after the eighth PRINTED TEXT:
grade; he retired as vice president of a major company through sheer hard EPHESIANS 2: 1-1 0
work and determination. My father worked two jobs, serving as a firefighter
and running his mvn remodeling business on off days.
Many times I saw families in my neighborhood suffer because the parents
refused to accept aid from anyone. Through this upbringing, I learned to take LESSON AIMS
pride in hard work and, especially, to avoid taking charity or welfare. This at­ After participating in this
titude in many ways reflects the American definition of success: taking care of lesson, each student will be
yourself and never admitting that you need help. able to:
This same spirit of self-suffiCiency and independence can be found in 1. Describe the nature of
American religion. Many American Christians feel very little responsibility the sinful life.
for fellow believers. They may also often feel (at least subconsciously) that 2. Explain how good works
they must prove their worth to God by doing good deeds. The apostle Paul can be "worthless" in tenns of
characterized his own religious life similarly in Philippians 3:4-6, noting that I earning salvation and indis­
he once took great pride in his jewish heritage, membership in the sect of pensable in terms of express­
the Pharisees, and strict obedience to the Old Testament. Indeed, he asserted ing it.
that he was "faultless" in keeping the Law of Moses. 3. Describe one good work
But Paul's sudden and dramatic conversion experience on the road to Da­ , that Christ has prepared him
mascus (Acts 9: 1-19) started him down a path of thinking differently. That I or her to do.
new thinking eventually was written down in a series of letters. A key issue in
those letters is Paul's conclusion that we cannot earn our salvation.
All people, even the most righteous, are saved only by God's grace. That
means that he does what we cannot do so that we may be acceptable to him.
In our passage for today, Paul makes this point by noting that God did not
save us when we were good people, but rather when we were sinners. Good
works become possible only because of what he did for us. Recognizing this
fact, we should respond to his mercy through loyal service.

B. LESSON BACKGROUND
Ephesus was one of the best known cities in the ancient world. Its fame
came not only from its size and commercial importance, but also and particu­
larly from Ephesian religious culture. One of the largest temple complexes of
the day-in fact, one of the so-called "seven wonders of the ancient world"­ KEY VERSE
was located there. It was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of the wilderness For it is by grace you have
and fertility. Ephesus was also a world center of occult practices and black been saved, through faith­
arts (compare Acts 19: 19). and this not from yourselves,
When Paul first arrived in Ephesus in about AD 54, he spent three months it is the gift ofGod.
teaching in local synagogues, but was eventually expelled. So he established -Ephesians 2:8
MAY 10, _2009 _ _ _ 340 . NEW WORKS iN GRACE

LESSON 11 NOTES a school in the lecture hall of Tyrannus (Acts 19:8,9). The Ephesian church
eventually was threatened by pressures from local trade unions. They feared
a loss of profit, since Paul's preaching against idolatry was so effective that it
jeopardized sales of articles that bore the image of Artemis (Acts 19:23-27).
Thus the various elements of Ephesian culture presented special chal­
lenges and opportunities to the apostle Paul when he visited the city on his
third missionary journey. In view of their deeply pagan background, Paul
wanted the Ephesian Christians to understand two points clearly: (1) God
had completely forgiven the sins of their previous lifestyle, and (2) God ex­
pected them to produce good works as expressions of redemption. Our pas­
sage for today covers both topics.

I. DEATH TO LIFE (EPHESIANS 2:1-3)

A. PAST AND PRESENT (v. 1)
1. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
Paul opens this section of Ephesians by equating life without Christ with
DAILY BIBLE READINGS spiritual death. This means that our conversion is a kind of resurrection.
Monday, May 4-Full of Dead probably refers here both to our alienation from God and to the actual
Grace and Truth Oohn 1: physical consequences of our sin. This concept is developed more fully in
14-18) Romans 6, where Paul stresses that "the wages of sin is death" (6:23; see also
Tuesday, May 5-Wait . Colossians 2: 13). The past tense were dead speaks to a condition that no lon­
for the Gracious Lord (Isaiah ger exists for the Ephesians, as we shall see.
30:15-21)
Wednesday, May 6-No B. COURSE AND DEVIL (v. 2)
Good Withheld (Psalm 84: 2.... in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and
8-12) : of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those
Thursday, May 7-The I who are disobedient.
I Paul has just described the Ephesians as having been dead in their sins. In
Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:
verses 2, 3 he clarifies exactly what he means by offering a concise summary
14-5: 10)
Friday, May 8-Set Your of their former, pagan lifestyle. The phrase used to live refers to one's former
Hope on Grace (l Peter 1: lifestyle. With this figure Paul suggests that nonbelievers are following the
10-16) lead of two forces that continually steer them away from God.
Saturday, May 9-TI1e First, they follow the ways of this world. While the biblical authors insist
Blessing of Grace (Numbers that God created the earth and everything in it, they also characterize the
6:22-27) world as evil, materialistic, and hostile to him (see]ohn 1:10; Romans 12:2;
Sunday, May 10-Saved l]ohn 2:15). The world is evil because the entire human social system is fo­
by Grace Through Faith cused on power, personal pleasure, and success at the expense of others. This
(Ephesians 2: 1-10) is a self-centered, as opposed to God-centered, system.
Second, and more specifically, worldly people are driven along by the ruler
of the kingdom of the air. This unusual title obviously refers to the devil, but
scholars are divided on why Paul would refer to Satan as ruler of the air.
The most likely explanation is that Paul is referring to the pagan religious
systems that the Ephesians formerly accepted. Today we generally think of
I God living above the earth while demons are trapped in Hell down below.
But most ancient people believe that the earth is at the bottom of a cosmic
ladder, with evil spirits and minor deities just above us and the more power­
; ful gods on a higher plane yet. By calling Satan ruler of the air, Paul thus ac­
knowledges his influence, but also stresses that his authority is far below that
of the true God, who dwells in the highest Heaven. In any case, Paul is less
concerned with Satan's domain than with his impact on people's lives. While
LESSQN 11 ~ . . . 341 MAyjO, 2009
many nonbelievers would not attribute their actions to any supernatural in­ I WHAT Do You THINK?
fluence, Paul makes clear that their lives are heavily influenced by the devil. In what areas do you think
There are no innocent bystanders: one is either alive in faith or dead in sin, I that the "ruler of the kingdom
either a servant of God or a slave of the devil. of the air" is most iffective
I in irifluencing lives against
C. LUSTS AND DESIRES (v. 3) God? In which of these are
3. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings ofour I you most vulnerable? How do
sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by I you guard against this vul­
nature objects ofwrath. I nerability?
As in chapter 1, the word we probably refers to je'Arish Christians such
as Paul himself. It takes little effort to prove that pagans live lives gratifying I

the cravings of their sinful nature. But Paul everywhere emphasizes that even
"good" jews are objects ofwrath before coming to Christ.
Of course,jews believe in and worship the true God, not idols and de­
mons. But this fact does not stop them from breaking God's law and pursu­
ing self-gratification. The phrase cravings ofour sinful nature refers to things
that we do because they feel good to our bodies, even though we know that WHAT Do You THINK?
God disapproves of them: getting drunk, engaging in illicit sex, etc. Which sins cause you the
Paul also admits that he too was once enslaved to sinful desires and I
most trouble: those of the
thoughts, a likely reference to the more intellectual sins: covetousness, pride, flesh or those of the mind?
etc. Those who do such things show that they are alienated from God and How have you grown spiritu­
deserving of punishment. ally in being able to ttiumph
over these trouble spots?
II. LIFE FROM DEATH (EPHESIANS 2:4-10)
A. LOVED BY GOD (w. 4, 5)

4,5. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made u.s

alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you

have been saved.

The story that begins in verses 2, 3 could have ended with the fire and
brimstone of eternal damnation. Every person of every religious background
is guilty of sins of the body and the mind. A righteous God is justified in re­
paying such rebelliousness with eternal death.
Genesis 7 ends 'Arith a worldwide flood that nearly "ripes out the human
race. But this time things work out differently: God decides to forgive us. Paul
can offer only two explanations for this remarkable twist in the plot, and
neither of them has anything to do with our efforts. First, God is rich in mercy,
a phrase that stresses his willingness to forego the punishment we deserve.
Second, God's mercy is driven by the simple fact that he loves us, even when
we do not love him.
Both the reason for and the expression of God's love are indicated in the
phrase with Christ. Christ's death on the cross secures our salvation; his res­
urrection from the tomb also brings our spirits to life. Thus for the first time
people are able to come to God fully forgiven after years of seeking fulfillment
in false religions and pleasures of the flesh. It almost goes without saying by
this point in Paul's argument that our salvation is the result of God's grace,
not our own merit.

B. RAISED WITH HIM (v. 6)

6. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly
realms in Christ Jesus,
 MAY_1Jl,_.2._Q_Q~ _ 34:L_ NEW WORKS IN GRACE

WHAT Do You THINK?
In what ways do we sit
with]esus even now?
[Matthew 8: 11 and 22:1­
14 can infonn your answCl:]
Raised us up extends the resurrection imagery in verse 5. At the end of
chapter 1, Paul speaks of Christ's ascension to Heaven and exaltation after
his resurrection. There he sat down at God's right hand to rule the universe
• (Ephesians 1:20-23; see Philippians 2:8-11). Now Paul says that Christ not
only redeemed us and brought us back to life, he also raised us together so
that we may share in his glorious reign.
Notably, these words refer not only to our eternal reward in Heaven, but
also to our status as believers now, at the present time. Not only has God for­
given us, he has also raised us up with and through his Son. See also Colos­
sians 2: 12 for other features associated with being "raised."

C. BLESSED FOR ETERNITY (v. 7)

7.... in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable liches

ofhis grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Chlist]esus.

Paul has just stressed that God's grace has already been revealed in an
incredible way through our unmerited salvation. Now Paul says that these
blessings will continue forever. While some have suggested that in the coming
ages refers to future generations of humanity, the phrase more likely refers to
eternity beyond the end of human time. At some point Christ will come and
this world will pass away, but even then (or especially then) we will continue
to enjoy the benefits of God's grace.
Further, God has done all this not only for our own benefit, but also and
primarily so that he can demonstrate his graciousness to all creation. The fact
of our salvation reveals his nature as a loving and merciful God.
RECOGNIZING WORTH
Archimedes was the ancient philosopher who discovered the principle ofwater
displacement. The only known source for two of his treatises is a tenth-century
copy on a goatskin. Because parchment was scarce, an anonymous scribe in the
twelfth century AD eradicated the writing \\~th a weak acid solution and rubbed the
skin smooth so it could be used again, not realizing the value of what was being
erased. He then wrote a prayer book on the skin.
Forgers in the twentieth century made the situation worse by painting religious
images over four pages of the skin, hoping to make the prayer book more valuable.
However, a few years ago scientists at Stanford University found that powerful X­
rays would react \\~th the iron-based ink that was used centuries earlier With this
technique, they were able to read the lost ancient text.
Neither the twelfth-century scribe nor the twentieth-century forgers appreciat­
ed the value of what they were destroying ~th their "improvements." Do we ever
How TO SAY IT end up destroying what Paul calls "the incomparable riches of [God's] grace" \~th
Archimedes. Ar-huh-ME­
our own ideas or "improvements"? -c. R. B.
deez.
Artemis. AR-teh-miss. D. SAVED BY GRACE (w. 8, 9)
canard. huh-NARD. 8. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith----and this not from

Damascus. Duh-MASS-hus. yourselves, it is the gift of God-

Ephesus. EF-uh-sus.
Moses. MO-zes or MO-zez.
Pharisees. FAIR-ih-seez.
Philippians. Fih-LIP-ee-unz.
synagogues. SIN-uh-gogs.
Tyrannus. Ty-RAN-nus.
Up to this point in the chapter, Paul has used fairly grandiose language to
describe God's love and our salvation. The Ephesians have lived out the ultimate
"rags to riches" story, going from ignorant slaves to exalted children of God. But
lest this lead to spiritual arrogance, Paul proceeds to stress two critical points.
First, our salvation is a product of God's grace, not of anything we have
done or could do. It is, in fact, categorically impossible for any person to be

...

LESSON 11 343 MAY 10, 2009

saved by works (see v. 9, next). Second, salvation, being a gift, is not some­
thing we can take for granted. The fact that God did all the work to bring us
back to life doesn't mean that we can kick back and relax. Quite the oppo­
site! Verse 10 (below) stresses that we are saved for the purpose of works for
Christ.
The phrase through faith indicates the premier means by which we are
saved, the way that God's grace comes to us. (The parallel passage Colossians
2: 12 adds the important dimension of baptism.) Jesus' death on the cross
was a public act, a fact of history. But, sadly, not everyone receives forgiveness Visual for Lesson 11. Use
through his sacrifice. God's grace becomes relevant to us as we believe in him. this visual to start a discus­
This means believing not only that God exists, as Paul believed when he was sion as you introduce the next
still aJewish sinner (v. 3), but also believing to the point that we have faith question below.
in Christ as our only way of salvation. The gift to which Paul refers is the for­
giveness that we enjoy once faith allows us to receive God's grace.
The phrase this notfrom yourselves is among the more controversial state­
ments in the Bible. Paul is clearly using this clause to modify something he
has just said, but the grammar makes us wonder whether Paul is referring to
grace, faith, or something else. Exactly what is it that is not of ourselves?
Although not apparent in English, the words grace and faith are feminine
in gender in the Original language, while the word this is neuter in gender in
this particular passage. Thus whatever it is that is notfrom yourselves must be WHAT Do You THINK?
something other than either faith or grace specifically since the genders of How do youfeel when you
the words don't match. Paul probably means that it is the whole system of receive something as a gift
grace . .. through faith that is notfrom yourselves. This signifies that salvation as opposed to having worked
through Christ as a covenant relationship originates entirely with God. This for it? How do you feel when
proposal gains strength in light of verse 9 (next). you see someone else receiv­
Our discussion of this single verse has been lengthy because Ephesians ing something as a gift as
2:8 is one of the most significant verses in the New Testament. Certainly this opposed to having worked for
verse should be in anyone's "top ten" list! Grace refers to God's favor toward it? \\!hat adjustments to your
us-a vital topic. It could not be earned by our effort because, as Paul has attitude do you need to make,
just said, we were dead to God because of our sins and evil thoughts. Proof of if any?
God's goodwill may be found in the cross, which reveals the price God was [Make sure to look at
willing to pay to restore our relationship with him. Matthew 20:1-16 before you
9.... not by works, so that no one can boast. answer.J
This verse completes and underscores the thought of verse 8. We do not
receive grace because we have done good works (Romans 3:28; 2. Timothy
1:9; Titus 3:5). If salvation could come by works, then people could boast
about their salvation. Of course, God would not be impressed by any such
boasting (l Corinthians 1:29).
Humility is important. We may be tempted to criticize the lifestyles of
worldly friends and relatives, but let us not forget that we did nothing to
merit God's favor ourselves. A proper understanding of who we were and
what God has done should instead make us feel deep appreciation to him
and a deep sorrow for those who are lost.

E. PREPARED IN ADVANCE (v. 10)

10. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ]esus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Once we are saved, good works are not optional. In chapter 1, Paul reas­
sures the Ephesians of their salvation by stressing that God's grace is not
MAY 10, 2009
WHAT Do You THINK?
What feelings are ap­
propriate and inappropriate
for accompanying our good
works? How have you grown
spiritually in this regard?
[Acts 2:44-46; 2 Corinthi­
ans 8:2; and James 4: 17 will
be important to consider.]
PRAYER
Father, we understand that
the Bible says you love us.
Help us to know this love in
our hearts. Please take away
ourfeelings ofguilt so that ­
we can focus entirely on your
infinite grace.
Give us a real desire to
serve you, not just because
we have to but because we
know that you have made us
for this reason. Give us also
compassion toward those who
do not know you and oppor­
tunities to help them learn of on our past lives and our ongoing sinfulness, we don't seem to be making the
the wonderful grace we have
received.
344 NEW WORKS IN GRACE
contingent on human effort; rather, God has had us in his plans since "before
the creation of the world" (1:4). Now Paul extends that thought to stress that
God also prepared in advance for us to live in a way that reflects our status as
his children. While we are not saved by means of good works, a faith that
does not result in works is not a saving faith (see James 2: 14-26).
PRINCIPLE V5. ApPLICATION
The aircraft design we are most familiar with features large wings toward the
front of the plane and smaller "elevators" at the tail. The large wings provide aero­
dynamic lift while the small ones help change the elevation ar altitude. Most air­
planes are still built this way. However, after World War II experimental aircraft
appeared that featured main wings toward the rear of the plane and smaller wings
at the front. The design came to be known as a canard (from the French word for
duck because of the similar appearance).
Certain military and civilian aircraft now use this design. The "backward" wing
configuration may strike us as rather curious, exotic, and high tech. But at the
same time it is also very"old school": the first airplane flown by Orville and Wil­
bur Wright was a canard design!
The canard design was abandoned far years because ofstability issues; comput­
er guidance now solves the stability problem. The canard design has come back
into vogue because of a desire to achieve greater maneuverability and lower aero­
dynamic drag, not because the underlying aerodynamic prinCiples of flight have
changed. Those principles never change!
Similarly, God's grace through Christ is an unchanging principle of the Christian
life. The fact that "we are God's workmanship, created in ChristJesus to do good
works" is another unchanging principle. We may (and, at times, should) change
the design of our worship services, music styles, outreach programs, etc., as we
recognize better ways of doing things. But let us not confuse what can or should
be changed with what never changes. Applications change; principles do not.
----C. R. B.
CONCLUSION
Christians may be plagued with doubts about their salvation. "lTying hard,
. never sure" is the way such self-doubt has been described. When we reflect
grade. Indeed, if God evaluated our performance in the same way that our
employers do, we might have been cut a long time ago.
This approach to faith, which reflects the spirit and ethic of a Western
marketplace, typically generates two responses, which often wmk together
in something of a vicious cycle. First, we may try to do good deeds to prove
that we are worthy of God's love and mercy; second, when we inevitably
fail to be perfect, we feel guilty and ashamed. These feelings of guilt will
lead us either to try even harder or to give up. This cycle of effort/failure/
guilt leads to depression and burnout. It never leads to genuine biblical
faith.
I The apostle Paul had lived in a cycle something like this before becoming
a Christian. Perhaps for this reason he stressed God's grace again and again.
I The work necessary for us to become members in God's family has been
done on the cross; it has nothing to do with anything we have done or could
do. Of course, God expects us to do what is right, but we do this as an ex­
pression of our salvation, not as merit points toward it.
 LESSON 11 _ 345 MAL1Jt_4QQ2
So whenever we begin to feel guilty, insecure, or burned out, we need to I THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
pause and ask why Are we focusing on our own (in)abilities? If so, the cure is ! Meditate on God's grace.

to recall that God has called us to him through his Son, not through our own

efforts. The cross puts an end to self-doubt.

Discovery Learning

The following is an alternative lesson plan emphasizing learning activities.

Classes desiring such student involvement will find these suggestions helpful. At the

back of this book are reproducible student pages to further enhance activity learning.

INTO THE LESSON
Put in chairs copies of the reproducible activity
"Dead or Alive? (Part 1)" on page 381 for students
to work on as they arrive. Prepare a two-sided
handout to be used throughout the lesson. The
content of the handout is described in each section
of this lesson plan.
At the top of side # 1 of the handout, print
the question, "What are my chances of going to
Heaven?" In a vertical column down the left side,
write the following: 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%,
100%. Keeping all this on the top half of the ,
write these two questions to the right of those per­
centages:
1. What would keep mefrom going to Heaven?
2. What will enable me to go to Heaven?
Begin the lesson by asking, "Ifyou died tonight,
what would be your chance of going to Heaven?
Circle the percentage that you think best reflects
your situation today." After your students do so, ask
them to jot a few notes to the two questions that are
on the worksheet. Do not ask your learners to share
these personal reflections and answers. (You may
wish to assure them that you will not do so.)
Say the following as your transition to Bible
study: "To biblically answer the question we just
raised about our chances of going to Heaven, we
need to understand the relationship of God's grace
to our good works. Paul's teaching in Ephesians
2:1-10 holds the key."
INTO THE WORD
Include a photocopy of today's printed text on
the lower half of side # 1 of the handout. Print the
phrase Dead or Alive? at the top of this photocopy
On the top of side #2 of the handout, print the
following verse designations and phrases down the
left side under the heading Understanding the Text.
Leave a little space for class members to jot notes;
use only the top half of the page: Verse 1: "Dead in
your transgressions and sins"; Verse 2: "Ruler of the
kingdom of the air"; Verse 3: "By nature objects of
wrath"; Verse 5: "Made us alive with Christ"; Verses
8,9: 'i\nd this not from yourselves"; Verse 10: "To
do good works."
This segment of your Bible study will have three
parts:
1. Three-Minute Introduction: Give (or ask a
student to give) a very brief lecture on the Lesson
Background from the lesson commentary
2. Dead or Alive? Using the photocopy of the les­
son text, ask students to underline all the words and
phrases that emphasize what life was like when they
were dead in Christ. Then ask them to circle the
words that indicate the change to becoming alive in
him. You can divide your class into small groups for
this task. Ask students or groups to report their dis­
coveries; jot these on the board as they do.
3. Understanding the Text: Ask students to tum
to side #2 of the handout. Ask the following ques­
tions about the words and phrases listed there. You
may need to clarify your students' understanding
by using the lesson commentary.
Verse 1: What does Paul imply by using the word
dead in this verse? Verse 2: Why do you think Paul
used this unusual title for Satan? Verse 3: Who
is Paul talking about in this verse? What does he
mean by the word nature? Verse 5: What do the
two words with Christ imply in this verse? Verses 8,
9: What does this passage say about the relation­
ship between our salvation and our behavior? What
makes it possible for us to be saved? Verse 10: What
does this phrase tell us about why Christians do
good works?

"-------­
MAY 10, 2009
Display this statement that you have prepared
on a poster board: "1iue or False? Good works are
worthless in terms of earning salvation, but indis­
pensable in terms of expressing it." Allow time for
discussion.
INTO LIFE
On the lower part of side #2 of the handout,
print the heading Next Step. Under it print Created
in Christ]esus to Do Good Works.
346 NEW WORKS IN GRACE
Remind the class that God expects us to do good
works because we are saved. Say, "It is appropriate to
evaluate our good works on]esus' behalf occasion­
ally We should ask ourselves, 'What good work(s)
has Christ prepared for me to do?'" Each person is
to identify one good work he or she would like to
develop in life for God's glory Students should write
that commitment next to the words Next Step.
Distribute copies of the reproducible activity "Dead
or Alive? (Part 2)" on page 381 as take-home work.