What do we have to be proud of?

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us that true pride comes from a deep understanding of our spiritual condition before God. We were once dead in our trespasses and sins, following the course of the world and Satan's lead, but through God's amazing grace, we have been made alive together with Christ. This is not something to boast about or be arrogant over, but rather to recognize the depths of God's mercy and love towards us.

Key Scripture References

• Ephesians 2:1-3 - This passage reminds us that our spiritual condition before salvation is one of death and separation from God. We were following the course of this world, following Satan, and living according to our own desires. But God, in His great mercy, made us alive with Christ.
• Romans 3:23 - This verse highlights that we are all by nature objects of wrath, deserving of God's judgment because of our sins. However, through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be justified and receive eternal life.
• Ephesians 2:4-5 - These verses emphasize the role of God's grace in our salvation. He made us alive together with Christ, not by our own efforts or merits, but solely through His mercy and love.
• Romans 11:6 - This passage warns against boasting or being arrogant about our salvation. God's desire is that we would understand the depths of His grace and be humbled by it, rather than taking credit for our own salvation.
• Ephesians 2:8-9 - These verses make it clear that our salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn or achieve through our own efforts. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, and that faith comes from hearing the message of truth.
• Colossians 1:13-14 - This passage highlights the incredible work of redemption that God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, where we have forgiveness and new life.

Key Takeaways

• We must recognize our spiritual condition before salvation as one of death and separation from God. This is not something to be proud of or take credit for, but rather a reminder of the depths of God's mercy and love towards us.
• Our salvation is solely the result of God's grace and mercy, not anything we can earn or achieve through our own efforts. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, and that faith comes from hearing the message of truth.
• We must be careful not to boast or become arrogant about our salvation. Rather, we should be humbled by the realization of God's amazing grace and mercy towards us.
• Our pride and arrogance can actually be a form of idolatry, where we take credit for something that belongs solely to God. We must recognize this and seek to humble ourselves before Him.

This Week's Challenge

This week, we challenge you to reflect on your spiritual condition before salvation. Think about the ways in which you were living apart from God, following the course of the world and Satan's lead. Then, consider the incredible work of redemption that God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. Ask yourself: how can I live out my gratitude for this gift of salvation? How can I demonstrate humility and dependence on God rather than taking credit for my own salvation?

Reflection Questions

• Reflect on a time when you felt like you were living apart from God, following the course of the world and Satan's lead. What was going on in your life at that time? How did you feel about yourself and your relationship with God?
• How can we as believers avoid boasting or becoming arrogant about our salvation? What are some ways we can demonstrate humility and dependence on God?
• Think about a specific area of your life where you struggle with pride or arrogance. How can you apply the principles of this message to that area, seeking to humble yourself before God and live out your gratitude for His gift of salvation?