Ephesians 2:10 1. Any good thing in us is all a product of God’s grace. Whether we acknowledge Him or not! He’s still the author of Good. The only part we have to play is either acceptance or rejection. 2. There is a vast difference between being saved by good works and being saved unto good works. a. Good works do not gain us salvation, but they do affirm that salvation has been received into our lives. Jeremiah 29:11(NKJV) b. God has ordained a perfect plan for each of our lives, But God does not force that plan to come to pass; we always have the choice. Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV) God protects our free will to choose 1. Unfortunately sometimes our free will to choose prevent the goodness of God from benefiting us”. Ephesians 2:11(NKJV) a. Paul began these verses by the statement “Therefore remember.” It is always good to remind ourselves of what we were, apart from God’s saving grace. It is an antidote for pride and self-righteousness. b. God alone begins and completes the change in us. Ephesians 2:12 (NKJV) 1. There are wonderful promises given to those who have Christ. a. It’s easy to exist and not live, living in Him is a powerful experience, the life that Jesus brings is talked about in John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” b. Jesus is our Living Hope 2. Hope is our positive imagination a. Hopeless is an attack from the enemy. b. Hope is belief that the future will be better than the present. c. Any area of our lives that don’t glisten with Hope is an area of deception. Psalm 31:24 (NKJV) Ephesians 2:13(NKJV) 1. The phrases “far off” and “made nigh” are figurative, describing our relationship with the Lord. a. The truth is, God is “not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). b. Before being “born again” though, it was as if the Lord was very far away. Meaning there was little or no communication with Him and no benefit of His presence. That can feel hopeless. c. After salvation, it is as though the Lord has come very near to us. We can speak to Him at any time and always feel His presence. What are the benefits of Living Hope 1. The forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7),A new heart (Jeremiah 31:33-34), Mercy toward unrighteousness (Hebrews 8:12), 2. Justification (Romans 5:9), Eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12), Intimate relationship with God (Hebrews 8:11), 3. Peace with God (Colossians 1:20), The putting away of sin (Hebrews 9:26) , Continual cleansing (1 John 1:7), 4. A cleansed conscience (Hebrews 9:14), Deliverance from the Law (Ephesians 2:15), 6. A perfect standing before God (Colossians 1:22), The spoiling of principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15), 7. Christian liberty (Galatians 5:1), Healing for the physical body (Matthew 8:17). Application 1. Expect God’s best to overwhelm you. 2. Don’t fill your days with looking back to yesterday. 3. Never trust a conclusion that doesn’t include Hope. 4. Pray in the Holy Spirit. 5. Stop trying to enter a room that you’re already in. 6. Stay in the Word of God. 7. Guard my heart. 8. Make the Kingdom of God My Priority.