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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Read: Ephesians 2:8-10
Listen: Ephesians 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Gospel is a word meaning “good news.” The good news is that God loves and pursues people despite their sins! God creates the world and declares all he has made “very good” (Genesis 1:31). He has a close relationship with the first people, Adam and Eve. Yet this relationship breaks when they choose not to trust God and do the one thing he asked them not to do. Their disobedience (called sin) passes to all and leaves the world broken. But God has a plan. He sends his son Jesus to earth. Jesus lives in perfect obedience to God and then dies on a Roman cross. His death pays the penalty for sin. His resurrection shows he has power over death. Because of Jesus, people can have a relationship with God in this life and the next. Good news, indeed!

This good news deserves a response. Jesus provides salvation as a free gift of grace and mercy to any who accept it. It’s not about what we do but what Jesus has done for us. We have two options—reject his gift or accept it. Accepting his gift of rescue means repenting of our wrongs, turning humbly toward Jesus and following him as the leader of our life.

Accepting this gift is a one-time decision, and it is also a daily choice. A Christian is someone who has accepted this gift and given their life to him. Christians also recognize they continually fail and need to turn to Jesus again and again. Fortunately, we are not alone. God has given us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does many things, but one major role is to draw us continually toward God and repentance.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Memorize Ephesians 2:8-9. Thank God for salvation through his grace that we do not have to work to earn. If you haven’t accepted this gift, you can do that right now. You don’t have to perform spectacular deeds, but simply tell Jesus you believe he died for you and invite him to be your leader. Contact us at btw@adabible.org for a conversation about the next step.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

November is BIBLE MEDITATION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.