SERIES: Marked

TITLE:   Acceptance Matters

TEXT:  Eph.2:1-10 (p.976)

“Maybe it’s not just what we’re doing wrong, but what we’re failing to do right that brings these negative stereotypes.”  John Burke in Mud and the Masterpiece

I.    THE BASIS FOR ACCEPTANCE                                                                                

 “The world can do almost anything as well as or better than the church.  You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry, or heal the sick. There is one thing the world cannot do.  It cannot offer grace.”  Gordon MacDonald

Mount Whitney, CA is 14,494 ft

Death Valley is 282 ft below sea level

Three pictures from Eph.2:1-3

1. We were (dead).
2. We walked in (Satan’s way)
3. We were (condemned).

Three thoughts follow “But God.”

1)     He made us (alive).

2)     He (raised) us up.

3)     He (seated us) with Him.

II.    THE EXAMPLE OF ACCEPTANCE

The Master in action:

1. Nicodemus- John 3
2. Woman at the well- John 4
3. Woman caught in adultery- John 8

NEXT WEEK:   Relationships Matters- 2 Cor.5: 14-21