09/06/2026
From Pastor Matt’s sermon today—
Before we talk about what we do for Jesus, we must begin with what He has done for us. We are saved by GRACE through FAITH—not by our good works. But once Jesus makes us alive, good works become the natural evidence of that new life.
Good works aren’t the ROOT of salvation—they’re the FRUIT of it!
Three questions worth asking ourselves from Ephesians 2:1–10:
1. Have I truly been SAVED?
Paul pulls no punches: apart from Christ, we aren’t merely struggling, slightly misguided, or in need of repair.
We are DEAD in our trespasses and sins.
If our greatest problem were ignorance, we would only need education. If it were poverty, we would only need more resources. If it were behavior, we would only need discipline.
But our deepest problem is SIN—and if we are dead in sin, we don’t need improvement. We need RESURRECTION!
A dead tree doesn’t need decoration. It needs LIFE.
We can staple all kinds of “fruit” onto our lives:
I go to church.
I give money.
I help people.
I volunteer.
I’m a decent person.
Those may be wonderful things—but we must be sure we aren’t simply decorating a dead tree.
The good news arrives in two glorious words:
“BUT GOD…”
While we were dead, God made us alive with Christ!
Jesus didn’t come merely to make bad people good. He came to make dead people ALIVE.
Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Are you trusting His grace—or the fruit you’ve tried to staple onto the tree?
2. If I’m saved, where is the FRUIT?
Salvation is a gift—not a paycheck.
You cannot serve your way into salvation. You cannot earn what Jesus freely purchased for you. Service is not a substitute FOR salvation—it is the result of it!
But when someone gives you a priceless gift—something you desperately needed but could never afford—it changes the way you live toward the giver.
Grace received becomes grace given.
When Jesus saves us, something changes. We become His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus FOR good works.
We talk often about the change in our eternal destination when we are saved—and praise the Lord, we are bound for Heaven! But salvation also changes our earthly DIRECTION.
Instead of walking with the world, we go into the world with a new mission:
To look like Jesus.
To show Him off.
To make His love visible.
Are you becoming more compassionate in a jaded world?
More generous in a greedy world?
More patient in a hurried society?
More aware of the needs around you as the world becomes increasingly selfish and self-centered?
Living trees bear fruit!
3. Who has God placed in FRONT of me?
God has already prepared something good for you to do.
He has people, places, and opportunities lined up for you to serve. It may not be dramatic. It may seem ordinary. It may look like an interruption—or involve someone you would rather avoid.
But God has something for YOU to walk in.
Maybe the opportunity you’ve been praying for God to send is already standing in front of you, sitting beside you, living next door, or working across the hall.
Pay attention!
We all want to change the world—but perhaps we should begin by asking:
Whose world—even whose DAY—could I change for the better this week?
A neighbor.
A coworker.
A classmate.
A church friend.
Someone struggling.
Someone lonely.
Someone who can do absolutely nothing for you in return.
Christian service makes the love of Christ visible to people who desperately need to see it.
Your good works cannot save you—or anyone else. But they can open doors, soften hearts, create space for questions, and make someone wonder:
“Why would you do this for me?”
And what a beautiful opportunity to answer:
“Because Jesus has done FAR more for me.”
Serve them.
Give your time.
Give your effort.
Give because Jesus has given to YOU.
And pray over every opportunity:
“Lord, let this person experience something from YOU through ME.”
You are not saved BY good works.
You have been saved FOR good works.
Salvation is the root.
Service is the fruit.
