A Genuine Masterpiece

Ephesians 2:8-10
In August of this year, the Italian government seized 500 pieces of counterfeit art that had cost collectors millions of dollars. Just 2 years ago, American authorities indicted 7 people of selling more than $5 million worth of counterfeit art. Apparently, it is a ongoing problem.
I mention that because the Bible tells us here that God is an artist. Those who are transformed by His saving power are God’s masterpieces, but there are many people who are forging themselves as works of God’s design although they are counterfeits. There are still others who are created by God, but they don’t exhibit the traits of His workmanship.
As we consider Paul’s words to the church at Ephesus this morning, we need to honestly ask ourselves if we are God’s work. Is there evidence in our lives of God’s hand at work? I hope you’ll determine this morning not to be a counterfeit.

I. SOURCE-
What makes a work of art valuable is the artist who created it
A Mona Lisa reproduction is not as valuable as the original, no matter how good it looks
What makes us a work of art is the grace of God impacting our lives
When God has personally taken the canvas of our lives and added His touches of grace
10 tells us that, if we are saved, we have been created in Christ Jesus
It is not by our works: by going to church or being a good person that we receive salvation
We are born again when we place our trust in God’s grace
Grace is God giving us better than we deserve
He gave us better than we deserve when He sent His Son to die for us
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God,
We are all sinners, constantly straying and going in our own direction
We deserve only the condemnation of God and an eternity in hell
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God is giving us a gift that we couldn’t earn and that gift is eternal life for those who receive it
God offers to us forgiveness and deliverance from sin
His grace gives us the opportunity to become a part of the family of God
By God’s grace, we have the assurance of heaven one day

II. STATUS-
Since God is the source of this change, we have no reason to feel superior
We have done nothing to deserve God’s grace, nor could we ever deserve it
While the great works of art hang in museum halls, it is not their doing
Neither the Mona Lisa, Michelangelo’s David, nor the Sistine Chapel made themselves
No famous work of art appeared of their own accord, but they were created by a master artist
We might admire the painting but each of them speak of the creator
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Salvation is not something that we can do for ourselves. It isn’t reform in our lives
We can kick a bad habit, but that doesn’t save us
Only the grace of God can give us standing as a Masterpiece
So, Paul reminds us that we have no room to feel superior, no reason to boast
There is something about legalism, about people trying to please God in works that causes pride
When we