How To MAKE The MOST of Your LIFE

Ephesians 2:10; Selected Scriptures
By
D.Z. Cofield, Th.M., D. Min.
May 21, 2023

Responsive Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

Leader: 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Congregation: 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of
the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Leader: 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the
body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Congregation: 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

Leader: 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace
you have been saved—

Congregation: 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ
Jesus,

Leader: 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness
toward us in Christ Jesus.

Congregation: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is
the gift of God,

Leader: 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Everyone: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

How To MAKE The MOST of Your LIFE

Lausanne Covenant –

GOD wants His whole CHURCH to take the whole GOSPEL to the whole WORLD.

1. You need to realize GOD has done a WORK for YOU. (Eph. 2:4-9)

A. YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD! (v. 4).

Ephesians 2:4 (ESV) – But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved
us,

B. YOU ARE ALIVE IN CHRIST! (v. 5).

Ephesians 2:5 (ESV) – even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with
Christ—by grace you have been saved—

C. YOU HAVE BEEN EXALTED BY HIS POWER! (v. 6).

Ephesians 2:6 (ESV) – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in
Christ Jesus,

D. YOU HAVE BEEN KEPT BY GOD! (vv. 7-9).

Ephesians 2:7-9 (ESV) – so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his
grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And
this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2. You need to let GOD work in YOU (Eph. 2:10a)

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Workmanship –

To do this, He uses three special tools:

A. The WORD of God

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV) – And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received
the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it
really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

B. PRAYER

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) – Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or
think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

C. SUFFERING

1 Peter 4:10-14 (ESV) – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards
of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as
one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, do not
be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were
happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice
and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed,
because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV) – to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and
is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on
the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

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3. You need to let GOD work THROUGH you (Eph. 2:10b)

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Walk –

James 2:14-20 (ESV) – What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have
works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16
and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things
needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works,
and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the
demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from
works is useless?

Matthew 5:16 (ESV) – In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your
good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Titus 2:14 (ESV) – who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for
himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV) – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices
are pleasing to God.

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV) – Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak
against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Prepared beforehand –

L.I.F.E. Group Questions

1. Who do you know that, based on talent, skills and abilities, didn’t make the most of their life?
Explain
2. In what area of your life do you feel you didn’t maximize your talent, skills and abilities?
3. How important is it to know God has done a work for you? Explain
4. Why should you constantly remind yourself you are loved by God?
5. How can knowing you’ve been raised up in Jesus Christ help you have a more positive view of
yourself?
6. Describe what it feels like to know you’ve been kept by God, and that God has kept you
through your life even when He didn’t keep you from some things.

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7. Why is it important to let God work in you?
8. How does God use the Bible to do a work in and on you?
9. What role does prayer play in allowing God to work in you?
10. When has your personal suffering allowed God to work in you and help you grow in Him?
11. What does it mean to truly follow Jesus when He leads?
12. What do you need to do to surrender the leadership of your life to Jesus?
13. How important is it to know God can work through you?
14. Where do you feel God calling you to do good works?
15. What do you need to do, from this point forward, to maximize your talent, skills and abilities
and let God work through you?