God is an artist and a poet.
He doesn’t “paint by number” rather His masterpiece is the outward expression of His heart and life.
In Ephesians 2:10, Paul declares that we are God’s “workmanship” – a Greek word where we get our English term “poem.”
In short, Paul is declaring that we are God’s great poetry in and to this world.
In this expositional message, Nathan Johnson talks about the grace and salvation of God in light of God’s working to bring about a masterpiece and poetry that showcases Himself to the world.
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Key Passage: Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 2:8-10 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
A Simple Bible Study Resource
Poetry is the highest form of human language.
Amy Carmichael Poem: Love’s Channel
“What wouldest thou that I should do for thee?”
My Lord, my Savior, pour Thy love through me.
A mountain river when its streams run dry,
So, but for Thee, Fountain of Love, am I.
If there be hindrance, sweep it all away;
O Love Eternal, pour through me, I pray.
For we are his workmanship
- FOR – the reason why salvation is not of works or produced by humanity … it is God’s gift and work (masterpiece)
- We are: eimi (we are) – indicative: simple statement of fact
- Workmanship: poiema (poem)
- poiema: to be at work, that which has been made (product), creation
- root: poieo
- only used 2x in NT
- emphasis on the handiwork or masterpiece of an individual
D. Marytn Lloyd-Jones: “It is God who is the Workman, it is God who is active. . . . How is it possible that anyone can read an open Bible, starting with the words, ‘In the beginning God’, and then go on to think of the whole thing as the activity of man? It is God who acts everywhere. He made man, He made the world. Man sinned – God went after him. It is God who called Abraham; it is God who created the kings; it is God who called the prophets; it is God who gave the law; it is God who gave the instructions about building the tabernacle and the temple; and it was God, who, in the fullness of the times, sent forth His own Son. It is God’s workmanship, God’s activity, from beginning to end. . . . [Yet] we persist in thinking of God as being more or less passive and simply ready to respond to what we do and what we desire.” – D. Marytn Lloyd-Jones, Ephesians Commentary Book 2, page 142
Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning, God poieo the heavens and the earth …
1. Creation is God’s first poem (masterpiece)
Romans 1:20 – For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made [poiema], even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse…
2. I am His second poem
Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Application
1. The focus of your life is not on you but upon Jesus
- You don’t focus on the poem as much as the message and the intent of the person who wrote it
- 2 Corinthians 4:5-10 – For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
2. What if your life was a big finger pointing to the reality of God?
- Psalm 92:4 – For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work (poema); at the works (ergon) of your hands I sing for joy.
- Psalm 142:5 – I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
In Our Next Study Together …
I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your
- The focus of our next study: Ephesians 2:10
- We will examine the second half of Ephesians 2:10 focusing on the “good works” we were made for.
- I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on Ephesians 2:1-10.
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About The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series
The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is a Christ-centered practical in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Join NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) as he expositionally preaches from this incredible book – which will help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, and understand how to study God’s Word.
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. Deeper Christian equips Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
About NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson)
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the
Read more about him here.
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