Faithful Foundations | Pt. 4 - Sola Gratia | Ephesians 2:1-10

In Pt. 4 of the Faithful Foundations series: The Solas of the Reformation, Pastor John Murphy taught that salvation is not something we can earn or deserve—it is entirely a gift of God’s grace through the finished work of Christ. From Ephesians 2:1–10, he reminded us that apart from Christ we are spiritually dead, enslaved to sin, and unable to save ourselves—dead people can’t fix themselves. But God, rich in mercy and great in love, made us alive with Christ; we are saved by grace, not by our works. Pastor John warned that both religious performance (“I can earn God’s favor”) and self-sufficiency (“I don’t need grace”) reject the gospel’s core truth. Salvation is a free gift to be received, not achieved. Grace produces humility, worship, and obedience—not to earn love, but in response to the love already given. As Pastor John concluded, “Grace isn’t opposed to effort, it’s opposed to earning.” We are God’s workmanship, saved by grace alone to display His immeasurable kindness and live lives of grateful worship.