#1393. But because of God’s great love (24/11/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

In our last devotionals on Ephesians 2:1–3, we were reminded of the depths of death and sin from which we needed rescue. That dark backdrop now makes the light of God’s grace shine even more brilliantly as we come to the next section - a passage that highlights  God’s great love, grace and purpose. 

From Ephesians 2:4-7, we see that God’s love and mercy are the only cause of our salvation.

To watch this devotional, select the link below:

1. But because of His great love

We are reminded that God broke into our sinful condition with His great love. Our only hope of salvation was in God Himself acting to save us. The depths of our sin rendered us completely helpless. Salvation is not us reaching up to God - it is Him reaching down to us.

It was while we were:

• ‘Dead in our transgressions and sins…’

• ‘Following the ways of this world.’

• Controlled by Satan and demonic powers - ‘the spirit at work in the disobedient.’

• ‘Gratifying the cravings of our flesh.’

• ‘By nature deserving of wrath.’

It was while we were in this condition that God’s love came to us. The immeasurable greatness of His mercy is seen most clearly when we understand the unworthiness of its recipients. His grace is magnified when we see that we were brought home in Christ from a place of complete alienation - not from a position of being ‘almost good enough.’

The riches of God’s mercy are displayed, as in the story of the prodigal son, when the father’s abundance is lavished upon the utterly undeserving child as he comes home in shame and rags. 

2. The response to God’s undeserved love

Later in this letter, Paul will pray that believers might grasp God’s love more fully:

We need to have this ‘But because of His great love for [me]…’  firmly planted in our hearts. This is the root of our joy and the foundation of our Christian life.

The prodigal son understood his unworthiness. His confession was:

And yet, the Father’s welcome and celebration were not because the son was worthy, but - just as Paul says in Ephesians - because of the Father’s great love and mercy.

I sometimes wonder how the prodigal lived after returning home. Surely, he must have been a most grateful and faithful son. And so it is with us - joy, gratitude, and obedience will naturally flow when we truly grasp the depth of God’s love and mercy toward us.

Response

Do you have a ‘But because of God’s great love for me…’ rooted deep in your spirit? Are you filled with wonder and joy that He has welcomed you home in Christ?

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Note:

• Please be thinking and praying about who you might want to invite to our upcoming carol service (7th December)

• Also, do sign up for carol singing (30th November).  To sign up, go to: https://forms.monday.com/forms/67541e198902721e4b04ee65cc95ae8a?r=use1

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

This week, we continue in our series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message on Sunday from Ephesians 2:4-7 was:  Wrath to Riches - How God's grace has saved us.

In these verses, we see the astonishing love and grace of God - a love that transforms both our identity and our eternal future. We reflected on how:

Remembering what we have been saved from and saved for should deeply impact how we live now. 

Please read Ephesians 2:4-7 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• In verse 3, he sets a contrast with the words, ‘But because…’ Take a moment to review verses 1-3 so as to remind ourselves of our condition when God’s love broke in. 

• Why do you think God loved us? 

• What does it mean to be ‘made alive’ and what are the results?

• What does it mean to be ‘raised up with Christ’? 

• According to verse 7, what will God do through each of us for all eternity? 

• How is this truth - wrath to riches - to be reflected in our lives? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How do these verses assure us that God will continue to bring people to Himself?

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.