October 26, 2025 SERMON NOTES

Contagious: His Grace is Amazing!

Ephesians 2:1-10

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 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— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 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. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I. Remember Life Before Jesus (Eph. 2:1-3)
Lost People are...
1. Spiritually Dead
2. Worldly Focused
3. Eternally Condemned 

II. Celebrate Life with Jesus (Eph. 2:4-9)
1. What Do We Believe? 
2. What is Grace? 
3. How Do We Share Jesus? 

III. Live Life for Jesus (Eph. 2:10) 
1. We're God's Canvas
2. We're Saved to Do Good Works
3. We're to Guard Against Pride 
4. We're to Build God's Kingdom

Three Urgent Questions: 

Urgent Question 1 
Do You Remember Being Lost? 

Urgent Question 2
Are you Willing to Personalize, "But God?" 

Urgent Question 3
Are You Convinced of Your Worth to God? 

OCTOBER 26, 2025 STUDY GUIDE

CONTAGIOUS: HIS GRACE IS AMAZING!

Ephesians 2:1-10

As you open God's Word, read Ephesians 2:1-10. The Holy Spirit led Paul to write the Book of Ephesians. It's a theological masterpiece. 

One theme that leaps off the pages of God's Word is His grace. God's grace is amazing and matchless. You don't deserve His grace, nor can you earn it. Grace is God's unmerited favor and a gift to you. 

Pause for a moment and thank God for His amazing grace!

A few questions this week focus on your life before Jesus. Your study group needs to be a safe place to share. As the Holy Spirit leads, share how the grace of God has changed and is changing your life. Always remember, the Hero of your story is Jesus, not yourself. Your story is powerful. May the Lord use your witness! 

Paul loved God's people at Ephesus. He pastored them, discipled them, and protected them. Paul lived his life on mission and with purpose. Do you love God's people? Are you living out God's mission and purpose for your life? 

What did Paul want God's people at Ephesus to know and do? 

1. Remember Life Before Jesus (Eph. 2:1-3). Paul never lost sight of his life before Jesus. What does the phrase "dead in the trespasses and sins" mean? The Bible uses three words for death: physical, spiritual, and eternal. Physical death is a reality in life. Apart from Jesus Christ, every person is dead spiritually. The final death is eternal. This happens when a person dies without Jesus. What do you remember about your life before Jesus?   

2. Celebrate Life with Jesus (Eph. 2:4-9). Paul rejoiced that Jesus changed his life. He was alive in Christ. Paul used two powerful words then, and they're still relevant today. He said, "But God!" Can you name other places in the Bible where those two words are used? Take a few minutes and talk about the following words: mercy, love, grace, and faith. What does it look like for you to celebrate life with Jesus? 

3. Live Life for Jesus (Eph. 2:10). Paul testified that salvation wasn't the end. Jesus saved him and left him on earth for a reason, a divine agenda. Paul talked about being "God's workmanship." What do those two words mean? As you experience God's grace, He saved you to serve. You've been redeemed, left on this earth, and given the Holy Spirit for a holy assignment. God desires to use you. How are you living your life for Jesus? 

In your study group, take time now to discuss these three spiritual realities of grace. You can share stories about each one as the Lord leads. 

• Saving Grace (You're saved by God's grace)

• Equipping Grace (You serve in ministry by God's grace) 

• Sustaining Grace (You survive (and thrive) in the storms of life by God's grace)

Here are three final relevant questions to discuss: 

1. How has "being saved" changed your life? 

2. What does "celebration" look like for a Christian? 

3. How can you "see yourself" as God sees you? 

You're being prayed for this week. Our pastor will deal with many relevant sermon topics throughout this series. We hope you'll join us for every sermon and worship gathering. 

If you're able, please comment to us, and let us know what God is doing in and through your life. 

We hope to worship with you this weekend. 

View all of the "Contagious" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/contagious.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

October 5-November 16

Operation Christmas Child mission project has officially begun! You can pick up a shoebox now! There are display boxes in the church concourse near Missions Landing entrance. Packing instructions are available. The last day to return boxes will be Sunday, November 16. Remember, each child who receives a shoe box will hear the gospel. The shoebox recipients will also have the opportunity to enroll in a 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program. 

FALL GROWTH GROUPS

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROWTH GROUPS

6:00-7:15pm  |  Cost: $10

GROWTH GROUPS starting October 22

• A Jesus Shaped Life (Women’s Study): Pam Carter- Original Fellowship Hall (Mark Briggs’ Classroom)

  In this 7-session Bible study, Lisa Harper invites you to explore the depths of God's character, God's love for you, and how your relationship with Him transforms you. Ultimately, you will experience how biblically sound theology deepens your relationship with God and each other.

  Unpack rich theological concepts, like:

  • Imago Dei—what it means to be made in God's image

  • Hypostatic union—Jesus as fully God and fully human

  • Christ's Transcendence—that He is above and beyond all creation. He is holy, eternal, and sovereign.

  • Christ's Immanence—that He is present with and near to His creation.

  • Coram Deo—living every moment in the presence of God.

  • Pneumatology—the Holy Spirit, His role, and His work in our lives

  . . . and so much more!

• When God Speaks (Co-ed Study): Scott Moncrief - Room 2230

  When God Speaks by Dr. Henry Blackaby is an extensive study of the important truths concerning God's speaking to His people. God does speak to His followers. He gives clear, personal instructions that enable you to experience fully His power, presence, and love. When God Speaks will help you understand the ways God speaks and be obedient to His voice.

Learn more at fbct.org/growthgroups.

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: JANUARY 11, 2026, 12-2pm

LOCATION: hope BUILDING, original fellowship hall

Our First Steps class is designed for new members and guests. We invite you to join our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronny Raines, and our ministry team for our next membership class. We'll treat you to a delicious lunch and then help you discover how God wants to use you at First Baptist Church. As you attend the class, we'll cover the following subjects:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• Meaning of church membership

• Biblical baptism

• The Lord's Supper

• The church's beliefs and vision

• Opportunities to give

• Ways to serve in the church

• Ministries at First Baptist Church 

• Meet our ministry team

• Time for Q&A

• Tour our church facilities

We hope you'll join us for our next First Steps class. You can register by filling out the online form HERE or contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

FIRST BAPTIST MUSIC

Check out all of the First Baptist Worship Team videos from our online worship services at fbct.org/music.

THE VOICE - MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with all that is going with our monthly newsletter, the Voice! Visit fbct.org/voice!

MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING TOOLS

Fellowship, Worship and Discipleship are fundamental to an obedient life in Christ. First Baptist Church maintains several tools to help us stay connected, share and offer the sacrifice of praise, and grow together. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at fbct.org and click on "app" to see options for adding these tools to your phone or other device. You can use these tools to stay connected to your discipleship group, contact the church, watch past worship services and sermons, as well as support the FBC financially as the Lord directs for you and your family. There are even instructions for how to access these tools using your web browser.

Using these apps, updating your profile information to share with the church is easy. When changes occur in your family life such as a move to a new home, change in email address, etc. you can update your information to be sure that our communication with you is efficient. You can even add a picture to make it easier for your church family to put a name with a face!

Information about any groups that might be of interest to you, such as Connect Groups, teams, committees, etc will be available as well.  Group Leaders can use the tools to take attendance online and access other features.  You can contact the church through the app, read messages from group members/leaders and browse the church directory.

Check out fbct.org/app  for instructions on how to get the app and reach the membership and giving website.

LOVE the time of worship through song today? You can follow us on Spotify and listen to our playlist each week! Follow us on Spotify “First Clarksville” and sing along!