Piety

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 103:1-22
• Hymn — Bless His Holy Name (Psalm 103, #103)
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Faith — Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 13 (On Sanctification)
• Hymn — All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night (#158)
• Pastoral Prayer
• Sermon
• Hymn — Take My Life and Let It Be (#538)
• Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14

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Sermon Title: Defining Gospel Piety

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

I. What Piety Is Not — Distinguishing Piety from Pietism

A. Pietism originated in 17th-century Germany and has been popularized through Wesleyan Methodism B. Pietism shifts the center of the Gospel from Christ's accomplished and applied grace to human effort

1. It teaches that a person contributes something to salvation through personal faith and moral striving
2. It devalues doctrine and overemphasizes human effort toward moral perfection in this life
3. It teaches pursuit of holiness not out of thankfulness, but because God cannot complete the work alone C. Gospel piety is not pietism — there is no room for self-powered self-improvement in Ephesians 2:1-10

II. Gospel Piety Is Walking with God

A. Brief definitions of gospel piety

1. Stephen Nichols: piety is Godly living — living out in all areas of life a Godly life unto God
2. David Gilbert (PCA pastor): gospel piety is a craving for Christ through his word that leads to Godly living B. Paul's language of walking in Ephesians 2:10 — "that we should walk in them"
3. In Ephesians 2:1-2, the pre-conversion life is described as walking in trespasses and sins
4. In Ephesians 2:10, the Gospel outcome is a new course of walking — Good Works C. Biblical precedents for walking with God
5. Genesis 5:21-24 — Enoch walked with God; commended in Hebrews 11 as one who pleased God
6. Micah 6:8 — "to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" D. Walking with God is relational and personal — good works are defined by the character and will of the good God E. Walking with God is joyful — piety is not cold mechanical calculation but joyful movement with God

III. Gospel Piety Is the Fruit of Christ's Saving Work

A. The Gospel proclamation of Ephesians 2:4-9 — "But God," rich in mercy, makes the dead sinner alive in Christ

1. Salvation is entirely a work of grace — "not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
2. Even the faith by which a person takes hold of Christ is itself a gift from God B. The believer is God's workmanship — Ephesians 2:10
3. "Created in Christ Jesus" — God remakes the sinner as a new creation, forming them into the image of his Son
4. The purpose of this new creation is good works — Godly living, gospel piety C. Piety flows from Christ's saving work, not from independent human striving

IV. Gospel Piety Is the Aim of God's Saving Preparation

A. "Which God prepared beforehand" (Ephesians 2:10) — one Greek word used only of God

1. Paul uses the same word in Romans 9:23 — vessels of mercy prepared beforehand for glory
2. From eternity past, God purposed and secured both the glory and the good works of his people B. God does not merely prepare beforehand — he also secures and guarantees what he prepares
3. A teacher or parent may prepare lessons but cannot guarantee results
4. God alone both prepares and secures — he works in his people to will and to work for his good pleasure C. John Calvin: "The Apostle Paul does not say that we are assisted by God… rather the apostle affirms that we are God's work and that everything good in us is his creation" D. This does not reduce believers to robots — when God unites us to Christ and renews the will, he works with and in us

V. Why Are We Talking About Piety?

A. Because God does — his word teaches the duty of piety B. Because God wills piety in his people — he has prepared beforehand that his people should walk with him C. The Christian has work to do — walking to walk — but never alone, never in their own strength D. Walking with God is a privilege made possible by Christ's saving work