Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

pray

We have a problem

Eph 2:1-3 “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.”

Explain

There is not a religion in the world that doesn’t agree that something’s wrong with you

You don’t get a free pass based on growing up in the church or being a good person

Unless you’ve been saved, you’re in trouble

Prove

Eph 6:12 “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.”

John 6:53 “So Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life in yourselves.”

Illustrate

Poor examples ie flotation device

What can a corpse do?

Apply

Transition

So how do we fix this?

God has a solution

Eph 2:4-7 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

Explain

God Loves his people Make no mistake that he is a loving God

Our sin has left us in a bad place. But God. But God. Those are some of the sweetest words in all of scripture. Even in my life (see illustraion)

This is the pattern we see in scripture over and over. God’s people are in such deep, dark, hopeless place, then God overcomes. Not only that but he blesses them abundantly. Look at the nation of Israel (see proofs)

d. made us alive … raised us up … seated us. These are historical events in the life of Christ: His resurrection from the dead and enthronement at the right hand of God. But Paul also applies them to believers. Paul teaches a union between Christ and those who come to trust in Him (1:3; Col. 3:1–4), so that what is said of the Redeemer can also be said of the redeemed. What once happened to Jesus will one day happen to believers as well (2 Cor. 4:16): they will be resurrected to glory at His return (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15). For the present, there is a new mind (4:23, 24; Rom. 12:1, 2), a new identity as God’s children (Rom. 8:14–17), and a new ability to live free from the control of Satan (Rom. 8:1–4; 2 Cor. 5:17). These realities are all part of what it means that the believer is united to Jesus Christ in His resurrection.

R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 2093.

Prove

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Col 2:13 “And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses.”

Illustrate

I struggled with depression and anxiety for a long time.

Apply

Now Act

What is the best gift you ever got?

What should our response be to such a great gift?

Eph 2:8-10 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.”

Explain

Salvation is a past reality with a present effect

God saves us from the consequences of our sin. He does the hard work

He then gives us good works to do. But even that good work has been prepared ahead of time We really get the easy end of this deal

Again, we cannot save ourselves (see proofs)

This is a gift, not something worked for

Prove

John 3:3 “Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.””

Gal 2:16 “know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.”

Illustrate

What you do with a gift shows how you care about the one who gave it to you Car gift

Apply

What are some steps you can take to show God your thankfullness?

What good works has God placed in your life for you to do?

Conclusion

List Points

List application

Exhort

If someone asked what the gospel was, could you tell them?

Pray

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