Gods Great Gift

Introduction

We have been considering Paul’s prayer (1:15–23) that his readers’ inward eyes might be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to know the implications of God’s call to them, the wealth of his inheritance which awaits them in heaven and above all the surpassing greatness of his power which is available for them meanwhile.- John R. W. Stott

Main Idea: as Christians we have been saved by grace through faith, and so we walk. Again, as Christians we have been saved by grace through faith, and so we walk.

We will see that in the text in three ways.

First - Our Former Condition

Second - Gods Glorious Gift

Third - Our Present Condition

Body

First - Our Former Condition

English Standard Version Chapter 2

2 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 body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Explanation

In other words, Paul here is saying that we all once walked in darkness and death.

When we read Paul saying trespasses AND sins we may be tempted to think that Paul is simply being emphatic about sin. Or possibly trying to make a point by saying the double negative in the sentence. However, Paul is not being vague here, the Spirit has inspired Paul to use these two words specifically.

Trespasses - going past the line

Sin - underlying power of evil against the will of God

Sins - acts that express sinful power

We see this reality in Romans 5 where Paul, writing to the Church in Rome uses both terms.

Romans 5:12-14 “12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam,

The word Transgression has the same Root as Trespass,

Together the two words cover the positive and negative, or active and passive, aspects of human wrongdoing, that is to say, our sins of commission and of omission. Before God we are both rebels and failures. As a result, we are ‘dead’ or ‘alienated from the life of God - John Stott

Colossians 1:21 “21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,”

Colossians 2:13 “13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh”

Illustration

Walking In darkness, living while spiritually dead....

Second - Gods Glorious Gift

English Standard Version Chapter 2

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.

Explanation

But God, loving us and desiring to show mercy, MADE US ALIVE by GRACE!

But God- This is the climax of the passage! Though we enjoy reading the many positive “but God” passages, we must remember that we need to read further to tell what God will do, Will it be a blessing or a curse like God provided Pharoah whose heart He hardened. Or the proud sinner who prayers God doesn't hear. So what does this passage tell us!

Colossians 2:12 “12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Titus 3:5-6 “5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,”

Illustration

Third - Our Current Condition

English Standard Version Chapter 2

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Explanation

Illustration

Conclusion

As we have seen in our text this morning,