Ephesians Part 4 | Amazing Grace

Scriptures

Ephesians 2:1–10 NKJV

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

A. Good News

Ephesians 2:1 NKJV

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

This is an immediate declaration of victory that we are made alive in Christ. The word declares we were dead (or separated) from God. We were under the rule of Satan but Christ has freed us. The blood of Jesus has erased the partition and separation for those who receive Him.

Notice there is no third option. The options are rather binary. We are either dead or alive.

What separated us from God? …………..Our trespasses and sins.

Strong's Lexiconhamartia: Sin

Original Word: ἁμαρτία Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: hamartia Pronunciation: hah-mar-TEE-ah Phonetic Spelling: (ham-ar-tee'-ah) Definition: Sin Meaning: prop: missing the mark; hence: (a) guilt, sin, (b) a fault, failure (in an ethical sense), sinful deed.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō), meaning "to miss the mark" or "to err."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - חֵטְא (chet, Strong's 2399) – sin, offense

- עָוֹן (avon, Strong's 5771) – iniquity, guilt

- פֶּשַׁע (pesha, Strong's 6588) – transgression, rebellion

Usage: In the New Testament, "hamartia" is primarily used to denote sin, which is understood as a moral failing or transgression against God's law. It encompasses both the act of sinning and the inherent sinful nature of humanity. The term implies a deviation from God's standards and a failure to live up to His holiness.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of "hamartia" was often associated with missing a target or failing to achieve a goal. In the Jewish context, sin was understood as a violation of the Torah, God's revealed law. The New Testament writers, particularly Paul, expanded on this understanding by emphasizing the universality of sin and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.

Harmatia. To miss the mark. To live below God’s standard. It’s safe to say that we all have been familiar with this condition before. How do we do that? The lust of the Flesh, The lust of the eyes, the pride of life.

Power Principle

Sin is an attempt to gain pleasure or wholeness from an illegal source (outside the will and intent of God) . 

Psalm 16:11 NKJV

11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

panim or paneh: Face, presence, countenance, before

Original Word: פָנִים Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: paniym Pronunciation: pah-NEEM or pah-NEH Phonetic Spelling: (paw-neem') Definition: Face, presence, countenance, before Meaning: the face, as a

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the face was considered the most expressive part of the body, revealing emotions, intentions, and character. The concept of "face" or "presence" was significant in relationships, both human and divine. Being in someone's presence implied a level of intimacy and communication. In the context of worship, seeking the "face" of God was synonymous with seeking His favor and guidance.

This passage lets us know that true fulfillment comes in the presence of God. The face reveals many things. To be near someone or in their face denotes the level of intimacy with that person.

God wants us to seek Him for validation. On the contrary, we often seek the validation of others before His. When reduced our worth to validation, it drives our decisions.  This is often why we find ourselves in situations we don’t want trying to gain rewards benefits they don’t give.

Power principle:

You may not really be as attracted to certain people or things as you think. They just feed your insecurity.

HOW OFTEN DO WE:

Trade alcohol for peace

Trade lust for lasting love

Trade achievement based accolades for genuine care.

We have often been living “in sin” without even knowing it. Paul says that was our mindset.

B. God rescued us

Ephesians 2:4–7 NKJV

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

I. Graces lifts the burden of condemnation and sin from our lives.

We are often burdened by the weight and guilt of our past and current sins. Our hearts are heavy with guilt and regret. We do not often believe we can or should deserve the Mercy of God. We simply don’t believe we equal up. We may be right……But Grace is an unbalanced equation!

Romans 8:1–2 NKJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Jesus has lifted our burden and paid our legal sin debt.

C. Grace amplifies the love of God

Romans 5:20 NKJV

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

The enemy would have you ashamed and running away from God’s love and Grace as Adam and Eve. They hid their nakedness and exposure. Their disobedience was apparent. But the bible says that God covered them!!

Genesis 3:7 NKJV

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Genesis 3:21 NKJV

21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

WOW

Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves. But their coverings were inadequate! Leaves will wilt and they will not last. Even though they had to still deal with the physical consequences of their sin, God still covered them!

Aren’t you glad that even though we’ve made mistakes, God covered Us!! Thank you Jesus!

I.  I need grace

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

D. Grace is available. Fall into it!

Ephesians 2:7–10 NKJV

7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The world tells us that people fall FROM Grace. But the word tells us that people fall INTO Grace. The former indicates that Grace only holds us up. But Grace picks us up every time we fall. This is not a license to sin. But rather, it is relief from the burden of sin.

God’s … Riches… At…. Christ’s….Expense

Psalm 84:11 NKJV

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Conclusion

When you cannot say a thing better it is best to quote it. Today I am reminded of the lyrics to a very familiar hym written in 1899 by Lewis E. Jones

1 Would you be free from the burden of sin?

There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;

Would you o’er evil a victory win?

There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Refrain:

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r

In the blood of the Lamb;

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

2 Would you be free from your passion and pride?

There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;

Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide–

There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood. [Refrain]

3 Would you be whiter, yes brighter than snow?

There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;

Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow–

There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood. [Refrain]

4 Would you do service for Jesus, your King?

There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;

Would you live daily His praises to sing?

There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood. [Refrain]

Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #375