How We All Start Out

Introduction:

Blank slate

We aren’t a blank slate. We start out inheriting the sin nature that comes from Adam. We at enmity with God and we do not seek God.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

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

1. Our Dead Heart (v.1)

Ephesians 2:1 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

trespasses - crossing divinely appointed boundaries

God gets to set the boundaries of right and wrong

They are rooted in the character and holiness of God

The 10 Commandments show us this standard and are not designed as a ladder to God, but as a mirror to the soul.

James 1:22–25 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Sins - means to miss the mark

Sins occur in thoughts, words, and deed

2. Our Wicked Ways (v.2)

Ephesians 2:2 ESV

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—

We walked - way of life

Course of this world - the ways of the world

Believers are called to be separated out of the world and not live like the world

Following the prince of the power of the air - Satan

Notice that we were following Him

Satan cannot make us do anything. We have to choose to follow

3. Our Sinful Flesh (v.3)

Ephesians 2:3 ESV

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.

passions of our flesh - we desire sin

desires of the body - we are called to make our bodies submit

desires of the mind - actions start in the mind

We were children of wrath - under judgment

Conclusion

The good news: “this state is described as past tense

You were

You once

once lived

This describes the state of being for believers who are now called the “saints”

We don’t have to remain the way we started out.