Ephesians 2:1-10

Introduction

There was a time when we were going through the motions of life, not realizing we were spiritually dead.

Scripture does not say we were weak, wounded, or struggling—it says we were dead.

Dead in trespasses and sins, carried along by a world we didn’t question, driven by desires we couldn’t control, and blinded to the life God intended for us.

But then comes the turning point of the gospel—two of the most powerful words ever spoken: “But God.”

 When we could not move toward Him, He moved toward us. When we were dead, He made us alive.

Today we will remember where we once were, feel the weight of what we were rescued from, and rejoice in what God has done—not because we deserved it, but because He is rich in mercy and great in love.

1. (V1) And you he made alive, who were once dead in sin and trespasses

(The old condition V1-3)

a) And you

For you to be made alive, you must be first dead

Spiritually dead

Your testimony From death to life

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—”

Ephesians 4:18 “having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;”

Born into this world spiritual dead, until you accepted Christ into your heart

Alienated, ignorant, and blind

b) Dead in our trespasses and sins

Trespasses: Carries the idea you have crossed a line, challenging God’s boundaries.

The word sin mean to miss the mark of God perfect standard of His holiness

Shooting an arrow, aiming for the bullseye and missing the mark

Missed the mark of His holiness

c) You put your faith in Christ and you were made alive

When you put your faith in Christ, your eyes were opened and you were made alive

I often reflect on where God has delivered me from

It brings me to a place of gratitude and praise

God doesn’t owes us anything, but He’s given us everything

1.1 (V2) You once walked according to the course of this world

a) Walk according to the course of this world

The world or the worlds system puts pressure on each person to conform

The unsaved person either consciously or unconsciously is controlled by the values and attitude of this world

Dominated or controlled by the course of the world

A few examples:

Organizations or media that glorify greed, deception, violence, or lust as “normal” or “entertaining,” shaping people’s worldview away from Godly values.

Teens are heavily influenced by social media trends that glorify vanity, consumerism, or aggression, simply to gain likes or acceptance.

Protest movements that reject all moral or social guidance, even ethical norms, in favor of purely personal freedom or rebellion.

Individuals who reject accountability in work or relationships, blaming society or others for their failures instead of reflecting on choices.

b) The pressure remains today on the Christian

Shaping Values and Priorities: Society promotes success, comfort, self-expression, and independence, while Scripture calls believers to humility, holiness, sacrifice, and dependence on God. Without discernment, Christians can slowly adopt cultural values over biblical ones.

Normalizing Sin: What God calls sin, society often celebrates or excuses. Repeated exposure can dull the conscience, making sinful attitudes and behaviors seem acceptable or harmless.

Pressuring Conformity: There is constant pressure to fit in—socially, morally, and intellectually. Christians may feel tempted to compromise convictions to avoid rejection, ridicule, or isolation.

Influencing Thinking and Worldview: Media, education, and entertainment shape how people understand truth, identity, and purpose. Society often operates from a worldview that excludes God, which can influence how Christians interpret life if Scripture is not their primary lens.

Distracting from Eternal Focus: Busyness, materialism, and constant noise can crowd out prayer, Scripture, and spiritual growth, pulling believers away from an eternal perspective.

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

c) According the prince of power of the air

The names the Bible refers to Satan..

“The ruler of this world” – Jesus uses this title for Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).

“The god of this age” – Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Ephesians 2:2 – He works in the sons of disobedience, shaping the course of this world.

d) His rule comes with limitations

God is still sovereign Satan operates only by God’s permission (Job 1–2). He is not equal to God.

His rule is not over believers Christians. They have been delivered from the power of darkness and now belong to Christ’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

His rule is temporary and he knows it, so he works hard in the short time he has

The desire of the enemy is to make you ineffective for the kingdom and he will use whatever means necessary

1.3 (V3) We all once conducted ourselves in the lust of the flesh and of the mind

The Flesh:

Flesh refers to totally depraved nature

Fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind

The desires of the flesh outside of the word of God

The mind:

The mind refers to our thoughts, yes it’s possible to sin even with our thoughts

Jesus says, if you even look at a woman with lust you have commited adultery with her in your heart

a) Putt off the old man, the former way of living

Galatians 5:19–21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

b) Put on the new man

Resist the flesh and submit to the Spirit

Colossians 3:10 “and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,”

Colossians 1:21 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled”

We have been called out of darkness, don’t go back into the bondage

2. (V4) But God, who is rich in mercy because of His love

V4-10 The new position: Alive in Christ

a) But God, rich in mercy because of His love

Despite our sinful nature, despite all the things we have done, God rich in mercy loves us

But God

b) Rich in Mercy

God could of written us off while in rebellion or given us what we deserved

Mercy is his underserved kindness toward sinners because of His great love for us

c) Because of His great love

Love / Agape

Agape love is to seek the highest good in the one loved

The most vile sinner God loves, despite their rebellion

Slow to anger because of His love

Slow to wrath because of His love

We can reflect upon on our own life and see His patience

Psalm 103:8 “The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”

2.1 (V5) He loved us even when we were dead in trespasses

a) God demonstrated His love in three things in V5-7

Made us alive with Christ

Raised us with Christ

Seated us with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

All this when we were dead in our trespasses

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

When we were enemies of God, He still loved us and gave himself as a sacrifice for our sin

The people who mock Him or use His name as a curse word or those who actively work against Him, He died for them

2.2 (V6) Raised us up together in the heavenly places

a) You’ve been raised up and positioned spiritually in Heaven where Christ is

Citizenship in heaven

You’re Heavenly focused

Been given a new heart and new life in Christ

New position and a new set of values

b) The divine power that can give an unbeliever life

The same power that presently operates in the believer

2.3 (V7) The exceeding riches of His grace

a) Riches of His grace

Refers to salvation

Its His kindness towards us

2.4 (V8) For by grace you have been saved through faith, not of yourself, but it’s a gift

a) Saved by grace through faith

Faith alone, not works

Faith in Christ leads us to salvation

Imagine if we had to follow the 600 hundred plus laws and ordinances of the law to be right with God

Or other religions who must do good deeds to keep their right standing with God

God made it so simple, yet people stumble over faith

2.5 (V9) Not of works, lest anyone should boast

a) Not of yourself

You cannot earn it

Your own abilities, best intentions are useless when it comes to salvation

We shouldn’t be prideful or boastful over salvation thinking we have done something to earn it

It’s a gift

2.5 (V10) For we are His workmanship created for good works

a) Created for good works

Were not saved by our works, but because we’re saved, we have good works

The overflow of a thankful heart is to serve Christ or to share what he has done for you

The man who was demon possessed…

He wanted to follow Jesus after he was healed

Jesus told him to go home and tell everyone the compassion I had on you

Works come naturally with a thankful heart because we appreciate what He has done

We want to be useful and we want to share the gift we have with those who have not recieved it

2.6 Which God prepared beforehand that you shall walk in them

a) God prepared these good works long before we were born

He knew your life experiences, your interests, your abilities, and your gifting

He has prepared things for us to do

b) Our purpose is to fulfill the work He has set before us

We want to hear these words, “well done good and faithful servant

In Conclusion:

We were once dead—controlled by the world, enslaved to the flesh, and separated from God.

But God, rich in mercy and great in love, stepped into our helpless condition and made us alive in Christ.

We were not saved by works, effort, or improvement, but by grace through faith, and now we are His workmanship, created for good works that bring Him glory.

We have been called out of darkness, raised to new life, and given a purpose worth living for.

If God is stirring your heart, respond now—trust Christ fully, turn from the old life, and step into the purpose He prepared for you.