Then And Now

Lesson Text

Ephesians 2:1–10 KJV 1900

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Intro

Yesterday my wife and I were paying Mario Cart. In the game if you wanted to be sucessfull, if you wanted to win the game and make it to the finish line, you had to complete the core set before you and you had to overcome all of the obstacles

Life is like that as well. Spiritual Life

Let’s Set The Scene

This is the great evangelist Paul writing to the church as Ephesus

In the first chapter is telling them that he is praying for that those who are not Gentiles become apart of God’s family.

Now in the Second Chapter, Paul begins to explain how this happens.

Paul Describes Life Before Christ

Walked According to the course of this world.

Course of the world refers to: mindset, customs, and practices of those who are not in relationship with God.

Proverbs 23:7 KJV 1900

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

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

So we that Life before Christ, is one in which we have a worldly mindset. This world has set a course of what it means to be successful. It has set a course of how men and women should interact with each other. The problem is that this cousre is contrary to the will of God.

Romans 12:

Walked according to the prince of the Air

John 14:30 KJV 1900

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Cor 4:4

The ruler of this world, the God of the world is Satan.

Satan

Satan is the adversary of God

He is deceptive

He is a liar

Desire to steal, kill and destroy and lead the world down the wrong path.

He is a liar

Conversations was based on the lust of the flesh and we were concerned with fulfilling the the lust of the flesh and of the mind.

What is the lust or desires of the flesh ?

fulfilled the desires of the flesh and Mind

It refers to the selfish part of human nature that cause men and women to pur the won needs ahead of everything else, everyone else and the needs, wants and desires.

It all about what will please and me them happy.

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19

Idolatry = Serving another god or putting something else in place of the true and living God.

Witchcraft = the use of sorcery or magic : communication with the devil or with a familiar spirit.

Hatred

Variance = These are people who love to cause division among people. They love to put people against each other

Emulations = ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as in achievement)

Seditions = the crime of creating a revolt, disturbance, or violence against lawful civil authority with the intent to cause its overthrow or destruction — compare criminal syndicalism, sabotage.

Murders

Revellings = Living as if God doesn’t exist.

crazy partying, Going Wild, orgies

The ones who practice such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

LIFE After God Comes In Your Life

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 5:22–26 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

How Does You Look Right Now?

Galatians 5:22-26

1  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10

The ones who practice such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.