Ephesians: For His Glory (2)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 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— 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. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

What does a life without Christ look like?

You were dead in your trespasses, and sins

Because of Sin in this world we were Spiritually dead, and we were not inclined or responsive toward God, and we had no ability to please God

We were dead

Trespasses- a violation of God’s divine commandment

Sins- offenses against God in thought, word, or deed

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

We have all missed the mark

If you looked at your life you could think of a time or maybe times when you messed up, thought things you shouldn’t of, said things you shouldn’t of, or even did something you shouldn’t of.

The Times once sent out an inquiry to famous authors, asking the question, “What’s wrong with the world today?” and Chesterton responded simply,

“Dear Sir, I am. Yours, G.K. Chesterton.”

Why is this?

We live in a fallen and broken world

We were the ones who walked in sin

Ephesians 2:2 ESV

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—

Following The course of this world-Prince of the power of the air- Sons of Disobedience:

We lived according the the worlds standards:

We belonged to the family of those who rebel against the holy and true God

we lived being deceived by the prince of the power of the air- it was a way apart from Christ

The story of Augustine: “As I grew into Manhood I was inflamed with desire for a surfeit of hell’s pleasures.” He was a womanizer. Much like guys today. His motive was lust, he was blind.

His mother warned Him before he left for schooling “not to commit fornication and above all not to seduce any man’s wife.” - His mother said that o him

Augustine writes, “I went to Carthage, where I found myself in the midst of a hissing cauldron of lust… My real need was for you, my God, who are food for my soul. I was not aware of this hunger

He looked to satisfy the desires of his flesh.

In 386 Augustine was with His best friend, Alypius talking about an Egyptian monk’s sacrifice and holiness who’s name was Antony. it was here that Augustine was stung by his own bondage to lust when others were free and holy in Christ.

“There was a small garden attached to the house where we lodged… I now found myself driven to take refuge in this garden where no one could interrupt that fierce struggle in which I was my own constant… I was beside myself with madness that would bring me sanity. I was dying a death that would bring me life… I was frantic, overcome by violent anger with myself for not accepting your will and entering into your covenant. I tore my hair and hammered my forehead with my fists; I locked my fingers and hugged my knees.

In my Misery I kept crying ‘how long shallI go on saying tomorrow tomorrow? Why not now? Why not make an end of my ugly sins at this moment?

He Ran back to the house and grabbed a bible and opened it up to read

Romans 13:13–14 ESV

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

I had no wish to read ore and no need to do so. For in an instant, as I came to the end of the sentence, it was as though the light of Confidence flooded into my heart and all darkness of doubt was dispelled.

Once we were dead and in bondage But not any more

There is a new life with Hope in Christ

It is important to remember that Those who are physically dead do not have power to give themselves life

Eph 2:4 “But God”

Just when things look the most desolate, Paul utters the greatest short phrase in the history of human speech: “But God!” rich in mercy. God’s mercy on his helpless enemies flows from his own loving heart, not from anything they have done to deserve it.

This is God’s answer to people in a dreadful situation- Mercy: God compassion for the helpless that relieves their situation- We were dead but God

While Grace involves God giving believers what they do not deserve, Mercy means that God does not give us what is deserved

“When we were Dead.”

There is an important thing to remember: Salvation is by Grace alone:

Colossians 2:13–14 ESV

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

We were dead, and we first needed to be made alive before we could believe: God had to open our eyes to see our need for a savior

John 16:8 ESV

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

It is God’s grace that we experience conviction: We come to the realization that we are lost and dead stuck like Augustine in our sins.

Verse 7 answers this question:

Why did God lavish such love upon His people?

So that they will marvel for all eternity over the incredible kindness and love of God. It will take all of eternity just to fathom God’s love, and we who are saved will never plumb the depths of it.

It is to deep, to wide, and to much for us to fully comprehend!

“By Grace”-

It is God’s favor upon us, who have sinned against Him at some point.

Grace is also a power- God’s grace not only offers salvation but also secures it

“Through Faith”- Faith is a confident trust and reliance upon Christ Jesus and is the only means by which one can be saved

There is nothing else but to be fully dependent and trust completely the grace of the God on the cross

We were Dead, but God, the only source of Salvation has made us alive by His grace.

Ephesians 2:9–10 ESV

not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We have a regenerated life now

It is new

we no longer walking in the old way of death

and we now can walk in the good things that God has prepared for us.

We don’t just wait till heaven but we have authority and power to stand and walking in New life

once we ere dead, but now we are alive

Good works are the fruit of our salvation not the cause of it.

Good works are an esstainal part of God’s redemption plan-

Matthew 5:16 ESV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Good works are demonstrated in gratitude, character and action.

how we live.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

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