But God...

It is a common question to wonder about. How is it possible for God to love every one? I believe it is something we will never comprehend, but we need to be understand He does love every one. As we enter into the month of December, we must remember the love God has for us . We must remember that Christ is come, the King has already come and He came because He loves us. We must remember that.

If you have your Bibles this morning, I would like for you to open them up to the book of Ephesians and turn to the 2nd chapter. The book of Ephesians, chapter 2.

The books of Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians are all closely related. Philemon and Colossians mention several of the same names, such as Archippus, Onesimus, Epaphras, Mark, as well as others. Ephesians and Colossians both share several main topics with the book of Ephesians expanding on the key ideas.

These similarities indicate that Paul probably wrote them all around the same time, and as indicated by the latter part of the book of Acts, was probably in prison not long before he died at the time of his writing.

Philemon and Colossians mention several of the same

Transition: We’re going to be studying this morning this passage in the book of Ephesians, but in order for us to understand the passage, we must understand the context in which it was written, and to do that, we must look at the city of Ephesus.

Background to Ephesus

B.

A. Chief City on the West Coast of Asia Minor

The Location

Ephesus was located halfway up the western cost of Asia Minor and it was plotted on the Aegean Sea at the Mouth of the Cayster River.

The Size and Exchange/Market

Ephesus was a very important city. It was the most important trading center in the Mediterranean region. It was a gate city of Asia to Europe and it received thousands and thousands of visitors due to the temple of Diana.

The Temple

The Temple of Diana was massive—450 feet long, 225 feet wide, 60 feet tall, and contained more than 127 columns.

B. Temple of Diana

The Wonder of the Temple

Due to the size of the temple, it was regarded as one of the wonders of the world. The Temple attracted people from all over the world and they would come to visit Ephesus solely for the Temple.

The Wrongness of the Temple

The World around the Temple (The City)

The size and the wonder of the temple was not the main reason people came to Ephesus. It was because of Diana. Diana was a goddess of the hunt, wild animals, fertility and childbirth, and the moon. The Temple of Diana was not the home of the goddess, rather it was a shrine. The chief one, the headquarters, was located at Ephesus and it was devoted to her service. She was worshipped in the temple as well as in minute shrines modeled after the temple. The shrines frequently featured crude objects, typically made of silver, stone, wood, or clay. At the head of the cult, was their “chief priest”, a eunuch with the title Megabyzos. Under him were appointed priests called Essenes. Other priests included Kouretes, Krobati, and Hilroi, all of which performed obscure duties. Then there were the priestesses. The temple services consisted of sacrifices and ceremonial relations involving the priestesses.

Obviously, there is a problem in Ephesus. Paul understands this when he goes.

C. Paul and the City of Ephesus

Paul’s Visit to Ephesus

Obviously, there is a problem in Ephesus

After a 1.5 years in Corinth

After visiting Corinth, toward the end of Paul’s second missionary journey, and then for over 2 years on his third missionary journey, Paul ministered, taught, and counseled the church at Ephesus. During Paul’s time there, he saw many people converted to faith in Jesus Christ and he saw many people oppose his preaching. Demetrius, who made idols and symbols for the worship of Artemis found his business suffering because of Paul’s preaching. Due to a near-riot, Paul left the city after stabilizing and growing the church there.

Leaving Timothy to Pastor

The Letter to Ephesus

After Paul left Ephesus for the last time, the elders there knew they wouldn’t see his face again. They didn’t see Paul again. Imagine the challenges this young church faced. Think of the challenges married couples faced when they were first starting out. I say first starting out, because after years of being together, you both block the other out. Think about the separation of the Artemis-followers and the Ephesian church members...

A young man tells his family he has received Christ and the family tells him he’s as good as dead to them. The man goes to meet his friends and they don’t show up. He opens his business up and there are no customers. He goes to his friend ans asked why they haven’t been around and they tell him that they can’t do business or be around someone who is one of those “Christians”. Think about what the church is going through.

But Paul, wanting to help the church and wanting to strengthen the church and wanting the church to be able to survive in the sinful city of Ephesus in the future and wanting to encourage the Ephesians church picks up his pen during the imprisonment of his Roman captors and begins writing this letter to the Ephesians. He divides the letter into 2 parts:

Doctrinal (Chapter 1-3): Paul spends the first part of the letter discussing the work of God and His gift of grace in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the section that provided a wealth of knowledge in Christ.

Practical (Chapter 4-6): In the second part, Paul makes his purpose clear, he expects the church at Ephesus to walk in Christ. He lays out several practices the young church should follow in their church, in their homes, and in their city.

Transition: This morning, we are going to be examining a section of the first part of the letter to the Ephesian church.

1. What You Were—Past Guilt: 2:1-3

A. A Life of Death (v.1)

The 3 Types of Death in the Bible

Physical Death ()

Spiritual Death ()

Eternal Death ()

The Type Used Here: Spiritual Death, separated from God

Adam sinned and God moved out of Adam. He died immediately in the spirit.

Jesus raised 3 dead people

Jairus’ Daughter- few moment dead

Widow’s Son- few hours dead

Lazarus- few days dead

Which is the most dead? Dead = Dead

B. A Life of Trespasses and Sin (v. 1-2)

We were dead because of our trespasses and sin.

Trespasses and sin are what separate men from God.

To trespass here, means to fall away, slip, deviate..

Fall away from the way of God

Slip from doing what we should

Deviate from the right path

Sin means here to miss the mark—

Jesus raised 3 dead people

Jairus’ Daughter- few moment dead

Widow’s Son- few hours dead

Lazarus- few days dead

Which is the most dead? Dead = Dead

The Bible says that we’re dead in trespasses and sin. We need to get a burden for the ones around here who don’t know Jesus. We need to develop a passion for the ones around here who don’t know Jesus. Why? Because they are dead in trespasses and sin. By the way, you used to be the same way.

C. A Life of Fleshly Lusts (v. 3)

Paul explained in verse 2 they once walked among “children of disobedience”. While Paul was reminding them of their past unsaved status and ungodly walk, he eases their hurt and reminds them that WE ALL were once in the same position.

2. The Work of Mercy: 2:4-7

Paul then explains the manner of their sinful conversations in two parts.

First, it was motivated by the lust of the flesh.

Second, the conversation of the past sought the “fulfilling of the desires of the flesh and the mind”.

D. A Life of Wrath (v. 3)

Paul concludes this thought with a true statement regarding their former spiritual status. They were “children of wrath”.

We know sin brings condemnation and death, but it also brings God’s wrath on the children of disobedience.

Transition: Now, we, like the members of the church at Ephesus, understand what we were. Now the transition that happens between v. 3 and 5 happens in v. 4 and it is a MAJOR statement that shows the difference between what we were and what we are.

2. What You Are—Present Grace: 2:4-7

A.

A. BUT GOD (v. 4)

A. In verses 1-3, Paul painted a desperate and discouraging picture of their spiritual past. However, in verse 4, he starts to use contrasting truths to encourage them in their work of the Lord.

Their sin was so real and compelling, BUT GOD

Their sin was so condemning, BUT GOD

Their hope was so fruitless, BUT GOD

Men had no righteousness to claim, BUT GOD

Men had no means of salvation, BUT GOD

Me and you should have gone to hell, BUT GOD

Thank God for that statement. Thank God the directions changed.

2. What You Are—Present Grace: 2:5-7

A. God has Made us Alive with Christ (v. 5)

Can a dead man bring himself back alive? Did any of the ones Jesus raised?

After laying the foundation, after establishing God’s love, Paul reminded them of the things God had done for them through His great love.

Paul includes himself in this verse, “hath quickened us”. This quickening is being made alive. We were dead, but are presently alive because God has made us alive. This quickening, this making alive is acceptable to everyone. All you must do is repent, ask forgiveness of your sin and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart as your Savior.

After mentioning the quickening, Paul tacks on a special phrase to the end. “Ye are saved”. Their salvation was complete. They had already passed from death unto life.

B. God has Raised us Up with Christ (v. 6)

Not only, did God make them alive, God also raised them up. Raise means to move to a different position. God moved them from being dead in trespasses and sin to a secure and holy position in Christ.

This raising is at the time an individual experiences the new birth. When the believer responds with faith to the grace of God shown through the gift of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters the believer and brings new life.

C. God has Seated us in Heaven with Christ (v. 6)

God, by His power set the born again Christian in particular places in Christ.

Paul constantly uses the phrase “in Christ Jesus” throughout His writing. While the unsaved are not in Christ Jesus, the saved are. This position shows the relationship of the believer to God through Christ.

Being in Christ, the believer has several benefits.

D. God will Show us Gracious Riches in Christ (v. 7)

All that God has done in the past and will do for the believer in the time to come reveal the “exceeding riches of His grace”.

Kindness—Everything God does is out of mercy and kindness. Kindness is not controlled by the receiver. It is controlled by the giver.

God showed his kindness toward sinners who deserved nothing and didn’t care about God. God, however, chose to be merciful and kind to us anyways. God, through His abundant and all-sufficient grace, chose to show kindness through His only begotten Son. The giving of Jesus as the sacrifice for the sins of men is the greatest example of this kindness. Jesus suffered, Jesus died, and Jesus shed His blood at Calvary to pay for son, so man could have the opportunity to possess eternal life.

People ask “Why do we serve God, why do we praise God?” Because of His mercy. Because of His grace. Because of His kindness. Peter wrote in :

that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Transition: God is not on a clock. Time was created so we would have a way of governing our lives. The preacher (usually) keeps his eye on the clock and keeps your attention span in consideration, but we use time as a tool. Time has 3 parts: Past, Present, Future. We’ve looked at what you were, or in the past, what looked at what you are, or in the future. Now, we’re going to move onto what you shall be.

3. What You Shall Be—Prospective Glory: 2:8-10

A. You are Saved (v. 8-9)

This verse shows the readers of the letter the process of how they received salvation. They were saved “by grace”. They, who were once dead, who were once destined to eternal torment, who were separated from the life and blessings of God, were now saved.

They didn’t do anything to deserve their salvation. They didn’t do anything to earn their salvation. It was a gift all by the grace of God.

We are saved by grace and for God’s glory. Paul tells us in his first letter to Corinthians that we have been bought with a price. The great purpose of being saved is not only that we get to go to heaven, but that we might bring recognition to God for who He is and what He has done. God’s characteristics are so awesome and so wonderful, God made us to worship Him, to praise Him.

This faith is more than just a mental awareness. Grace represents what God has done, Faith represents what man must do. God has done the work of grace, man must turn from unbelief and trust in the work that God did.

V. 9- Paul continues his argument that salvation is only through grace by faith and not works.

By Grace

Through Faith

Unto Good Works (v. 10)

Work and Labor

The church at Ephesus was a working church.

B. You are God’s Workmanship (v. 10)

We are God’s workmanship-we were made with a purpose, we were made with a design.

“Hath before ordained” - God planned the believer’s walk, but He will not force the believer’s walk. He gives the believer a choice to follow or not follow in good works. The believer must decide to obey God and walk in good works

Transition:

C.

Conclusion

Go took at the church of Ephesus today-The city is gone, the city is in ruins, the harbor is gone, the sea actually silted shut. The church is gone. Will that be Reyburn in 20, 30, 40 years.

I want to ask you tonight, are you dead? Are you dead in trespasses and sin or are you saved?

If you are saved, are you working? I’m not asking what are you doing for God. He knows what you’re doing, Are you working?