Made alive

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Introduction

We will focus on Chapter 2:4-7
Last week we started chapter 2:1-3 We learned a very important doctrine. We learned about the fallen state of man kind
Totally and radically depraved
The total depravity of the human race is very important biblical doctrine to know and understand.
Paul stated in the past verb tense, in verse 1 we were dead in our trespasses and sins
Dead?
Trespasses and sins?
Captured by the prince of the air, the course of this world? Sons of disobedience?
living in the passions of our flesh , desires or the body and the mind (NATURE)
This nature is like the rest of mankind an object of God’s wrath
If you missed last week it very important you go and open your bible and listen. Today’s lessen will make more sense after you know the first part of the chapter.
Please stand with me and read the word of God
Ephesians 2:4–7 ESV
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.

BUT GOD

The verse starts with BUT GOD! I want everyone to focus on this beginning of the verse
This is one of the most important verses in the entire bible
BUT GOD- this tells us The wrath of God is not the whole story. He didn’t stop with his wrath although could of and would have been completely justified and righteous.
Knowing the depths of the human heart, the total depravity of you before state, is pivotal for you to truly appreciate what God has done for you. The response to it is one thing and that is worship.
The conjunction, BUT starts with now God’s actions towards sinners. GOD becomes the main subject of the passage
Read with me verse 4-5
Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV
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—
Ephesians 2:4 ESV
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
So what has God done with the ones he chose before the foundation of the world? US who were dead in our sins unable to respond to any impulse, completely helpless, devoid of any spiritual life at all? He being God made us alive together with Christ.
God is fully aware of the state of the non believer.
Romans 5:10 ESV
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Romans 3:10-
Romans 3:10–18 ESV
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
God is fully aware of the state of the unregenerate.
Three things I want you to write down now if you are a christian today.
You were dead in your sins before your conversion to Christ. Unable to save yourself, unable through good deeds, or saying your sorry, or justifying your actions. You were Dead in your sins before your conversion too Christ. By nature an object of God’s wrath
BUT God Made Me Alive
I was made alive together with Christ
I had nothing to do with it. IT was completely an act of Grace on the part of God
Lets examine the text a little further. Does the Text give us clues as to why? What are some things we can learn about God here? Why has he made us alive
Verse 4 says- God being Rich in mercy
The word rich here means to have an “abundance” God has an abundance of Mercy
The word mercy is (Eleos) it means Compassion, and pity towards offenders shown by a person of authority.
He is rich in underserved kindness and compassion towards those who were dead in their sins and objects of his wrath.
2. Because of his great love, with which he loved us
The world because tells us a reason, it is because of HIS GREAT LOVE HE LOVED US -
The word Great - means remarkable or out of the ordinary in magnitude. His Great Love
The word Love is Agape - a strong affection and unconditional regard for a person. Which he loved us- The demonstration of HIS love
Agapao the the verb means to seek the highest good of the one loved- Taking pleasure in proving one’s love
3. By grace you’ve been saved
Even whole we were dead in sins, because of His mercy, his great love he made us alive with Christ.
by grace you’ve been saved
The word Grace is Charis (Haweas)
God’s unmerited favor, merciful kindness of God towards, a recipient who has done nothing to influence God’s favor
All sinners are spiritually dead towards God, they have done nothing to commend them to God. The only way a spiritually dead person can communicate with God is to be made alive.
It is the Living God who gives life to the dead.
Read with me verse 6-7
Ephesians 2:6–7 ESV
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.
eph 2:
God has done 3 things lets write them down
He has made us alive with Christ
He has raised us up with Christ
He has seated us with Him in the heavenly places

Seated with Christ

So now besides being made alive now. We can communicate with God and enjoy him, worship him and know him. Former unbelievers have been raised up with Christ.
Just as we are certain Jesus Christ resurrected from the Dead. Now in Christ we are certain of our resurrection because spiritually speaking it has already happen positionally.
This is in the perfect verb tense. This implies something that has taken place in the past but has permeant forever implications.
We are no longer citizens of this world. We are citizens of another kingdom. We are citizens of Heaven. This has already happened.
Philippians 3:20 ESV
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Colossians 3:1–2 ESV
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
1 peter 2:
1 Peter 2:9–12 ESV
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
God has made us alive, given us his spirit and the power to live out his Glory
Ephesians 2:7 ESV
so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
God did this to show - which means to “put on display” “to make apparent”
God is showing his immeasurable riches of his Grace
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