2006-10-22 - God's wrath, Our reward - Eph 2

Message: God’s Wrath, Our Reward                               Newport Baptist Church

Scr: Ephesians 2                                                                  Date: 2006-10-22               

Intro: Ill – Shaved by Grace

Explanation – 2x by grace you have been saved!

God’s wrath against sin was the reason he sent his son to save us, even in his anger he knew that we could not save ourselves and so he intervened.

TS – Reminder!  Why did Paul write this to the Ephesians??  Ephesus was capital city (Asia Minor – modern Turkey) – about 230 communities around it – Paul writing for all the believers there – He spent 3 years there planting and building up the church.  A thriving business centre – port, stadium (24000 people), also a place for religious pilgrims (Artemis/Diana).

He still knew they needed a reminder.  last week asked who needs a blessing, Paul clearly thought the Ephesians needed a clear reminder that they were blessed by God, even as we who believe in Jesus are blessed.  He goes on to remind them of the greatest blessing of all, that God, because of his great love, controlled his anger and instead sent Jesus that we might each have new life

Notice how Paul reminds them of their hope in Jesus

1)       Children of Wrath (2:1-3)

a)       Dead (1)

i)         three people that Jesus raised from the dead: (1) a twelve-year-old girl, Luke 8:49–55; (2) a widow’s son, Luke 7:12–15; and (3) Lazarus, John 11. Each of them was dead; the only difference was their state of decomposition. (wino vs average person in church)

ii)       Transgressions/trespasses - mistakes

iii)      Sin – death of our souls

b)       Lived our lives in the craving of our flesh (3)

i)         Indulged desires

(1)     Of flesh

(2)     Of mind

c)       Children/objects of Wrath – 3

i)         Causes - Sin, Unbelief, Error, Disobedience, Idolatry

ii)       Sometimes delayed

2)       New life individually (2:4-10)

a)       2 words!  - But & God!!!!

i)         Great love

ii)       Rich mercy

b)       Made us alive!

i)         Even though dead

ii)       By grace you are saved

(1)     Raised us up

(2)     Seated in heaven in Christ

c)       Through faith

i)         Gift of God

ii)       Not from works

iii)      We are his creation

(1)     Created in Christ

(2)     For good works

(3)     That God prepared beforehand

3)       New life together! (2:11-22)

a)       We were separate

i)         12 - from Christ!

ii)       12b - From the Jews (covenant)

iii)      12c - From hope

iv)     12d - From God

b)       Now together In Jesus!

i)         13 - Brought near (not we came, but he brought us)

ii)       14 -  given peace

iii)      15 – set free from the law

c)       What we now are

i)         19a - Fellow citizens with God’s people (note about Jews – Revelation)

ii)       19b - Members of God’s household

iii)      21 - Holy temple (together) – building! – ill-brick

iv)     22 – dwelling – in which God lives!

v)       20 – Jesus is the cornerstone!

Conclusion – Have you been saved by grace?

You and I were dead, but now alive, alive to be part of his body the church, the dwelling where God’s HS lives!

Application - Paul reminded the church first of it’s blessings and then of the gift God gave us.

Two things to remember

Vs 8-10 & vs 22 (together!)

Vs 22

Created for a purpose

Built to be God’s dwelling

Prayer –