He Calls us Beloved

Intro

I. Despite our past condition (1-3)

A. We were dead (1)

dead— separation, not extinction or annihilation

it means we are separated either from God, our body, or both

there are 3 types of death in the bible Physical death and Spiritual death

physical death is the separation of mans spirit from his body — a person ceases to exist on this earth and is buried

spiritual death is the separation of a man from God while he is still living and walking upon earth — this is our natural state without Christ — we are still in sin and dead to God

eternal death— this is separation from God’s presence forever — this is the second death John refers to in his letter to the church in Smyrna In Revelation 2: 11

we were dead in trespasses and sins

trespass— means to fall, slip, blunder, turn aside, wander away

Paul wants us to see a person who

falls from the right way

slips from doing what he should

wanders away from God and what is right

sin is to miss the mark, to err

sin is the word we use to describe our fallen condition — it is missing God’s mark of perfection (Rom. 3:23)

sins of commission and omission

B. We were enslaved (2-3a)

1. enslaved to the world

we were controlled by the world’s influence, and its values which are contrary to the ways of God

before we came to Christ we followed the habits, attitudes and lifestyles of the culture

its opinions

its purposes

its religion

II Timothy 3:1-5

we in the church so desperate to be friends and welcome all have lowered our standards on marriage, church membership

John says those enslaved to the world have their lives marked by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride in one’s lifestyle (I John 2:15-17)

we needed Jesus to rescue us from this present evil age.

2. enslaved to Satan

prince of the power of the air

man was not created to be evil or do evil

Satan introduced sin into the world and is the father of it

“ruler” or “prince” in OT was a term used for a national, local, or tribal leader— satan is the ruler of demons and the ruler of this world

Satan and his demons are at work in the world today causing chaos and calamity

unbelievers are not completely possessed by Satan but they do live in a world of darkness where Satan holds sway

Satan puts out bait and the unbelievers fall for the bait

3. enslaved to the flesh

we followed our evil desires (fleshly desires and the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts)

Galatians 5 :16-21

those who live this lifestyle cannot please God

C. We were under wrath (3b)

II. Because of what we can be through grace (4-7)

A. God’s actions are motivated by His love (4)

B. God gives us new life (5)

III. Why he did it this way (8-10)

A.God’s nature is mercy (4)

B. Everything He gives is undeserved (8)

C. We are his masterpiece (10)