Attributes & Actions

Introduction

Summarize:

Last week we looked at the object of this sentence (us), this week we look at the subject, God, and what He does toward us

What God does in us is a direct reflection of His character

Exposition

Ephesians 2:1–7 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 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— 3 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. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Author: Paul

Audience: All the Saints

Content: The work God does in us is a reflection of His love for us.

Context: sinners deserving of wrath are made into trophies of God’s grace

Comparison: 1 Peter 2:1-12 God takes His people from sinfulness, to infancy in Christ, to citizens of the heavenly Kingdom

Additional material: The Attributes of God by Arthur W. Pink

Exposition

Verse 4

Ephesians 2:4 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

But God, being rich in mercy,

God is full of mercy.

If we are sinful and children of wrath (v3), we deserve punishment

Every other act of God toward us is an action of His mercy

Ephesians 2:4 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

because of the great love with which He loved us,

Why is God merciful toward us? It is rooted in His love for us

Verse 5

Ephesians 2:5 ESV

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

God is full of mercy and love.

even when we were dead in our trespasses,

God is full of mercy and love and knowledge.

made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-

In His mercy toward us, God gave us awakening through Jesus.

Acts 9:3–4 ESV

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

When God calls, He is effective

Galatians 1:15–17 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

When God calls, He is missional.

Verse 6

and raised us up with Him

In His love for us, God gave us ascension with Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

9 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.

1 Pet 2:10 we are now God’s people

1 Pet 2:11 we are sojourners/travelers in this place

1 Pet 2:12 we are exiles from this place

and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

In His knowledge of us, God gave us authority from Jesus.

Matt 16:13 “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

Matt 16:14 John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah/prophet

Matt 16:15 “Who do you say that I am?”

Matt 16:16 “Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matt 16:17-18 This “rock” has not been revealed by flesh, but by God. The church is built on this foundational truth.

Matthew 16:19 ESV

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Our authority on Earth is from Jesus for the sake of proclaiming the effect of sin and the availability of salvation.

1 Corinthians 6:2–3 ESV

2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

Our authority on earth

Verse 7

Ephesians 2:7 ESV

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Everything that has been discussed is in the past, now we see the action God does in the future:

Show grace

Show kindness

How are these displayed?

Call to Action

First Application Point Action: if you have been awakened, put to death the unfruitful works of darkness.

Second Application Point Action: if you have ascension, don’t try to have compatibility with the world

Third Application Point Action: if you have been given authority, be a prophet! (Attractional ministry is good, but there is no more effective draw than the TRUTH.)