What you Were!
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1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
What you Were!
What you Were!
You Were Dead
You Were Dead
Ephesians 2:1 (KJV 1900)
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Condition
Condition
Paul tells his readers that they were “dead”. This word literally means “a corpse.” It was the word used to describe “a dead body”.
In this passage, it refers to “one devoid of all spiritual life.” It refers to one who is “spiritually dead”.
It speaks to the fact that lost sinners are absolutely unable to initiate any movement toward God. It reminds us that they are unwilling and incapable of coming to God by their own initiative.
Circumstances
Circumstances
Having told us about the condition of the lost, Paul talks about their circumstances.
That is, he speaks of the realm in which they live and operate.
They may be dead spiritually, but they are very alive physically. Their physical life is characterized by two very specific details.
Paul tells us that they are “dead in trespasses and sins”. These two words are worth considering for a moment.
• Trespasses—
• Trespasses—
This word means, “to cross a boundary”.
It refers to “a lapse or deviation from truth and righteousness”.
It has the idea of “a slip, a fall, and a stumble; of a going in the wrong direction.”
The word speaks of an attitude that stands in opposition to the things of God. A trespass occurs when a person crosses a clear boundary that has been established by the Lord. God draws His line in the sand. He says that mankind is not to go beyond that point. When a sinner steps over that boundary, they are guilty of trespass. They have crossed God’s boundary and they are in sin. Every sinful act is a trespass against God’s Word, His holiness, His Person, and His glory.
• Sins—
• Sins—
This word comes from a word that means, “to miss the mark”. It is a hunting term. It pictures a hunter taking aim at his prey, loosing his arrow, and completely missing his target.
It was a word that came to be used of “falling short of any goal, standard or purpose.” When applied to the sinner, it pictures the sinner falling short of, and completely missing, God’s perfect standards of holiness and righteousness. It is the most common word used to describe sin in the New Testament, appearing some 173 times.
You Were Deceived
You Were Deceived
Ephesians 2:2 (KJV 1900)
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
The Progression of This World
The Progression of This World
Several words in this phrase need to be examined if we are going to understand what Paul is trying to teach us.
• Walked—
• Walked—
“To make one’s way; to conduct one’s life; to regulate one’s life; to pass one’s life”
— It refers to the way a person lives their life.
• Course—
• Course—
“perpetuity of time; period of time; age”
— This the same word that is translated “ages” and “forever”, in many other passages. It refers to an enormous amount of time.
• World—
• World—
This word translates the word “kosmos”. That word gives us our English words “cosmetic and cosmopolitan”. It does not speak of the earth, but of this world’s system, or the way the world operates. The word actually means “adornment; harmony; order; or orderly arrangement.”
In the beginning, it was used to refer to “the orderly arrangement of the universe.”
It came to mean, “the order of things of which man is the center; the order of things which is alienated from God, as manifested in and by the human race.”
In other words, it refers to the way people who do not know God live their lives.
The Prince of This World
The Prince of This World
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
The course of this world is directed and dictated by Satan himself. He literally choreographs the thinking, the desires, and the lifestyles of the lost.
He is the “spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”. He is called “the god of this world,”
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV 1900)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
He is called “the prince of the power of the air.” The sinners around us act like they do because Satan energizes them. They walk the way the world dictates because Satan blinds them to the way of God, 2 Cor. 4:4.
The word “worketh” has the idea of “an ongoing work”.
Satan never lets up in his efforts to keep sinners committed to their sins. Sinners think that they are living life on their own terms. They like to think they are doing what they want do. They think that are living to please themselves. There is some truth to that, because all of our sins arise out of our own sinful desires, James 1:14.
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The word “conveived” in that verse means, “to seized; to take one as a prisoner”.
When the lust that dwells within us by nature is energized by Satan and focused on sin, the result is slavery and bondage. The end of that slavery and bondage is judgment and Hell!
So, sinners are not merely doing as they please. They are mere puppets manipulated by their father the devil, John 8:44.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
The result of Satan’s influence in your life is “disobedience”. That word has the idea of “stubbornness; of obstinate opposition to God’s will”. In other words, the sin that works in the heart of the sinner causes them to be a rebel against everything that has to do with God. Lost people are deceived!
You Were Depraved
You Were Depraved
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The word “depraved” means “corrupt, wicked, or perverted”. There can be no question that the word correctly describes the human condition.
It does not imply that all men are as bad as they could be.
It does imply that all people are sinners, and as such, are capable of committing the vilest of sins.
It does not mean that lost people cannot do good deeds, because we know they do.
It does mean that they can never merit salvation on their own.
It does mean that they can never do anything, in that sinful sate, that is pleasing to God.
It does mean that they are incapable of making the first move toward God, John 6:44; 6:65.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Philippians 2:15 (KJV 1900)
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Ray Steadman says that this verse means we are surrounded by “crooks and perverts”.
I believe this is a very apt description of our world.
We need to understand, this world is not getting better, it is getting worse.
Ephesians 4:22 (KJV 1900)
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
The word “corrupt” in that verse refers to “a corpse rotting and putrefying in the sun”. It is a picture of “ongoing, ever worsening corruption.” People don’t get better until they get saved!
We are not talking about what we become because we commit sin, we are talking about what we are by nature of our human birth.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
All lost sinners are dead. They are slaves to their sins and to their master Satan.
In this condition, we have no desire for God nor do we seek God.
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Depraved in Our Appetites
Depraved in Our Appetites
Ephesians 2:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Notice the words and phrases the Apostle Paul uses to describe our depravity as sinners.
• “The lusts of the flesh”
• “The lusts of the flesh”
refers to “the natural desires that drive the body and the mind.”
• The “desires of the flesh and of the mind”
speak of those “natural appetites that characterize humanity.”
• “Lusts” refers to “strong desires and inclinations of every kind”, not just sex, but every pull of the flesh in in view here.
• “Desires” refers to “strong willfulness; wanting and seeking something with diligence”.
These words picture sinners as they are driven about by their minds and their flesh, seeking to gratify the wicked appetites of the natural man.
What are some of those things sinners seek?
Paul mentions some of these things in Gal. 5:19–21.
19 Now the works of the flesh are revealed, which are these: adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, rage, selfishness, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I previously warned you, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Of course there are many other evil desires that consume the minds of sinners and drive them to sin.
The bottom line is this: sinners are selfish. Life is about gratifying their lusts and selfish desires. Simply stated, sinners love sin and hate righteousness!
Depraved in Their Actions
Depraved in Their Actions
Ephesians 2:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
• The word “conversation” refers to “one’s walk; or the common manner of life”.
• Sinners live like they do because of the “desires of the flesh and the mind.”
• The “flesh” refers to “the fallen nature that is selfish and self-centered”.
• The “mind” refers to an “the evil, selfish mindset.”
The natural pull of sin within the human heart leads the lost sinner to live a sinful life. They have no defenses against the sin that operates within them, and they have no desire to resist the sins that entice them.
As a result, you live life for yourself, for sin, and for Satan.
You live to satisfy the course, base desires of their fallen sinful natures. The things that leave us scratching our heads in amazement, wondering how people could do such evil things and live such wicked lives, are merely natural to the sinner.
Sinners are depraved, and nothing they do should surprise us in the least!
You Were Doomed
You Were Doomed
Ephesians 2:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The Apostle Paul closes this dismal section of scripture by reminding us that sinners stand condemned before a holy God.
God is not in Heaven merely winking at the sins of the sinner; there will come a day when He will judge them.
My unsaved friend, if you never come to Jesus for salvation, here is your future; you are doomed!
You have a Sinful Disposition.
You have a Sinful Disposition.
Ephesians 2:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The phrase “were by nature” calls to mind what Paul has just told us. The unsaved are sinners by nature, and because they live out that nature through sinful deeds, they stand condemned before a holy God. We are all morally inclined to do evil.
Humans are born in a “morally depraved” state. In that state, they are naturally drawn to evil. Our sinfulness means that we are destined to face God’s wrath and judgment over sin. (Ill. Isa. 59:2; Eze. 18:20)
2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
There may be “pleasure in sin for a season”, but the day will come when the pleasure will cease, and you will face the wrath of a holy God. That is a warning you need to take to heart today, 2 Cor. 6:2.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
You have a Sovereign Decree.
You have a Sovereign Decree.
In the beginning of time, Adam was warned that sin would bring terrible consequences into the world, Gen. 2:16–17.
Genesis 2:16–17 (KJV 1900)
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
(Ill. Gen. 3:1–19; 4:1–11) Sin came, and death followed hard on its heels,
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Ill. Gen. 5, “… and he died”.
God has decreed that all those who die in their sins will face His “wrath”.
The word “wrath” comes from a word that means “to be red-faced”.
It is the image of someone who had held His anger in check for a very long time, but has finally reached the end of His patience. God has been very patient with humanity. He has given mankind thousands of years to repent and to turn to Him, yet the world stands in stubborn rebellion to God’s command to repent.
God has proven His love for fallen men by sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for sin and for sinners, Rom. 5:8.
Romans 5:8 (KJV 1900)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
You may turn a deaf ear to the Gospel. You steadfastly refuse to come to Jesus so you can be forgiven, changed and saved.
Sinners are condemned already, John 3:18, 36.
John 3:18 (KJV 1900)
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
If you continue to refuse you will eventually die in your sins. You will face the all-consuming wrath of a holy, righteous, all-powerful, and offended God,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Listen carefully, “the wages of sin” is still “death”, Rom. 6:23.
Romans 6:23 (KJV 1900)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This does not mean death is the end of all things. That word refers to the “second death”. It refers to eternal separation from God in the fires of Hell.
The horrors that await them there are almost beyond description.
• Unquenchable Fire—Mark 9:43; Luke 16:24
• Memory and Remorse—Luke 16:25, 27–28
• Unquenched Thirst—Luke 16:24–25
• Misery and Pain—Luke 16:24–26; Rev. 14:10–11
• Frustration and Anger—Luke 13:28; Matt. 24:51
• Eternal Separation—Rev. 21:8; 2 Thes. 1:8–9
• Undiluted Wrath—In Hell, the wrath of God will be given full vent!
The only way to miss Hell is to come to Jesus by faith so you can be saved.
To simply answer His invitation or call to believe.
Conc: Where does this message find you?
• Does it find you lost and trapped in your sins? Has the Lord revealed your condition to you? Is he calling you to come out of your darkness into His marvelous light? Is he drawing you to Himself so you can be saved? Why do you delay? What are you waiting for? Life is fleeting and time is swiftly passing you by. Come to Jesus now, and He will save you!
• Does it find you redeemed and headed to Heaven? Does it fill your heart with praise to know that the Lord came to you in your dead condition, breathed life into your spirit, and changed your life? Wouldn’t you like to bow before Him in humble thanks and worship today?
• Does it find you burdened about the unsaved around you? Wouldn’t this be a good time to come to the Lord with those names? Wouldn’t it be a good time to bring them to the Lord once again, and ask Him to touch them and save them?
• This message is a warning to the lost. It says, “Come to Jesus while there is time!”
• This message is a reminder to the redeemed. It says. “You are not what you used to be. Praise Him for it!”
• This message is a call to prayer. It says, “Your children, your grandchildren, your family and your friends are perishing. Bring them Jesus and ask Him to save them.”Where does this message find us? It should find us on our knees before a just, righteous, holy God.