Grace!

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in [you] the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and [we] were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of [your] works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in [you] the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and [we] were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of [your] works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:1-10 (the bookends)

And you who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in [you] the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and [we] were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of [your] works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walkin them.

Ephesians 2:1-10 (past and present)

A And you who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walkedaccording to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in [you] the sons of disobedience,

B 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and [we] were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

C 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

B’ 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

A’ 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of [your] works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

“Your” Sinful Past (Ephesians 2:1-2)

You were Dead in Trespasses. “to stumble; fall off the path”

You were Dead in Sins. “to miss the mark”

You Walked in Them + Your own personal desires and influences+ The world’s desires and influences on you+ Satan’s desires and influences on you

“Our” Sinful Past (Ephesians 2:3-4)

We Were Occupied in our own Lusts. Ongoing lifestyle of “self”

We Fulfilled Desires of our Bodies. Behavior

We Fulfilled Desires in our Mind. Mindset, sexual thoughts, priorities, moral and ethical values, truth and beliefs, and worldviews

We Were by Nature People of Wrath

But God! (Ephesians 2:4)

God is Rich in Mercy. Compelled to act based on deep compassion.

God is Great in Love. Lit., “many-love.” The many facets of His love.

God Lavished All of this on Us

GRACE!

“Our” New Purpose (Ephesians 2:5-7)

He Made Us Alive Together with Christ. ALIVE, RIGHT NOW

He Raised Us Up Together. LIFTED US OUT OF DEATH AND SIN

He Made Us Sit Together in the Heavenly Places In Christ Jesus. EXALTED

He Will Display His Exceeding Riches of His Grace Towards Us. ETERNITY

“Your” New Purpose (Ephesians 2:8-10)

You have been saved!+ By grace. The CAUSE and SOURCE of salvation!+ Through faith. The MEANS by which salvation is given = Truth! + Salvation is not of yourselves à it is a gift+ Salvation is not of works à lest you boast

We are His Workmanship to Walk in Good Works+ Created in Christ Jesus+ God Prepared Beforehand+ Contrast: the Devil working in you to walk in disobedience (vs. 2), and

God now working in you walk in good works!!

The Summary (Ephesians 2:1-10)Sin

+ Your nature+ Your choice, disposition, behavior, mindset+ World’s influences+ Satan / Demonic influences+ The Walking Dead

BUT GOD!

Grace+ New Nature+ New Choices and New Behaviors+ A New Fellowship (the church) who Influences+ The Triune God and His Powerful Influence+ Walking in a New Life: Alive!