February 18, 2024
Series: Ephesians
Teacher: Paul Mermilliod
Ephesians 2:1-10
[1] 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. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
BIG TRUTH:
Jesus Followers are Saved by grace through faith in him
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Big Idea: We were dead in sin, now we are alive in Jesus! (2:1, 5-6)
Colossians 2:12-14
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”
Big Idea: We were slaves to sin, now we are seated in freedom with Jesus! (2:3, 6)
Romans 6:9-11
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Big Idea: We were guilty in sin, now we are under grace! (2:3, 5,7-8)
Romans 3:23-24
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 5:20-21
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Big Idea: We were enemies of God, now we are servants of Jesus! (2:2, 10)
Titus 3:3-6
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior
How Does God Save Us?
Big Idea: In Jesus, we are saved by grace through faith. (2:8-9)
Why Did God Save Us?
Big Idea: In Jesus, we are saved for God’s glory. (2:7)
Big Idea: In Jesus, we are saved to walk in good works. (2:10)
James 2:17, 26
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
In our sin, we are dead. Life is only found in Jesus who saves us by grace through faith in Him.
In Christ, you are called according to His purpose. Walk in the good works that God has prepared for you, living a life that is set apart for Him and His glory.
Feel unworthy, yet loved. God has shown the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ.
Long to see others come from death in sin to life in Christ. Consider those in your life who do not know the Lord; in their sin they are dead, enemies of God, helpless, and hopeless. Purpose to have a gospel conversation with them this week.