May 15, 2011
Morning Service

Paul in chapter one thanked God in his prayer for two traits the church there possessed: strong faith (loyalty) in Christ and love. 

 

He also prayed that we would grow in our wisdom, revelation and enlightenment of Him.  In essence deepening our relationship with Christ (we are called the friends of God).

 

Paul then writes that Christ is:

Eph 1:21  far above all principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this world, but also in the coming age.

 

In verse 21 &22 Paul reveals another of the great mysteries to us:  Christ is the head of the church (called out ones) and the church is His body.  We are his hands and feet in this world.

 

 

Eph 2:1-3  And He has made you alive, who were once 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 that now works in the children of disobedience;  (3)  among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

Trespass- defined as to slip and fall.  Taking the wrong road, when we had the opportunity to choose the right one.  No being “all you could be.”

 

Sin-defined as missing the mark, much like an archer and a target.  We tend to think of sin on the big scale; murders, robbers, rapist.   Defined in the Bible five different times:

1. Pro 24:9  The thought of foolishness is sin; and the scorner is hateful to men.

 

2. Rom 14:23  But, the one doubting, if he eats, he has been condemned, because it is not of faith; and all that is not of faith is sin.

 

3. Jam 4:17  Therefore to him who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.

 

4. 1Jo 3:4  Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.

 

5. 1Jo 5:17  All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not to death.

 

Rom 3:23  for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

 

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

In verse 2 & 3 Paul summarizes the attributes of one walking without Christ:

• Living according to this world’s standards
• Being guided by the prince of this world
• Walking in disobedience
• Striving to fulfill the  desires of our flesh and thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eph 2:4-5  But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us  (5)  (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved),

 

• Despite who we are & what we have done God has made a way for us, for He is rich in mercy and is motivated by His great love for us.  It is only by His grace (unmerited favor) that we are saved.  We are also granted a new stature.  We who were dead are now made alive.

 

Eph 2:6-7  and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,  (7)  so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

 

• He has raised us up; chosen adopted, redeemed, granted wisdom and understanding.
• He allows us not only to be delivered from this evil world, but also to be seated in heavenly places in Christ.
• It is a total transformation of who we are, and it will continue to be revealed to us in the ages to come (v7).

 

Eph 2:8-10  For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,  (9)  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  (10)  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

• These verses present one of the clearest pictures of salvation in the scriptures.
• We are saved only by God’s grace through our faith, having nothing to do with ourselves (dead men are helpless), but it is gift of God (unconditional).
• Not of works.  We can in no way earn our salvation by anything we do.
• Gal 2:16  knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law.
• Act 4:12  And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
• We have become the workmanship of God (His masterpiece).
• 2Co 5:17  So that if anyone is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
• We are created for a purpose:  to do good works that were planned for us (v10).

o   Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.

o   Though works are not essential in salvation they will follow our conversion

·         How do we know what works to do?  What is my purpose?

o   Confess & forsake sin

o   Study the Word & grow in your knowledge of Him

o   Yield every part of  your life to His will

o   Pray always

o   Seek opportunities to serve others

o   Cultivate your relationship with other Christians

o   Build it  & He will come

 

We have been given the order of salvation today.  Faith-Salvation-Good Works-Reward

 

This morning God’s greatest desire is for you to come to Him in faith just as you are and allow Him to totally transform your life.