The Way
Ephesians 2
The Way We Were (2:1–3, 11–12)
· Law Breaker
· Dead in sin (2:1)
§ Of course, this means spiritually dead; that is, he is unable to understand and appreciate spiritual things
· Influenced by Satan (2:2)
§ you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air
· Controlled by lust (2:3a)
§ gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts
Segue; This had an effect on our standing with God… and brings us to the O in lost… Verse 3b Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
· Objects of Wrath
· God’s wrath is real
§ Ephesians 5:6: Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
· God's Wrath is earned
§ Romans 2:5a: But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath
This results in the S of lost
· Separated
· Separated from Christ (2:12a)
§ The Salvation of Christ
§ The Body of Christ
· Pagans without God (2:11)
§ Not god with a little G…
· Totally Hopeless
· Without hope in this present world (2:12b)
§ No Christ…
§ John 6:60-69: On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Way Of God (2:4–6)
· Lifted Us (2:6).
· He loved us (2:4).
· He liberated us (2:5).
· Opulence (2:7)
· Incomparable riches of His Grace….
§ Through His Grace we are blessed:
· John 1:16: From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
§ Through His Grace we are Justified:
· Romans 3:24: justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
§ Through His Grace we are we have eternal life:
· Titus 3:7: so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
§ God's Grace is all we need! Paul thorn…
· 2 Corinthians 12:7-9: To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
· Victorious (God's Way is Victorious)
· Over Sin
§ Romans 7:14-8:2.
· Over Death
§ 1 Corinthians 15:55-57: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
· Everlasting
Segue ….
So How than shall we live:
The Way We Are (to be)
· Faithful
· We are the products of grace (2:10).
§ Trust in God For our salvation…
· We are to be busy… (2:10a): We have been created in Christ to do good works!
§ Romans 6:13: Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
· Reconciled
· With God (v16)
· With Each other (2:15–18): He has joined into one body, a new person, both Jews and Gentiles.
· Elevated (being morally or intellectually on a high plane)
· We are the people of God (2:19).
· Elements of the Body
· We are the pillars of the temple (2:20–22).
§ We are to support each other
§ We are to be supported
· The cornerstone (2:20b–22): It is Jesus Christ himself.