THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE
Ephesians 2:1-10 [NLT]
1 Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5 that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favour that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus. 7 And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favour and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his special favour when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
I. THE SINNER’S STANDING V. 1-3
1 Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.
a) DEAD IN SIN
Colossians 2:13 [NIV] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.
b) DELUDED BY THE WORLD
II Corinthians 4:4 [NLT] Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
II. THE SINNER’S RELATIONSHIP TO GOD V. 4
God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much,
a) GOD LOVES THE SINNER
Romans 5:8 [JBP] 8 the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.
b) GOD HAS MERCY FOR THE SINNER
Psalm 103:10 – 12 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
c) GOD IS LONGSUFFERING TO THE SINNER
III. THE SINNER’S QUICKENING V5
5 that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favour that you have been saved!)
a) CONVICTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:8-12 when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is unbelief in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.11 Judgment will come because the prince of this world has already been judged.
b) CONVERTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 3:6 [NLT] Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.
c) SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Ephesians 4:30 [NLT] do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
IV. THE SAINT’S POSITION IN CHRIST V. 6
6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus.
a) HE IS A NEW CREATURE
II Corinthians 5:17 [NLT] those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!
b) HE HAS A NEW NAME
Acts 1:26b [NIV] The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
c) HE HAS A NEW HOME
John 14:2 [NIV] In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
V. THE SAINT’S GLORY V. 7
7 And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favour and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.
a) RICH IN TREASURE
Matthew 6:31-33 [NIV] do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33 but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
b) RICH IN SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS
Ephesians 1:3 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.
c) RICH IN INHERITANCE
Romans 8: 16 & 17 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too.
VI. THE SAINT’S SALVATION V. 8 & 9
8 God saved you by his special favour when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
a) NOT BY WORKS
Titus 3:5 & 6 [JBP] he saved us in his mercy—not by virtue of any moral achievement of ours, but by the cleansing power of a new birth and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 which he poured upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
b) BY GRACE
Ephesians 1:7 [NLT] He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven.
c) BY FAITH
John 1:12 [JBP] wherever men did accept him he gave them the power to become sons of God. These were the men who truly believed in him,
VI. THE SAINT’S SERVICE V. 10
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
a) HE SHOULD BE CONSECRATED IN HIS SERVICE
Romans 12:1 & 2 [JBP] WITH eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him.2 Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect.
b) HE SHOULD BE GLAD IN HIS SERVICE
Psalm 100:2 [NIV] Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
c) HE WILL BE REWARDED FOR HIS SERVICE
Colossians 3:24 [NLT] Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.
