Dead Man Walking Series

DEAD MAN WALKING

EPH 2:1-9

This is a phrase that is or at least used to be shouted in the corridors of a maximum security prison as a prisoner, who is about to be executed, is taken from his cell to the execution room.

Before we accept the grace of God, it is a phrase that could be used of us.

If you’ve seen the TV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? you’re familiar with the "lifelines" each contestant may use when they are uncertain about the answer to a question. They symbolize the way many people think about life’s ultimate questions.

50/50: Some people hope they will make it to heaven. They think they have at least a 50/50 chance. They’re trying to do enough good things to get in.

Phone a friend: Some people do what their friends do and think what their friends think, and are counting on their friends to be right about ultimate truth.

Ask the audience: Others accept the majority view. If New Age is in, they follow it. If 60 percent of the country rejects the Bible, they reject the Bible. What’s your lifeline? –Preaching Today

I. THE CONDITION OF A DEAD MAN. VS. 1-3

A. He is dead—spiritually…unable to understand spiritual things…unable to do anything to be good enough for heaven.

B. He is disobedient—

1. He walks according to the course of the world—majority rules.

2. He walks according to the direction of Satan.

3. Warren Wiersbe says “all sinners (lost people) are dead. The only difference between one sinner and another is the outward state of decay.”

C. He is depraved—Psa 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good”

D. He is doomed. --- Children of wrath..

How does this compare to the believer? For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. I Thes 5:9-10

II. THE COMPASSION OF OUR SAVIOR. VS. 4-9

A. He loved us---

1. So He showed us mercy.

2. While we were dead He quickened us.—The phrase “quickened us together” means that He made us alive together with Christ.

B. He exalted us.

Picture Lazerus in the grave..Jesus raised him and then John 12 tells us that they shared a meal and had fellowship.

God does not raise us from the dead and leave us in the graveyard….He raises us to fellowship with Him.

C. He Keeps us.

The same grace that saves us keeps us. A thorough definition of the word grace is “of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.

So because of His compassion He has rescued us from spiritual death. We in an act of gratitude are to dedicate our life to living not in the graveyard but fellowshipping with the Savior.