Ephesians 2- Where we came from. Where we are going.

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Unknown

Speaker - Shane Little

Looking first at 1:9-10.  This as the central idea in the book of Ephesians.

>making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. - Ephesians 1:9-10
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​**Where we came from**
>And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked - 2:1-2a
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This goes back to Genesis. We were dead just as Adam was after disobeying God. He died that day, and us with him. So what happened as a result of this. First, we "follow the course this world".  This is the world which is in rebellion. Second, we "follow the prince of the power of the air," that is Satan, the spirit that is at "work in the sons of disobedience". This caused us to live in the passions of our flesh. It isn't bad to have passions, but when it is driven and lead by our flesh, by our own desires, and not God, it therefore makes us "children of wrath".

**What is the answer?**
The world will tell us that we need more education. We need to teach the world the best way.  Or perhaps we can change the circumstances and implement the solutions that "work".  However, all of this is symptomatic. We cannot fix ourselves. We are not simply progressing towards a better future.

**BUT GOD…**
Perhaps the greatest and most important two words in the Bible. What is the answer?  God is the answer.  Here we see what he does, and so who he is.

He is…
-Rich in mercy
-Because of the great love with which he loved us.

When we were…
-dead in our trespasses.

He…
-Made us alive together with Christ.
-By Grace were are saved.
-We are raised up with him.
-Seated with him in the heavenly places.

So That…
-In the coming ages.
-He might forever show his grace to us.

Not just any grace.  This is the "immeasureable riches of his grace".  This grace is not going to run out. Furthermore this grace is a gift, and not based on something we did.

Yet we are full of good works, not for our salvation, but it is evidence of our salvation. 

>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…

Like a car that doesn't run, so is a Christian without good works. It isn't in practice a car.

 But we cannot endure in this task if we do not "abide in Christ" (John 15). Also, we are not just going out and "doing" good works. We having been "created for good works," we go out, we walk in them, in the works that God has already "prepared beforehand."  


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