Alive In Christ

Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10

Introduction-

This morning, I want you to know that the Lord has been doing some amazing things! And He is not done yet! Amen!

I believe if we had more praise on our lips, we would see more of what God intended the believers of God to experience.

If we came with a heart of expectation- come on now!

Illustration-

I listened to a sermon of a sixteen year old boy on fire for God. He shared that at 4 years old He was in Germany and fell out of a window four stories high. He says that the doctors got to him before his parents because the building was next to a giant hospital. A few days later that boy was going home with no internal damage done to him. He was getting into the car and says to his mom, I want to tell you what happen. He is four years old. The mom says the doctors don’t want you to talk about it because you could have a flashback and it could cause you to hemorrhage and they don’t want that. No mom, that won’t happen. I need to tell you what happen- the mom was reluctant but told him to tell her. He says Mom, I fell from up there but I never hit the ground. As I was falling, a man with a really big hand caught me. He said to me, do you want to go home with your parents? I said yes. He said wait right here. Mom, you told me to not talk to strangers, so I asked him his name and He said His name is Jesus! He says that was twelve years ago and I still want to call Oprah up on her cell phone and say that it was not all of these other false gods, but it was Jesus!

I am a big sports fan! But I have to tell you, sometimes I get sick and tired of talking sports, sometimes when we get together, I want to talk about Jesus! At times, I don’t care who’s playing! I need to feed my soul with some good God moments like this that energizes my soul! You are quick to tell me what energizes you and what is your priority, but sometimes, I want to get a word in about my Jesus!

Prayer-

Father, today, is a day to talk about Jesus! We have come into this sanctuary to talk about Jesus, to sing about Jesus, and to be changed by Jesus. And if we seek you, we believe we will have an encounter with Jesus.

Ephesians 2:1-10 Read from Bible

Paul is writing to the church a word of encouragement- He is speaking to the church a word of instruction. He is warning the church.

As for you (church) you were dead in transgressions and sins, when you followed the way of the world.

THAT SHOULD NOT BE YOU ANYMORE!

All of us once lived in cravings of our sinful nature

THAT SHOULD NOT BE YOU ANYMORE!

He is telling the church of Christ that since salvation, there should be a change in heart and allegiance.

He is saying that we should have a new life in Christ.

Those of us who understand the death, burial, resurrection of Christ- the turning point in history, we should celebrate the life changing power of Christ.

If the raising of Christ from death to sit in the heavenly realms was the supreme demonstration of God’s surpassing power, then the raising of believers from spiritual death to sit with Christ in heavenly realms is the supreme demonstration of God’s surpassing grace. (Repeat)

The church universal needs to understand holiness- We try to live godly lives and we have one foot in the door of the world.

The church instead of watering down the ways of God ought to embrace it and live out our faith.

(4)- “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.”

I am preaching holiness 101 to you this morning-

2:1-2

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of the world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”

There are three things that will move you away from God (Write down)

Worldliness

Satan

Flesh

The world is not defined as the planet… one preacher describes it as “a system or way of life which was developed on this earth apart from God. A system with its own rules, its own values, its own beliefs, a pervasive way of thinking that builds a life insulated from God, constantly distracting your attention away from God.”