LIVING IN CHRIST – Zombies No More!
Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
INTRODUCTION:
Zombies are the walking dead generally reserved for horror movies. Yet our culture’s interest in the supernatural has revived the interest in such creatures bringing them weekly to prime time TV. Shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel” and “Supernatural” all present the conflict between good and evil with demons witches, monsters of all kinds including vampires, and even zombies. This week people will be going out to theaters for the return of one of Hollywood’s favorite zombies Freddy in “Friday the 13th.”
Are those who are separated from Christ are spiritual zombies? Could it be that we really do live among the walking dead? This morning Paul reminds us that we were all spiritual zombies but thanks to God are zombies no more!
I. We live in a world filled with Spiritual Zombies.
Ephesians 2:1-3 NIV
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
1. Can it really be all that bad?
a) Paul does not paint a very pretty picture. We tend to think of people as being naturally good. Yes there is the occasional “bad apple”—that person who does terrible and unspeakable things, but we would never act like that—and no one we know is rotten to the core.
b) The truth is not what we imagine. We are all not just rotten to the core. We are the walking dead living daily in our sins and transgressions.
2. “Spiritual zombies” are dead in sin and powerless to help themselves.
a) A corpse has no life in it and can do nothing for itself. How often have you stood in a funeral home and heard some say of the departed loved one “He [or she] looks good?” Now can I tell you the truth on a Sunday morning? The corpse did nothing to improve its appearance. It was the funeral director who clothed the body, combed the hair and positioned the body. But that’s not all—they also put makeup on the face and hands of the body to hide the appearance of death. Have you ever seen a dead body without makeup? The corpse does not look good because the life—literally the blood is no longer animating the body and giving pigment to the skin, the color of life is gone.
b) Spiritual zombies do the same thing—they try to cover over the appearance of death. When zombies compare themselves to each other and look themselves in the mirror they conclude that they don’t look that bad. It is only when the zombie is placed next to a living body that suddenly the appearance of death dominates the image of the zombie. No amount of make up or fancy clothes can cover up the appearance of sin and death within the spiritually dead because the blood of Jesus has not cleansed and animated their bodies.
3. “Zombies” obedient to the “zombie ruler” without hope.
a) Paul says that the spiritually dead follow “the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” Spiritual zombies are lifeless and powerless. Jesus put it this way:
John 8:34 NIV
I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
b) “Zombies” try to fill themselves with life. Paul describes the emptiness of those dead in their sin “gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.” The zombie will do anything to try to fill the emptiness inside . . . but nothing of this world will ever satisfy the hunger and thirst for life.
c) Furthermore ALL OF US as believers “lived among them at one time.” Paul does not want us to forget what our lives were like before Christ rescued us from sin and death and brought us to life.
d) Because the “Zombies” are lifeless, obedient to their “zombie ruler,” and filling themselves with the empty passions of this world, spiritual zombies are objects of God’s wrath. Paul says that it is “by nature” that the spiritual zombie—those dead in their sin are objects of God’s wrath. And that included you and me at one time! God did not wink at our sin and say it was no big deal!
Romans 6:20-23 NIV
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
II. Zombies No More!
Ephesians 2:4-7 NIV
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
1. God’s great love and abundant mercy is offered to the “zombie.”
a) By God’s grace the “zombie” is made alive in Christ.
b) Notice who did the work—GOD DID IT. “We were dead in transgressions” but by God’s grace we have been saved—delivered from death to life
2. “Zombies” are transformed in Christ, seated in heavenly realms and showing the riches of God’s grace.
a) Notice the positional change that has taken place because of the mercy of God. We are alive with or IN CHRIST, and being alive we are seated with or IN CHIRST in the heavenly realms. Our residence has changed, and living IN CHRIST changes everything!
b) As former zombies who are now alive in Christ we have power over the “zombie ruler.” We don’t have to follow after the passions and desires of this world anymore. The emptiness of the “death life” has been filled with the life of Christ and we are set free from the power of sin.
Colossians 2:13-15 NIV
13 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, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
III. Zombie Resuscitators!
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1. Saved by grace through faith—the choice to receive God’s gift. – But if it’s a gift then what do we have to do with it?
Romans 10:13-17 NIV
13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
2. “Zombies” are powerless to help themselves—“not by works,” therefore we have no bragging rights.
3. “The Living” are prepared for good works—to proclaim resuscitation for the walking dead.
CONCLUSION:
Application:
1. Temptation to sin is strongest when we feed our flesh/sinful nature. This week make a commitment not to turn on your television until you have first taken time to read your bible and pray. Be sure your spirit has been nourished by God before you give your “zombie nature” any opportunity to satisfy its cravings for the things of the world.
2. “Zombies” are powerless to help themselves. God wants to use you to impart His grace and the life of Christ to your neighbor or co-worker that is still dead in their sins. Make a list of three such “zombies” in your life and begin to pray daily for them. Take your God given opportunities to share the life of Christ in you with them believing that God will use you to bring them out of their spiritual death.
