Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9.
Title: Alienated but not forgotten
Theme: To show our once condition and our new
Text: Eph 5:18
Alienated from the Life of God
I. What is meant by "the Life of God"?
Who is our example? being that we do not have an absolute close relationship with God. Truly we cannot. This is because sin entered into the world so we were separated from God. So how can we come to him? By Jesus. So he is our example. Actually he is all we know of God is Jesus. He is the perfect replica. As we know Jesus said "if you have seen men then you have seen my father".
Now let us look at Jesus and see.
1. Holiness. He was came to sinful flesh but he was perfect and holy. Here is a wonderful attribute that we know that only God can have and Jesus being God also had this when he came
2. Self-sacrificing. His desire in this world was not to please himself but it was to please the father.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5 AV)
3. Inward Joy and peace. Jesus had this joy and peace. Why? because he did the will of the father. The life of God is a life of peace and joy given to us by the father.
4. Power and victory. God is not a loser. Actually he has never lost. He did not lose when Adam and Eve gave into man. He did not lose when the Israelites fail. Or even when his own son died. Some people think he did but he did not. He actually one. Down to the last moment. I just finished a book this week called "Pinstripe Parables" It takes some of the scriptures of the Bible and puts them into a contemporary story. Some of the scriptures used was of the Israelites and the battles. As I read these and I saw how the Israelites were required to depend upon God. The battles were one by God. Remember Jericho, or Gideon, or the Egyptians in the Red Sea. Many stories in the Old Testament and victories could be attributed to God alone not mans work. So I began to question why can't we have this victory. Why can't we depend upon God? Why can't we trust in God enough to deliver us and take care of us? We are no different. God is victory He is power and he through his son has given this to us.
II. But we see some were alienated from the life of God.
What is alienated
1. No likeness to God
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. {the carnal...: Gr. the minding of the flesh} (Romans 8:7 AV)
2. No fellowship with God
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18 AV)
3. No Hope in God
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12 AV)
4. Not fitness for God
Their carnal mind could not please God. This caused alienation. Remember "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
III. What caused their alienation?
1. Ignorance
It is willful. Meaning they could have known the truth but they rejected it.
2.Blindness
Their ignorance led them to be blind. What began with just ignoring and not paying any attention led to blindness. One who cannot see. One who gets confused. Who is led by others and has not perception of reality.
3. Darkness
Then the last step is total darkness. Just as hell will be darkness. Darkness is a cop out. Actually it is a harder life to live that the truth is.
IV. but there is always a cure to satan’s disease
1. Confession
John 1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just
2. Reception
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {power: or, the right, or, privilege} (John 1:12 AV)
3. submission-complete surrender to God's will.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10 AV)
