Resurrected in Life
Ephesians 2: 4-7
In our previous study, Ephesians 2: 1-3, we discovered the utter depravity and hopelessness of mankind within the condemnation of sin. Because of sin, he is dead spiritually, separated from God, and in danger of eternal judgment. Their depravity in sin dictates their existence – desiring only to satisfy the appetite of the flesh. These have no desire for the Word of God, the people of God, or a relationship with God himself.
Because of his condition, literally being dead in trespasses and sin, the lost man can do nothing about his depraved situation, nor can he reconcile himself to God. Try as he may, his efforts to redeem himself are futile. No amount of good, moral deeds or religious activity can restore a right relationship with God. He can do nothing about his lost condition. He is dead in sin.
Fortunately for all of us, God knew all of this. He knew we were unable to redeem ourselves and reconcile the relationship sin had destroyed. Although we were unable to secure salvation for ourselves, God had a plan to rescue mankind from the depravity of sin and the condemnation it brings. In the midst of our inability and depravity, God stepped in with the solution to the vast problem of sin and the eternal condemnation associated with it. There is hope for those dead in sin, through Christ the Savior!
As we discuss the affirmations within this gracious text, I want to consider: Resurrected in Life.
I. The Intervention of God (4-5) – Being dead in sin, we stood in need of one to intervene on our behalf. Unable to resolve the great need we had, we had no hope apart from divine intervention. Thankfully, the Lord had a plan and He was determined to intervene. Consider:
A. The Authority (4) – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. We are aware of the holiness of God. Man was created in His image, with God desiring fellowship with man. As Adam sinned in the Garden, all of humanity inherited that sinful nature, bringing enmity with God. God’s holiness demanded righteousness. God’s holiness must be achieved if humanity is to have fellowship with Him and enjoy His presence.
In the previous verses, Paul reveals the sinful condition of all humanity and the desire to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. All stand condemned of God because of sin, and God alone has the right to judge or pardon sin. Our sin caused separation, facing eternal judgment; but God chose to provide a means for salvation and reconciliation. God is our authority for salvation!
B. The Amazement (4-5a) – But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins. Every time I pause to ponder all that I have received in Christ, I stand amazed. Have you considered the mercy of God lately? God’s mercy withheld the judgment we rightly deserved. Mercy is “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.” We could do nothing to merit the favor of God, and yet He chose to extend mercy where judgment was due. He loved us with a great love: Agape love, God’s love, that which is given without merit and is unlimited, offered without bounds or prejudice. It is God doing what is best for man, even when it isn’t what man desires.
We discover that God extended mercy, loving us with His love, even when we were dead in sins. Long before anyone ever recognizes their sin and their need for God, He extends mercy and love. That utterly amazes me! God would have been just to have left us in our sin, being forced to face His righteous judgment, but He chose to love us and provide a means for our salvation even while we were dead in sin with no regard or desire for Him!
"A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on “The Love of God.” As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the church. There was nothing else to say. How true! Calvary says everything you need to hear about the eternal, sacrificial, unconditional, personal, effectual love of God. He loves you, of that fact there should be no question!" (i)
C. The Awakening (5) – Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Man in sin is dead spiritually; he has no means of improving his condition or standing with God. He is separated, condemned because of sin, and hopeless. God, in mercy, came to us while we were yet dead in sin, offering salvation through His abundant grace, and quickened our dead spirit. He literally “made us alive.” This has the idea of “being raised from death unto life with Christ.”
Isn’t that wonderful? A dead man can do nothing about his condition. In fact, once dead, we have even lost the desire to live. Physically we are no longer cognizant about our condition. God came to us in that condition and made us alive in Him. We were resurrected a new creature in Christ! 2 Cor.5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
II. The Transformation in Salvation (6-7) – Here Paul revealed the miraculous transformation that takes place through salvation in Christ. The man, dead in his sin, is resurrected into eternal life through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Notice:
A. The Power Involved (6a) – And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We have discussed the awakening involved in salvation, and here we discover the power in salvation. Those who were dead in trespasses and sin are made alive in Christ, raised up of His miraculous power. He alone can take a heart that is dead spiritually, black with sin, having no desire for holiness, and make it alive in Him. We find several accounts of Jesus raising the dead in Scripture, but the greatest resurrection is that of a sinner, lost and undone, being raised to new life in Christ! Rom.6:4 – Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom.8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
B. The Position Received (6b) – And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Consider where we were before Christ – dead in trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world. We lived condemned of God, without hope. Our association was with the wicked and sinful. We had no hope of life beyond the grave.
But after salvation, we have been resurrected in Christ, seated together in heavenly places. There is a home in heaven reserved for all the saved. We are as good as there, just waiting on the call to come home. We are just pilgrims and strangers in this life, separated from our eternal home, but through Christ we become heirs of God and all that heaven affords! 1 Peter 1:3-5 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
C. The Promise Declared (7) – That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. The saved have been resurrected from spiritual death unto eternal life, positioned in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We can rejoice for the pardon we have received, but there is a wonderful promise that we can also claim. Our salvation is not limited by time. Our fellowship with the Lord and the blessedness of His presence are not limited to this life alone. All of the saved will enter the presence of the Lord when we leave this life.
For the lost, this world is all they have to look forward to, but the saved have an eternal home waiting. At the end of the age, the New Jerusalem will come down from God out of heaven, and we will enter that blessed home of the redeemed, never to leave. Rev.21:2-3 – And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. We will enjoy the abundance of the Lord as eternity continues.
D. The Perfection Imputed (5-7) – As we consider these verses, we discover the perfection imputed to the believer through salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been quickened with Christ, V.5; seated in Christ, V.6; and promised eternity with God through Christ, V.7. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, made our salvation possible. Were it not for His gracious sacrifice for our sin, we would yet be without hope!
Our eternal destiny rests in how we respond to the gracious provision the Lord made on our behalf. Christ is either received or rejected, with eternal implications. The saved will enter heaven having the righteousness of Christ imputed to their account, accepted of God, all because of what Jesus did for us. He is our salvation!
Conclusion: The opening verses of this chapter reveal the dire and doomed state of man apart from God. Thankfully, God made the way of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son. We are saved by His grace, and reconciled to God through His atoning work. Like Paul, we must declare – By the grace of God I am what I am… 1 Cor. 15:10.
Have you responded to God’s gracious provision in salvation? He has intervened on your behalf, providing the means of your salvation. If the Lord has spoken to you, come to Him in repentance of sin and faith in His atoning work on the cross!
i. The Sermon Notebook - The Sermon Notebook – Ephesians.
