Introduction:
Charles Dickens, the renowned English poet and novelist of the nineteenth century, he once spoke much truth when he said: “We are living in the best of times and we are living in the worst of times!”
All of us today will agree that these are in fact “THE BEST OF TIMES!” For when we look and observe how far the Lord has brought us as a nation of people, who could not say and tell the truth that these are "THE BEST OF TIMES?”
From the standpoint of “SCIENCE,” these are "THE BEST OF TIMES!” When we look at the marvelous advancements made by science, and the magnificent feat of being able to send a man to the moon and bring him back to earth safely, “SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING” we must admit that these are "THE BEST OF TIMES!”
From the standpoint of “MEDICINE,” these are "THE BEST OF TIMES!” Surgical procedures which at one time took hours to perform and the recovery process which once took months to complete, now because of a technique called “LAPROSCOPIC” or “LASER SURGERY,” we are in and out of the hospital in only a matter of days! “MEDICALLY SPEAKING,” these are "THE BEST OF TIMES!”
From the standpoint of “EDUCATION,” these are "THE BEST OF TIMES!” We are living in an age and in an era where the internet has allowed us to obtain and access more information in the last decade than perhaps was received in the first 16 or 17 centuries! “EDUCATIONALLY SPEAKING,” these are "THE BEST OF TIMES!”
“MATERIALLY SPEAKING,” these are "THE BEST OF TIMES!” Many of our great-grandparents would die from shock and amazement if they could return and see how we live, where we live, and the abundance of material empowerment we have acquired in 2020!
But somehow there is a great paradox. Because even though the times in which we live are “THE BEST OF TIMES,” these are also “THE WORST OF TIMES!”
When we look at the plight of economic disparity along with the absence of ethical and spiritual values; when we observe the carjacking and massive gun violence which permeates our neighborhoods, we must admit and concur with the fact that these are "THE WORST OF TIMES!”
When we look at the spreading of social conflict, dysfunctional families and the collapsing of the infrastructure within our own homes and communities, you will have to admit that these are "THE WORST OF TIMES!”
It becomes rather apparent, that mankind with all of his intellectual preparedness, his accomplishments and advances in the field of high technology, it is obvious that man is having great difficulty managing his own affairs! He is not able in spite of his knowledge to produce a humane and responsible society!
And this brings us to our text in Ephesians Chapter 2 verses 1 through 10. There are three things found in this pericope of scriptures I would like to emphasize that will give us a vivid portrayal of the “WORST OF TIMES!” But at the same time they give us a godly illustration of the “BEST OF TIMES!”
I want us to look at:
1) The Reality of Our Predicament
2) The Reasons for Our Predicament
3) The Reversal of Our Predicament
Paul begins this second chapter, explaining to us just how bad mankind is without Jesus Christ! There is a “PESSIMISTIC WORD” about man, but there is an “OPTIMISTIC WORD” about God! And as we examine these verses carefully, we will discover what man is by “NATURE” and what man can become by “GRACE!”
In verse number 1 of Ephesians 2, the Bible says: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins...”
The Reality of Our Predicament:
Notice if you will the language that the apostle employs in this verse. Paul is speaking to “BELIEVERS” and to those who have established a saving relationship with Jesus Christ! But his language is in the “PAST TENSE” because he says, “You ‘WERE’ dead in trespasses and sins...”
The reality of the human condition is that mankind without Christ is “DEAD IN SIN” and in trespasses! Mankind without Christ is “DEAD TO GOD” and “DEAD TO THE SPIRITUAL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO GOD!” It does not matter about your “social standing,” your “academic exposure," or your “scholastic achievements." Without Christ, all of mankind is “DEAD IN SIN!”
The irony of life is that the only time a person recognizes they were “SPIRITUALLY DEAD” is after they have become “SPIRITUALLY ALIVE” in Christ! In other words, “DEAD FOLK DON’T KNOW THEY ARE DEAD!” You cannot understand this idea of “SPIRITUAL DEADNESS” until you have been “MADE ALIVE” by the power of the Holy Spirit! Once you come to know Jesus, then you can look back over your life and see how different you are “NOW” than you were when you were without God!
Now what I just said concerning life in regards to this verse may fly in the face of some! Because you can look at a person and they can appear to be very much “alive!” It is possible to be “mentally alive,” “emotionally alive,” “physically alive," and even “financially alive,” but at the same time be “SPIRITUALLY DEAD!”
Perhaps you are wearing the finest of silk and satin; perhaps you are walking in the best shoes money can buy; perhaps you are driving the most luxurious automobile on the street; but without Christ you are nothing but a "WALKING DEAD MAN" or a "WALKING DEAD WOMAN!" Your spirit is separated alienated from the life giving Spirit of God!
If you are “DEAD TO GOD,” you are “BLIND” to the glory of Christ!
If you are “DEAD TO GOD,” you are “DEAF” to the voice of the Holy Spirit!
If you are “DEAD TO GOD,” you are “UNRESPONSIVE” to the authority of God’s Word!
If you are “DEAD TO GOD,” the preacher can preach all night and the church can pray all afternoon but it still won’t move you!
If you are DEAD TO GOD, you care nothing about “SOUL’S BEING SAVED,” because you care nothing about “SOUL’S BEING LOST!”
The Reasons for Our Predicament:
Secondly, not only does Paul speak about “THE REALITY OF OUR PREDICAMENT,” he also talks about “THE REASONS FOR OUR PREDICAMENT!”
When we look at the two words “TRESPASSES” and “SINS” in verse one, we find that both of these words from an English rendering sounds pretty much the same! But when you understand these two words from a Greek interpretation, you will notice that the word “trespasses” means “to fall or deviate from the way" while the word “sin" means to "miss the mark!"
So what we have in this text is both the “active” and “passive" side of sin! What we have in this text is the “SIN OF OMISSION” as well as the “SIN OF COMMISSION!” In other words, you can sin by doing “SOMETHING” and you can sin by doing “NOTHING!” Both are just as dangerous!
In Matthew chapter 21 beginning at verse 19, it is recorded how Jesus saw a fig tree one day! But when He came upon this tree and found nothing He cursed it and the tree withered away! Now the Lord cursed this fig tree not because the figs were poison and not because the figs didn’t taste good, but He cursed this fig tree simply because it was “DOING NOTHING!” It wasn’t bearing any fruit!
The point of the story is that you can sin by “DOING NOTHING!” When you sit down on the “STOOL OF DO NOTHING” leaning on the “ELBOW OF DO LESS” you sin by “OMISSION!”
And so, Paul in this chapter shares with us reasons why we are in this “PREDICAMENT.” He says, mankind without Christ has been enslaved to sin by his “NATURE!”
Look at verse 3 of Ephesians chapter 2: “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of our flesh and of the mind; and were ‘BY NATURE’ the children of wrath even as others.”
The “NATURAL MAN” is born into this world with a “SINFUL” and “REBELLIOUS NATURE” that is bent against God! He is “ENSLAVED” to sin and cannot help himself! That’s why you never have to teach children to do “WRONG” because “WRONG” comes automatically! You have to teach children to do right!”
It is “HUMAN NATURE” to do that which is wrong! “HUMAN NATURE” without Christ is enslaved to the “WORLD,” the “POWER OF SATAN,” and to “DISOBEDIENCE!” Look at verse 2:
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this ‘WORLD,’ according to the ‘PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR’ (that’s Satan), and the spirit that now worketh in the children of ‘DISOBEDIENCE...”
It is our “SINFUL NATURE” that ACTS against God...
It is our “SINFUL NATURE” that REBELS against God...
It is our “SINFUL NATURE” that IGNORES God’s will and God’s way...
It is our “SINFUL NATURE” that DENIES God’s wisdom and God’s Word...
And because “GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD,” because He “LOVED US” in “SPITE OF US,” because God is “HOLY” and we are “UN-HOLY,” it is for this reason He sent His only begotten Son to “FIX OUR FAULTS,” “MEND OUR MISTAKES,” “ERASE OUR ERROR” and “HEAL OUR HURTS!” God turned His “BACK” on Christ so that He might turn His “FACE” towards us!
Even though we came into this world bearing the guilt of Adam’s transgression, God “MADE A WAY FOR US” when we could not “MAKE A WAY FOR OURSELVES!”
IN OUR LOSTNESS... HE FOUND US!
IN OUR WEAKNESS... HE STRENGTHENS US!
IN OUR SICKNESS... HE HEALS US!
IN OUR HUNGER... HE FEEDS US!
IN OUR TROUBLES... HE DELIVERS US!
IN OUR LONELINESS... HE BEFRIENDS US!
IN OUR HOPE...HE CONFIRMS US!
IN OUR DYING... HE SAVES US!
“GOD GAVE US JESUS... IN SPITE OF OUR HUMAN PREDICAMENT!”
HE IS “MANNA” EVER FILLING...
A “FATHER” EVER GIVING...
A “GOD” EVER BLESSING...
And a “FOUNTAIN” NEVER FAILING...
“I TELL YOU GOD GAVE US JESUS IN SPITE OF OUR HUMAN PREDICAMENT!”
So we have looked at “THE REALITY OF OUR PREDICAMENT!” And we have looked at “THE REASONS FOR OUR DILEMMA!” But let me say a word about “THE REVERSAL OUR PREDICAMENT!”
The Reversal of Our Predicament:
Paul says in verse 4 of Ephesians chapter 2: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us...”
This verse is something which John R. Stott calls a “MIGHTY ADVERSATIVE!” An “ADVERSATIVE” is something which is always in “OPPOSITION!” It is that which is “CONTRARY” and “OPPOSITE” to whatever has already been said or stated!
So when you put these two words together, you have the greatest witness in the entire Bible! He says, “BUT GOD...”
Make no mistake about it, “ALL OF US” were sentenced to the “ISLAND OF CONDEMNATION” without having hope and without having promise... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN” and He “RESCUED US” from the “PUNISHMENT OF SIN!”
We are born “ENSLAVED TO SIN!” We are “GUILTY” and deserve eternal damnation... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN” and He “REDEEMED US” from the “POWER OF SIN!”
There is nothing “INNATELY GOOD ABOUT US,” Paul said in the Roman letter that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God!” But today we can sing and today we can shout because “GOD STEPPED IN” and He “RESTORED US” from the “PENALTY OF SIN!”
When we drop down to verses 8 and 9, Paul says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
CONCLUSION:
I’m glad today to be in the “BUT GOD” category! I’m glad today to be a member of the “BUT GOD” fraternity of believers! All through the course of human history we find where “GOD STEPPED IN” and “REVERSED” the ordinary circumstances!
“ADAM SINNED” and should have died an immediate physical death... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN” and changed his natural position!
“NOAH BECAME DRUNK” and should have lost all favor with God... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN” and had mercy upon his soul!
“DANIEL WAS THROWN INTO A DEN OF LIONS” and should have been eaten alive by the king of beasts... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN,” shut up the lions’ mouths and made ferocious lions lay down like lambs!
“DAVID SINNED” and lost all of his joy... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN” and renewed and restored his spirit! He said, “Have mercy upon me oh God, according to thy loving kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions and wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity. Create in me a clean heart and renew within me a right spirit...”
“HEZEKIAH WAS SICK” and was told that his time was at hand... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN” and gave him 15 more years of living!
“JESUS CHRIST WAS NAILED TO CALVARY’S CROSS” where He died a cruel death for you and for me! The moon dripped in blood and the sun refused to shine! Hell got happy and the grave started shouting... “BUT GOD STEPPED IN” and brought SENSE out of NONSENSE! He died on FRIDAY but He arose on SUNDAY!
I can “CELEBRATE TODAY” because I serve a God who “RESCUES” and “REVERSES!”
Because of the “BUT GOD” factor... I’ve been REDEEMED by the blood of Christ!
Because of the “BUT GOD” factor... my “SPIRIT REJOICES” and my “HOPE IS RENEWED!”
Because of the “BUT GOD” factor... I have “FRIENDSHIP” and “FELLOWSHIP” with the Father!
Because of the “BUT GOD” factor... I’ve been “FORGIVEN” and “MADE ALL OVER AGAIN!”
Because of the “BUT GOD” factor... I have “JOY” that nobody can take away!
BECAUSE OF THE “BUT GOD FACTOR”... I HAVE BEEN...
JUSTIFIED... and SANCTIFIED...
and SATISFIED... and QUALIFIED...
and EDIFIED... and DIGNIFIED...
and FORTIFIED... and GRATIFIED...
Because of His great love wherein He has saved us we have...
UNION and COMMUNION...
A RELATIONSHIP and FELLOWSHIP...
PEACE WITH GOD...
ACCESS TO GOD...
and HOPE IN GOD...
WHEN THE BREATH OF ETERNITY BREATHES QUIESCENT ON MAN’S ACTIVITY, IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT FOR THOSE WHO KNOW THE SAVIOR!
