INTRODUCTION Eph 2:1-6
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly p laces in Christ Jesus:
1. According to 2Co 5:17, a great change takes place in the life of one
who is a Christian:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2. But what does this change mean?
a. What position does this "new creation" hold in the eyes of God?
b. What type of life is he or she to lead?
c. How does this change affect his or her relationship to things
pertaining to one's old way of life?
In Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, we find the answers to such
questions. Note first of all that a Christian is described as...
I. SITTING WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES - Ep 2:6
A. OUR FORMER CONDITION...
1. We were dead in sin - Ep 2:1
2. We were quite active, walking and following after:
a. The world
b. Satan
c. The flesh
B. OUR CURRENT CONDITION...
1. Out of love, mercy and grace, we who were dead are now alive!
Ro 5:6-8 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Now we are blessed to be:
a. Raised with Christ - Col 2:12; 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
3:1 3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
b. Seated with Him in "heavenly places" - Ep 2:6
3. Definition of "heavenly places"
a. Lit., "the heavenlies", found only in Ephesians
b. Various explanations often given: the church, heaven
proper, the spiritual realm
1) The church is ruled out by Ep 3:10
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
2) Heaven proper is ruled out by Ep 6:12
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
c. Most likely refers to the "spiritual realm" as contrasted to
the physical realm
1) In the spiritual realm, we enjoy blessings in Christ
2) In the spiritual realm, Christ rules at God's right hand
3) In the spiritual realm, we sit with Christ
4) In the spiritual realm, principalities and powers learn
of God's wisdom by the church - Ep 3:10
5) In the spiritual realm, we wrestle against spiritual
wickedness - Ep 6:12
4. Compare our position with Christ in the "heavenly places"
a. Christ is seated at God's right hand - Ep 1:20
b. We are seated together with Christ! - Ep 2:6
5. Our position with Christ certainly warrants a proper frame of
mind - Col 3:1-2 1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth
a. We are to seek those things above
b. We are to set our minds on thing above
As "A New Creation," sitting with Christ in heavenly places ought to
affect the way we think. But also the way we behave, for as "A New
Creation" we are to be...
II. WALKING IN MANNER WORTHY OF OUR CALLING –
Ep 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
A. THE PURPOSE OF OUR CALLING...
1. To be holy and without blame - Ep 1:3-4 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2. To be His beloved children through adoption - Ep 1:5 5having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
B. A WALK WORTHY OF OUR CALLING...
1. Is one in which we "walk in love" - Ep 5:1-2
a. As beloved children, imitating their Father
b. Following Christ's own example of sacrifice
2. Is one in which we "walk as light" - Ep 5:3-14
a. Living lives holy and without blame
b. As light exposing the deeds of darkness by way of contrast
3. Is one in which we "walk as wise" - Ep 5:15-17
a. Understanding that time is short
b. Understanding the will of the Lord
Walking in "love", as "light", as "wise", will not be without
controversy in the midst of a dark, perverted world (cf. 2Ti 3:12).
And so "A New Creation" is to be...
III. STANDING FIRM IN BATTLE - oEp 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, t stand.
A. THE NATURE OF OUR BATTLE...
1. We are engaged in a spiritual warfare - Ep 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
a. The battle is taking place in "heavenly places" (the
spiritual realm)
b. Our foe: the very things we had previously followed - cf.
Ep 2:2-3 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
2. Thus the need to be strong - Ep 6:10
a. To be strong in the Lord
b. To be strong in the power of His might
B. THE NATURE OF OUR ARMOR...
1. We are given the armor of God, which we must put on Ep 6:11-13
2. This armor is adequate for a strong offensive battle Ep 6:14-18
a. Waist girded with truth
b. Breastplate of righteousness
c. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
d. Shield of faith to quency the fiery darts of the wicked one
e. Helmet of salvation
f. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
g. Praying always with all prayer and supplication
-- Note the lack of protection from behind; this implies that
we must be committed in standing firm against the enemy, and
that to retreat insures defeat!
CONCLUSION
1. When a person becomes "A New Creation", it affects how he or she
sits, stands, and walks...
a. Sitting with Christ in heavenly places
b. Walking in a manner worthy of our calling
c. Standing firm in battle
2. Compare this to the wicked person who is not blessed by God as
described in Ps 1:1-2...
a. Walking in the counsel of the wicked
b. Standing in the path of sinners
c. Sitting in the seat of scoffers
What a remarkable contrast! Truly "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Has this proved true in our lives?
Give careful thought to how and where you are sitting, walking, and
standing if you desire to be "A New Creation" in Christ!
