Raising The Dead Series

Raising the Dead

Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1 (NLT)

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins.

You Were Dead

The wages of sin

 Romans 6:23a

Romans 6:23a

For the wages of sin is death...

You Were Dead

The wages of sin

 Romans 6:23a

Sin doomed your life

 No hope

 No intimacy with God

 Eternal judgment

Ephesians 2:2 (NLT)

You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

The Way It Used to Be

Your life was not set apart

 The world’s values were your values

 Self centered

 Your sin was not cleansed

You were subject to the devil himself

 Living under the rule of deceit

 Living a life of rebellion towards God

Ephesians 2:3 (NLT)

All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.

We’ve All Been There

All have sinned

 Romans 3:23

Romans 3:23 (NLT)

For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

We’ve All Been There

All have sinned

 Romans 3:23

The old self

 Guided by the passions and desires of an evil nature

Impure motives and standards

 You were born with it

A sinful nature

 Subject to God’s righteous anger

 God detests sin

 Sin cannot go unchecked

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT)

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, [5] that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!)

God’s Mercy Revealed

God’s abundant mercy

 Fueled by his deep love for us

 Not given out of obligation or eligibility

While you were dead

 God broke the claim of sin upon your life

 Raising Jesus from death to life

 Death and hell were conquered

New life is now available to all

 Only by the grace of God

 Undeserved

 Unearned

Ephesians 2:6 (NLT)

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus.

One with Jesus

Raised to life with Christ

 The old life is dead and gone

 New life has begun

 2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

One with Jesus

Raised to life with Christ

 The old life is dead and gone

 New life has begun

 2 Corinthians 5:17

Seated with Christ

 We have been given a place of honor

 We are fellow heirs with Christ

Because we are one

 Hope for eternity

 Power for today

Ephesians 2:7 (NLT)

And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

A Living Testimony

Your life bears witness to God’s saving grace

 Transformed

 Empowered

Are you letting others see God’s handiwork in you?

 Words

 Deeds

Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

By His Grace

Salvation

 Only by God’s grace

 Unmerited

Only by God’s work

 Accomplished on the cross of Christ

 Not by our actions or our strength

 Nothing to take pride in or boast about

God’s free gift

 Given out of love

 We should respond with gratitude, joy and praise

Ephesians 2:9 (NLT)

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

No Amount of Work Will Do

Salvation cannot be earned

 Not by church attendance or religious practice

 Not by neighborly goodness

 Not by charitable kindness

 Not by moral values

Understanding of salvation brings about humility

 Recognition of our true condition

 Recognition of the fullness of God’s love

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Saved to Serve

Your life is a masterpiece

 God has uniquely created you

 Gifts