The Exceeding Riches Of His Grace

THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE

Ephesians 2:1-10 [NLT]

1 Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 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. 3 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.

4 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 favour that you have been saved!) 6 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. 7 And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favour and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

8 God saved you by his special favour when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 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.

I. THE SINNER’S STANDING V. 1-3

1 Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. 2 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. 3 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.

a) DEAD IN SIN

Colossians 2:13 [NIV] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.

b) DELUDED BY THE WORLD

II Corinthians 4:4 [NLT] Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

II. THE SINNER’S RELATIONSHIP TO GOD V. 4

God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much,

a) GOD LOVES THE SINNER

Romans 5:8 [JBP] 8 the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.

b) GOD HAS MERCY FOR THE SINNER

Psalm 103:10 – 12 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

c) GOD IS LONGSUFFERING TO THE SINNER

III. THE SINNER’S QUICKENING V5

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 favour that you have been saved!)

a) CONVICTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 16:8-12 when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.9 The world’s sin is unbelief in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.11 Judgment will come because the prince of this world has already been judged.

b) CONVERTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 3:6 [NLT] Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven.

c) SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ephesians 4:30 [NLT] do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

IV. THE SAINT’S POSITION IN CHRIST V. 6

6 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.