Living Recreated Lives In Christ Ephesians 2:8-10 Purpose: to live the way we were created to live 1. God’s Glory Exalted in His grace Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. What do “by” and “through” indicate? exactly how salvation happens Notice the parallel “not” statements What are they? not of yourselves and not as a result of works Salvation is a gift of God Have you received it? It is all this way “so that” no one may boast See Romans 3:27-30 2. Living Out The Purpose of Our Salvation Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. The “holy ones” are the workmanship of Whom? God Created how? in Christ Jesus For what? good works Which came from where? God prepared beforehand Notice the stark contrast between the use of “walk” here and in v. 2 The “who” and the “how” and the “why” of salvation: Believers are saved by God’s grace, through our faith, for good works
Made Alive Together With Christ Ephesians 2:4-7 Purpose: God glorified in how He made believers alive 1. God’s Mercy & Love Made Us Alive Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), God is rich in mercy and His love is great Even when? we were dead in our transgressions See Romans 5:8,10; 8:7 “Enemies” God made us alive together with Christ How? By grace you have been saved Past tense! Passive verb A drowning man 2. Caught Up Together in His Resurrection Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, God raised us up with Christ, and God seated us with Christ in heavenly places See Colossians 3 3. God’s Riches on Display Forever Ephesians 2:7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Why did God do this? The words “so that” introduce the purpose clause God’s surpassing riches of His grace are exalted in His kindness towards us See 1 Peter 1:12; Revelation 1:6; 4:9,11; 5:12-13; 7:12; 19:7 This is all about His glory.
The Walking Dead Ephesians 2:1-3 Purpose: Apart from Christ all people are dead. Only in Christ is life. 1) Apart from Christ People are Dead Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, In our trespasses and sins, we were dead See Romans 3:23 2) The Walking Dead Ephesians 2:2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. We “walked” in our sins according to course of this world, and the prince of the power of the air The death spirit is now working where? in the sons of disobedience See John 8:37-44 3) By Nature Children of Wrath Ephesians 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Christians were “among them” living how? in the lusts of our flesh Indulging in the desires of the flesh and the mind See Eph. 4:17ff & Col. 2:8 We “were” children of wrath by what? nature Do you have to do an act of sin to received God’s wrath? no See Eph. 5:6 & Col. 3:6 The definition of death and life – 1 Corinthians 15:22 & Colossians 3:1-4 “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.
The All-Supremacy of Jesus Christ! Ephesians 1: 19-23 Purpose: to rediscover the All-Supremacy of Jesus Christ 1. God’s Mighty Power at Work Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might God’s power toward who? us who believe All of this is in accordance with what? the working of the strength of His might See Ephesians 1:11 2. God’s Power in Jesus Christ’s Resurrection Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead God’s power brought about in whom? in Christ When He did what? raised Christ from the dead See Acts 2:22-24 3. God’s Power in Establishing Jesus’ Absolute Supremacy Ephesians 1: and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. After raising Jesus from the dead God then seated Him at His right hand How authoritative is Christ? all (Person, Place, Time) See Matthew 28:18 For how long is Christ supreme? in this age and the age to come 4. God’s Power in Establishing Jesus Christ’s Dominion Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, How many things are in subjection to Christ’s ruling authority as King? all See Psalm 110 5. God’s Power in Placing Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church Ephesians 1:22b and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Christ is head over all things to the church The church is called His body See Ephesians 4:15 & Colossians 1:18 Eph. 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ Col. 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. The church will only find her true identity fulfilled in full obedience and submission to Christ
Paul’s Powerful Prayer Ephesians 1:15-19 Purpose: to have knowledge and sight of the Father’s glory in Christ 1. Paul’s Ceaseless Gratitude Ephesians 1:15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; Paul’s Basis for Prayer: Because they are faithful saints and they love saints 2. “¦To Have Spiritual Knowledge Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Paul’s Petitions Prayer: That God grant a spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of Him 3. “¦ To Have Heart Sight Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Paul’s Goal for Us in Prayer: That we know three facts that enhance the Father’s glory: 1) To know the hope of His calling 2) To know the riches of the glory of His inheritance (adoption language) 3) To know the “surpassing greatness” of His power towards believers
The Mystery Revealed: The Supremacy of Christ! Ephesians 1:9-14 Purpose: to rediscover God’s will, the summing up of all things IN CHRIST 1. God Reveals Christ’s Supremacy Ephesians 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. v. 9 Who made known to us this mystery? God According to what? His kind intention Purposed in whom? Him, i.e., Jesus Christ v. 10 What is the mystery revealed? the summing up of all things in Christ “footstool” (see Ps 110; Luke 20:43; Acts 2:34-6) “Alpha and Omega” (see Rev. 1:8, 21:6, 22:13) “Head” (see Eph. 1:22, 4:15, 5:23) 2. God’s Will Secures Our Inheritance Ephesians 1:10b In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. v. 11 In Christ we obtain inheritance How? having been predestined According to whose purpose? His How much does God work by the counsel of His own will? all things v. 12 To what end? to the praise of His glory 3. God’s Possession Saved & Sealed Ephesians 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation “” having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. v. 13 After listening and believing (see Rom. 10:13-17) In Christ we were sealed with whom? Holy Spirit v. 14 What is a pledge? down payment or first installment What is the purpose? _God’s redemption of His possession_ (see Titus 2:11-15) To what end? to the praise of His glory
Rediscovering the Gospel Ephesians 1:5-8 Purpose: to rediscover the gospel, how God predestined us in love 1. We are Adopted, We Get the Inheritance Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved A. To adoption (2 Cor. 6:14-18; Rom. 8:12-17) B. Through Jesus Christ to Himself C. According to the kind intention of His will D. For what ultimate reason? To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved 2. We are Lavishly Redeemed and Forgiven Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us A. In Christ we have redemption B. How? Through His blood C. The forgiveness of our trespasses (D) according to His grace D. Which He lavished on us
Beyond All We Ask Or Imagine Ephesians 1:1-4 Purpose: rediscovering the believer’s and the church’s true identity In Christ 1. United In Christ (Ephesians 1:1-2) Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is described how? (v. 1a) Believers are described how? (v. 1b) Greeting of “grace and peace” God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ It’s all about relationship between God and His people In Christ 2. Worshipful Praise For God’s Work In Christ (Ephesians 1:3-4) Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. The Thesis: saints are blessed & chosen by God In Christ to live blamelessly before Him How many spiritual blessings were we blessed with? (v. 3) Why we love the doctrine of election: When did God choose us in Christ? (v. 4a) Why did God choose us in Christ? (v. 4b) This is all in the form of worshipful praise and prayer!
Seek First His Kingdom: One Holy Priority! Matthew 6:31-34 Purpose: for Christ’s Kingdom be the one holy priority in my life 1. What Are You Seeking? Matthew 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Are You Seeking Man’s Praise or God’s Glory & Reward? Jesus’ Main Kingdom Principle Is To Practice Our Righteousness For God Alone Seeking Man’s Praise leads to no reward from God Whose approval do you seek? Who are you trying to impress? Seeking God leads to reward from God Himself 2. How Kingdom Seekers Live Matthew 6:31 “Do not worry then, saying, “˜What will we eat?’ or “˜What will we drink?’ or “˜What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; Matthew 6:32b for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, Matthew 6:33b and all these things will be 3added to you. Matthew 6:34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. The Single Priority of My Life is Not of This World (Matthew 6:31) Your Father Knows Best (Matthew 6:32b) My Only Priority is His Kingdom & Righteousness Above All (Matthew 6:33a) Your Father Provides (Matthew 6:33b) Daily Trouble Is Not Worth the Worry (Matthew 6:34) John Newton – “I compare the troubles which we have to undergo in the course of the year to a great bundle of sticks, far too large for us to lift. But God does not require us to carry the whole bundle at once. He mercifully unties the bundle, and gives us first one stick which we are to carry today, and then another, which we are to carry tomorrow. We can easily manage our troubles, if we would only carry the trouble appointed for each day. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday’s burden today, and then add the burden of tomorrow.”
God Will Provide, Don’t Worry! Matthew 6:25-30 Purpose: to fully entrust our lives to our faithful God 1. Life is More Than This Matt. 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? For what reason? Hint: see the previous verse What life isn’t => Life isn’t stuff – Life is more than stuff What life is => Life is about knowing Jesus – Living for Jesus Jesus says not to worry about your life 2. Look at the Birds! Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? The argument is from lesser to greater If God cares for birds, and you’re worth more than birds, than God cares MORE for you! 3. Worthless Worry Matthew 6:27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Wrong Life Action => worrying is “how not-to” approach your life 4. Look at the Lilies! Matthew 6:28b Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. Solomon’s riches are lesser than lilies 5. God Provides Much More! Matthew 6:30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Again, the argument is from lesser to greater Are you putting stock in possessions or putting faith in God who provides? Real Life will come bursting out of faith in God and His provision Right Life Action => FAITH: Jesus urges us to put our life fully into God’s hands Are we looking at what we have or need, or are we looking at God who has everything?
Kingdom Treasure Matthew 6:19-24 Purpose: to richly invest in Kingdom Treasure How Not-To Invest Kingdom Treasure Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. You can’t take it to heaven with you How-To Invest Kingdom Treasure Matthew 6:20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; What can you take to heaven with you? Why? Where’s Your Heart? Your Eye? Matthew 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Only One Master, Only His Treasure Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. The Kingdom Christian Has Only One Master The Kingdom Christian Seeks Only Kingdom Treasure Who or what master are you serving?
Kingdom Fasting Matthew 6:16-18 (NASB) Purpose: to discover true fasting Before God for His reward 1. Are You Seeking Man’s Praise or God’s Glory & Reward? Matt. 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your arighteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men ato be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Jesus’ Main Kingdom Principle The wrong motive leads to no reward from God Whose approval do you seek? Who are you trying to impress? The right motive leads to reward from God Himself 2. Now Not-To Fast Matt. 6:16 “aWhenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they 1neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. bTruly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Reward in full from man, but nothing from God 3. How Jesus’ Kingdom People Fast Matthew 6:17 “But you, when you fast, aanoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your aFather who sees what is done in secret will reward you. You get no reward from man, but God Himself will reward you OT Pictures of True Fasting Humility, Repentance, Righteousness (Isaiah 58:1-12) True justice, kindness, & compassion, so love truth and peace (Zechariah 7-8) NT Focus of True Fasting Prayer (Luke 2:37; Matthew 6:6-18) World Evangelization (Acts 13:1-4)