Ephesians 2: 1-10 From the Morgue to a Mansion

The Christian life starts with grace, it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace, wondrous grace. By the grace of God I am what I am. Yet not I, but the Grace of God which was with me.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones

From the Morgue to a Mansion As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

From the Morgue to a Mansion 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

From the Morgue to a Mansion For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2: 1-10

From the Morgue to a Mansion  Our nature  God’s nature  Our “grace” nature

Our Nature  He’s God and we’re not

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1: 17-21

Our Nature  He’s God and we’re not We think we are wise – but wisdom comes from Him We think we can control our future – but our hope is in Him We think we are strong enough to manage our lives – but He has incomparably great power

Our Nature  He’s God and we’re not  We are dead

Our Nature “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Our Nature “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) The wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23)

Our Nature “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) The wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23) “You were dead in your transgressions...” (v. 1) “even when we were dead in transgression...” (v. 5)

Our Nature The unbeliever is not sick; he is dead! He does not need resuscitation; he needs resurrection - Warren Wiersbe

Our Nature The unbeliever is not sick; he is dead! He does not need resuscitation; he needs resurrection - Warren Wiersbe “God’s life spells living. Your life or my life, apart from Him, spells death.” ― Ravi Zacharias

God’s Nature 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

God’s Nature  He is Justice

God’s Nature  He is Justice  He is love

God’s Nature  He is Justice  He is love  He is mercy

God’s Nature  He is Justice  He is love  He is mercy  He is grace

God’s Nature In raising and exalting Christ he demonstrated the immeasurable greatness of his power (1:19-20) but in raising and exalting us he displayed the immeasurable riches of his grace and will continue to do so throughout eternity. (John Stott)

Our “Grace” Nature  We are made alive

Our “Grace” Nature  We are made alive  We are raised up with Christ

Our “Grace” Nature  We are made alive  We are raised up with Christ  We are re-created

Our “Grace” Nature  We are made alive  We are raised up with Christ  We are re-created  We are made to do good works

Our “Grace” Nature Christianity does not begin with a big DO, but with a big DONE. Watchman Nee

“I came to Him because I did not know which way to turn. I remained with Him because there is no other way I wish to turn. I came to Him longing for something I did not have. I remain with Him because I have something I will not trade. I came to Him as a stranger. I remain with Him in the most intimate of friendships. I came to Him unsure about the future. I remain with Him certain about my destiny.” ― Ravi Zacharias