Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 4:
Made Alive in Christ
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
SERMON INTRODUCTION
In Paul’s 35 years of ministry, since his
conversion in Damascus, we have recorded in the Holy Bible many of his
epistles, or letters.
Paul’s first journey took place from 33AD
(the year of his conversion), through 46AD, leaving Damascus in 38AD.
Paul’s 2nd journey began in
50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1st and 2nd
Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.
Paul’s 3rd journey began in
55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from
58-60AD. During his 3rd journey Paul wrote 1st and 2nd
Corinthians, and Romans. We have no record of writings from Paul during his
prison time between 58-60AD in Judea.
After his release from Judea, Paul
traveled on his voyage to Rome from 60-61AD, writing Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians and Philemon, and finding himself in a Roman prison in 63AD.
Released soon after his incarceration,
Paul then writes the epistles Hebrews, 1st Timothy, Titus and his
final letter before his death 2 Timothy, which was written from a Roman prison
he was placed in during 66-68AD.
Though the bible does not tell us when or
how Paul died, it is believed by scholars that he was beheaded in 68AD in May
or June.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Ephesians 2:1-10
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. 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. 8 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
handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do.
Paul’s Explanation of us being
made alive in Christ
The
message of this epistle to the church is “The Church, The Body of Christ”.
I. DEAD IN
YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS AND SINS
a. In which you
used to live
i. Transgression - an act
that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense. (Not always a
sin)
ii. Sin - an
immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. (Always a
transgression)
iii. Following the ways of this world
1. Regardless if the world says something is moral, if
God calls it immoral, it is immoral
iv. And the ruler of the kingdom of the air
1. Satan still influences this world
2. This is how we live apart from God
b. The spirit who
is now at work in those who are disobedient
i. Everyone has a master
ii. Even those who think they are free, serve a master
iii. Satan heads up the system of the world
iv. The spirit of Satan fills all unbelievers
c. All of us lived
among them at one time
i. Gratifying the craving of our flesh
ii. And following its desires and thoughts
iii. We were all at one time serving a master other than
God
II. LIKE
THE REST, WE DESERVE GOD’S WRATH
a. But because of
God’s great love for us
i. Who is rich in mercy
ii. So rich, He freely gives it
iii. To any who will accept
iv. A given gift MUST be received for it to be given
b. He made us live
with Christ
i. Even though we were dead in transgressions
ii. Symbolic of the coming resurrection we shall all
experience
c. It is by Grace
you have been saved
III. GOD
RAISED US UP WITH CHRIST
a. And seated us
with Him in heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
i. In order that the coming ages (plural dispensations) He might
show the incomparable riches of His Grace
1. The plural dispensations show God’s incomparable
riches in this age (the church/grace) and the next…Judgment
a. Judgment seat of Christ is first - the judgment of
the believer’s works,
b. Then the judgment of Israel (Dan 12:1)
c. The judgment of the living nations (Joel 3:1-2)
d. The judgment of fallen angels (Jude 6)
e. The judgment of unbelieving dead (Rev 20:12-15)
2. In all of the judgments after ours, they will all
be witness to God’s incomparable riches, and His Grace, which was made
available to all, yet, rejected by them who face judgment after the Judgment
Seat of Christ.
ii. Which is expressed through Christ Jesus
b. It is by His
Grace you have been saved
i. Through faith (putting trust in)
c. This (Grace) is
not from yourselves (anything you have done)
i. It is the free gift of God
ii. Not by works (no one can earn, deserve)
iii. So no one can boast
1. We are only allowed to boast in the Cross, and what
Christ has done (Galatians 6:14)
CONCLUSION – WE ARE GOD’S HANDIWORK
Created in Christ Jesus to
do GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
God has prepared for you Good Works (opportunities)
to serve Him.
God knew in advance that you would one day submit
yourself to Him, and serve Him obediently, and so, He set before you
opportunities in your life to be Obedient, and serve Him!
This is how we show our love to the Lord,
obedience.
And as long as we are living obedient lives, we are
living righteously!
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