Today's lesson comes from Ephesians 2: 1-13, 19, 20. In chapter 1, Paul gives praise to the Trinity and expresses his gratitude for the Ephesian believers. He prays for them and asks God to give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Paul wants them to know the hope of Christ's calling , His glory and His power. Chapter 2 will teach about God's power to transform those who are dead in sin to a new life in Christ.
The first section is: The Gentiles' Past Condition (vv. 1-3). Verse 1 states that those who were now spiritually alive were formerly "dead in trespasses and sins...." Dead people don't move, they can't. Dead people can't respond to good news because they are dead. Verse 2 informs us that before the grace of God operating in their lives, they walked in the world's ways under the authority of the prince of the power of the air, i.e. Satan. Everyone who is not born again has Satan as their father. Pause and let that sink in. In verse 3, Paul identifies with the Ephesians as he also had a life living in the flesh, fulfilling the desires of flesh and mind, and were by nature a child of wrath. Paul describes the Gentiles' condition is clear terms: they were dead in sin and fulfilling the the desires of the flesh and all its lusts.
The summary points of this section are:
1. Dead men can't respond to the gospel, they will need help.
2. Satan has children (all those not born again).
3. No matter ones past, you can be made alive in Jesus Christ.
The second section is: The Gentiles' Present Salvation (vv. 4-6). I love the expression, "But God." Our God is rich in mercy and He loved us. He loved us even "when we were dead in sins...." It is God who "hath quickened" us. To quicken means to be made alive. It is by the grace of God being sent forth into our hearts that we are saved from our dead condition. Grace makes us alive. When we are made alive we are raised up and we sit with Jesus Christ in heavenly places. This does not mean we physically are in heavenly places, but instead we enjoy a heavenly communion of rest and joy. In verses 5 and 6, the word "together" is used. We are quickened together in Christ, we are raised together , and we made to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Our salvation in Christ Jesus is a present salvation, one we experience now, in this life.
The summary points of this section are:
1. God makes us alive, it is not our doing.
2. God makes us alive because of His mercy and grace.
3. We can experience heavenly rest and joy now, in this life.
The third section is: The Gentiles--God's Workmanship (vv. 7-10). God's purpose in redeeming the Gentiles was a clear testimony to His power to deliver from all sin. Verse 7 tells us that God's grace would be seen in the ages to come in showing kindness to the Gentiles through Christ. Verse 8 is a verse that should be memorized: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Notice the following do not save you:
1. Baptism;
2. Good works;
3. What you eat;
4. Church attendance;
5. A priest or minister;
6. Giving money;
7. Believing in God.
While some of the items referenced above are good and should be done, they are not salvation. You are saved by grace through faith. You can't earn salvation. Grace is free and unmerited. We are God's workmanship (verse 10), created by Him through His Sovereign act of grace. We respond to that grace and begin our walk "unto good works." Those who have been made alive by God the Father become His workmanship. What God has started, He will finish.
The summary points of this section are:
1. After one is saved, there is still much work to be done (you are not perfect, yet).
2. Salvation is a gift from God.
3. Once saved, you will live a life of good works.
The fourth section is: The Gentiles--No More Strangers (vv. 11-20). Verse 11 calls the Gentiles to remember that in the past they were called Uncircumcision by the Jews. The Jews saw the world as being made up of two groups: those part of the covenant with Abraham and those who were not. Verse 12 states that the Gentiles when without Christ, were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenant of promise. Verse 13 announces the good news that the Gentiles in Christ Jesus have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Gentiles were no longer strangers to the commonwealth of Israel and the promises. In Christ Jesus everything has changed. To be "far off" meant being separated from God. "Made nigh" meant the Gentiles could approach God as their Father. Paul uses the figure of a physical building in verse 20 to represent the living Church of Jesus. Jesus is the "chief cornerstone" and provides the solid rock upon which the church is built. And, that includes the Gentiles!
The summary points of this section are:
1. Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church.
2. Gentiles are no longer strangers to the promises of God.
3. Sometimes it is good to remember where we were before God saved us.
The Golden Text is: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." (Eph. 2:1) It is essential to know that before God sends grace to a person they are dead in sin. Dead people can't help themselves. It is dangerous to think that you had anything to do with your salvation. When someone gives you a gift, you don't take credit for the giving of that gift. It is a gift! You didn't earn it. It is the same with your salvation. If you are saved today, it was God's gift to you. You merely received it.
Next week: The Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4: 1-8, 11-16)
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