From Death to Life: The Power of Grace
Summary
In our journey through Ephesians 2, we explored the profound interplay between the world, the flesh, and the Devil, and how these forces shape our understanding of sin and redemption. The passage begins with a stark reminder of our spiritual state before Christ: we were dead in our trespasses, following the course of this world, under the influence of the prince of the power of the air, and driven by the desires of our flesh. This paints a vivid picture of our total depravity and the radical nature of our sinfulness. It's not just that we were misguided or in need of better examples; we were spiritually dead, hemmed in on every side by influences that opposed God.
Understanding this depravity is crucial because it highlights the magnitude of our need for salvation. We don't merely need good advice or a helping hand; we need a Savior who can bring us from death to life. This is where the beauty of the Gospel shines through. "But God," rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ. This act of grace is not something we could earn or achieve on our own; it is a gift from God, underscoring the doctrine of regeneration and the necessity of divine intervention in our salvation.
Moreover, our salvation is not just about being saved from something but being saved to something. We are raised with Christ and seated in the heavenly places, called to live out good works prepared for us by God. This transformation is comprehensive, reversing our previous condition and aligning us with the purposes of God. It is a call to live in the light of our new identity in Christ, empowered by His Spirit to resist the ongoing influences of the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
As we navigate this life, we must remain vigilant, relying on the ordinary means of grace—Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and the sacraments—to sustain us. We are reminded that while we are no longer dead, the battle against these forces continues. Yet, we do not fight alone or in fear, for we belong to the Prince of Peace, and our ultimate victory is assured in Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Our Depravity: Recognizing the depth of our sinfulness is essential to appreciating the magnitude of our salvation. We were not merely misguided; we were spiritually dead, influenced by the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This understanding compels us to see our need for a Savior who can bring us from death to life. [08:02]
2. The Gift of Grace: Salvation is a divine act of grace, not something we can earn or achieve. It is God who makes us alive in Christ, highlighting the necessity of regeneration and the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This truth humbles us and magnifies the glory of God in our redemption. [11:57]
3. Transformation and Purpose: Our salvation is not just about being saved from sin but being saved to live out God's purposes. We are called to good works, prepared by God, as a reflection of our new identity in Christ. This transformation is comprehensive, reversing our previous condition and aligning us with God's will. [43:18]
4. Vigilance in the Christian Life: While we are no longer dead, the battle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil continues. We must remain vigilant, relying on the ordinary means of grace—Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and the sacraments—to sustain us in our walk with Christ. [52:41]
5. The Urgency of the Gospel: Understanding the radical nature of our depravity and the magnitude of our salvation fuels our urgency to share the Gospel. People don't need good advice; they need the good news of Jesus Christ. We are called to proclaim this message, knowing the desperate condition from which we have been saved. [44:47]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:32] - Personal Journey to Reformed Faith
[02:44] - The World, the Flesh, and the Devil
[03:17] - Conversation on the Trinity
[05:25] - Lopsided Understanding of Sin
[08:02] - Radical Nature of Depravity
[10:14] - Ephesians 2: Dead in Sin
[12:53] - Structure of Ephesians
[15:11] - Christ's Headship and Unity
[18:25] - The Problem of Wrong Headship
[20:49] - Influence of the World
[23:21] - Influence of the Devil
[26:05] - Desires of the Flesh
[29:03] - Doctrine of Original Sin
[35:30] - The Gift of Salvation
[40:27] - Seated in Heavenly Places
[44:47] - Urgency of the Gospel
[52:41] - Ordinary Means of Grace
[55:04] - Prayer and Confession
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Ephesians 2
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:1-10
Observation Questions:
1. What are the three influences mentioned in Ephesians 2 that affect our spiritual state before Christ? How are they described in the passage? [10:14]
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be "dead in trespasses and sins"? How does this differ from being spiritually sick or misguided? [10:14]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation from being "dead" to being "alive" in Christ? What role does God play in this transformation? [35:30]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding our spiritual depravity before Christ enhance our appreciation for salvation? What does this reveal about the nature of God's grace? [44:33]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the world, the flesh, and the Devil continue to influence believers even after salvation? How should believers respond to these influences? [52:41]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being "seated in the heavenly places" with Christ. What does this mean for a believer's identity and purpose? [40:27]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life before coming to Christ. How did the world, the flesh, and the Devil influence your actions and thoughts? How can this reflection deepen your gratitude for salvation? [19:59]
2. The sermon mentions the ongoing battle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. What practical steps can you take this week to rely on the ordinary means of grace—Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and the sacraments—to strengthen your walk with Christ? [52:41]
3. Consider the transformation described in Ephesians 2:1-10. How can you live out your new identity in Christ by engaging in good works prepared for you by God? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [43:18]
4. The sermon highlights the urgency of sharing the Gospel. Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? What is one step you can take to share the Gospel with them this week? [44:47]
5. How can understanding the radical nature of our depravity and the magnitude of our salvation fuel your worship and gratitude towards God? What specific aspect of your life can you surrender to God in response to His grace? [44:33]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of community and the church in a believer's life. How can you actively participate in your church community to grow in your faith and support others in their spiritual journey? [48:10]
7. Reflect on the concept of being "alive together with Christ." How does this truth impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? What changes can you make to align more closely with this new identity? [35:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Our Spiritual Deadness
Before encountering Christ, we were spiritually dead, influenced by the world, the flesh, and the Devil. This state of total depravity means we were not just misguided but completely separated from God, unable to save ourselves. Understanding this depth of sinfulness is crucial because it highlights the magnitude of our need for salvation. We don't merely need good advice or a helping hand; we need a Savior who can bring us from death to life. This realization compels us to see our desperate need for divine intervention and the transformative power of the Gospel. [08:02]
Ephesians 4:18-19 (ESV): "They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity."
Reflection: In what ways have you seen the influence of the world, the flesh, and the Devil in your life? How can acknowledging your spiritual deadness before Christ deepen your appreciation for His saving grace today?
Day 2: Embracing the Gift of Grace
Salvation is a divine act of grace, not something we can earn or achieve. It is God who makes us alive in Christ, highlighting the necessity of regeneration and the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This truth humbles us and magnifies the glory of God in our redemption. Recognizing that our salvation is a gift underscores the importance of grace in our spiritual journey and reminds us of our dependence on God's mercy and love. [11:57]
Titus 3:5-6 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."
Reflection: How does understanding salvation as a gift of grace change your perspective on your relationship with God? What steps can you take today to live more fully in the light of this grace?
Day 3: Living Out Our New Identity
Our salvation is not just about being saved from sin but being saved to live out God's purposes. We are called to good works, prepared by God, as a reflection of our new identity in Christ. This transformation is comprehensive, reversing our previous condition and aligning us with God's will. Embracing this new identity means actively participating in the good works God has prepared for us, living in a way that reflects His love and purpose. [43:18]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What specific good work do you feel God is calling you to pursue today? How can you align your daily actions with your new identity in Christ?
Day 4: Remaining Vigilant in Faith
While we are no longer dead, the battle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil continues. We must remain vigilant, relying on the ordinary means of grace—Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and the sacraments—to sustain us in our walk with Christ. This vigilance is essential for spiritual growth and resilience, helping us to resist the ongoing influences that seek to draw us away from God. [52:41]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: What ordinary means of grace can you commit to prioritizing this week to strengthen your faith? How can you incorporate these practices into your daily routine to remain vigilant?
Day 5: Proclaiming the Urgency of the Gospel
Understanding the radical nature of our depravity and the magnitude of our salvation fuels our urgency to share the Gospel. People don't need good advice; they need the good news of Jesus Christ. We are called to proclaim this message, knowing the desperate condition from which we have been saved. This urgency is driven by love and compassion for those who are still spiritually dead, and it compels us to be active participants in God's mission to redeem the world. [44:47]
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ? How can you intentionally share the Gospel with them this week, demonstrating the urgency and love of Christ?
Quotes
"Understanding this radical depravity of ours not only gives us a sensitivity towards those who are lost, not only helps us to understand the magnitude of our salvation, but it also reminds us that we are still in desperate need because the world and the flesh and the Devil are still there. Being mortified. Amen? But still there. We still have this treasure in clay vessels. We still have weaknesses. We still need to be vigilant. And we still need to be wary of the world, the flesh and the Devil, but never afraid." [00:52:41]
"We do not understand the radical nature of our depravity, unless we understand that we are hemmed in on every side. That it's not just one issue, but it's everything around us and everything about us. And there are many of us who have lost an understanding of the radical nature of our sinfulness. And, as a result, we've lost an understanding of the radical nature of the sinfulness of those around us, as well." [00:08:02]
"From dead to alive, from the course of this world to heavenly places. Verse 6: 'And raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.' This is important throughout Ephesians. In chapter 1, verse 3: 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.' Verse 20 to 21: 'He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places.'" [00:40:27]
"People don't need good advice, they need good news. You didn't need good advice. You needed good news. Yeah, but what about the rest of that stuff? It covers it in the last three chapters. We get this incredibly practical application of the truths in the first three chapters. All throughout the second half. And it's so that we understand one thing: that in Christ we have all that we need." [00:44:47]
"Listen to this from Luther: 'A man without the Spirit of God does not do evil against his will under pressure, as though he were taken by the scruff of the neck and dragged into it like a thief being dragged off against his will to punishment, but he does it spontaneously and voluntarily. And this willingness of volition is something, which he cannot in his own strength, eliminate, restrain or alter.'" [00:20:49]
"From gratifying our own desires to bringing glory to God. Look at verses 8 to 10: 'For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing. It is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.'" [00:43:18]
"Our problem is that we are hemmed in on every side, and because of that our desires are warped. Listen to this from Luther: 'A man without the Spirit of God does not do evil against his will under pressure, as though he were taken by the scruff of the neck and dragged into it like a thief being dragged off against his will to punishment, but he does it spontaneously and voluntarily.'" [00:29:03]
"Understanding this depravity is crucial because it highlights the magnitude of our need for salvation. We don't merely need good advice or a helping hand; we need a Savior who can bring us from death to life. This is where the beauty of the Gospel shines through. 'But God,' rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ. This act of grace is not something we could earn or achieve on our own; it is a gift from God, underscoring the doctrine of regeneration and the necessity of divine intervention in our salvation." [00:11:57]
"We are sinners. See, we don't understand this. That's why we have no urgency about sharing the gospel with the nice old lady down the street. Because, after all, she's just a nice old lady. We don't get this. That's why we stand up at funerals and say that people who never wanted to be with God on this earth are in a better place spending eternity with the one they didn't want to be with here." [00:35:30]
"From the prince of the power of the air to the Prince of Peace. How many times have we read, 'In Christ,' 'with Christ'? We are in Christ. We are in Him and He is in us. No longer under the rule of the prince of the power of the air, but under the rule of the Prince of Peace." [00:42:41]
"We don't think we need good news, we think we need good advice. We don't need the Gospel, we just need ten ways to have a happy life and five ways to reduce stress, because that's our problem. We don't believe this, and this is why we say—we hear preachers say it all the time. There's a guy down my way, down in Houston, Smiling Joel. Smiling Joel says, 'Sinners don't need to be told they're sinners. They know they're sinners.'" [00:44:47]
"From dead to alive. From the course of this world to heavenly places. From the prince of the power of the air to the Prince of Peace. How many times have we read, 'In Christ,' 'with Christ'? We are in Christ. We are in Him and He is in us. No longer under the rule of the prince of the power of the air, but under the rule of the Prince of Peace." [00:43:18]
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