Understanding Sin and Salvation in Christ

 

Summary

In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul presents a profound understanding of the human condition and the transformative power of God. We are reminded of the depth of sin from which God has raised us and the height to which He has taken us. This passage emphasizes the importance of recognizing the depth of our sin to truly appreciate the greatness of God's salvation. Paul describes our pre-salvation state as being spiritually dead, completely under the dominion of evil forces, and living in disobedience. This condition is universal, affecting all humanity due to original sin, and manifests in our lives through the desires of the flesh and the mind.

The term "flesh" is used in multiple senses in the New Testament, representing both the whole of humanity and the sensuous part of our nature. The desires of the flesh include basic human needs and instincts, which, while inherently good, become sinful when they dominate and control us. Similarly, the desires of the mind encompass intellectual and emotional pursuits that can become lusts when they absorb and govern our lives. This comprehensive view of sin highlights the totality of man's fall and the pervasive nature of sin in every aspect of life.

Understanding this doctrine of sin is crucial, not only for personal spiritual growth but also for addressing societal issues. Political solutions often fail because they do not account for the power of sin and human inability to self-discipline. True transformation comes only through the power of God in Jesus Christ, who delivers us from the control of these desires. This power is the only effective means to overcome the pervasive influence of sin and to live a life pleasing to God.

Key Takeaways:

- The depth of sin from which God has raised us is essential to understanding the greatness of His salvation. Recognizing our spiritual deadness and subjection to evil forces highlights the transformative power of God's grace. [02:32]

- The universality of sin affects all humanity, manifesting in both the desires of the flesh and the mind. This comprehensive view challenges us to see sin's pervasive influence in every aspect of life. [12:23]

- The desires of the flesh, while inherently good, become sinful when they dominate and control us. This includes basic human needs and instincts, which must be kept in check to avoid becoming lusts. [28:45]

- The desires of the mind encompass intellectual and emotional pursuits that can become lusts when they absorb and govern our lives. This highlights the need for balance and control in our intellectual and emotional activities. [34:06]

- True transformation and deliverance from sin come only through the power of God in Jesus Christ. This power is the only effective means to overcome the pervasive influence of sin and to live a life pleasing to God. [47:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:1-3
- [01:08] - The Greatness of God's Power
- [02:01] - Understanding the Depth of Sin
- [03:16] - The Doctrine of Sin
- [04:40] - Original Sin and Human Condition
- [05:24] - Manifestation of Sin in Life
- [06:19] - Conflict Against the Flesh
- [07:09] - Trespasses and Sins Explained
- [09:20] - The Universality of Sin
- [12:23] - Desires of the Flesh and Mind
- [19:33] - Understanding the Term "Flesh"
- [28:45] - Desires of the Flesh
- [34:06] - Desires of the Mind
- [47:39] - Deliverance Through Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:1-3

Observation Questions:
1. How does Paul describe the state of humanity before salvation in Ephesians 2:1-3? What specific terms does he use to illustrate this condition? [03:28]
2. What are the "desires of the flesh and of the mind" that Paul mentions, and how do they manifest in our lives according to the sermon? [11:33]
3. In what ways does the sermon explain the term "flesh" as used in the New Testament? How does this understanding affect our view of sin? [13:56]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important to understand the depth of our sin to fully appreciate the greatness of God's salvation, as discussed in the sermon? [02:46]
2. How does the universality of sin challenge our perception of "good" and "bad" people, according to the sermon? [12:23]
3. What role does the power of God in Jesus Christ play in delivering us from the control of sinful desires, as emphasized in the sermon? [47:39]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt dominated by a desire of the flesh or mind. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now with the understanding from this sermon? [23:01]
2. The sermon suggests that political solutions often fail because they don't account for the power of sin. How can this insight change the way you approach societal issues or personal challenges? [46:23]
3. Consider the desires of the mind, such as ambition or the craving for knowledge. How can you ensure these pursuits remain balanced and do not become controlling in your life? [36:56]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing the totality of man's fall. How does this understanding affect your view of yourself and others? [24:07]
5. Identify one area in your life where you feel the "lusts of the flesh" are particularly strong. What practical steps can you take this week to bring this area under the control of God's Spirit? [31:55]
6. How can you rely more on the power of God in Jesus Christ to overcome the pervasive influence of sin in your daily life? What specific practices or habits can you implement to strengthen this reliance? [47:39]
7. Reflect on the concept of "the expulsive power of a new affection" mentioned in the sermon. How can cultivating a deeper love for God help you overcome sinful desires? [46:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Our Spiritual Deadness
Understanding the depth of our sin is crucial to appreciating the greatness of God's salvation. Before salvation, humanity is described as spiritually dead, under the dominion of evil forces, and living in disobedience. This state is universal, affecting all due to original sin, and is evident in our lives through the desires of the flesh and the mind. Recognizing this condition helps us understand the transformative power of God's grace, which raises us from spiritual death to new life in Christ. [02:32]

Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you still feel spiritually dead or under the influence of sin? How can you invite God's transformative power into these areas today?


Day 2: The Universality of Sin
Sin is a pervasive force that affects all humanity, manifesting in both the desires of the flesh and the mind. The desires of the flesh include basic human needs and instincts, which, while inherently good, become sinful when they dominate and control us. Similarly, the desires of the mind encompass intellectual and emotional pursuits that can become lusts when they absorb and govern our lives. This comprehensive view challenges us to see sin's pervasive influence in every aspect of life. [12:23]

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV): "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Identify a specific desire of the flesh or mind that tends to dominate your life. How can you seek God's help to bring this area under His control?


Day 3: The Desires of the Flesh
The desires of the flesh, while inherently good, become sinful when they dominate and control us. This includes basic human needs and instincts, which must be kept in check to avoid becoming lusts. The New Testament uses the term "flesh" in multiple senses, representing both the whole of humanity and the sensuous part of our nature. Understanding this helps us maintain a balance, ensuring that our natural desires do not lead us away from God's will. [28:45]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to ensure that your natural desires do not dominate your life and lead you away from God's will?


Day 4: The Desires of the Mind
The desires of the mind encompass intellectual and emotional pursuits that can become lusts when they absorb and govern our lives. This highlights the need for balance and control in our intellectual and emotional activities. While these pursuits can be good, they must not overshadow our relationship with God or become idols in our lives. By keeping our minds focused on Christ, we can ensure that our intellectual and emotional pursuits align with His will. [34:06]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: Reflect on your intellectual and emotional pursuits. Are there any that have become idols in your life? How can you refocus these pursuits to align with God's will?


Day 5: True Transformation Through Christ
True transformation and deliverance from sin come only through the power of God in Jesus Christ. This power is the only effective means to overcome the pervasive influence of sin and to live a life pleasing to God. Political solutions and human efforts often fail because they do not account for the power of sin and human inability to self-discipline. By relying on God's power, we can experience true freedom and transformation, living a life that reflects His glory. [47:39]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own strength to overcome sin? How can you begin to rely more on God's power for true transformation in your life?

Quotes


We come back for the third time to the consideration of this tremendous and most vital statement. We are considering it as we are working our way through this Mighty eple and we are reminding ourselves that the Apostle introduces this statement in these three verses in order to bring out the great idea which he has started expanding in the previous chapter, namely that we as God's people should realize the greatness of his power to us that believe. [00:01:01]

The Apostle is helping us to come to such an understanding and he says what we need to do is to measure this great power and the way to measure it, he says, is this: first of all the depth out of which God has had to raise you and then the height to which he's taken you, and as you understand the depth and the height you'll have some conception of the exceeding greatness of God's power. [00:02:38]

We must know the depth from which we've been raised if we are to understand this power, and again I suggest that it's because of the neglect of this doctrine of sin, the biblical doctrine of sin, and a failure to understand it truly that so many have such a totally inadequate conception of the greatness of this great salvation. [00:04:01]

The Apostle describes our state and condition in sin, what we were like before this power took hold of us, and what he says is that we were dead, spiritually dead, and in that state of deadness were entirely subject to and the victims of the power of the principle of evil that is in this world. [00:03:35]

Man's life according to the Apostle in a state of sin and outside Grace is a life of trespasses and sins. You were he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Man's life apart from the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is just a life of trespasses and sins. That sums it all up. [00:07:05]

The Apostle obviously is concerned about shades of meaning here, otherwise he wouldn't have used the two words. He's done so quite deliberately. What is a trespass? Well, a trespass is an outward transgression. The actual root meaning of the word is that it's a falling away from the true and from the upright. [00:07:36]

The desires of the flesh, while inherently good, become sinful when they dominate and control us. This includes basic human needs and instincts, which must be kept in check to avoid becoming lusts. The desires of the mind encompass intellectual and emotional pursuits that can become lusts when they absorb and govern our lives. [00:28:45]

The Apostle is saying that in general man lives his life of trespasses and sins because he's governed and controlled by the lusts of the flesh, flesh in a general sense. What do you mean by lust, says someone? Well, again, of course, a very important term. A lust is a strong desire. [00:21:10]

The whole problem with which is dealt with in these various Epistles. Well now then let's look at the terms. What is the meaning of this term flesh? It's a very important term in the New Testament and it's very important that we should understand clearly what it means. [00:13:38]

The desires of the Mind are as much an expression of the lusts of the flesh as are the desires of the body. How does this show itself? Well, I'd give you a general definition by putting it like this: anything which tends to control and to absorb and govern your attention and your activity is a desire of the Mind. [00:34:06]

There is only one thing that can deal with a situation like this. It's the thing I mentioned at the beginning. It is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us that believe. It's what Thomas Chas called The Expulsive Power of new affection. [00:47:39]

It is only the power of God in the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit that can deliver us, but blessed be the name of God, it can, it does, it will. Sin, know the depths, the foulness, the ugliness, the power of it all. There is only one place of safety and that is ever to be looking unto him. [00:47:39]

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Transcript
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