Sermon Notes for "Ephesians: Part 5 – 'Big But’s'"
Review of Last Week:
Because God has blessed us in the Heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3)… it’s not a matter of getting more from God, but getting to know Jesus more so that we can see what we already have and begin walking those blessings out. That is, that when we see Jesus for who he is, see us for who we are (in Christ), and then see the power that we have (in Christ), great things will happen: People are going to be healed, saved, filled with God’s Spirit, and go out and make disciples!
Intro to Ephesians 2:1-10
Paul makes sure that before we let the ‘power of God’ go to our head and start “Clint Nelson’s Healing Ministry” we need keep it in perspective. It’s God’s power, not ours. It’s all about humility and nothing keeps you more humble than walking around with a big “but” (we’re not talking about the body part, but the conjunction). The word, ‘but’ usually changes the tone or the direction of the sentence and therefore what someone is trying to say. The biggest but in history is found in Ephesians 2:4, but to get the greater context we need to read verse 1-10:
EPHESIANS 2:1-10 NIV: “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 sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects 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 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.”
There are three parts to this passage:
- Sinful Condition (vv.1-3)
- Love & Mercy of God (the big but) (vv.4-7)
- The Nature of our Salvation (vv. 8-10)
1. Sinful Condition
Before faith in Christ, we were born cursed/fallen. We were sinners (living out of God’s design and therefore out of relationship with Him). We were the walking dead. We were, ‘by nature objects of (God’s) wrath’. God’s wrath is actually a good thing. Here’s why:
- It shows us that He cares (anger/wrath means there is feeling there… He’s not apathetic to our condition).
- It shows that He is just/fair (he’s concerned for our wellbeing).
- It shows that He loves us… a loving father will always get angry when something bad has happened to his kid or when His kid continually disregards his instructions and keeps hurting himself.
2. Love & Mercy of God
God, because He is love, responds to our sin and his wrath with love (John 3:16). This is where the biggest ‘but’ in history comes… Eph. 2:4-5 “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
To be ‘made alive in Christ’ means that we are no long subject to powers of evil; we are no longer held captive by our sins; we have new life in Christ; and that life/salvation will come to complete fullness at His return.
We are, both now and for eternity, walking evidence of God’s mercy, grace, and kindness. And verse 8 tells us why…
3. The Nature of This Salvation
Eph. 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Boasting in works ushers in legalism, religiousness, elitism, pride, and selfishness. It is tiring, imprisoning, and ultimately impossible. Choosing to accept God’s forgiveness through Christ’s payment for our transgressions and sins is an act of faith. God, in His wisdom, knew that a works based system would not bring about His glory and His delight… and therefore our satisfaction. The Israelites proved that the law was in the end a curse… you’d try, but no matter how hard you tried, you still weren’t perfect. And so, God created a system, in and through Christ that allows us to be to completely forgiven… even if we don’t deserve it.
All we have to do is receive it by faith. (That’s why Paul describes the depth of God’s grace in verse 7 as the “incomparable riches”. Just like a billionaire has so much money that he doesn’t know how to spend it all, God has so much grace, He doesn’t know give it all.
We now operate from a place of freedom (we don’t owe God anything for our salvation). Therefore joy reigns and the freedom / free will to now operate the way we were designed and for the things God had in mind… see verse 10…
Eph. 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Peter O’Brien (NT Scholar) now observes that “Good works are now the fruit of salvation, not its basis our cause.” Through and in Christ we know can do the work He leads us to that will bring about more of His glory, and more of our praise for His goodness! Paul is laying the ground work for the new look of who we are in Christ and the type of fruit we were created to produce.
Closing Thoughts
- Have you accepted and received God’s complete forgiveness? Not just at a head level, but at a heart level? Have you taken it to the next step and forgiven yourself in the same way Christ has forgiven you? Will you let guilt and shame be your crutch or will you let the grace of Christ sustain you?
- What are the good works God has prepared for you to do in Christ Jesus? Step out in the freedom you now have and live by the power of the Spirit!
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