Ephesians 2

August 9, 2011 at 9:06 am (Ephesians)

Hello! I’m sure a lot of you all are exhausted from Knoebles! I hope you all had a great time. I’m especially excited to write this blog on Ephesians 2.It’s always a humbling experience when being reminded of God’s grace and mercy. I pray that this chapter will be helpful to you, as it has been to me. Let’s take a closer look at the verses of this chapter, and see how they exemplify Christ’s work in sinner’s lives.

I. Our Previous Life vs. 1-13

* Whether saved or unsaved, we know that all are sinners. But what makes Christians, the believers of Jesus Christ, different from the unbelievers? The difference is that we have been changed, transformed into new creatures.

* Verse 1 – And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. “Hath He quickened,” means to make alive, restore. “Who were dead in trespasses and sins,” means to be numb to fleshly living. So vs. 1 is saying that Jesus Christ restored our lives, the lives that were once shackled to the bonds of sin. Verse 1 however is not declaring that we are entirely free from the power of sin, as there still are daily temptations we must overcome (1 Peter 5:8)

* Verses 2-Wherein in time past ye walked, according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. “Wherein in time past ye walked,” is in the past tense, meaning our former way of living. “According to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,” prince is referring to Satan (John 14:13, 2 Cor. 4:4). “The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” is just saying that it is because of the Satan that we sin. It was because of his temptations Eve bit the fruit and it’s because of his lies we sin today. Verse 3 continues to talk about our past life of living in the flesh. Both verses are mentioning our previous life before Christ. Do we still exemplify “before Christ” living in our lives today?

*Verses 4-7 “But God. . .” This short two word phrase is another great reminder of what God did for our lives. He interceded for us. He paid the price for our sins. He forgave us. He loved us. (Eph. 1:7, Rom. 5:8). Verses 5, just like verse 1, is saying that he makes us alive in Christ! We ought to be living in the fullness of Christ. Verse 6 -7 are verses of promises that God has for us . . . promises of being one with Christ . . . promises of an everlasting love on wretched sinners. .. promises of one day reigning with the King of Kings! What a blessed life the Christian’s life is!

* Verses 8-10. Salvation is a two way street. Christ died to save all of mankind. Salvation comes through His blood, His grace, His mercy, and His resurrection. But God can’t believe for us, we must choose to have faith in His saving blood. Once saved, we are now designed for a higher calling, to be one with Christ and walking in His ways (vs. 10).

*Verses 11-13. These verses are Paul’s call to the believer, to remember their past life. To remember who they previously were. Once estranged, alienated sinners without any hope in life (vs. 12), are suddenly in favor of the Holy God (vs. 13) because of His death, “the blood of Christ (vs. 13).

II. Our Privileged Life vs. 14-22

*vs. 14-17 These verses demonstrate Jews and Gentiles united as one body in Christ. Before Christ, the Jews and Gentiles had different religions, but with Jesus’ death and resurrection, He gave all men access to salvation (vs. 17). Our God is not willing that ANY should perish, but that all should come to repentance (11 Peter 3:9).

*vs. 18. The life of a believer should be a life of living in light of eternity . . . living no more for the pleasures of this world, but for the service and glory of God. We ought to behave and act differently from the unsaved all around us. We should live like everyone is watching, because they are. How convicting that is to me when I sometimes choose to live like the world does in my thoughts and attitude.

*vs. 20-22. The church is built on Jesus Christ, the foundation (vs.20). It should be a place of growth, of holy living, and habitation for the Holy Spirit. Just like the church should be built on Jesus Christ, our lives should be as well. Is your life based on Christ’s teachings? Can the Holy Spirit live in you without being disgusted or ashamed of how you live?

It’s easy to live in the glory of a sheltered Christian life at times, but let’s never forget that we were once strangers from God. We have such a privilege to have access to the Father, even as erring children. Let’s live in the blessedness of being a Christian! I hope to see you all on Wednesday! Don’t forget about the girl’s sleepover after the evening service at the Nazaruks We should be getting back to the church Thursday afternoon around 4.00 pm. Love you all!