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Ephesians 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

We are continuing our study through the Book of Ephesians. Last week we saw that the Lord wrote to those who were “saints”, and learned that every Christian is a “saint”. The word “saint” actually means “to be set apart for God’s use”. We saw how every saint is called to be faithful to God, and how every saint has a purpose of serving God on this earth. Every saint also has an ultimate destiny – that is – to be with God in Heaven.

How does one become a “saint”?
God must make you a saint.
God must make you one of His children.

God does this when we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. We are … rescued or delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into Christ’s Kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13 – myEphesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. paraphrase)

So now we come to an obvious question. IF we who are saved by faith in Christ are members of God’s Family, walking in light and love – are we better than the world around us? There are many in Christianity who believe they are better than the person bound in sexual sin (heterosexual or homosexual), that they are better than the murderer or thief, that they are better than the homeless or the alcoholic or drug addict. Are we “better”? Let me put it this way.

We are better off.

We are not inherently better than anyone else on the face of this earth. But we are better off because God has begun a change in us. We are not as we were when we were lost. We are now in a different position in God’s eyes. And we – upon our demise from this earth – will go to a better place. Beloved, everything we have, we who are Christians, have this because of the Grace and Mercy of God. We are never to be lifted up with pride, or to be self righteous. All that we have, and all that we are and hope to be, we have because God has worked, will work, and will keep on working in us.

The Christian Is Not As He Was

Ephesians 2:1-2 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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:

The words “hath He quickened” is not in the original text of the Scripture. The King James translators wrote this addition in italics to show us that they added the text. These three words are not needed here. As the Lord begins chapter two His intent is to show both the Ephesians as well as the Church Universal that:

(1) Every believer was absolutely unable to save themselves.
(2) Every believer was at heart a sinner.
(3) Every believer once followed after the devil.

Where do we see this? Look at the very first line:

Ephesians 2:1 And you … who were dead

God says that everyone starts out at the same point in His eyes. What point is that? You were dead – nekros – dead in the eyes of God. Oh, we were animate. We moved about. We did things. But we were dead. We proved our deadness by what we did.

Ephesians 2:1 And you … , who were dead in trespasses and sins

We rejected the God that made us. King David – a man of whom God said “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart” (Acts 13:22), David said:

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

I was visiting a Church family the other day with my wife Sherry – enjoying the company of a little baby and its mother. The mother said to the child, “Come over here and see Brother David – they have come to see you”. The baby said “no”. Oh, it was so cute. I started playing with that precious child, asking it different questions. Each time the baby replied “no”. We all laughed at that, but it proves a point. Children do not come forth into this world with a mind to follow authority. We all come into this world saying “no” to parents, “no” to uncles and aunts, “no” to God. When our first parent Adam fell the Bible tells us that his sin causes repercussions throughout human history.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

We are born into this world physically alive but spiritually dead. We are born separated from God in our hearts. What did Jesus say of the human heart?

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Mark 7:21-22 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

There was a nature within us that we were born with – an old sin nature – that followed after the evil one. We read:

Ephesians 2:2 … 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:

Every Christian at one time followed the ways of the world, according to the prince of the power of the air. Pastor John MacArthur put it this way:

“Satan is the archon, the prince and ruler over this world system. Not all unsaved people are necessarily indwelt at all times by Satan or are demon–possessed. But knowingly or unknowingly they are subject to Satan’s influence. Because they share his nature of sinfulness and exist in the same sphere of rebellion against God, they respond naturally to his leading and to the influence of his demons. They are on the same spiritual wavelength.”

We were children of disobedience. To what God said “Yes” we said “No”. To what God said “No” we said “Yes”. The Lord tells us:

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our {way of life} in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

We were by nature not the Children of God, but the children of wrath. We were no different than the rest of the lost world. We were separated from God because of our nature, our sinful nature. If we had died in that state we would not be heading Heavenward. No, not at all. We – just as Israel did after God’s miraculous provision – followed after and manufactured our own golden calves. When we see the sinner on the street or on the television or in the movies exalting in that which God has forbidden we should not feel superiority.

The UNSAVED Pharisee said:

Luke 18:11-12 … God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

This fellow may not have been an extortioners, unjust, or even an adulterer or a publican. He may have tithed. But he was dead in trespasses and in sin, separated from the life of God for he knew not Christ. Beloved, we all were dead in trespasses and in sins in God’s eyes. We were in an unsaved state. Had we died in our sins we would stand before an Angry and Wrath filled God. We would have hidden ourselves from Him, saying …

Revelation 6:16-17 … to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The Christian Is In A New Place With God

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

We were by nature the children of wrath. We were dead in trespasses and in sins. But Beloved of Christ, we are not in that state now. Look at the first two words of this text:

But God

I love the “But God” passages of Scripture. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

We were far from God. He is alive forevermore and we were spiritually dead.

Romans 5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

But God raised us up. He did not raise us up because we were better than others. No Beloved, the Bible says of the Christian:

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Our God is rich in mercy, and His love is like the ocean. It cannot be measured. His love for all cannot be measured. Though we rejected Him He persisted in calling us. Though we cursed Him by our actions and words our God pursued us. He reached out time and time again, tugging at our hearts. We are told:

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

When we were unable, God came to our rescue. Jesus said:

John 5:24-25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

We who are Christians are Christians not because we are better than any other, but because we responded to Christ’s call to salvation. Hear that blessed song:

I was sinking deep in sin,

Far from the peaceful shore,

Very deeply stained within,

Sinking to rise no more;

But the Master of the sea

Heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me,

Now safe am I.

Love lifted me!

Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.

Love lifted me!

Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.

It is by Grace – the free gift of Christ – that we are saved. We were sinking in the sea of sin with all of the world. But – praise His Name – we are

quickened … together with Christ

God gave us life through His Son. We are no longer dead and mastered by sin and satan. No Beloved, No! We believed in the Light that is Christ, and are now no more children of wrath but are CHILDREN OF LIGHT (John 12:36). Our walk is to be different. What does the Scripture say?

Ephesians 5:1-8 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whore monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

God Who is rich in mercy has quickened us – making us alive to righteousness. We are no longer to follow the prince of the power of the air. We are no longer to follow the ways of this world. But Beloved, we are to follow Jesus in love and light. What did Jesus say?

John 8:12 I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

We who are quickened or made alive by Jesus are in a different position. What does the Scripture say?

Ephesians 2:6-7 {God} hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

God made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. As we learn of Christ and heed His Word God changes us. Finally,

The Christian Is A Work In Progress

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

You are not a Christian because of what you did. You are a Christian because of what God did for you. Your salvation is entirely a work of God. But Beloved, though you are not what you were, you are also not what you will someday be. You are a work in progress. God created you with a purpose.

God is not China.

God does not make cheap stuff to quickly sell.

You can hardly buy anything today that doesn’t say “Made in China”.

Beloved, you are not “made in China”.

You are not a trinket.

You are made of God to be used of God.

You are a precious and valuable vessel.
God will continue making you a masterpiece.
Until the day you see the Potter face to face,

In yonder glory!

Souls in danger, look above,

Jesus completely saves;

He will lift you by His love

Out of the angry waves.

He’s the Master of the sea,

Billows His will obey;

He your Savior wants to be—

Be saved today.

Dear Christian, you are not what you WERE. You are changed into what you are NOW. But one day because of God’s great love you will not be what you are right now. You will be like Jesus. You will be sinless. You will be in glory. You will forever be a testament to God’s magnificent love. Bless the name of the Lord forever! Amen!