Introduction- EPHESIANS IS A MESSAGE TO CHRISTIANS SHOWING THEM WHAT THEY OUGHT TO BE IN CHRIST

1. Eph. 2:1-"And You"- Ties in with "Wherefore-" of 1:15 - Paul had heard of their faith-Love-
2. And he wrote to them of all the treasuries of glory-1:3 that God had for them in heavenlies
3. Ephesians pictures The Church- as the earthly Body of Christ- and what it ought to be for His Glory There is one Body- and that body is the church- You are a living stone.

I.- YOU WHO WERE DEAD Eph 2:1

Because of Trespasses- Particular sins; and Sins- General nature- YOU WERE DEAD!

A.- DEAD BUT WALKING* "WHEREIN IN TIME PAST YE WALKED" - V.2 Dead men walking? -zombies of Satan

1. The opposite of Psa 1:1 with its walk, stand, sit- here we walk - and the path is broad
2. Our course was plotted by-"Prince of the Power of the air" the God of this World- Satan!
3. He now works in children of disobedience (to destroy them) and he once worked in YOU

B.- AMONG WHOM WE ALL HAD OUR CONVERSATION IN TIMES PAST- v.3 The universality of the Gospel message

1. Paul includes himself (We) and you -(all) but praise God it is past tense-/Conv. life mode.
2. In the lusts of our flesh-A strange slave master-drives children to make themselves sick -poison
3. Fulfilling desires of flesh-(never satisfied), and of mind-There is way seemeth right-death "

C.- AND WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, EVEN AS OTHERS" 3b most stinging indictment

1. Our very nature-As we use litmus paper to test acidity or alkaline -We test -Adamites
2. Born of Wrath- Ourselves, our action our Judgement - all based on Wrath- Gr. Orge!
3. Even as others- The world is full of sharks in an eating frenzy-trying to fulfill their Orge

The strongest word possible to describe our Normal, Unsaved Condition- Orgy of sin! Sharks in Orgy around whale calf.

II. - BUT GOD Eph 2:4-7

In the midst of our Orge- an outside force- reaching in to save us from our own nature-

A.- WHILE WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST v.5

1. Seeing that we are deep in sin- dead to anything uplifting-God reached out to us with life
2. His reach is In Christ- As He raised up Christ- from the dead, He Spiritually raised us too
3. The motive His Grace v.5, Love v.4, and Mercy v.4 -His motive is for our sakes He died.

B.- AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER AMD MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST v.6

1. Look at the list of gifts 1:3-14 Chosen, Predestined, made accepted, redeemed, etc. -sealed
2. All of these are given to us IN CHRIST, and as in Christ- the Lord is NOW seated so are we
3. But as now it is "in the heavenlies"-not on earth- even so someday soon-We Will Be There!

C.- WHY HAS GOD INTERFERED - THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW HIS GRACE TOWARD US IN CHRIST v.7

1. God has a long range plan- Ages to come; not the short one-"Pleasures of sin for a season"
2. He wants to show the riches of his grace- (His Jewels) and we with our new nature are His
3. His kindness to us is all shown through Christ- This is a "Freeway" that is great

God has interfered with nature to save us that interference is pointed- NOW!

III.- BUT NOW YOU !!  v. 2:13 -made nigh by blood of Christ

God has done His part- In Christ- you who were afar off- are made nigh! One step-YOURS

A.- FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH v.8

1. Grace "Is God's unlimited mercy toward undeserving mankind" It is all of God-not of us
2. Saved--means rescued from the penalty, power, and presence of sin -No more dominion over you
3. Through faith- The switch- Our part- Just shall live by faith- See Rom 10:8,9,10 Word of Faith

B.- BUT THIS IS NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST v.9

1. Not of yourselves-v.8b- the complete gift of God- nothing you can do can earn, deserve, it
2. If of works- we would have thereof to boast- pride would set in, & rot the new man!
3. But Works of the flesh has nothing to do with it-We had no more part in second birth than our first birth

C.- FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, SHOULD WALK IN THEM-v.10

1. As his Jewel-we are His Workmanship-But as a fine watch-we should work! the sign of life!
2. When God begins a work-he finishes it- Phill:6 -make you a new creation, new nature, new man
3. You should desire new things- Prayer, Bible Study, Service for Love, Stewardship,-

And Paul pleads Eph 4:1 - Walk Worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called! - JOB

Conclusion- ARE YOU QUICKENED OR DEAD?  IT SHOWS IN YOU LIKE IN A FINE WATCH - IN THE WORKS!

1. What you have done for Jesus shows a heart of faith- or spite-! Make sure it is of Faith
2. What have you done to show that you Love the Lord- If you Love Him, it is known of you!
3. If you are not claiming all the possessions God has for you,- File your claim to riches- at this altar!

_{SWC SE462-71}