49-10 God's Measureless Grace, Part 2
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
Ephesians 2
Ephesians 2
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 2095 Three Wonders in Heaven
Three Wonders In Heaven
John Newton said, “When I get to heaven I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be, to see many people there whom I did not expect to see—the second wonder will be, to miss many people whom I did expect to see; and the third and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there.”
This is the perspective of every believer—the wonder of God’s redeeming grace:
We began by looking at a picture Paul describes of unbelievers. This passage makes a remarkable contrast b/t unbelievers & believers (found other times in NT) 1 Cor 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-5.
In Eph Paul gives unfolds 4 characteristics of every unbeliever (last time): Dead, Disobedient, Depraved, Doomed
This is a very dark, gloomy, but real picture of the nature of the one who has rejected JC and turned from God’s grace. As long as he remains in this current state, he is separated from God, unable/unwilling to do God’s will, unable to do anything that would merit eternal salvation resulting in eternal damnation (receiving the just wrath of God).
It is abundantly clear that it is within the realm of trespasses & sins that every unbeliever dwells. It is a dark picture & hopeless as far as the 1st 3 verses are concerned. But that is not the end of Paul’s message.
2 Words make the difference b/t literally life & death—“But God” (In Gk). Perhaps the 2 most precious words we find in all scripture—Lloyd-Jones “These 2 words, in and of themselves, in a sense contain the whole gospel.” They reveal what God has done, how He intervened in what was an otherwise completely impossible, hopeless condition that every person is in.
It is God’s work in the sinner that completely transforms & regenerates that person so they may be set apart from the world and stand in direct contrast to those who are of the world—unbelievers.
Paul places the emphasis now on what God has done (vv 4-10) to make such a remarkable contrast in a person’s life. The truths contained in this portion of Scripture have such great depth that we could spend our lifetime studying it and still only scratch the surface—
Let us explore the other side of the contrast by looking at
3 transformational realities (in connection w/ our salvation): 1) God’s Motive, 2) The Xian’s Position, and 3) Salvation’s Attributes
1) God’s Motive
1) God’s Motive
What caused God to save sinful man in the first place? On what grounds has God taken the determinative step to remedy the hopeless condition of man, to touch the one He has called and make him new?
A. His mercy
A. His mercy
Rich—“abundantly supplied, wealthy, unlimited, without measure, exhaustless” God is still a God of mercy today. Mercy has no end.
The word “mercy” is basically expressed as kindness or concern shown to someone is is suffering some misfortune (sometimes undeserved misfortune other times deserved.)
We see in Scripture countless illust. of God’s mercy & compassion: Ps 103:8-11; Is 55:6-8; Matt 9:36
God is called “father of mercies” (2 Cor 1:3). Sometimes we look at how God distributes His mercy and we think it is given out unfairly. Many in the Roman church thought the same thing when Paul reminded them that God chose Jacob over Esau before they were born or had done anything good or bad. They thought this was unfair yet Paul replies Rom 9:14-18
God is rich in mercy—the idea being that your experience of salvation is unmerited and due solely to God’s generosity/kindness.
Mercy shows that God was kind in acting on our behalf. He did not have to do it. There was no entitlement that required it. We did not deserve it. He simply took the initiative to save us.
Bock, D. L. (2019). Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary. (E. J. Schnabel, Ed.) (Vol. 10, pp. 64–65). London: Inter-Varsity Press.
B. His love
B. His love
Paul next describes why God is moved by compassion—it is b/c of His great love. 1 Jn 4:8 “God=love” & 1 Jn 4:10
and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
This demonstration of God’s love is experienced by every believer (those who greatly offended Him and sinned against Him)—despite that, God grants forgiveness & reconciliation to everyone who trusts in JC alone.
This is God’s great love (agape) is the love...
Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Two
which speaks of a love called out of one’s heart by the preciousness of the one loved, a love that impels one to sacrifice one’s self for the benefit of the object loved. It is the love shown at Calvary (John 3:16).
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
God’s mercy, compassionate, sacrificial love to those who don’t deserve it becomes God’s motivation for extending salvation to those He has chosen. Paul profoundly describes the fundamental nature of God
2) The Xn’s Position
2) The Xn’s Position
Remember Paul’s audience—Xns:
--Past condition of these were Dead, Disobedient, Depraved, Doomed—there was nothing but complete hopelessness/despair/misery b/c of former condition (2:5)
--Present condition of non-Xns.
But God—motivated by that which was of Himself (mercy & love) did something we could never have done ourselves. Paul indicates the position of every Xn “in Christ” by listing 2 things God did for them:
A. Made Alive (vs 5)
A. Made Alive (vs 5)
The 1 thing a dead person needs most is to be made alive. He can’t do that on his own, can he?
NT records 3 people that Jesus brought back to life:
Widow’s Son (Luke 7:11-15)
Daughter of Jairus (Lk 8:49-56)
Lazarus (Jn 11:41-44)
These 3 illustrations are examples of what God does to the sinner who hears the word and believes.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
For those whose problem is spiritual death—there must be a raising to life. συνεζωοποίησεν—rare word (2x in NT—Col 2:13)—compound lit-“to make alive together” KJV “quicken”
Paul mentions that we have been made alive together w/JC. Some during Paul’s day and even today doubt the literal resurrection of the Lord. Not only did God have the power to resurrect Jesus (1:19-20) but that same power is applied to those who place their trust in Him—and they are made alive.
“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.
When you became a Xn you were no longer alienated/separated from God. You became spiritually alive (placing in you His life giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45; 2 Cor 3:6). You were made alive thru union with resurrection of Christ (Rom 6:1-4).
Our identification with Christ in His death broke the power of indwelling sin. Our identification with Him in His resurrection resulted in the impartation of divine life.
Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 4, p. 66). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
It was at this moment that you responded to the spiritual stimulus of God’s Word and took that 1st step of obedience “to believe on the LJC”.
B. Exalted (vs 6)
B. Exalted (vs 6)
Not only are you made alive—in spirit & with regards to sin & righteousness, but b/c you are united w/ Christ you are exalted with Him and are sharing His throne in the heavenlies.
Even though we physically live in this world
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
God has taken us from a worldly citizenship and raised us up & seated us with Christ in heavenly places—the supernatural sphere of God’s dominion.
Both Gk. words in aorist tense—describing something that is so certain to take place it is described as already fully taken place. Right now we have not fully received all that God has promised to give us. Time of full consummation will be the resurrection of our bodies (rapture of church) when we will inherit all that God has given to us. Paul speaks of it as already having taken place.
Application—But right now the believer is:
under God’s dominion instead of Satan’s (Rom 6:16-18)
Possess spiritual life instead of spiritual death
We have been placed in the heavenly places (Col 3:1-4)
this is where our blessings come from (Eph 1:3)
this is where our fellowship w/ Father, Son, H.S. takes place (1 John 1:3)
this is where our commands come from
this is where we have complete & full access to the throne of grace Eph 2:18 & Heb 4:16
this is where all our praise & petitions go
This gives you hope—b/c one day 1 Pt 1:4
Even now there is joy, hope, peace & serenity that comes to the Believer when he recognizes his position in Christ—such an important doctrinal truth), for you can be in 1 of 2 men:
In Adam—all die, death reigns, all sin, sin rules, sin enslaves
In Christ—all are living, all reign in life, all are righteous, grace rules, Christ enslaves.
Forget all this talk about your self-esteem. That is not what life in Christ is about. Your life in Christ is about God-esteem. And when you study His Word you find out that your worth to God is beyond comparison—identity in Christ:
Redeemed, alive to God, not condemned, set free from law of sin, not separated from love of God, righteous, sanctified, triumphant, reconciled, freedom, spiritual blessings, seated w/ Christ, reign w/ Christ, share Christ’s glory, forgiven, & saved.
Remember God’s motive for doing this? He is merciful & loving.
3) Salvation’s Attributes
3) Salvation’s Attributes
In the next vv. we see the following attributes of our salvation:
A. The purpose of Salvation
A. The purpose of Salvation
Eph 2:7
Salvation is not only for your benefit and joy. Greater purpose in God extending us mercy is for His own sake—to show His kindness. When will this end? It won’t—thru all ages—even the ones to come, we will never stop experiencing the grace and kindness of God (think about that—even in eternity). God glorifies Himself by extending to us the riches of His grace throughout eternity. Others will also give glory to God b/c of His grace—Rev 7:10-12.
B. The Security of Salvation
B. The Security of Salvation
We see God doing all of this to bring us into a saving relationship with Himself. What must I do—what must my response be? Faith
God tells us that it (salvation) is not of ourselves—it does not come from me/you but it is God’s gracious gift.
Paul makes it clear that salvation cannot be earned by works—what you and I do in life but it can only come to fruition on the basis of the faith/belief we have in Christ.
Living by faith in the finished work of Christ on cross is essential to the life of Xian.
But no one can enter into a saving relationship with God without placing faith in Him. Baptism, church membership, confirmation, giving to charity, volunteering time, being a good neighbor will ever have the power to bring a person to salvation.
Paul asserts that salvation from beginning to end is God’s gift. Even faith: The word “that” connects to “saved” grammatically. “you are saved by grace thru faith” and looking at the entire process from beginning.
Salvation, including your faith is a gift...
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
“And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.
It is a gift and if you had to do something to earn or deserve that gift it would no longer be a gift. There is security in your salvation precisely b/c it is a gift. That is one reason Paul says if salvation is by works—the someone could boast. If you or I had anything to do with our salvation—our salvation would only be a good as us. If it was based on that—God have pity on our soul b/c we could never keep ourselves saved and would never have assurance. But God does not base it on anything but grace thru faith.
Even though human effort has nothing to do with salvation (Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16), good works has an integral part—important place in the lives of Xns.
C. The Goal of Salvation
C. The Goal of Salvation
2:10
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
The Bible has much to say about works:
Works of law—cannot save (Gal 2:16), dead works (Heb 6:1), works of flesh (Gal 5:19-21) All of these works are done by man from his own strength and for his own purpose-never capable of producing eternal life.
Paul says we are created in Christ which empowers us to do good works, the goal for which He has redeemed us.
Paul’s message is to believers, many of whom were saved many years prior to this. He was not showing them how to be saved but how they were saved. It is this same message for us.
We are God’s workmanship—poiema (Eng. Poem) piece of literary workmanship. God—before foundation of world, designed us to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29)—and He will perfect the work he began in us (Phil 1:6).
The goal of our salvation is to live as Christ lives. Do the good deeds Christ would have us do. Care for others the way Christ would have cared for others.
Story is told of a famous actor who was special guest at social gathering. He received many requests to recite some of his favorite literary works. An old preacher happened to be there and asked the actor to recite the 23rd Ps. The actor agreed on condition that the pastor would also recite it.
The actor recited the psalm and was beautifully intoned, with dramatic emphasis. When finished he received a lengthy applause. The preacher’s voice was rough and broken from many years of preaching. His diction was anything but smooth and polished. But when he finished there was not a dry eye in the room. Someone asked the actor what the difference was. He replied “I know the Psalm, but he knows the shepherd.”
Salvation belongs to those who know the shepherd. Not knowing about Him but knowing him intimately. It is thru that intimate relationship that God makes a person alive & exalted b/c of His mercy & love. And how you respond to his offer of grace will determine where you spend eternity (with Him and apart from Him in hell). If you have not received His grace & mercy—turn today from your sinful ways—confess you sin and believe that JC died in your place, was buried, and rose again—God’s promise “you shall be saved”.