Ephesians 2:1-10

          We are concerned with the classic testimony of how one comes to Christ.  Whatever the specific details of how God brought you to Christ, you will be able to identify with this testimony.

¨     The old walk, 2:1-3.

¨     The work of God, 2:4-9.

·        The nature of the God who works, 2:4.

·        The nature of the work of God, 2:5-6.

          You will note the use of the term together in 3 phrases of vs.5-6.  In the Greek for each phrase there is one word with a prefix signifying together.  We have been made alive together, raised up together, and made to sit together in Christ.  The togetherness indicates this work of God is the same for all believers, regardless of their human differences.

o   He made us alive together in Christ, 2:5.  He who was dead in sin has been made alive.  This is a powerful statement as to why God does this work: it is all of grace.  Grace is the outpouring that comes from one who is rich in mercy and great in love (v4).

o   He raised us up together in Christ, 2:6a.  This is truly a resurrection worked by God.  He is not simply healing the sick or helping us turn over a new leaf.  The dead leaf has already fallen to the ground and God gives it new life.

o   He seated us together in the heavenly places with Christ, 2:6b.  This is the repository of the spiritual blessings (1:3), the place occupied by the resurrected Christ (1:20).  Believers are positioned there by God.

·        The purpose of the work of God, 2:7-9.  Redemption and forgiveness come to the believer through God’s abundant grace (Eph. 1:7).  Likewise in Eph. 2:7 we see that God’s work in the believer is designed to display the exceeding riches of His grace.  What a grand thought.  Those who walk according to the course of this world show their riches by their personal possessions.  God shows His riches by His works of grace.  His display involves the sacrifice of His Son, His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  This purpose is further explained in 2:8-9.  There can be no work involved by the recipients or else the glory must be shared.  This being the case the work must be received by faith, which by definition is receiving (Jn. 1:12) and is thus the absence of merit or work (Rom. 4:4-8). 

¨     The new walk, 2:10.

          We are created new in Christ Jesus so we might display God’s glory as we walk a path of good works (Matt. 5:16).  In Ephesians this path of good works is called holy and blameless; it is our calling (Eph. 1:4).  Eph. 2:1-10 has made clear how God has taken the sinner, who walks according to the course of this world, and raised that person to a new life in Christ, so he might glorify God by a new walk.  May it be our daily purpose to live as displays of His rich grace.