Masterpiece | Part 3

From Death to Life

(Ephesians 2:1 – 10) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh

and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

He also raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith,

and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that one can boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

Our Condition Apart from Christ

1. Apart from Christ we are spiritually dead.

(Ephesians 2:1) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins. . .

2. Apart from Christ we are disobedient slaves.

(Ephesians 2:2 – 3a) in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts. . .

3. Apart from Christ we are doomed to destruction.

(Ephesians 2:3b) and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were

also.

Our Condition if We Are in Christ

4. In Christ we are made alive.

(Ephesians 2:4 – 5) But God who is rich in mercy because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

5. In Christ we are raised up as children of God.

(Ephesians 2:6a) He also raised us up with Him

6. In Christ we are seated as heirs with Christ.

(Ephesians 2:6b) He . . . seated us with Him in the heavens in Christ Jesus

What Does This Transition of Condition Reveal?

7. The transition from death to life reveals the character of God.

8. The transition from death to life reveals the work of God.