Ephesians 2:1-10

January 25, 2022

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.


4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.


8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.


Ephesians 2:1-10 NLT

  • What does this teach us about God?

    • God is rich in mercy and he loves us (v.4)
    • God shows His love for us through Jesus (v.5)
    • God isn't done loving us (v.7)
    • God's grace is a gift that has been freely offered to us (v.8)
    • God is our creator (v.10)
    • God has a purpose for each of us (v.10)

  • What does this teach us about people/ourselves?

    • We are dead in sin (v.1)
    • We chose to disobey (v.2)
    • We deserve God's wrath (v.3)
    • We sin in body and mind (v.3)
    • We are never out of God's reach (v.5)
    • We cannot work our way into grace (v.9)
    • We are God's masterpiece in all creation (v.10)
    • We have a purpose (v.10)

  • By God's grace, how will you obey?

    • Love unconditionally, as we have been unconditionally loved
    • Show mercy, as we have been shown mercy
    • Forgive, as we have been forgiven
    • Accept God's gift of grace
    • Express gratitude in all things to our Creator
    • Refine our body (actions) and minds (thoughts) towards His purpose for our lives

Prayer: Thank you, God, for creating us, loving us, and giving us purpose. Thank you for sending your only son, Jesus, to die a death that we deserved because of our sinful nature. Thank you for showing the immeasurable riches of your grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. We accept your grace that has been freely offered to us, not because of what we have done or can ever do, but because of what you have done for us because you love us. We submit to you our bodies and our minds, that they would be refined for the purposes that you planned for us long ago. We request that the Spirit would give us the power to love unconditionally, show mercy, and forgive much in the same way you have shown these things to us. All these things we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

OVERTIME


In this passage we see two of the most incredible words that reoccur throughout the Bible: "But God..."


"But God" is such a powerful phrase because it takes the circumstances of the world and turns the tables. Below are a few "But God" passages. As you read through these take stock of what we see before God, the "But God" moment, and how things change.

  • Genesis 50:20

    As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

  • Psalm 73:26

    My flesh and my heart may fail,

        but God is the strength of my heart

        and my portion forever.

  • Jonah 2:5-6

    The engulfing waters threatened me,

        the deep surrounded me;

        seaweed was wrapped around my head.

    To the roots of the mountains I sank down;

        the earth beneath barred me in forever.

    But you, Lord my God,

        brought my life up from the pit.

  • Matthew 19:26

    Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

  • Acts 13:29-30

    When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead...

  • Romans 5:6-9

    For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

  • Romans 6:23

    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, 30

    For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong... And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption...

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

    I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

This is not an exhaustive list. There are several more "But God" moments all throughout the Bible. In fact, God is still creating "But God" moments each and every day!


Take a moment to reflect on your life. Who were you before you were introduced to Jesus, what did God rescue you from, and who are you now?


"I was lost, but God found me."

"I was broken, but God restored me."

"I was dead to sin, but God made me alive with Christ!"