Ephesians 2 1-10

Embed Doc
Copy Link
Readcast
Collections

CommentGo Back

Ephesians 2:1-10 – on the Occasion of Reformation DayAs for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

2

in which you used to livewhen you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, thespirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

3

All of us also lived among themat one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires andthoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

4

But because of his greatlove for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5

made us alive with Christ even when we weredead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

6

And God raised us up withChrist and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

7

in order that in thecoming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in hiskindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

9

not by works, so that no one can boast.

10

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, whichGod prepared in advance for us to do.

Who Am I?

IntroductionIf you’ve ever been involved in an office, or with a bank, or with the government, or even on a farm this one little pieceof wisdom holds true…Every complex system that doesn’t work evolved from amuch simpler system thatworked just fine…{Example …listening to the CBC



talked aboutAutomated Telephone Services…simple tasks becomeincredibly complex}Trans: October 31 is for some Halloween, for others AllSaints Day, and for a few of us we celebrate the

Reformation because of what Martin Luther did so manyyears ago……and Martin Luther saw a complex system that hadevolved. one that involved……and in the eyes of the Reforming church the goal was notto become a NEW PEOPLE…but to instead RE-FORM our IDENTITY – To ask the very basic question…What does it mean to be a Christian? … Who am I?…our text tonight was very familiar to the early reformedchurch because it answered that question of identity – thatWho am I so clearly. It tells us, straight up, what it meansto be a Christian.And it does so in three ways…Paul begins defining our identity by…

I. Who you were.

[Illustration: Biography, Walter Gretzky, Shania Twain…Science – we are fascinated with who we were, where wecame from.]Paul is telling us where we came from. Read 1-3As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

2

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of

this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, thespirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

3

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying thecravings of our sinful nature and following its desires andthoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.Sin…transgressions…the way we used to live…But it’s more than just being bad people…

We were dead, objects of wrath…Knowing who you were is incredibly important becauseit will help us to appreciate…II. Who you are.

[Illustration: ORDINATION –

The process – talking about your past, your education, your experience



It all addsup and when the math is right – bam, you’re a pastor]

Paul wants us to look to our past so that we can do themath. He tells us that we were dead in our sin. That wewere objects of wrath…Reading verses 4 & 5 we find out that’s not who we areanymore.

4

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich inmercy,

5

made us alive with Christ even when we were deadin transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

of 00

Leave a Comment