Step 3 Eph 2:1-10

Step 3 Complete Outline: Ephesians 2:1-10

Big Idea, Supporting Ideas, Defining Ideas

Two Words That Change Everything About Us
But God… Vs. 4

But God. Ephesians 2:4

Every believer has a “but God” story.
Every follower of Christ has a testimony of God’s intervention in his/her life.
Every Christian can relate to the Psalmists who said, Psalm 94:17, 124:1-2
Remove the “But God” intervention in your life and where would you be today?

Our lives can be divided as before God and because of God.

Before God we were hopelessly broken. 1-3.
...you were...you used to...all of us used to.... Vs. 1-3

Explain: notice the multiple usage of past tense terms. This is every believer's past.
Illustrate: show picture of broken pottery.

Because of our choice to live independent of God.
you were dead because of your disobedience. Vs. 1a

Explain: We chose to sin because we love our autonomy. We think it's freedom, when in reality it's slavery.
Bill Bright says we choose to live in active rebellion or passive indifference.
Illustrate: Isaiah 53:6 Living Bible
Because of the multitude of our wrong doings.
you were dead because of your...many sins. Vs. 1b

Explain: We were not broken because we sinned once. But because we did it as a matter of habit. If there were a number associated with our sins, it would be unpronounceable. It was not only how many in number, it was how many in type: mind, body and will.
Illustration: Luke 15:13
Because we lived like everyone else.
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world... just like everyone else. Vs. 2a, 3b

Explain: we were blind, and enslaved living among the same. What squalor. What a wretched sight.
Illustrate: Proverbs 20:9
Because we were under the power of demonic forces.
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. 2b.

Explain: demons are deceptive. First, they convince us they don't exist, then they convince us our choices are not destructive.
"The devil isn't trying to get you to believe in him, he's trying to get you to believe in you. — Tone Benedict.
Illustrate: Ephesians 6:12, Genesis 3:1ff
Because selfish pleasure was our goal.
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. 3a

Explain: We were all about ourselves.
Illustrate: "All of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it." The Message.
Because we were deserving of eternal punishment.
By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 3b

Explain: It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. The Message
Illustrate: John 3:18, 36

Question: Why is it so important to know this truth?
Answers:
(1) Because it reminds us to live humble lives. The only thing we were entitled to is the judgment of God.
(2) Because it obligates us to live grateful lives. Psalm 147:7
(3) Because it compels us to fruitful lives. John 15:16

Because of God, we are priceless treasures. Ephesians 2:4-10
For we are God's masterpiece. Vs. 10

Explain: show picture of restored vessel. (see picture)

Because of the immensity of God's love for us.
He loved us so much
1. Which is immeasurably compassionate.
  But God is so rich in mercy… Vs. 4a
  
  Explain: God's compassion for your brokenness can not be measured, it's so great.
  Illustrate: Jeremiah 31:3 Hesed love
2. Which is entirely undeserved.
  It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved. Vs. 5
  
  Explain: The amazing (and humbling) thing about God's love is that it's so undeserved.
  Illustrate: Acts 15:11
Which results in...
1. A transformed life.
  He gave us new life when he raised Christ from the dead. Vs. 5a
  
  Explain: We're not better versions of our former selves, we're completely different. Our hopes, dreams, purposes, are all different. Radically changed. Our love is different, so everything about us is new.
  Illustrate: 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. A rescued life.
  ...You have been saved. Vs. 5b
  
  Explain: We have a story of how we have been rescued from death.
  Illustrate: 1 Thessalonians 1:10
3. A secured life.
  He seated us in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Vs. 6
  
  Explain: Our past is forgiven, our future is secure, therefore we have nothing to loose and everything to risk.
  Illustrate: Matthew 10:28
4. A displayed life.
  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. Vs. 7
  
  Explain: Becky Manly Pippert: "Our lives are the first Bible anyone will ever read." Our individual life is a single volume in God's vast library of the biographies of changed lives, for all to read. That is a powerful testimony to a dying world.
  Illustrate: Matthew 5:16
5. A humble life.
  And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Vs. 8-9
  
  Explain: There is a clear sense in which we give God credit for his work in our life as we talk about Him with others.
  Illustrate: Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! The Message
6. A purposeful life.
  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Vs. 10
  
  Explain: The good things that have eternal merit, instead of the things that have only temporal value. Talk about leaving or leveraging your life.
  Illustrate: It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Ephesians 1:11 The Message

To summarize...

Remember our near brush with eternal death. Ephesians 2:3
Rejoice in God's compassionate love for us. Ephesians 2:4
Live out our new mission. Ephesians 2:10

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