And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

o Prince of the power of the air - the Devil who has an immaterial hold on the world

o The sons of disobedience - those who surrender to the power of the world in disobedience to the power of God

3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

o Children of Wrath - by nature subject to the wrath of God but not necessarily the human condition at birth

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

o Ages to come - the function of the church in the purpose of God has been lifted beyond the present order “as in the limitless future of God’s church”

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

o R.W. Dale - “As the branch is created in the vine, we are created in Christ Jesus; as the fruits of the branch are predetermined by the laws of the life which it received from the vine, so our “good works” which are a result of our union with Christ, are predetermined by the laws of the life of Christ which is our life.”

REMEMBER THESE THINGS:

#1) Stop playing dead, when God Himself has already breathed life and life abundantly in you.
· “…even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ…” (v5)

#2) You did nothing , while God did everything
· “...by grace you have been saved through faith…” (v8)

#3) By His grace, we produce the fruits of His Kingdom
· “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” (v10)

“God uses the DEAD to bring LIFE to this world.”

Restart
Ephesians 2:1-10
Nathaniel Serrato, Youth & Young Adults Director
December 29, 2022 & January 1st, 2023

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: How has life been better since Jesus came into your life? In what areas of your life have you been drifting from God?

God has breathed the breath of abundant life into your weary soul. What are you going to do with that? How is anyone supposed to see God's light shine through you if you still act like your dead? What are you going to do or what can you do starting right now, to embrace the life that God has given you?

By grace we are saved through faith, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. How does this make you feel in comparison to the times where people have made you believe you need to first earn God’s love? How does this change the way you feel about God’s love for you?

We are His workmanship, created for good works. What does this mean to you? Can you think of a time in your past where you’ve seen God through someone’s good works? Has doing good works been a priority in your life? How can the act of doing good accomplish our mission as Christians?

God uses the dead to bring life to this world. This is exciting. God can actually use us despite our weaknesses and shortcomings. How can God use you to reach those around you?

Family Time: Simple. Pray as a family before each meal. Pray each night as a family and invite each member to pray for one particular thing. A family that genuinely prays together stays together.