Studies in Ephesians 8 Dead in Trespasses and

Studies in Ephesians (8) Dead in Trespasses and Sins Ephesians 2: 1 -3

Ephesians 1: 15 -22 l Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. l That they might know the power of God l Demonstrated in Jesus – by raising Him from the dead, exalting Him in heavenly places and making Him head over the church. l Today, how His power affects our salvation

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l“And you” – tied to previous text. Paul now turns to the grace of God (2: 1 -10) l“He made alive”, not in mss (but implied – see vs. 5) “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins…” (NASU)

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l “dead in trespasses and sins” l Spiritual death – death is separation. (Jas. 2: 26, cf. Luke 8: 55) l. Death in our text – spiritual separation from God – Rom. 6: 23, Col. 2: 13, Eph. 2: 5 -6; Isa. 59: 1 -2

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l Trespasses – to violate moral standards. One who goes into territory not authorized. Matthew 6: 14, Jas. 5: 16, Rom. 5: 15 -18 – offenses, sin – Eph. 1: 7

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l Sins – to miss the mark. A departure from divine standards of uprightness. l Both sins of commission and omission. l How many of us minimize certain sins? l. To God, there is NO difference!

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l In which you once walked – l “Walk” used some 7 times in Ephesians – our manner of life l Typically – we have 2 paths Matt. 7: 13 -14 l. You USED to walked in it – Col. 3: 3, Rom. 6: 5 -6, Eph. 4: 22

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l According to the prince of the power of the air l Satan – 2 Cor. 4: 4, John 12: 31, 14: 30 l The power of the air is reference to this realm l 1 Peter 5: 8, 2 Tim. 2: 26

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l. The spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience l he still rules – Eph. 4: 17 -19, 2 Tim. 3: 1 -5, 1 John 5: 19 l It is a mistake to dismiss Satan’s power! l BUT it is limited - 1 John 4: 4, John 14: 30

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l Among whom we all once conducted ourselves l Romans 3: 23 l Paul includes himself – 1 Tim. 1: 12 -15 l But we have changed – 1 Cor. 6: 11

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l. In the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind l Lust – 1 John 2: 15 -16, Gal. 5: 1921, 1 Pet. 4: 3 -5 l We overcome lusts – Romans 13: 14, 6: 12, 1 Peter 1: 14

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l …and of the mind l Sins of the heart, evil attitudes, etc. cf. 1 John 4: 2012

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l Were by nature children of wrath l If you are not a child of God, you are a child of wrath! John 3: 36, Rom. 1: 18, 2: 5 -9, Colossians 3: 6 l. This includes the “religious” – Paul, Cornelius, devout Jews on Pentecost, etc.

Our former conduct (2: 1 -3) l Were by nature children of wrath l “by nature” does NOT mean, inherited sin or depravity! Consider Romans 2: 14 Also, “you once walked” – their actions. Finally, WHEN they became “children of wrath” not mentioned.

God’s Grace (2: 4 -10) l In spite of our hopeless state, God “made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)”

All of us have a past! But it does NOT need to follow us into eternity OR into our future! Will you accept the gift of God grace?