Ephesians 2:1-10

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" ¹ And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ²in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

INTRODUCTION

A. What does "poiema" (workmanship) mean?

B. Are you an artist, a minister or a cowboy? What is your perspective?

C. Ephesians is the highest ground of Paul's writings

D. Ephesians shows us the panorama of our salvation

E. Ephesians takes us from death valley to graceland; from the graveyard to throne of grace of God's glory

F. Verses 1-3 is about what we are saved from and verses 4-10 are what we are saved for.

I. Past (verses 1-3)

A. Adam acted as the "f____________" head of the human race. What does this mean?

B. When did death enter into the world? (Read Romans 5:12ff)

C. What does depravity mean?

D. Whose view of depravity do you have?

E. Read Romans 3:9ff. What is the implications of this in your life?

F. "But God" = The entire gospel (Romans 5:7-8)

II. Present (verse 5-6)

A. What is the relationship and differences between justice, mercy and grace?

B. How can God be both just and merciful at the same time?

C. Where did justice, mercy and grace meet in the Bible?

D. Do you have victory in Christ in your life? Why not?

III. Future (verse 7-10)

A. What is God's purpose for your life in the future?

B. What does it mean to be a Christian? (verses 8-10)

C. What are the two foundational premises of being a Christian discussed in these verses

1. We are Christians soley as a result of God's grace

2. There is no room for boasting

D. "A Christian is a beggar telling other beggars where to find bread."

E. What is God's best work of art?

F. What is your responsibility as God's artwork? Do you accept it and reflect God as the artist on your canvas? Why not?

APPLICATION

1. Read Genesis 1 and compare it to Ephesians 2. Physical vs Spiritual journey.

2. Take time to reflect on your past, your present and your future in Christ.

3. Do you see your life from God's perspective or yours? (Ecclesiates 3)

4. Ask God to show you the "poiema" of your life and demonstrate your responsibility as God's artwork.