WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.459 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.580 --> 00:00:20.019 If you will open your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 2, Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1 through 10. 00:00:20.140 --> 00:00:25.900 I don't know if you agree with me, but I feel like we have upheld our promise so far. 00:00:25.900 --> 00:00:28.379 We're four weeks into Ephesians and we're in chapter 2. 00:00:28.559 --> 00:00:30.939 We're making good progress through the book of Ephesians. 00:00:31.059 --> 00:00:35.600 We are, however, going to stop for two weeks and consider verses 1 through 10. 00:00:35.979 --> 00:00:41.579 Will and I are. I'm excited to take a first pass and Will will clean up my mess next week, 00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:42.939 so I'm excited about that as well. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:47.280 Let me review, if I could, what we've covered in chapter 1. 00:00:47.379 --> 00:00:52.679 So far in Ephesians, Paul has given us a thoughtful and thorough doxology. 00:00:52.679 --> 00:01:01.240 He has been elevating and praising God for who He is, praising God for His power, His love, His character. 00:01:02.179 --> 00:01:07.239 Paul began in chapter 1 by affirming God's will and work in the Ephesian church. 00:01:07.739 --> 00:01:14.579 He then detailed the work of salvation that God has done in the Ephesian church that He does in our lives. 00:01:14.579 --> 00:01:23.420 And then in a few long and passionate sentences, Paul expressed his worship and his praise to God who dwells, 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:30.780 he says, in all power, all majesty, all authority, all glory, all love, and in divine headship. 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:39.879 We ended chapter 1 hearing how Paul describes Christ as dwelling in heaven, seated above all authority, 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:42.359 and He is the head over the church. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:48.579 The church, Paul tells us, is Christ's body, His manifested power of His grace on earth, 00:01:49.240 --> 00:01:52.960 and that we are the ones who fill the earth as His representatives. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:59.359 So with these things in mind, Paul has been focused on the divine, and now his eyes, his focus, 00:01:59.479 --> 00:02:02.539 his sight is going to turn towards us as God's people. 00:02:03.459 --> 00:02:09.579 His sight is going to be focused on the condition, the state we were in without God the Father. 00:02:10.299 --> 00:02:15.620 So with these things in mind, let's look at Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1 through 10. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:18.919 Chapter 2, verses 1 through 10, they say this, 00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:25.099 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, 00:02:25.839 --> 00:02:30.599 following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:34.879 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:02:35.579 --> 00:02:38.759 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, 00:02:39.359 --> 00:02:42.639 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.799 and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:54.160 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:59.360 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. 00:02:59.820 --> 00:03:04.300 By grace you have been saved, and raised us up with Him, 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:07.820 and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 00:03:08.700 --> 00:03:12.860 so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:16.300 in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:20.060 For by grace you have been saved through faith, 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:24.160 and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, 00:03:24.880 --> 00:03:27.440 not a result of work, so that no one may boast. 00:03:27.940 --> 00:03:32.620 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:37.280 which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 00:03:37.580 --> 00:03:38.260 Let's pray together. 00:03:38.259 --> 00:03:42.659 Father, this is Your Word, these are Your truths, 00:03:42.799 --> 00:03:45.719 this is Your time, this is Your pulpit. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:50.500 So would You allow me to get out of the way? 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:54.280 May my words be only Your words, 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:57.039 may whatever truth comes out of my mouth 00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:00.859 only be because of You working in my heart, 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:02.439 You working in this place. 00:04:02.439 --> 00:04:06.419 And Father, as we consider this condition, 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:08.419 this state that we live in, 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:10.180 it's not good news, Father. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:11.479 It's bad news. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:12.979 It's the bad news of the gospel. 00:04:13.099 --> 00:04:14.780 So will You prepare our hearts even now 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:19.560 to consider the state that we stand in without a Savior, 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:23.220 the state that we stand in when we are separated from You. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.259 Father, be with us, give us Your Spirit. 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:29.800 May we be changed by Your Word during this time. 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:32.240 I pray these things in Your heavenly Son's name. 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:32.980 Amen. 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:38.020 Elementary school was a very formative time for me, 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:40.939 and I'm sure that it was a formative time for you. 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:43.400 I want you to go back with me and consider 00:04:43.400 --> 00:04:46.360 one part of elementary school that maybe you want to block out. 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:48.680 There was lots of coming-of-age lessons 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:50.379 that we learned in elementary school, right? 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:51.819 We learned about friendships. 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:53.560 We learned about enemies. 00:04:53.780 --> 00:04:57.040 We learned about boys liking girls and girls liking boys. 00:04:57.439 --> 00:04:58.960 There are all kinds of things that we experience. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:01.079 There's one particular experience, though. 00:05:01.579 --> 00:05:04.359 Certain memories that I bet are burned into your memory, 00:05:04.479 --> 00:05:05.919 and those were discipline. 00:05:06.479 --> 00:05:09.639 Times when your teacher entered into your world 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:12.319 and pointed out ways in which you have sinned, 00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:13.979 things that you had done wrong. 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:18.439 Being a middle child, I knew that my misbehavior 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:21.779 would have my teachers and my parents disappointed. 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:23.519 I hated that, and so that was my motivation, 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:25.899 for the most part, to stay out of trouble. 00:05:25.959 --> 00:05:27.279 At least I didn't get caught. 00:05:27.279 --> 00:05:30.959 There were a few words that you hated to hear 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:34.000 when you misbehaved and got caught in elementary school, right? 00:05:34.299 --> 00:05:36.019 Go to the principal's office. 00:05:36.679 --> 00:05:37.939 Those are the words you didn't want to hear. 00:05:38.339 --> 00:05:39.819 Go to the principal's office. 00:05:39.899 --> 00:05:40.879 It was the death sentence. 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:43.639 It was the place where you were going to go, 00:05:43.719 --> 00:05:46.079 where you knew that you couldn't escape the penalty 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:47.079 for what you had done. 00:05:47.179 --> 00:05:48.979 You were going to have to face it. 00:05:49.299 --> 00:05:51.439 You were going to have to look your wrongdoing in the eye. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:55.699 Some of my first emotions of self-awareness in elementary school 00:05:55.699 --> 00:05:58.339 came when I saw my classmates in trouble. 00:05:58.740 --> 00:06:01.519 I remember being so thankful that I was not sitting in their shoes. 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:03.519 I did not want to be in the hot seat. 00:06:04.019 --> 00:06:08.060 I did not want to have that criticism focused on me. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:10.819 Well, that all changed. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:13.740 One sunny day when I was in fourth grade, 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:17.800 and the sunny day came after five days of rain. 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:20.900 Our teacher was sick of us, and so we had to get outside. 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:24.259 We walked outside and decided we were going to take a lap around the school. 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.519 Well, since it had rained for five days, 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:28.019 that meant there were lots of puddles. 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:30.939 And being a competitive fourth grader, 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:33.300 me and my buddy decided we would start a competition 00:06:33.300 --> 00:06:36.360 to see how far we could jump across puddles. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:37.439 The bigger the puddle, 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:40.319 the greater your reputation grew in fourth grade. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:43.560 I remember our teacher seeing what we were doing. 00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:45.300 She asked us to stop a few times. 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:46.319 We did not stop. 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:49.980 Eventually, she asked us to come up to the front of the line by her. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:51.759 We went up to the front of the line, 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:55.899 and my buddy and I was not going to end our competitive spirit, 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:57.579 and so we kept jumping over puddles. 00:06:58.300 --> 00:07:00.740 The last puddle that I jumped over, 00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:02.019 I didn't actually jump over. 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:03.199 I landed in the middle, 00:07:03.500 --> 00:07:06.100 and I splashed water all over my teacher, 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:07.860 all over a few of my classmates, 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:09.100 and I heard those words, 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:11.500 go to the principal's office. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:12.660 That's all I heard, 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:13.840 go to the principal's office. 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:20.020 So I started that slow, slow walk to Mrs. Broussik's office, 00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:22.920 immediately regretting that I had gotten caught, 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:25.939 hating that I knew what was coming next. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:28.600 I was going to have to sit in her office 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:30.620 and explain to her what I had done wrong, 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:31.540 and so I did that. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:33.520 I detailed my wrongdoing, 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:36.500 and I remember her writing me up on a slip of paper, 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:38.120 and then I looked out the window. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:40.480 She had a small window in the door to her office, 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:41.980 and the tables had turned. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:43.939 I watched my friends walk by, 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:46.779 and now I was the one in the hot seat. 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:50.199 I was the one sitting there whose wrongdoing had been pointed out. 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:52.439 I had been caught up in my sin. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:55.740 I could no longer hide from my wrongdoing. 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:57.379 I had to face the punishment. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:07:59.160 Like me, 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:02.839 the Ephesians are now being forced to the principal's office. 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:06.419 Their nature without God is being presented to them. 00:08:06.859 --> 00:08:08.779 The judge is standing before them. 00:08:08.839 --> 00:08:10.639 They have given an account of their wrongdoing, 00:08:10.799 --> 00:08:13.019 and the punishment is now being explained. 00:08:14.239 --> 00:08:15.479 And much like the Ephesians, 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:18.379 I would imagine that we too don't want to sit in the hot seat. 00:08:19.159 --> 00:08:21.759 We don't want to have to face the reality of our sin. 00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:25.199 Paul's going to detail for us in very vivid ways 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:29.239 the reality of man's condition without God the Father, 00:08:29.679 --> 00:08:32.159 without the intervention of the Father in our lives. 00:08:32.959 --> 00:08:35.819 Just as I sat that day without excuse, 00:08:36.600 --> 00:08:39.659 we too sit today with no answer, 00:08:40.079 --> 00:08:40.699 no rationale, 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:43.139 no excuse for our wrongdoing. 00:08:43.959 --> 00:08:45.579 Our state before the Father, 00:08:45.699 --> 00:08:46.459 Paul will tell us, 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.199 guilty as charged. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:49.919 And it's there. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:52.620 It's there with his sights focused on us 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:55.179 that Paul details for us this situation. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:58.500 He explains to us the depth of our sin. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:02.340 Paul recognizes three ways in which we are indicted 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:03.799 in his first few verses. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.379 Three ways in which sin has impacted 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:08.179 our standing before the Father. 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.879 The first, Paul tells us, 00:09:09.899 --> 00:09:12.120 is that we are dead in our sins. 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:14.600 Paul begins with this grim reality 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:16.519 that there's nothing that we could do 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:17.519 to save ourselves. 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:19.840 A dead man can't rise, right? 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:20.679 That's what we would say. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.179 And what were we dead? 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:23.039 Well, according to Paul, 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.839 we were dead in our sins 00:09:24.839 --> 00:09:26.099 and our transgressions, 00:09:26.339 --> 00:09:28.539 both the active and the passive 00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:30.099 disobedience of our hearts. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:33.079 Paul's intentional here to explain 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:35.219 that we were dead in both our trespasses 00:09:35.219 --> 00:09:36.239 and our sins. 00:09:37.079 --> 00:09:38.899 Trespasses would be those false steps 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:40.039 that we take in our lives. 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:43.519 Trespasses involve us crossing a known boundary 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:45.419 or deviating from a path. 00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:48.279 Our trespasses are those willful acts 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:49.179 of disobedience, 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:50.699 those ones that violate 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:53.079 what we're required to not do. 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:55.079 In our household, 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:57.259 we have a drawer that is within reach 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:58.360 of our three-year-old daughter. 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:01.500 And in this drawer are cups and plates 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:02.799 that she can access. 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:04.699 And then we also put snacks in the drawer. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:06.419 Well, we are very careful 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:08.079 to not put too many fruit snacks 00:10:08.079 --> 00:10:09.860 because that's her favorite snack. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.679 And we know if we don't regulate 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:13.059 her fruit snack intake, 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:14.620 that will be her entire diet, right? 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:17.120 So she knows that before she can get fruit snacks 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:17.799 out of her drawer, 00:10:17.799 --> 00:10:19.279 she must ask us. 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:21.379 If our daughter goes into the kitchen, 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:23.419 pulls fruit snacks out of the drawer, 00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:25.419 opens them and starts eating them, 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:27.659 she has transgressed the rules 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:29.219 that we have put in place for her. 00:10:31.479 --> 00:10:33.819 In addition to these things, 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:36.459 Paul says that we are dead in our sins, 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:38.240 not just our trespasses, 00:10:38.439 --> 00:10:39.899 but also in our sins. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.879 Sins, as Paul intends, 00:10:41.979 --> 00:10:44.259 means those ways in which we miss the mark, 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:46.620 the ways in which we fall short 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:48.679 of the standard that he has placed in our lives. 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.000 This would be the ways in which we fall short 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.440 in what we don't do, 00:10:53.799 --> 00:10:55.899 the passive disobedience of our hearts. 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:58.620 After Lila has committed the trespass 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.560 of grabbing the fruit snacks without asking, 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:03.519 she may very likely walk in 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.759 and sit in her favorite chair, 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:06.620 start enjoying her fruit snacks, 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:09.460 and totally ignore her eight-month-old brother 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:10.879 who has pinned himself 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:12.940 between three pieces of furniture, 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:14.420 which he's known to do. 00:11:14.780 --> 00:11:17.440 And he'll get cords all wrapped up in himself 00:11:17.440 --> 00:11:19.060 because he loves to play with cords. 00:11:19.160 --> 00:11:22.180 If she sits there and listens to her brother cry 00:11:22.180 --> 00:11:25.160 and doesn't go to his aid to help him out, 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:27.480 she has sinned against her brother. 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:30.720 She's sinned in not offering help. 00:11:31.160 --> 00:11:32.200 She's missed the mark, 00:11:32.300 --> 00:11:34.320 the standard that we have set for her, 00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:35.520 that God has set for her 00:11:35.520 --> 00:11:37.240 to care for those in need. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:41.980 In the fruit snack and the crying brother incident, 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:46.279 Lila has both actively and passively disobeyed. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:49.440 She's disobeyed in what she did do, 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:52.519 and she's also disobeyed in what she didn't do. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:56.340 Paul's explaining that in our human condition, 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:59.080 we are both rebels and failures. 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:01.560 We both rebel against God, 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:04.080 and we also fail to uphold the standard 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:05.860 that he has for our lives. 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:08.440 In these things, Paul tells us we're dead. 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:12.600 He'll later refer to us as alienated from the life of God. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:16.320 Without Christ, Paul says, all are dead. 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:21.500 Every one of us is a spiritual corpse before the Father. 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:25.480 But not only are we dead in our trespasses and sins, 00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.180 Paul tells us, 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:29.700 but we're also enslaved in our allegiance to the enemy. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.740 Verse two tells us that we followed the course of this world 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:37.740 and that we followed the prince of the power of the air. 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:41.740 Perhaps you remember from our opening sermon on Ephesians 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:44.799 that Paul was very concerned about making the distinction 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:47.879 between the Ephesian church existing in Ephesus, 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:50.680 but also existing with Christ in heaven. 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:54.740 We talked about how God's people had a physical dwelling in Ephesus, 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:57.080 but they had a spiritual dwelling with Christ. 00:12:57.080 --> 00:13:00.220 By recognizing our state without God 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:02.240 as walking in the course of the world, 00:13:03.520 --> 00:13:05.720 Paul is distinguishing how our spiritual state 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:08.480 did not always exist with Christ. 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:10.240 Before God intervened, 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:12.440 our allegiances, our desires, our pleasures, 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:15.560 our very will was entirely Ephesian. 00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:19.060 Our wills, our desires, our passions were worldly, 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.360 and they were secular. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:24.860 We had no reference or orientation to the truths of God. 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:27.820 The influence of the age, 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:30.440 the influence of the world was persuasive, 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:32.759 and it was prevalent in our lives. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:35.980 We were enslaved to the kingdom of the world. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:38.820 We did not belong to the kingdom of heaven. 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:42.820 Accordingly, we also followed the prince 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:44.460 of the power of the air. 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:47.539 Now, this is the one that'll make us squirm a little bit. 00:13:47.820 --> 00:13:49.200 This one makes us uncomfortable 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:50.860 because what Paul's saying is that 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:53.019 we had allegiance to the evil one, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:54.500 to Satan himself, 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:57.600 we followed the prince of the power of the air. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:00.439 Paul's language and application 00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:02.319 gets a little bit close to home 00:14:02.319 --> 00:14:05.699 because now he reorients our understanding 00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:07.419 of our condition to be one 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.419 where we followed the one 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:10.120 that we never thought we could follow. 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:13.559 You see, that's the deceptive nature of our sin 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:15.559 is that in our sinful pride 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:17.419 and our lack of self-awareness, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.779 we would never attribute our sin 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.519 as being caused by a heart 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:22.519 that's been taken over by the enemy. 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:24.759 But that's exactly what Paul was saying. 00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:27.139 You belonged to the enemy. 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:28.720 You followed Satan. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:32.379 We're sure that there's someone more sinful, 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.399 someone more evil, 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:35.559 someone more dangerous than we are. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.220 But Paul says, 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:37.039 no, your allegiances, 00:14:37.579 --> 00:14:38.819 they didn't belong to God. 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.679 They belonged to the enemy. 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:42.980 Paul's message is clear. 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:46.000 The indictment of sin is so deep 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.519 and it's so wide that you Ephesians, 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:49.779 you Southwood, 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.659 without the father, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:54.779 followed the prince of the power of the air, 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:55.980 Satan himself. 00:14:57.320 --> 00:15:00.879 As you chased after your own personal desires and wills, 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:03.919 you were fulfilling the desires of the enemy. 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.820 Oh, wow. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:09.600 Paul, as if it wasn't enough, 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.600 you're dead in your trespasses and sins. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:13.100 You followed Satan. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.620 He has more to tell us. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:17.879 He tells the readers of the text, 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:19.460 as if they haven't heard enough, 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:22.240 one final aspect of their indictment. 00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:24.340 And that is that in your sin, 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.299 you were condemned. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:27.919 In verse 3, 00:15:28.039 --> 00:15:28.820 Paul tells us that 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:30.679 we lived in the passions of our flesh. 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:34.200 We carried out the desires of our bodies and our minds 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:36.860 and were by very nature children of wrath 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:38.299 like the rest of mankind. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:41.879 Paul's actually almost giving us a sense of relief 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:42.659 as if to say, 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:44.080 don't worry about it. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.759 There wasn't much that you could do 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:47.200 about those sins and trespasses 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.500 that you were dead in 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:50.580 because you were living the way that you were 00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.759 by your very nature. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.840 You were born into sin. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:56.540 You were born as an enemy of God. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:16:00.840 Paul's indictment now sweeps throughout all time. 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:05.600 And he says that your sin is an indictment 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.660 based upon Adam, 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:10.460 based upon the fall that existed in the Garden of Eden. 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:14.660 Paul makes this idea clear in Romans chapter 5 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:17.820 when he explains how just as sin came into the world 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.740 through one man, 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.060 that is through Adam, 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.879 and death through sin, 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:23.960 so death spread to all men 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:25.460 because all sinned. 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:28.540 The condemnation of sin is a problem 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:30.759 that all of mankind now faces 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:32.700 because of Adam's fall. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:36.660 Our transgressions and sins that we were dead in 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:39.279 according to Paul are not what caused our death. 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.659 Adam's fall caused our death. 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:45.240 We are sinners not because we sinned, 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.719 but because of our very nature. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:49.959 We sin because we are sinners. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:53.399 We sin because just like all of mankind, 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.620 by our very nature, 00:16:54.939 --> 00:16:57.659 we stood as enemies to the Father. 00:16:57.659 --> 00:17:01.679 My question to you then is this. 00:17:01.819 --> 00:17:02.740 Are you comfortable there? 00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:06.599 Are you comfortable plumbing the depths of your depravity? 00:17:06.659 --> 00:17:08.639 It's what Paul wants us to do for a little bit, 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:11.659 to consider carefully the depths of our depravity. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:13.680 We could spend entire sermons 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.839 talking about these verses, 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:17.480 about the applications that they have in our lives, 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:20.980 how sin so steadily and subtly 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:23.799 creeps into all the corners of our lives. 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:27.139 Because of our very nature, 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:29.700 sin has made its way into our personal lives. 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:32.200 It's made its way into our marriages, 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.799 into our parenting, 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.099 into our work. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.220 And with the same subtlety, 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:41.379 it's manifested itself in a variety of vices, 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:44.519 obsessions, coping mechanisms, 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:48.119 insecurities, weaknesses, and flaws 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:49.940 that are lived out in our daily lives. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:55.039 And Paul details how our nature is lived out 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:56.759 as both rebels and failures. 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:59.360 He tells us that not only are we guilty, 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:02.120 but the charge against our sin is death. 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.840 And it hurts. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.779 And it pains us. 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:07.820 And if the Spirit's working in our life, 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.920 we don't want to hear anymore. 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:12.320 We can't stand the side of our sin anymore 00:18:12.320 --> 00:18:14.019 if our hearts have been changed. 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:18.420 And it's there in our moment of hurt 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:20.839 when our hearts are devastated by our sin. 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.900 In our moment of great hurt, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.980 there's healing offered by Paul. 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:29.180 The salve to our wound is offered. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.700 The bread to our empty stomach 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.460 is given in these words, 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.440 but God. 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:38.319 But God. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:40.960 With these two words, 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:45.179 Paul delivers the divine antithesis of Ephesians. 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:47.460 His entire gospel presentation 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:49.139 hinges upon these two words, 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.700 but God. 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:53.519 And we all take a collective sigh 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:55.939 because it means that our story 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:57.659 doesn't stop with our sin. 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:01.099 Our story isn't over after I fail again 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.960 and again and again. 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:05.599 The story isn't over in our broken relationships. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:08.799 The story isn't over with our struggles 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:11.359 with self-image and our desire to lose weight. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:14.039 The story isn't over with my empty friendships 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.259 that I have with alcohol, 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.419 with food, 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.319 or with my material possessions. 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:21.919 The story isn't over with my surprising, 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:24.599 hostile anger that I have towards my kids. 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:27.919 The story isn't over with my heart and my flesh 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:30.079 that so often lead me astray. 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:32.000 But God. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:37.579 But God entered into the sinful, broken state 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:39.440 that you are indicted in. 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:41.420 And what did he offer you? 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.559 Grace. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.900 He offered you grace. 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:48.539 He meets us with the gospel. 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:52.079 Paul illustrates how God reaches into the depths 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:53.019 of our depravity 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:55.099 and elevates his own glory, 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.180 his own grace, 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:58.539 by going from low into the depths 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.480 to now high, 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:02.339 describing that we are seated with Christ 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:04.660 because of God's grace. 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:09.660 Because of God's justification through his Son, 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.319 we now have hope. 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:14.220 In verses 1 through 3, 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:16.599 we were by nature a whole host of things. 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:19.759 But now Paul tells us how we've been changed. 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:22.720 Ways in which the old man is gone 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.740 and now the new man is in place 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.900 because of his great love, 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:28.880 because of his divine intervention. 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.420 We have three things. 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:32.660 First, we have life in Christ. 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:35.660 Verse 4 continues by telling us 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:37.579 that God being rich in mercy 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:40.940 because of the great love which he loved us, 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:42.779 even when we are dead in our trespasses, 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:45.519 made us alive together with Christ. 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:47.880 Do you see the logical process 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:49.039 that Paul's explaining? 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:52.140 That we who were dead in our trespasses 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:54.339 had no way of saving ourselves. 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:57.679 The only way that we would be saved or redeemed 00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:58.839 is if someone came in 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:00.139 and took what was dead 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:01.500 and made it alive. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:05.459 Paul anticipates our sinful heart's desire 00:21:05.459 --> 00:21:08.139 to even make our salvation about ourselves 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:11.119 when he tells us in verses 8 and 9 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:13.139 that salvation came from the Father, 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.379 not from our own doing. 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:17.059 It was only a gift from God. 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:20.519 A runner with an injury to their leg 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.839 can do the proper stretching, 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:24.819 can follow the doctor's orders to be healed. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.740 An overweight individual 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:29.579 can stick with a weight loss plan, 00:21:29.679 --> 00:21:30.319 can exercise, 00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.599 and they can lose weight. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.119 A high school student 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:34.240 can apply themselves 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:36.439 and be excellent undergraduate 00:21:36.439 --> 00:21:37.779 and graduate students. 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.419 But Paul understands, 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.919 and we must understand, 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.959 that there is nothing that we can do 00:21:42.959 --> 00:21:45.059 to save ourselves from this situation. 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.439 There's nothing we can do 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:48.299 to help ourselves. 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.559 Your salvation, 00:21:49.820 --> 00:21:50.620 my salvation, 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:53.259 was a product of God's great love 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.960 working in our lives. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.720 It was nothing that we did. 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.680 It was his mercy 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.680 and his mercy alone. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.759 And it's there, 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:03.420 in the midst of our broken situations, 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:05.580 the enormous messes of our lives 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.980 that God comes to us, 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:07.900 helpless, 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.880 indicted in our sin. 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.779 He takes what was dead 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.180 and he makes it alive. 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.039 There is life, 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.079 there is hope, 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.740 there is joy, 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.619 there is peace 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:19.319 because of what God did. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:22.339 He gave us life in Christ. 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:25.379 He also gives us union with Christ. 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:27.519 As God makes us alive, 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.799 he enlivens our souls, 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:30.659 he gives righteousness to us. 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.980 A part of this process, 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:32.440 as well, 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:34.099 is our union with Christ. 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.899 Look at this language 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:37.779 from the second half of our passage. 00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:39.200 It says this, 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:41.139 even when we were dead 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:42.059 in our trespasses, 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.379 that's actually not the right passage. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.279 I'm going to read it for us. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:47.339 Even when we were dead 00:22:47.339 --> 00:22:48.099 in our trespasses, 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.639 God made us alive 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.559 together with Christ. 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:52.299 By grace you have been saved 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:53.759 and raised us up with him 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:55.059 and seated us with him 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.879 in the heavenly places 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.460 in Christ Jesus. 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.359 That was the right passage. 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.659 What I want you to see 00:22:58.659 --> 00:22:59.359 is this language 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:01.720 of being together with Christ, 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.859 raised up with him. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.460 He seated us with him 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.339 in the heavenly places 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.659 in Christ Jesus. 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:11.319 We were created in Christ Jesus 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.159 for good works, 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.180 verse 10 tells us. 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:14.560 In your salvation, 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.240 your heart was not just enlivened, 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:18.440 your record was not just cleared, 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.180 but you were joined together 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.900 in an intimate connection, 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.120 an intimate relationship 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:25.200 with God the Father. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:27.740 You were united together 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:30.180 with Jesus Christ to the Father. 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.620 This relationship to Jesus 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:34.560 is a primary distinctive 00:23:34.560 --> 00:23:35.860 of our Christian faith. 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:38.160 We don't just admire 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.860 or worship Jesus 00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:41.039 as an honorable teacher, 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.719 an eminent deity, 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.939 or that we now live 00:23:44.939 --> 00:23:46.399 according to a set of standards. 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.719 Being in Christ 00:23:47.719 --> 00:23:49.779 means that we actually share 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.879 in his resurrection. 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:53.379 We have shared 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:55.039 in his ascension into heaven 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.299 and we share 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:58.159 in his place in heaven. 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.379 Through our union with Christ, 00:24:00.479 --> 00:24:01.419 we are given the credit 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:02.559 of an earthly life, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.000 ministry, and obedience. 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.399 And we have been taken 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:07.000 from death to life, 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:08.799 united to the Son. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:11.460 Through our relationship 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.059 with Christ, 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.339 though we were in captivity, 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:15.680 we were now enthroned 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:17.059 on high with him 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.879 in eternity. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:21.000 So we have life in Christ, 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:22.839 we have union with Christ, 00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:25.240 we're also given security 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.180 through Christ. 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:29.220 By grace you have been saved 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:31.159 according to verses 5 and 8. 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:34.099 The use of this word salvation 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:34.919 in these verses 00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:35.980 in the original language 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.700 is a perfect participle. 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:39.100 And what Paul has wanted 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.660 to communicate 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:41.819 is that God's saving action 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:43.220 saved you in the past 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.920 and it will forever keep you 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.519 in the future. 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.160 The life and the union 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:48.460 that you have are sealed 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:50.680 in the perfect atoning sacrifice 00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.340 of Jesus. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.100 Nothing can change 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:54.640 your standing with the Father. 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.799 You are secured in Jesus. 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:59.259 It's also important 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.019 that we remember 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:02.340 how Paul frames our state 00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:03.519 when he begins 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.720 in verses 1 and 2, 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.779 saying that you were dead 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.740 in the trespasses and sins 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:10.799 in which you once walked. 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.680 Paul's reference 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:14.420 is not to an impending judgment, 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.160 but to a way of life 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.360 and allegiance to the enemy 00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:18.740 and a hardened heart 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:21.400 that you used to be connected with. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:23.799 An identity that you used to have. 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:25.500 You don't have it anymore. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:29.039 You are now forever 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:30.779 made alive and united 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.000 by God's grace 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:34.299 to Jesus, his son. 00:25:34.879 --> 00:25:36.940 It's all been changed. 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.980 The story didn't stop 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.720 with your sin. 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.799 It extended 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:42.299 into God's extension 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.779 of grace to you. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.180 His kindness, 00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.220 his mercy 00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.539 shown to you, 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.240 not of your works, 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:50.859 but only because 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:52.019 of God's great love. 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.399 An illustration of this 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:56.000 would be as simple as this. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.960 Imagine that day 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.980 in the principal's office. 00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.779 Imagine with me again 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.920 the anxiety, 00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.799 the guilt that I was facing. 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:03.920 And then imagine 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:05.180 if my classmate Peter 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.799 walked in. 00:26:06.420 --> 00:26:08.420 Peter was one of the kindest, 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:09.519 most thoughtful, 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:11.039 most well-behaved 00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:11.620 fourth graders 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.360 you've ever met. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:14.240 He had perfect grades. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.819 He had a perfect little life. 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:17.279 All the teachers loved him. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.640 Imagine if Peter walked in 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.039 and he said, 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.039 I'll take the punishment. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:23.000 I'll assume the guilt 00:26:23.000 --> 00:26:23.860 of puddle jumping. 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.220 Mrs. Brusik, 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:27.579 I will stand in Chad's place. 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.819 Now any normal fourth grader 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:31.259 would have taken that, right? 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:31.759 They would have taken 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.360 that opportunity. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.339 They would have darted 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.920 out of the office 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.819 as soon as possible. 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.339 But Peter, 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:36.819 imagine him grabbing me 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.400 and saying no. 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.539 No, Chad, 00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:40.019 you and I are best friends now. 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.240 All the obedience, 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.559 all the good grades, 00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:43.740 all the good graces 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.360 that I'm in, 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.579 you can have them all. 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.079 All the puddles 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:47.880 you jump into, 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.900 all the rude things 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.480 you say, 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.579 all the tests 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.299 that you cheat on, 00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:51.759 you can have 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.980 my perfect record 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.980 and claim it 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.839 as your own. 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.339 It's yours. 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.460 Paul tells us 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.240 that the verdict 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.680 was cast, 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.360 that we were guilty 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.079 as charged 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:04.339 and we deserved death. 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.140 Through Christ, 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.600 by grace though, 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.700 we have been saved. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.860 All these things 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:12.140 are a gift of God. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.660 You did nothing 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.519 to save yourself. 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:16.900 Christ did it all. 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.960 He paid it all. 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.700 And why did God do it? 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.500 Verse 7 tells us, 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.779 so that we might see 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.180 the immeasurable riches 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.599 of His grace 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:27.400 and kindness 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.160 towards us. 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.460 He did it so that 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:30.380 we could see His love, 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.619 so that we could see 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.180 His kindness, 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.759 this great affection 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:35.180 that He has for us. 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.440 I'll conclude 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.900 with a few questions 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.519 of application. 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:42.500 Do you live 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.039 as someone 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:44.059 who's been saved? 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.559 Do you live 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:45.980 as someone 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:47.079 whose life 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.819 has been changed 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.880 by verses 4 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.740 through 10? 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:51.380 Do you live 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:51.819 as someone 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.660 who's been freed 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.339 from the ways 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.480 in which you once walked? 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.039 Have you felt 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.579 the freedom 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.460 from shame 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.579 from your poor decisions? 00:27:59.380 --> 00:27:59.940 Have you felt 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.420 the freedom 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.680 the gospel offers 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:03.180 people like you 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.420 and people like me 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.099 who have hurt 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.839 lots of people, 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.240 who have broken 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.839 relationships 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.920 and messy lives? 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.380 And have you 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.339 looked death 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.160 in the face 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.180 and proclaimed 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.500 victory over it 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.440 because you are 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.700 no longer dead 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:18.019 in your trespasses 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.000 and sins? 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.319 Do you live there? 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.599 Do you believe it? 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.660 And lastly, 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.500 do you see 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.140 what God 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.940 has designed you 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.460 for now? 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.240 What does verse 10 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.680 tell us? 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.779 It says that we are 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.339 now to be 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.400 His workmanship 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.799 created for 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.880 good works. 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.579 We'll discuss 00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.079 next week 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.819 the implications 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.799 of this verse. 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.359 We'll consider 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:39.480 the fundamental 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.140 understanding 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:41.000 of our good works 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.019 as it relates 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.059 to how our standing 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:44.259 has now been changed 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.180 by the Father. 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.779 We must first see 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.900 how we've been justified. 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:49.900 We are now made right. 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.640 Now that you've been 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.060 made right, 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:51.540 go. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.580 Go and be 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.460 God's workmanship 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.460 in the world. 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.620 You were created 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.519 for good works. 00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.519 You've done nothing 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.360 to earn your salvation. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.540 Don't worry about that. 00:28:59.800 --> 00:29:00.360 Now go. 00:29:01.040 --> 00:29:01.900 Go and be 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:02.759 my people. 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:04.940 We'll consider 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.500 what it means 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.540 to be a new creation, 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.320 to be God's people 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:08.920 in the world. 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.480 He has ordained 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.120 and prepared 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:11.820 for you 00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:12.460 and for me 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:13.320 to go 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:13.940 and to be 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.780 His ambassadors 00:29:14.780 --> 00:29:15.519 again. 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:16.740 Take up 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.480 your new identity. 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.639 Take it up. 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.359 Go and be 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.079 God's people. 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.240 Has the gospel 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.579 moved your heart 00:29:23.579 --> 00:29:24.160 in such a way 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.519 that you would 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.379 want to respond? 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.279 Not as a merit 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.299 of your salvation 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.359 but because 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.539 of your salvation. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.039 By grace 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.980 you have been saved, 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.799 Paul tells us. 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.539 Death to life, 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.079 slave to free, 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:37.920 from the depth 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:39.200 of your indictment 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:40.319 to the delight 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.180 of Christ's 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.079 heavenly salvation, 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.279 it has all been 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.539 offered to you. 00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:45.519 Let's pray. 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.099 Father, 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:50.599 these are 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.920 powerful truths. 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.960 They are truths 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.039 that will only 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:55.720 make sense 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.440 in our lives 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.759 if you first 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:59.079 come and change 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.680 who we are. 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.019 You must take 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:03.180 this heart of stone 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:05.000 and make it 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.059 a heart of flesh. 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.559 You must show us 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.740 not only our sin 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:09.859 but also offer us 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.680 the good news 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.539 of Jesus. 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.639 Our hearts 00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:13.440 can't take it. 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.460 If we're left 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.360 just with our sin 00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:15.799 to wrestle 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.660 just with our sin 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.460 our hearts 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:17.960 wouldn't be able 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.660 to handle it. 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.220 So Father, 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:20.980 just as Paul 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.759 tells us, 00:30:22.360 --> 00:30:24.080 you intervened 00:30:24.080 --> 00:30:25.600 but God, 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.360 but God 00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:27.000 intervened 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.880 into our lives 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:29.299 and into our stories 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:30.559 and offered us grace. 00:30:31.320 --> 00:30:31.840 Thank you 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:32.880 that we have a life 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.820 that's now changed, 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.480 that we live 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.059 with Christ, 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.019 that we are united 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.940 with Christ, 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.940 that we dwell 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.380 as your church 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:42.019 forever sealed 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.759 in your son. 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.559 Help us to apply 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.039 these truths 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.720 to our lives, 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.599 to believe them 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.220 more and more 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:48.019 every day. 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.079 Pray these things 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.059 in your heavenly son's name. 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.519 Amen. 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.400 For more information, 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.700 visit us online 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:58.000 at southwood.org. 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:59.640 visit us online 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.440 visit us online 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:02.220 kämp prom Narasen 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.099 at northwood.org. 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:03.319 melancol 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.099 by 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.539 uni 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.680 throat