The unsearchable riches of Christ

The Christian’s Past

Scripture: Eph 2:1-3

Stream or download The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt21

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The first word of the chapter reminds us of the link between what was said in the previous verses. There were no chapter divisions in the original letter of Paul, do remember that. Paul had been speaking of his prayer for the Ephesians that they might understand more fully the greatness of the power that had brought about their conversion, even the power that had raised Christ from the grave. That same power had raised them from death — spiritual death.

These first three verses reveal the spiritual state of the Ephesians before conversion. It is the spiritual state of us all. Here is a very important doctrine. Our eternal salvation depends upon our receiving of this truth.

I. IT WAS A STATE OF SIN.

1. The double term refers to sin within and without. “Trespasses and sins.” This is a reference both to the root and the fruit of sin within us. We trespass because of the sinful nature that we have. There are trespasses in our lives because there is sin in our hearts.

2. The degree of our sinfulness. How spiritual diseased are we? There is no life — we are dead in sins. Three deaths in New Testament illustrate this doctrine. Luke 8:51-55; Luke 7:12; John 11:39-44. All were dead but there was a differing degrees of corruption. All men are equally dead in sin but some more subject to its corruption than others.

3. Sin within produces death without. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death, James 1:15. The death within brings forth the harvest of death in our lives. The human heart can only bring forth this fruit. That is why we need a new heart, Ezekiel 36:26. We are the children of disobedience, verse 2. Disobedience marks our every action.

After Conversion . . . . What Then? Pt 7.

Scripture: Eph 1:15-23.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt20

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II. THE POWER AT WORK IN THE BELIEVER IS THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD

1. It is the same in its essence. The power by which Christ was raised from the grave is the very same power at work in you, Christian. Rom 6:4, 8:11; Eph 2:6; Col 2:12, raised with Him.

2. It is the same in its purpose.  Eph 1:20-23; 2:6.

3. The same in its invincibility. All things are under his feet. So our victory is assured.

III. THE ANALOGY PAUL USES CONFIRMS THIS ASSURANCE
The Church is Christ’s body. He is our Head..

1. Each believer is intimately and indissolubly linked to Christ. It is a glorious unity. We spring from Him, John 15:5.

2. Each believer is under His headship. He is the source of our life, our energy.

3. Each believer has access to the fulness of Christ. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all, verse 23. We are all partakers of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:4.

4. What is true of Christ is true of us. Where the ark went so did Noah. So it is with us and our “Ark.” Eph 2:6. We are where He is. A right view of this will give us victory in prayer and in life.

After Conversion . . . . What Then? Pt 6.

Scripture: Eph 1:15-23.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt19

How appropriate it is that we find ourselves studying these words on the day that marks the rising of Christ from the dead.

We began our consideration of the last petition of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians on the last occasions I was with you, two weeks ago. We considered the fact that we are sadly ignorant of the power that God exercises on behalf of His people in order to bring about their redemption. Paul is praying that the Ephesians may become more enlightened regarding this glorious topic. May God be pleased to open our eyes also.

I. OUR FAITH IN CHRIST IS THE RESULT OF THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to (in consequence of) the working of his mighty power, verse 19. See verses 5, 7, 9, 11.

1. Believing in Christ is not the simple matter men say it is. Martin Luther commented on the passage, Col 1:12-13, in the following words. “Faith is no easy matter. . . . Neither is it a mere human work, which I can perform for myself, but it is a divine power in the heart, by which we are new born, and whereby we are able to overcome the mighty power of the devil and death.”
By believing it is an easy matter, men striving against the Holy Spirit, Who would bring them to faith and repentance, believing that they can of themselves work this miracle.

2. This must work humility and praise in Christians. Modern theology tends to rob God of His glory by speaking of “our decision.” It is born out of an ignorance of man’s spiritual condition, 2:1, and of what is involved in regeneration. Regeneration is resurrection. It cannot be wrought by man’s own power., Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil, Jer 13:23.

3. The continuing exercise of faith is wrought of God. When we consider what opposes the believer —his own sinful nature, an unbelieving, sneering world, the power of the arch enemy who exists only to defy and destroy His people — then our continuance in faith must be of God alone, Eph 3:20; 1 Peter 1:3-5. It is God’s power from beginning to the end, Hebs 13:20-21.