The unsearchable riches of Christ

But God…, Pt2

Scripture: Eph 2:4-7.

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt24

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III. GOD’S SALVATION CAME TO US THROUGH CHRIST.

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:5-6.

Please note that Paul speaks in the past tense. Hath quickened; hath raised. This is our present position and possession. Remember 1:18-20. Paul would have them know that this is what they have, where they are. The phrase by grace ye are saved means literally, by grace ye have been saved.

1. God’s grace is conveyed to us through Jesus Christ. You know nothing of God’s grace until you are united to Christ. Woman with issue of blood, Mark 5:25-29; the dead and the bones of Elisha, 2 Kings 13:21.

2. Every Christian has a real and vital union with Christ. We were joined to Christ in the covenant of grace before the worlds began but there came a time when experimentally, I was brought into union with Christ and was made spiritually alive.  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit, 1 Cor 6:17; But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom 8:9. This uion is represented under different analogies, planted, Rom 6:5; “glued, cemented” 1 Cor 6:6:17; partnership, Hebs 3:14.

3. As the branch partakes of the life of the trunk, even so we are partakers of Christ’s life. John 15:5. We live off Christ. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20. If you are not united to Christ the life then you are dead in your sins.

“But God” 

Scripture: Eph 2:4-7.

Stream or download The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt23

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Having considered the lost estate in which we as sinners were born, Paul takes us on to consider the change God wrought and how it was God delivered us from such a dreadful condition. The Christian has had a spiritual resurrection.

I. The author of man’s salvation is God.
“But God.”

1. Can we ever emphasis this truth sufficiently? It is the chief of errors for man to believe that he is the author of his own redemption. (Article on salvation – RC Church).
Chief for it was the first manifestation of man’s sinfulness, Genesis 4:3, the labour of man’s hand brought as a sacrifice. Chief for it is to this error man every reverts. Chief for it is universal.

2. This error is the greatest hindrance to conversion. As long as man feels that he controls this matter he will not heed God’s warnings and exhortations.

3. This error is the last to be overcome in the sinner’s heart. This sin keeps the sinner hard and unbowed. It must be overcome before there is a bending of the knee before Christ.

This man must learn before he can be saved.

II. SALVATION SPRINGS FROM GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE.
If it is not of man then it must be of God and that unmerited and undeserved.

1. Love is the foundation of God’s plan of salvation. Love is the fountain, the spring of all that God undertook to do for His elect. John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; Titus 3:4.

2. He graciously undertook the work of redemption. Out of His love sprang His free unmerited plan of deliverance, verses 5, 8.

3. His rich mercy in Christ was the result. His benevolent action toward the sinner sprang from His love and grace. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Titus 3:5.

The Christian’s Past, Pt2

Scripture: Eph 2:1-3

Stream or download The unsearchable riches of Christ, Pt22

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II. IT WAS A STATE OF SLAVERY.
1. In the company of sinners. Verses 2-3. Among whom etc. Notice the words “we all.” Two companies of people in this world. “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them,” Acts 4:23. Psalm 1:1-2.
2. In the course of this world. We lived according to the ways of the age we were in. We follow the crowd. “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind,” verse 3.
3. In the control of Satan. Verse 2. This is an alarming and sinister truth. The devil rules the hearts of men. He is the “prince of this world,” John 14:30. He is the “god of this world,” 2 Cors 4:4. “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1 John 5:19. The picture is of an infant cradled in the arms. So sinners lie contented in the arms of the “wicked one.” How willingly sinners follow Satan’s devices and deceits to the damnation of their souls.

III. IT WAS A STATE OF CONDEMNATION
Being “children of disobedience” we became “children of wrath.”
1. Note that we are by nature children of wrath. The phrase means “by birth.” We were born sinners  under the wrath of God. This is the result of Adam’s transgression. We have inherited his sinful nature and the condemnation under which his fall brought all his posterity.
2. A right understanding of this truth we cause the sinner to see their need of Christ. Christ is not an accessory without which we can get along very successfully. No, being under God’s wrath we need a Redeemer Who can deliver us from that wrath.
3. It explains why Christ suffered at the cross. He endured what His people deserved to endure. The sufferings of Christ were more than that which was visible to man. He bore the wrath of God for His people.

Reject Him and you will bear that wrath throughout eternity.