Ephesians 2:1 (NKJV) 1. He was saying that we have been raised from the dead, too, and we share in all of Christ’s victory and authority. Ephesians 2:2 (NKJV) 1. As a result of spiritual death, mankind began to walk opposite of the ways that God had intended. 2. “Course” is defined as “a mode of action or behavior.” a. The sin nature is bondage, In the same way that this bondage to sin was universal, our resurrection with Christ and victory over sin is universal for all who believe. b. It’s a mistake to identify with our old sin nature and not identify with our new righteous nature. 3. Many unbelievers think they’re making their own decisions, the truth is **the prince of the power of the air is in control ** a. Protecting your will is rejecting God’s will Ephesians 2:3 (NKJV) 1. We were slaves to sin, or the desires of our flesh. Those who don’t know the liberating power of Jesus are still slaves to sin ( Romans 6:16-17 ). ** a.** Paul was saying that before salvation, all of us had a natural disposition to sin. ** b.** It’s not the individual acts of sin that makes up a sinner. It’s the very nature of sin that causes the individual acts of sin 2. Salvation is not a matter of stopping sin. Even if we had the ability to never commit a sin again, that still wouldn’t change our nature. a. That’s why we must be born again, we need to become new creations Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV) Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) **Ephesians 2:4 (NKJV) ** 1. God loves us. Therefore, accepting salvation is accepting God’s love. Ephesians 2:5 (NKJV) 1. This is an amazing, unconditional act of love performed by God in Christ. a. This didn’t happen after we had straightened up our lives, but while we were dead in sins, we were raised in Christ. (Commentary on Eph 2:4-5 by Don Krow) ”Even when we were spiritually dead because of our sins, God’s forbearance was working on our behalf. He was tolerant, patient and kind towards us. God abounded in excessive proportion with good will, compassion, and desire to help us. His disposition was kind, compassionate, and forgiving in His treatment of us. He wanted in abundant supply to alleviate our distress and bring relief from our sins. He did this by giving us life in place of death. It was with Christ that this salvation was secured. By grace, kindness, and favor we are saved. All of this was the result of God’s extremely large degree of love wherewith He loved us, always seeking the welfare and betterment of us. God likes us” 2. We were given life through Christ when we were dead in our sins. Not when we got it all right Ephesians 2:6 (NKJV) 1. We were raised up, we didn’t raise ourselves up 2. The word “together” is describing our union with Christ a. That union happens because of Love, Mercy and Grace b. Notice this is something that has already happened; the finished work of the cross is finished! 3. Our victory in life is dependent on our dependency on Christ and not on ourselves. 4. To be raised up together with Christ and made to sit together “in heavenly places” not only indicates our location but also our position of authority. ** a.** We can and should do the same works that Jesus does John 14:12 (NLT) Application 1 Pray the Prayers in Ephesians (Ephesians 1:17-23) and ( Ephesians 3:14-21) 2 Don’t be your own person be God’s person 3 Realize my obedience to, is my allegiance to (Romans 6:16-17) 4 Ask for help, ask for a clean heart or a cleaner heart 5 Stop trying to live for Christ, let Him live through you