Ephesians 2:2 (NKJV) 1. As a result of spiritual death, mankind began to walk opposite of the ways that God had intended. a. It didn’t happen all at once; it was a step-by-step departure. 2. “Course” is defined as “a mode of action or behavior.” 3. The prince of the power of the air is still subtle like he was in the garden. a. Protecting your will is rejecting God’s will. Ephesians 2:3 (NKJV) 1. Ephesians 2:3, is saying to fulfill the “will” of the flesh. Is walking as a child of wrath. a. There is NO good thing in the flesh (Romans 7:18) b. Never leave your destiny in the hands of your appetite. Romans 6:16-17(NKIV) 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. 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. 3. Our dependency on Christ becomes our victory in life. 1 John 4:17 (NKJV) a. Being as He is starts with boldness. b. We can and should do the same works that Jesus does. John 14:12 (NLT) Ephesians 2:7 (NKJV) 1. God’s purpose in salvation was to show us the exceeding riches of His grace and kindness toward us. **Ephesians 2:8 ** 1. The word “saved” means much more than forgiveness of sins; it includes healing, prosperity, and deliverance in every area of our lives. a. In Ephesians 2:8, the Greek word that was translated “saved” is in the perfect tense; this means that something was done and completed in the past yet continues to have present results. b. God’s grace has already provided all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), and our faith reaches out to God and receives the benefits (Romans 5:2). 2. We are not saved by grace alone. We are saved by grace through faith. 3. God is a good God. a. God’s grace is the same toward everyone. Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” b. Therefore, “all men” (mankind) have had salvation provided for them (1 John 2:2) and extended toward them by God’s grace, but not all are saved. c. Why? Because not all people have mixed faith with what God has done for them by grace. Application 1. Pray the Prayers in Ephesians (Ephesians 1:17-23) and (Ephesians 3:14-21) 2. Protect God’s will not your own. a. Don’t limit God’s will to my understanding (Proverbs 3:5) 3. Realize my obedience, is my allegiance (Romans 6:16-17) 4. Let boldness open the door to “as He is” (Ephesians 3:12, 1John 4:17) 5. Use your faith ticket to get in the grace show. a. Keep hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17)