Ephesians 2:1-10 - Homiletics

Spiritual history of Ephesians.

I. THE CHAOS , or original state.

1. It is a state of death , implying previous life, but present insensibility and helplessness. The element of death is "trespasses and sins "—their killing power.

2. Yet a state of unholy activity ,

3. A state of unholy indulgence ; seeking the fulfillment

4. A state of condemnation ; "by nature," by our very constitution, we are children of wrath. And this true of all.

II. THE DAWN . "But." Force of contrast. "The darkest hour precedes the dawn."

1. God ' s work . God says, "Let there be light, and there is light."

(a) his mercy;

(b) his love.

2. Results of God ' s interposition .

3. Purpose of God in this process—to "show the exceeding riches of his grace."

III. THE NEW CREATION , or salvation by grace.

1. The great change . "Ye are saved."

2. How effected .

3. Relation of salvation to works .

4. Grandeur of this work . Creation was grand; new creation is grander. To bring a world out of nothing was great; to restore a world from chaos is greater. At the first creation, God saw all that he had made, and it was good. At the new creation, he experiences even a deeper emotion of joy. Imperfection of the new creation in this life in human souls. Let us seek that in us it may become continually more complete and more glorious. It is not that we are called to work, but rather to allow God to work—to have all within us open and unobstructed for the full and free exercise of God's almighty renewing power.