Part of Foundations for Followers

January 22, 2023

PASCALS WAGER

In Christ or in the World?

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. —Ephesians 2:1-3

What was it like when you were living in sin?
I was my own moral guide
Alone
Hopeless
I pursued my own selfish pleasure
I was not committed
I was exhausted/tired
I was in bondage to sin (could not stop)
I was full of excuses

4 BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alivetogether with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. —Ephesians 2:4-10

Salvation is from God

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:2023

The death of Jesus covers our sin

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, —Ephesians 1:74 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father —Galatians 1:4

Salvation gives us purpose

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. —Ephesians 2:10

What’s it like now that you’re saved?
I don’t have worry
I have an anchor
I experience peace
I can trust
I receive God’s Love
I have an identity
I walk in humility
I know I’m forgiven
I have freedom

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. —Acts 2:37-3913 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory —Ephesians 1:13-14

Takeaway: Let God Save You From Your Sin