Book of Ephesians (Chapter 2)

II. THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN BELIEVER, 2:1-22

A. The Believer's Life Before Conversion: Life Without Christ, 2:1-3

1) A life of death (v.1a)

2) A life of trespasses and sins (v.1b-2)
a. Walking after the course of the world (v.2a)
b. Walking under the devil's power (v.2b)
c. Walking in disobedience (v.2c)

3) A life spent with the disobedient of the world (v.3a-b)
a. Spent in lusts of flesh (v.3a)
b. Spent fulfilling one's own desires—of the flesh and of the mind (v.3b)

4) A life under God's wrath (v.3c)

B. The Believer's Conversion (Part I): The Work of God's Mercy, 2:4-7

1) God has quickened us with Christ (v.4-5)
a. Why: Because His very nature is mercy and love (v.4)
b. When: While we were dead in sins (v.5a)
c. How: By quickening us together with Christ (v.5b)

2) God has raised us up with Christ (v.6a)

3) God has made us sit in heavenly places—in Christ (v.6b)

4) God had one great purpose: To show us the riches of His grace—in the ages to come (v.7)

C. The Believer's Conversion (Part II): The Work of God's Grace—Salvation, 2:8-10
1) You are saved (v.8-9)
a. By God's Grace (v.8a)
b. Through faith (v.8b)
c. Not of yourself (v.8c)
d. As a gift of God, not of works (v.9a)
e. Reason: So you cannot boast (v.9b)

2) You are God's workmanship (v.10)
a. Created in Christ Jesus (v.10a)
b. Created to do good works (v.10b)

D. Remember What Life is Like Since Christ Came: Reconciliation and Peace, 2:11-18
1) We were far off and separated from God (v.11-12)
a. We were barricaded from God: Were Gentiles and uncircumcised (v.11)
b. We were without Christ (v.12a)
c. We were aliens from God's people (Israel) (v.12b)
d. We were strangers from God's covenant and promises (v.12c)
e. We were without hope and without God (v.12d)

2) Christ brings us near to God (v.13)

3) Christ brings us peace (v.14-15)
a. He made all men as one (v.14a)
b. He broke down all barriers (v.14b)
c. He wiped out all rules (v.15a)
d. He creates a "new man" (v.15b)

4) Christ brings us reconciliation (v.16-17)
a. By the cross (v.16)
b. By the preaching of peace (v.17)

5) Christ gives us access to God (v.18)

E. Remember Who You Are: Six Pictures of the Church, 2:19-22
1. Picture 1: A new nation (v.19a)
2. Picture 2: God's family (v.19b)
3. Picture 3: God's building (v.20)
4. Picture 4: A growing organism (v.21a)
5. Picture 5: A world-wide temple—the universal church (v.21b)
6. Picture 6: A local temple—-the local church (v.22)