Alive with Christ

5th Sermon in the Series: Who is the Church? A Study of Ephesians
Dr. Timothy Keller - 30 October 2011

Ephesians 2:1-10
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trangressions---it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God---9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• Being sinful is to be enslaved by something.


• 2Timothy3 speaks of material things we cling to


• Self-centeredness is human nature.


• Martin Luther - Human heart uses everything to serve oneself.


• Do I help others for my sake or for their sake? Do I just do it to feel good about myself or look good in front of others?


• Everything is a gift from God.


• Boasting-We are all looking for something to face life---some kind of validation for ourselves.


• Anger vs Contentment--Am I always annoyed about something? If I am, then I don't see life as a gift from God


• Disdain vs Acceptance--Do I look down on others? Am I too proud of my accomplishments?


• Can I forgive? Do I keep grudges when I'm wronged because I feel superior. I shouldn't lose sleep over people that snub me.


• Only God should be at the center of our lives.


• Look at Christ's selflessness


• We should boast through him - Galatians 6:14