Alive Together With Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10

Just as the Easter Weekend moves us from death (Good Friday) to life (Easter Sunday), so too God has brought every Christian from spiritual death into spiritual life.   The resurrection of Jesus Christ is far more than a historical fact – it is the basis for our hope!

I.Bad News – Death (vv. 1-3)

1. Easter Weekend Begins with Death
   1. The hardest day for Jesus (Matthew 26:36-46; Hebrews 12:2)
   2. The hardest day for the Disciples
      1. Denial – they would not accept Jesus’ predictions about His coming death (Matthew 16:21-28, 17:22-23, 20:17-19)
      2. Discouragement – they scattered from Jesus in fear (Matthew 26:56)
      3. Disillusionment – they assumed that Jesus was not the Messiah (Luke 24:21)
2. Human Life Begins in a State of Spiritual Death
   1. We were dead in our sins (vv. 1-3)
      1. Following the way of the world
      2. Following the way of the devil
      3. Following the way of our flesh
   2. We were all under God’s wrath because of our sin (v. 4)
   3. “The unbeliever is not sick, he is dead! He does not need resuscitation; he needs resurrection.” – Warren Wiersbe

Application:   Although we are physically alive from the moment of birth, the Bible tells us the grim truth that we are spiritually dead.   Although God created humanity to be in a relationship with Him, sin has separated us from our holy and loving Creator. Apart from a miracle of resurrection we would remain forever under the wrath of God.

II. Good News – Resurrection (vv. 4-5; 8-9)

1. Easter Weekend Ends with New Life!
   1. A victorious day for Jesus – Satan’s plotting backfires (Genesis 3:15; Acts 2:22-24)
   2. A joyful day for the Disciples (Matt 28:8-10)
2. Christ’s Resurrection -> our Resurrection!
   1. God makes us alive together with Christ
      1. There is no spiritual life available apart from Jesus Christ – He is the only way to know God (John 14:6)
      2. We do not give ourselves life – God makes us alive through His Spirit (regeneration)
   2. God is motivated by His own mercy and love
   3. Salvation (new spiritual life) comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
      1. Grace – God’s unmerited favour (a gift)
      2. Faith – Our response of trusting in Christ rather than in our own good works

Application:  If God’s Spirit is calling you out of the tomb this morning, respond to His sovereign and gracious initiative by exercising faith in Jesus Christ

III. Even Better News – Exaltation (vv. 6-10)

1. God did not leave us standing in the graveyard!
   1. We have been raised with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places!
   2. We have a mission to accomplish as part of God’s new creation (v.10)
   3. Our destiny is to reign forever with Christ in His Kingdom with our resurrected bodies!
2. The ultimate purpose of Easter is to magnify the grace and kindness and glory of our God