Lesson Scope: Ephesians 2 Lesson 2 8 February, 2015 God's Workmanship the Church Lesson Focus After writing about God's design for the church in Ephesians 1, Paul went on to deal with the way this is worked out in the lives of men. Beginning with a description of man's condition outside of Christ, Paul showed how God in His love and mercy performed the work of salvation. The previous lesson dealt with God's plan and design for the church. In this lesson we are looking at what God did to deliver man from his sinful state and change him by His power into a new creature. We call this process salvation. While salvation is a work that only God can perform, be sure to point out that man must do his part to receive salvation. Those who claim that one needs only to believe to be saved fail to understand that good works are a product or a fruit of salvation. God provided the means for man's redemption the blood of Christ. Through this work the children of wrath can be made new creatures in Christ Jesus. By God's grace both Jew and Gentile can partake of this provision and be built into a holy temple. The position to which all believers are predestinated is the adoption of sons. The purpose of redemption is "that we should be to the praise of his glory." In the Old Testament era God had worked primarily with the Jewish people. After Pentecost, the Gentiles were given access to God on equal terms with the Jews. Both needed to be "quickened" by the power of God, to be delivered from sin, and to be "created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10). Both are saved by grace. Both are products of God's workmanship. All men are "by nature the children of wrath," but God has provided salvation through His mercy and grace. Those who reach out to Him by faith are quickened to a new life of obedience to Christ and "are made nigh by the blood of Christ." 1
Lesson Aim: To discover principles related to salvation "by grace... through faith." Theme Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Lesson Text "Dead... in Sins" Ephesians 2:1-3 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. "Quickened... With Christ" Ephesians 2:4-12 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: "Builded Together" Ephesians 2:13-22 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who 2
hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Questions for Study "Dead... in Sins" 1. What forces control all men outside of Christ? 2. How would you describe man's sinful nature? "Quickened... With Christ" 3. What motivated God to quicken man? 4. What products of salvation do you find in these verses? 5. How does the gift of salvation exclude boasting? 6. What is the purpose of good works in God's plan? "Builded Together" 7. What issues necessitate reconciliation? 8. How is the church like a building? Analyzing the Passage The word quickened (Ephesians 2:1, 5) means to make alive. That clearly is God's work. Only God can give or restore life. The words walk (Ephesians 2:2,10) and conversation (Ephesians 2:3) refer to one's conduct or manner of life. Through God's work a change is brought about in the lives of those in whom God's grace is received by faith. It is clear that good works are the fruit God expects to see in the lives of those He saves. The world, Satan (Ephesians 2:2), and the flesh (Ephesians 2:3) control 3
the lives of unregenerate men, bringing bondage and spiritual death. But God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, raises up the believer with Him. This new life that God gives the believer makes good works possible (Ephesians 2:10). (What is a dead man able to do?) The church God intended became possible through the grace of God. In the church, God has put on display what He is able to do with a hopeless, wretched sinner. This transformation of Godlike magnitude is a wonder to which nothing else compares. Paul contrasted the past state of the Gentiles, as hopeless outsiders (2:11, 12), with their inclusion in the household of God (Ephesians 2:19-22). The peace spoken of (Ephesians 2:14-15, 17) has become the experience of both Jew and Gentile because both had been estranged from God. Though the Jew was nigh and the Gentile far off, reconciliation and peace with God came to both groups through the blood of Christ. Principles and Applications "Dead in... Sins" 1. Salvation brings new life to those whom death had claimed Ephesians (2:1). All men by nature follow the course that leads to spiritual death. But God was not willing to leave man in such a condition. His great love motivated a plan to save men. That was accomplished through Christ, whose blood resolved the sin problem and whose resurrection restores life to those who receive it by faith. 2. The world, the flesh, and the devil constitute a threefold force to keep men in bondage (Ephesians 2:2-3). This bondage holds men captive, unable to free themselves. These three enemies are more powerful than man and can only be overcome by the One who is stronger than they. We thank God that He is stronger and that He is willing to use His power for our deliverance. "Quickened... With Christ" 3. God provided salvation through the richness of His mercy and the greatness of His love (Ephesians 2:4). God was under no obligation to extend mercy, but His great love motivated Him to save us. From Israel's earliest history to the Church Age, God has proclaimed Himself a God of mercy. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only be- 4
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). 4. Salvation produces newness of life, unity, and spiritual fellowship with other believers (Ephesians 2:5-6). These three results of salvation forma package of benefits. Each person is equally in need of salvation. The means of salvation is the same for all. This equality forms the basis for unity in Christ. We are all in Christ together. Raised up together, we sit together in heavenly places. 5. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). The salvation that was made available by God's grace is provisionally accessible to all men. However, only those who place their faith in Christ experience this work in full reality. 6. The salvation experience is God's workmanship producing a new creation in Christ (Ephesians 2:10). No amount of good works can compensate for past sins or move God to forgive them. God alone can forgive sins through Christ's sacrifice of Himself on the cross. Being made free from the forces that had held him in bondage to sin and being empowered through new life within, man can produce good works as God intended. 7. Salvation finds hopeless, godless aliens and strangers and makes them a part of God's family (Ephesians 2:12-15). The wall that kept the Gentiles on the outside was removed at the time of Christ's death on the cross. After that was accomplished, the Gentiles had a new opportunity to be included with the Jews in God's family. In Christ, Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, bond and free are blended into one body. These differences no longer separate them from God or from each other in the church. "Builded Together" 8. Salvation effects reconciliation with God (Ephesians 2:16). Since Christ's death on the cross, no longer is there a remembrance made of sins every year on the Day of Atonement. No longer does the veil hang in the temple to show that sinful man does not have direct access to God. Christ's death on the cross parted the veil and gave all men access to God. 9. The message of salvation is a message of peace (Ephesians 2:17). Jesus is "the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end" (Isaiah 9:7). "He is our peace" 5
(Ephesians 2:14). The word our includes Jews and Gentiles together. When both groups obtain peace with God, they are brought together into peace with each other. 10. Salvation gives access to God (Ephesians 2:18). The veil symbolized separation from God. The rent veil symbolized access to God. With his sins removed and his conscience purged, man can come directly to God without the mediatory work of the priests. The Holy Spirit works within the believer rather than the spirit (Ephesians 2:2) that had worked in them when they were children of disobedience. 11. Salvation allows one to be a part of the temple dwelling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22). As cleansed vessels, we become a suitable habitation of God. God dwells in believers individually and in the church collectively. "Ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (2 Corinthians 6:16). Important Teachings 1. Salvation brings new life to those whom death had claimed (Ephesians 2:1). 2. The world, the flesh, and the devil constitute a threefold force to keep men in bondage (Ephesians 2:2-3). 3. God provided salvation through the richness of His mercy and the greatness of His love (Ephesians 2:4). 4. Salvation produces newness of life, unity, and spiritual fellowship with other believers (Ephesians 2:5-6). 5. Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). 6. The salvation experience is God's workmanship producing a new creation in Christ (Ephesians 2:10). 7. Salvation finds hopeless, godless aliens and strangers and makes them a part of God's family (Ephesians 2:12-15). 8. Salvation effects reconciliation with God (Ephesians 2:16). 9. The message of salvation is a message of peace (Ephesians 2:17). 10. Salvation gives access to God (Ephesians 2:18). 11. Salvation allows one to be a part of the temple dwelling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22). 6
Summarizing the Lesson What kind of work is God doing? To answer that question and to observe God's workmanship, we need only to observe the church. There we find men and women who were hopeless, lost sinners but are now transformed by God's power. They have become lively stones in a holy temple, a place where God can dwell. God took ruined men and restored them to something beautiful. He makes them what He intended for them to be when He first created them. Answers to Questions 1. What forces control all men outside of Christ? The world with its enticements and appeal controls men. The devil and his agents tempt men to do wrong, bringing them into bondage to sin. The flesh with its lusts and desires holds sway over men who do not have God to deliver them. 2. How would you describe man's sinful nature? Man's nature tends to do what is easy or natural. It prefers to take its own way rather than God's way. It readily listens to Satan's offer of an easier way. It loves the world that can be seen and disregards the realities of God and the unseen spirit world. 3. What motivated God to quicken man? God's love moved Him to provide a remedy for man's fallen condition and to quicken man. He is merciful by nature. His holiness, however, required that sin must be judged and the sinner must die for his sin. Therefore God acted to provide a remedy for sin. This enabled Him to show mercy to man and to give him eternal life. 4. What products of salvation do you find in these verses? The products of salvation include newness of life, unity with Christ, and fellowship with other believers. God intended that man produce good works in his new walk of life. 5. How does the gift of salvation exclude boasting? Since man is unable to save himself, he can claim no credit for salvation. God alone can save man. To Him belongs all the glory. If salvation could be bought or earned, some men would have reason to boast. 6. What is the purpose of good works in God's plan? God desires those whom He saves to produce good works and to walk 7
according to His will. Good works cannot save us, but after we are saved by God's grace, good works become possible and are, in fact, expected. Good works glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). 7. What issues necessitate reconciliation? Every sin committed by man is a sin against God. All violations of God's law make one guilty before God. Trespasses against one's fellow men are also wrongs against God. Therefore reconciliation with God is necessary. 8. How is the church like a building? The church, like a building, needs a solid foundation. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone around which all the other stones are placed. The apostles and prophets form the base of the building, upon which later believers are added. God is the builder. The church is holy and as such is a suitable dwelling place for God. Research Guide 1. Read the account of Saul's conversion in Acts 9, and note the change it brought to his life. 2. Read Romans 3, which emphasizes the place of faith in man's salvation. 8