Sunday January 25, 2026

Sermon Title: From Death to Life

Series Big Idea: God unites and transforms believers in Christ’s Church 

Sermon Big Idea: In His amazing grace, love, mercy, and kindness, God gave us spiritual life in Christ

Scripture: (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Introduction: 

Everyone loves a good “before and after” story, and Ephesians 2:1–10 delivers the greatest transformation story of all, moving us from utter hopelessness to glorious new life in Christ. Paul’s purpose is to help us fully appreciate the depths of our former condition so we will truly treasure the new identity and hope God has given us.

Dead in Sin (2:1–3): 

Paul paints a bleak “before” picture: apart from Christ, we were spiritually dead, enslaved to the world, the devil, and our own desires, totally unable to help ourselves. Our condition was hopeless and we were under God’s just wrath and in desperate need of saving. 

Alive in Christ (2:4–7): 

Paul reveals the miraculous “after." Through God’s rich mercy and great love, He intervened and made us alive together with Christ. This spiritual resurrection means we now share in Christ’s victory and are destined to display the immeasurable riches of His grace for all eternity. 

Purposed for Good Works (2:8–10): 

Salvation is entirely a gift of God’s grace, received through faith and never earned by works, so that all boasting is excluded. As God’s masterpiece, each believer is newly created in Christ and called to walk in the good works God has prepared in advance.

Conclusion: 

We were helpless and dead in our sins, but God mercifully made us alive in Christ and graciously seats us with Him all because of His kindness, not our effort. Now, as His workmanship, our lives are transformed to reflect His grace to the world through the good works He has designed for us.

Ephesians 2:1-10 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Snodgrass, Klyne. Ephesians. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.

Vaughan, Curtis. Ephesians. Founders Study Guide Commentary. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002.

Cole, Steven J. Ephesians. Steven J. Cole Commentary Series. Dallas: Galaxie Software, 2017.

Hoehner, Harold W., Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Vol. 16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.

Osborne, Grant R. Ephesians: Verse by Verse. Osborne New Testament Commentaries. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.

Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Ephesians. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

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