But God in Great Love Quickened Us

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Ephesians 2:4-7
Psalters: 127, 180, 309, 297
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
  1. What God did.
    1. We who were dead in sins and under wrath God quickened, i.e., made alive.
      1. We who were spiritually dead in sin (incapable to doing any good) are now made spiritually alive.
      2. We are regenerated so a new life is implanted into us (Gal. 2:20), with a new governing disposition in our souls.
    2. And we are “raised up.”
      1. God had to raise us up with Christ because God can no longer hold us under in His condemning wrath. Jesus paid it all.
      2. Our old man was crucified with Christ and we were raised with Him unto newness of life.
    3. And we are made “sit … in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
      1. This new life introduced us (earthly humans) into the realm of the kingdom of heaven where God shows His presence.
      2. Now we are citizens of that kingdom, made pilgrims and strangers here, no long under the prince of the power of the air.
  2.  The basis for these realities.
    1. First, it is because of the God-made union of the elect with Jesus Christ.
    2. Second, it is because of God’s rich mercy.
    3. Third, it is because of God’s great love, from which nothing can separate us.
    4. Fourth, it is because of the exceeding riches of His grace toward us in Christ Jesus.
  3. The purpose for God’s graciously making us alive in Christ is to show/display God and His grace.
    1. God will show to all future ages Himself and His glory.
    2. God will show, so we can see and know Him as the perfect good and the fountain of all good.