Ephesians 2:4–7
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace You have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Focused Thinking:
The words “But God” demand worship.
In light of my refl ections and responses to verses 1–3 in yesterday’s priority time these words are even more overwhelming.
I could not save myself from trespasses and sins, but God did.
I could not save myself from selfishness, but God did.
I could not save myself from hopelessness, but God did.
I could not save myself from unhappiness, but God did.
God is rich in mercy: “not giving me what I deserve.“
The wages of sin is separation and I deserve separation because I’m a sinner.
The wages of sin is death and I deserve death because I’m a sinner.
Yet, I didn’t receive separation and death; I received mercy.
Why doesn’t God give me what I deserve?
4…because of His great love with which He loved us,
- He loves us too much to give us what we deserve.
- He loves us too much not to pay the penalty for our sin.
- He loves us too much not to give us the opportunity to receive mercy.
What is the significance of the phrase, “even when we were dead in our
transgressions”?
- God loves us when we are unlovely.
- God loves us when we are unworthy.
- God loves us when we are undeserving.
God loves us based upon who He is, not based upon who we are.
How did God go beyond mercy?
5…made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
God gave us both mercy and grace.
- Mercy is not receiving what I do deserve.
- Grace is receiving what I do not deserve.
God saved us from our sin.
- Christ paid the penalty for our sin.
- Christ became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Co 5:21).
- Christ defeated sin and death forever through His resurrection.
- Christ raised us up with Him.
- Christ seated us with Him in the heavenly places.
Why?
7 …so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
The heart of God toward us is beyond our comprehension.
- His heart is rich in mercy.
4 …because of His love with which He loved us.
- His heart surpasses riches in grace.
5 …made us alive together with Christ.
6 …raised us up with Him.
6 …seated us with Him in the heavenly places.
Personal Application:
Wow! How dare I think my life is my life?
- My life is not my life.
- My life is selfish without His life.
- My life is hopeless without His life.
- My life is unhappy without His life.
- My time is not my time.
- My money is not my money.
- My agenda is not my agenda.
- I must quit trying to combine agendas.
Colossians 3:2–4
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Jesus must be the focus of my life.
Interactive Prayer:
prayed privately
Life Journaling:
First and foremost, this passage demands confession, repentance and worship. I had to stop everything and get on my knees before the Lord. Revelation always demands a response, but today I was confronted with the mercy, grace and holiness of God in such a way that I needed to be undone before the Lord (see Is 6:1–8).
Today, I learned some scary truths behind my rushed prayer life. I fast forward through my prayer because the burden is so overwhelming, and I don’t like carrying the burden. I walked away from my prayer time weary and exhausted because of the sins of our people and the needs of our people. I felt like I tapped into God’s heart for our people and felt what He feels. I prayed for specific people in specific ways. I realized how rushed I am in life. I can’t be this busy and be the type of pastor God calls me to be. I need more time to devote myself to prayer and the ministry of the Word (Ac 6:4).
What did I see in prayer today? I saw that programs are necessary but that the church will never truly be the church apart from learning, loving, living and praying the Word. This is an intense spiritual battle that can’t be won by deciding whether we are going to have Sunday School or Small Groups. We must disciple and develop men and women of God. We must raise up godly men and women so that “Christ in us is the hope of glory” (Co 1:27).
What is to God’s definition of success instead of man’s definition of success? It is found in Joshua 1:8–9,
8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go
There are no short-cuts to success. We must become people of the Word and prayer. Programs don’t change people; God uses people to change people. I must redesign and re-prioritize my focus and time to be the pastor this church needs in order for this church to fulfi ll her God-given potential and purpose.
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