Title: “But God...”
Text: Ephesians 2.1-7
Intro: We must keep in mind the backdrop for this letter. Paul is writing to a church that has experienced intense opposition to the gospel. Acts 19 records the never-to-be-forgotten event when for two hours an unruly mob gathered in the theater and chanted “Great is Artemis (the Greek name for the goddess Diana) of the Ephesians.” The stadium was the size of a modern-day sports stadium and given such antagonism, the small Ephesian church was tempted to fear and pessimism. What did their future hold? Could their faith prevail? Absolutely! In the previous chapter, Paul encouraged them with new eyes to see the power of God that is at work in all who believe. Our Savior reigns in the heavenly realms over every authority and power. But not only that, we who believe are the body of the exalted Lord whose Spirit and life fills us. Now, Paul explains more specifically how the Ephesians came to experience this power. God gave a historical demonstration of his power by raising Christ from the dead and exalting him over the powers of evil. But he has given an intensely personal demonstration of it by raising and exalting us with Christ thereby delivering us from the bondage of death and evil! John Stott says, “Paul plumbs the depths of pessimism about man and then rises to the heights of optimism about God. It is this combination of pessimism and optimism, of despair and faith, which constitutes the refreshing realism of the Bible.” Here we have a vivid contrast between what every child of God is by nature and what we have become by grace. Paul’s two words, “but God” constitute two of the most hopeful and joyful words in the entire Bible! Let’s examine the contrast.
