Ephesians - the gospel

In Ephesians 2, Paul addresses the historical and cultural division between Jews and Gentiles. ​​In the Old Testament, God had placed Israel at the center of the Gentile nations as a light to those outside the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 10; Genesis 12:1–3; Isaiah 42:6). To this point in history, Jews and Gentiles had lived separately. Jewish people considered the Gentiles outside the covenant and beyond saving, while the Gentiles resented these assertions of damnation. Jesus, through Paul, reveals the sinfulness of both Jew and Gentile and offers the gift of salvation to both. Only through Jesus Christ can both be reconciled as sons and daughters of God. 

He opens Ephesians 2 by reminding us without Christ, all of us—Jew and Gentile alike—were dead in sin and deserving of wrath. Yet, outside salvation and a relationship with Christ, we serve our flesh and follow the ways of the world. Instead of following God’s law, we follow the world, the flesh, and the devil (1 John 2:15-17). We tell God what we want to do instead of surrendering to his will and allowing Him to lead us. 

  • Many think people are inherently good, contrary to what Scripture teaches us. How would you counter that argument so you can lead them to faith in Christ?

  • Pastor Christian said, “We tell God no so we can say yes to ourselves.” What is the outcome of such a choice?

  • Why is it so important to step outside our Christian bubble? How does our core value OUTWARD FOCUSED demonstrate the importance of engagement with the world?

  • “Being a follower of Christ does not make you better than anyone else, but being a follower of Christ makes you better off than anyone else.” What’s the difference?

After reminding us we were dead in our sins and lost, Paul pivots to bring us hope through the gospel. God loved us so profoundly while we were dead in our sins that He sent Jesus to die, taking the full wrath of God for our sins so that we might be raised to life in Him. 

Through Christ, we are:

  • Alive with Christ

  • Raised with Christ

  • Seated with Christ

Not only does God save us from wrath, but He also saves us to life. We are saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). We could never do enough good to earn our salvation. Sin separates us from God, and Scripture is clear that all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23).

  • Discuss pastor Christian’s analogy of salvation and Christmas presents.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We don’t do good work and are welcomed into God’s presence. Instead, He does the work after we come to faith in Christ. He does the work in us - not ourselves - so others may see His work in us and draw them to Himself.  

  • What does the equation “Us + Jesus = God’s masterpiece” mean?

Make a move: 

What is the work God  has called you to do? Share the gospel with a friend? A stranger? A coworker? Perhaps God is calling you to lead an eGroup, start serving on Sunday mornings, or on one of Expectation Church’s outreach teams. Maybe God wants you to coach Little League baseball or volunteer at your child’s school, sponsor a child through an organization like Compassion International or use your talent in the kitchen to bless your neighbors. Ask God to reveal the work He has called you to do and then boldly embrace it.

Prayer Prompt: 

Father, we thank you for the gift of salvation through the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the gospel and the new life it brings. Thank you for taking what was dead in sin ad miraculously raising it to life in You. Give me the boldness and opportunity to share the Good News with at least one person this week so that they too can find hope in You. Amen