For us to have access to Jesus, we have to declare that we are in a state of emergency. Things are worse than what we can handle and we don’t have the resources to handle it. We need help. While this is true, like Adam and Eve before us, we still try to fix what is wrong with us. Something deep within us wants to boast and take credit for our part in the solution. We must understand the full Gospel. Our works destroyed us. Jesus’ work saved us. We are now His workmanship to go do the good works He prepared for us in advance. So, in essence, salvation is about works…it’s just not my work.

Suggestions for Studying Ephesians During the Series:

1. Read daily passages along with NLT or ESV study Bible.
2. Read the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.
3. Listen to the whole book in one sitting once a week for the remainder of the series.

Click here to read or listen to the book of Ephesians.

Scripture References

Ephesians 2:1-10
Genesis 2:15-17
Genesis 3:4-7

In Which Category Do You Find Yourself:

-Aware that you are a sinner, full of sin, and you cannot get to God on your own?
-Living in denial of your sin, trying to make yourself feel good about where you are and convince other people that you have it all together?
-A moral person feeling self-sufficient and not in need of God—someone whose heart is far from God and who is unaware of the sin that is within them?

Three Aspects of Our Fallenness

1. We used to live like the rest of the world so we must be careful to stay engaged in the Word because our culture speaks with one voice.
2. We obeyed the devil. There is something personal about evil. It has a father, a creator, and an originator.
3. We followed the passionate desires of our sinful nature. There is a part of evil that is internal for us.

Thoughts to Consider

-Without vulnerability and exposing our sin and brokenness, we don’t have access to the work Christ wants to do and the power that He has to move in our lives.
-Jesus loves you at your worst. When we carry the guilt and weight of our past sin it can seem like a humble thing to do, but it is actually arrogant.
-Self-righteousness that comes with living a morally right life can result in self-sufficiency—thinking you don’t need any other righteousness other than what you already have.
-True Christians are doing good works. Doing the work because you are grateful for what you already have, not trying to obtain something by your own doing.
-Our work was getting lost in our sin. His work was redeeming us. Now He gives us work to do that He wants to do through us.