Mt. Carmel Church
March 9 evening worship
  • Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NASB) Preacher: Michael Woodard – Mt. Carmel Church

    "The Transformation of Grace"

    Have you ever seen one of those before-and-after transformations? Maybe it was someone who lost 100 pounds, and now they look completely different. Or maybe you’ve seen an old, run-down house get remodeled into something brand new. When we see that kind of transformation, we think, “Wow! That’s incredible!”
    Well, today, I want to tell you about the greatest before-and-after story ever written. It’s the story of how God took us from death to life.
    Ephesians 2:1-10 is a passage that lays it out plain and simple:
    Without Christ, we were spiritually dead (v. 1).
    But because of His mercy and love, He made us alive in Christ (v. 4-5).
    And now, we are His workmanship—created to live out the purpose He designed for us (v. 10).
    If you’ve been saved, this passage is your story. If you haven’t, then today is the day God wants to rewrite your story.
    Let’s break this down and see how God moves us from death to life.
    Without Christ, We Were Spiritually Dead.
    Because of Christ, We Are Made Alive.
    In Christ, We Have a New Purpose.

    1. Without Christ, We Were Spiritually Dead (Ephesians 2:1-3)

    Explanation:

    Paul starts off with a brutal truth—without Christ, we weren’t just lost… we were dead.
    "And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world…" (Ephesians 2:1-2)
    Now, let’s get something straight—this isn’t saying we were physically dead. We were alive, breathing, making decisions. But spiritually? We were corpses.
    Dead people can’t respond to anything.
    Dead people can’t revive themselves.
    Dead people can’t change their condition.
    That was us—separated from God, under the influence of the world, the devil, and our own sinful desires.

    Argument:

    Some people think sin is just a bad habit or a mistake they can fix. But sin isn’t a sickness—it’s spiritual death.
    Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
    Romans 3:23 NASB95
    for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
    Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death…
    Romans 6:23 NASB95
    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    You weren’t just in trouble—you were doomed. You weren’t just struggling—you were spiritually lifeless.

    Illustration (True Story):

    In 2010, a group of 33 Chilean miners were trapped underground for 69 days after a mine collapsed. There was no way out. They had no power to rescue themselves. They were as good as dead. If someone from the outside didn’t come down and save them, they were lost.
    That’s exactly how we were—trapped in sin, powerless to save ourselves. But thank God, the story doesn’t stop there!

    Application:

    Are you still trying to fix yourself without Jesus? Are you trying to be a “good person” instead of realizing you need rescue? The first step to salvation is realizing you were dead—but Jesus gives life.
    Life Principle: Without Christ, we weren’t bad—we were dead. And dead people need a Savior.

    2. Because of Christ, We Are Made Alive (Ephesians 2:4-7)

    Explanation:

    Verse 4 changes everything. It starts with two of the greatest words in the Bible:
    "But God…"
    Paul just finished saying we were dead in sin, under the devil’s rule, hopeless. But then he says:
    "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ." (Ephesians 2:4-5)
    It wasn’t because we deserved it. It wasn’t because we were good. It wasn’t because we earned it.
    It was because of His mercy and His love.

    Argument:

    There was nothing we could do to save ourselves—salvation is God’s work, from start to finish.
    Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
    Romans 5:8 NASB95
    But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
    Titus 3:5 – He saved us, not on the basis of deeds we did, but according to His mercy.
    Titus 3:5 NASB95
    He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
    If salvation were based on our effort, we’d still be dead. But God stepped in and did what we could never do.

    Illustration (True Story):

    Remember those 33 Chilean miners? They couldn’t dig themselves out. But one day, a rescue capsule was lowered down. A lifeline came from above. The miners had a choice: stay underground and die, or step into the rescue capsule and be saved.
    That’s exactly what Jesus did for us. He came down from heaven, entered into our mess, and provided the only way out.

    Application:

    Have you stepped into the rescue of Jesus Christ? You can’t save yourself—but you can trust the One who already did.
    Life Principle: Salvation is not about what you do—it’s about what Christ has already done.

    3. In Christ, We Have a New Purpose (Ephesians 2:8-10)

    Explanation:

    Paul makes it clear in verses 8-9 that salvation is a gift:
    "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
    But now, Paul tells us why God saved us:
    "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
    That means God didn’t just save you FROM something—He saved you FOR something.

    Argument:

    You were saved by grace—but now you’re called to walk in good works.
    You are God’s workmanship—that means He designed you for a purpose.
    Your salvation wasn’t just about getting into heaven—it was about bringing heaven to earth.

    Illustration (True Story):

    In 2016, NFL player Trent Shelton was cut from his team. He thought his life was over. But after surrendering to Christ, he realized his purpose was bigger than football. He started a ministry to help young men find their worth in Jesus.
    His identity wasn’t in sports—it was in God’s purpose for him.

    Application:

    Are you living out the purpose God designed for you? God didn’t just save you to sit in a pew—He saved you to make an impact.
    Life Principle: You weren’t just saved FROM something—you were saved FOR something.

    "Living the Resurrection Life"

    Without Christ, we were dead.
    Because of Christ, we are alive.
    In Christ, we have a purpose.

    Final Challenge:

    Have you realized that you can’t save yourself?
    Have you truly stepped into Christ’s rescue?
    Are you living out your new identity in Christ?
    Closing Prayer: Lord, thank You for bringing us from death to life. Help us trust in Your grace, walk in faith, and live out the purpose You created us for. In Jesus' name, Amen.

      • Ephesians 2:1–3PSSNTRNSLTNSNGS

      • Romans 3:23PSSNTRNSLTNSNGS

      • Romans 6:23PSSNTRNSLTNSNGS

      • Ephesians 2:4–7PSSNTRNSLTNSNGS

      • Romans 5:8PSSNTRNSLTNSNGS

      • Titus 3:5PSSNTRNSLTNSNGS

      • Ephesians 2:8–10PSSNTRNSLTNSNGS

Mt. Carmel Church
woodardmichael2@gmail.com
3347236728
https://mcumc-i.faithlifesites.com
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