Death to Life Sermon

DEATH TO LIFE

My name is Parker, I’m the Pastor here at Pinewood Church.

We’re glad you’re here. I hope you were able to meet some new people, grab a cup of coffee, and dropped your kids off with our amazing Pinewood Kids programming. C’mon parents, I know y’all are loving that. It’s ok. I’m with ya. We have four of our own. If you didn’t get a chance to meet somebody new then I hope you stay after and linger and get connected here at Pinewood.

No matter how you came in, (Slow down) we have a life giving message of hope for you today.

Intro: There’s a myth about Jesus that a lot of people believe, that Jesus was sent to make bad people good. Or to make good people better. I want to tell you why that’s not true.

Big Idea: God did not send His Son to make bad people good, He sent His Son to raise the dead to life. (Saying it slow and twice)

Passage: We’re going to be looking at how the dead can come to life found in the New Testament book of Ephesians chapter 2. NLT

All the Scripture will be on the screen so you can follow along easily.

Story: Have you ever been dead tired?

• Going on a run, marathon, endurance race, or something where you just barely finished because you were just dead tired…

  • When I landed in Boulder and tried to run up Sanitas.
  • Just a few minutes in I could NOT BREATHE!
  • And just when you think you’re hitting the top, there’s another top! Right?! It keeps going!
  • When you reach the top you’re hanging on the pole, trying to catch that selfie, but your hands shaking too bad. :)
  • The point of the story: is that some of you are living this way in your spiritual life. You are dead tired. You have been working so hard, yet feel exhausted, tired, and maybe even ready to give up.
  • Why are we dead tired spiritually? The problem is sin.

Main Points:

1. The Problem Is Sin (V1-2)

   1. “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” - Ephesians 2:1-2

      1. I recognize that this message can come across very offensive. Even as I read that “Dead”, it’s not “weak” or “Struggling”, but “dead in our sins.”. Dead? Doesn’t that seem a little harsh? You say, here I am trying to do everything I can to save my marriage, everything I can to restore my relationship with my kids, everything I can to be a good parent, everything I can to make up for the person I was in the past. I’m working 50, 60, 70 hours a week. I’m trying to live a moral life. But nothing seems to be working.
      2. Does that sound like anyone here today? (Long pause) Are you trying to pull yourself up and finding more questions than answers.
      3. Can I suggest today that this is where sin leaves us. It leaves us tired, frustrated, full of guilt and shame, with little confidence or hope for the future. This is what spiritual death looks and feels like. And it describes all of us when we were “dead in our many sins.”
      4. Sin is the problem.
      5. Maybe you showing up today was you making a last ditch effort to pull yourself out of whatever situation you are in.
         2. You’re not alone. When I say sin is the problem, I’m saying sin is our problem.
      6. Nobody in here would say they are perfect. Nobody would say that you need to get to my level.
      7. Pinewood is a community where everyone is welcome because nobody is perfect, but that anything is possible in the name of Jesus.
         3. Now what? We’re all sinners. This is a problem we all have.

2. The Result Is Death (V3)

   1. “All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” - Ephesians 2:3
   2. And if you look at verse 5 it says we’re “dead because of our sins”
   3. Romans 6:23 says the “wages (penalty or result) of our sin is death.”
   4. There’s that word death again!
   5. The dead cannot resurrect themselves. So then what do we do?

   6. Illust: Bring back the myth at the beginning:

      1. So many people have had that experience in church where they are trying to be a better person and finally you just say “I’m done with this…”
      2. And you know what… Jesus is done with this as well.
      3. That was never his purpose for your life! That is never His purpose for His church!
      4. This is why people walk away from religion. It’s exhausting, full of guilt and shame. This is not the Gospel!
      5. The problem is sin, and the result of our sin is death, but there is hope! (Get excited)

3. The Promise Is Life (V4-5)

   1. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
   2. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10
   3. When there was nothing left to do, Christ did everything on our behalf (BIG PAUSE)
   4. When I think of Jesus going to the cross, you have this scene where Jesus is standing on a platform with Pilate and Barabbas.
   5. Pilate was governor of Judea and Barabbas was a prisoner, murderer, insurrectionist, and thug.
   6. There was a Passover custom in Jerusalem that allowed or required Pilate to release one prisoner's death sentence by popular demand, and the crowd was given a choice of whether to have either Barabbas or Jesus released from Roman custody. The crowd chose Barabbas to be released and Jesus of Nazareth to be crucified. They shouted “Give us Barabbas!”

   7. Story: I am Barabbas

      1. I find myself on the platform with Pilate and Jesus…
      2. Barabbas may have thought that it was the people that set him free, but it was LOVE. The love of the Father.
      3. Barabbas? This horrible man is released while the perfect Son of God endures the cross? As I think of this story I can hear God say “I love Barabbas.” But Jesus, he’s a bad man… “I love Barabbas.”
      4. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬
      5. As the keys unlock my chains and I’m being released from my prison, I shout “I deserve this! I did this to myself!” What did Jesus do but heal people, serve the needy, care for the hurting, love the sinners. AND I’M BEING SET FREE?!
      6. Jesus looked back at me and He whispers “Go live your life!”... “I’ll take your shame, I’ll take your condemnation, I’ll take your sins, GO. You’re free!!!” But Jesus, I deserve these chains, that’s my cross, that’s my shame….. “Go Son!”
      7. Maybe some of you sitting here are thinking “I got saved by grace but now I’m in this deep dark place of bondage, and I better work hard to get myself out.” What!? That’s the opposite of the gospel. (Building) Are you bound? Are you held under the power of temptation or sin? Do you feel like it’s controlling you? What are you gonna do? “I’m gonna set myself free.” (Big) Stop it! No you won’t! You’re no match for the powers of hell and the chains of sin. You will not overcome it, you will never overcome it on your own! You’ll never save yourself. Your own goodness, your own merit, your own righteousness will not save your marriage, your kids, or take away your guilt or shame. There’s only One! He’s the One who took your place! (Pause)(Say quietly) His name is Jesus! (Pause again).
      8. Jesus is enough.
      9. He went to the cross and took our punishment. Took our shame, guilt, and penalty.

*Silence and Reflection

Invitation:

1. SAY YES TO JESUS TODAY (V8-10)

   1. God did not send His Son to make bad people good, He sent His Son to raise the dead to life.

      1. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9

         2. It all goes back to the resurrection.

      2. “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” - Romans 10:9-10

      3. Without the resurrection death still reigns victorious, but Jesus defeated death, defeated sin, so that you might have life!

         3. Defeated sin and death

      4. “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

         4. Today is the day of salvation

      5. “For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” - 2 Corinthians 6:2

         5. New creation

      6. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Death Was Arrested (Song)

Released from my chains I'm a prisoner no more

My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore

He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend

When death was arrested and my life began

Pray: