THE GREAT INTERVENTION – Ephesians 2:1-10
There is a popular television show on A&E called “Intervention.” The program deals
with the struggles faced by people bound by various forms of addiction, and the efforts
of family and friends to free them from their hopeless condition. However, the greatest
of all interventions occurred nearly 2,000 years ago at Calvary. There, Christ intervened
on behalf of hopeless sinners! My hope is that this message will remind us that God’s
intervention is ongoing, and that regardless of our weaknesses (addictions), there is
deliverance in His name!
Consider first mankind’s addicted state (v.1-3). ”Addiction”: Compulsive need for and use of a
habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined
physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to
be harmful. Spiritually
speaking, apart from Christ, we are addicts – habitual practitioners
of sin, suffering physiological symptoms of withdrawal physically and mentally. Where
there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 As
spiritual addicts of sin, we deceive ourselves into thinking no revelation of God is
freedom! But in fact, it is bondage, making us, by nature, children of wrath!
Paul reminds us we were like the walking dead (v.1), because by nature, sin produces
“death.” Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth
death. James 1:15 Death, because sin separates us from God, and apart from God there is
no life! God breathed into Adam and he became a living being (Genesis 2:7). God
commanded Adam, “Of every tree of the garden you may eat, but the tree of knowledge of good and evil
you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16, 17. As we know, Adam
and Eve rebelled, being deceived by the serpent. Sin entered the world, and they
spiritually died! Thus, their spiritual DNA has been handed down to us. …for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Separated from the life of God, we became
zombies, living only for the flesh, without everlasting hope, in the world!
(v.3) We walked (lived) according to the “course” of this world, conducting ourselves
according to the lusts of the flesh and the desires of our mind. The fruit which we
produced apart from God was detrimental to our souls. (ttt) Galatians 5:16-26. By
“nature,” we were destined for the justifiable wrath of God!
But God intervened! (v.4) “BUT GOD!” This grammatical conjunction placed before
“God” has changed everything! One definition for “conjunction” is “a situation in
which two or more things happen at the same time or in the same place.” In the
beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on
the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be
At the same place and time, when a world without
form, full of darkness, and void, encountered God, a miracle took place, and light was
created! A new creation took place! When you come upon an intersection where you
find broken glass and scattered car parts, you can safely assume an accident
(something bad) has taken place. But when Christ intersects with the void of human
existence, you can safely assume a miracle – something beautiful – has taken place!
light"; and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3
At the cross, sin collided (intersected) with grace, and something miraculous
happened, because of God’s “rich” mercy and “great love!” When the dark and
formless condition of our lives that separate from God due to sin intersect with grace,
life happens! (v.5). In Christ, we have been made “alive,” according to God’s
unmerited grace! His divine intervention has set us free from death! For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Thus, Paul reminds the church of two glorious benefits we have in Christ, according
to grace (v.6). 1) We have been raised with Christ. We are raised from the “dead,” and
are now “alive” in Him. 2) We are seated with Christ. He “made us sit together”: to be
seated in company with, united in Christ, that collectively we might share his honors.
Paul’s statement here also implies we are already seated with Christ. In other words,
God, who knows the end from the beginning, according to Christ’s victory, considers
you to be already home, complete in Christ! …and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all
principality and power. Colossians 2:10
(v.7) Throughout the ages, we are a testament (witness) to the world of just how rich
the grace of God is! The world is drawn to Christ as it considers the type of hopeless
individuals He has salvaged from the dung heap of human despair! We are living
epistles (letters) of His “kindness!” (v.8, 9). We cannot save ourselves. Who can say, "I have
made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?" Proverbs 20:9 Evangelist and founder of the Moody
Institute, D.L. Moody, once described grace this way:
“The thief had nails through both hands, so that he could not
work; and a nail through each foot, so that he could not run
errands for the Lord; he could not lift hand or foot toward his
salvation, and yet Christ offered him the gift of God; and he took
it.”
Have you received God’s free gift?
APPLICATION: (v.10). Notice: “We” (not “me”) are His “workmanship” – the Greek
word poiema (poy'-ay-mah) means “a product, i.e. fabric (literally or figuratively).” (New
Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance). Although our lives may be a mess, it’s good to know we
are His “messes” – His workmanship! God skillfully interweaves every aspect of our
lives and that of His church together for our good and His glory! (Romans 8:28).
Notice: The purpose for which God weaves us is “good works” which glorify Him! In
“good works” we glorify Him! “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 When it’s about my life only – my little strand in
the tapestry of God – the glory of God is diminished in my life, and the life of the
church. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:39 He
has prepared works beforehand. The Greek word for “beforehand” means “to fit up in
advance” (New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance). God has customized a certain work for you
to do! His task is revealed, as we focus on our primary work! Then they said to Him, "What
shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God,
that you believe in Him whom He sent." John 6:28-29 Believe in
Him; let Him intervene as the Lord
of your life, and He will direct you toward the task He has prepared for you, daily!
CONCLUSION: Will you let God intervene in your life today?