Understanding the Will of God – Part 2

Ephesians 2:1-10

Scripture Reference

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Introduction

Title: Understanding the Will of God – Part 2
Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu

We continue in our eight-part series on “Understanding the Will of God” by examining Ephesians chapter two. Dr. LeQuieu grounds this message in the immutable plan of God. In Ephesians 2 the Spirit of God unfolds four complementary perspectives that explain where God has placed believers: our past state of guilt, our present state of grace, our permanent state of glory, and the perplexed state of the lost. This sermon explains these truths plainly so young adults and all church members can see both deep doctrine and practical application. The goal is to grow faithful, biblically informed Christians who pursue the Lord’s will daily.

I get you. I get you. Don’t worry. There you go. This one done. You to make it. All right. Grab your Bibles, if you would. Ephesians, chapter number two. Thank God it’s under the blood. Amen.

Quote from Preacher

The preacher opens with a practical and heartening exhortation: “Grab your Bibles, if you would. Ephesians, chapter number two. Thank God it’s under the blood. Amen.” This reminds us immediately that every spiritual blessing and every assurance in the Christian life comes through Christ’s shed blood — the foundation of our salvation and God’s dealings with His people.

Outline

Past State of Guilt
1. Condition: Dead in trespasses and sins
  Before conversion our spirits were dead. We had no spiritual life or offer to present to God. Spiritually dead means unable to respond to God apart from His quickening work (Eph. 2:1,5).
2. Conduct: Devilish course
  The natural pattern of life was “according to the course of this world” and “according to the prince of the power of the air” (the devil). This explains the pervasive influence of sin and how unbelievers live in habitual disobedience (Eph. 2:2).
3. Character: Children of wrath
  Our nature before salvation was hostile to God; we fulfilled the lusts of the flesh and mind. Dr. LeQuieu emphasizes that sin often begins in the mind—thought precedes act—so guarding the eye-gates and mind is crucial (Eph. 2:3).
4. Circumstance: Degradation and despair
  Sin destroys relationships, futures, and dignity. The unsaved live without the hope and family that God provides — a spiritual bankruptcy that often appears as depression, conflict, and futility (Eph. 2:3; 2:11-12).
Present State of Grace
1. Turning point: But God
  The phrase “but God” signals the divine intervention. When God acts, the whole trajectory changes. This is the hinge of redemption in the passage (Eph. 2:4).
2. Rich in mercy: Enrichment
  God is “rich in mercy” and pours spiritual riches into believers—mercy, grace, love, peace, and the fruit of the Spirit. These are not self-generated but come from the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (Eph. 2:4-5).
3. Restored and quickened
  To be quickened is to receive new life in Christ. Restoration is God rebuilding what sin destroyed; He gives us a living relationship with Himself (Eph. 2:5).
4. Raised up and seated
  God not only makes us alive but elevates our position “in Christ Jesus”—we are raised and seated with Him in heavenly places. The Christian life includes elevation by God as we humbly submit (Eph. 2:6).
5. Resting in the Lord
  Alongside service, the believer’s life is a life of rest in Christ—resting in the Victor rather than our victories. God sometimes slows us so our service is God-centered, not self-centered (Eph. 2:6).
Permanent State of Glory
1. God’s purpose: The ages to come
  God’s eternal purpose is to display the exceeding riches of His grace through believers — a glory visible in heaven that points back to Christ’s sacrificial work (Eph. 2:7).
2. God’s plan: Salvation by grace through faith
  Salvation is entirely of grace; faith itself is a gift from God—not of works—so no one can boast. This humbles the sinner and glorifies the Savior (Eph. 2:8-9).
3. God’s process: Workmanship and sanctification
  Believers are God’s workmanship—being molded for good works. Sanctifying grace is a process: God invests, shapes, and remakes us to be useful for His purposes (Eph. 2:10).
4. God’s promise: Predetermined good works
  God has ordained paths of service and sanctification for each believer. We are to walk in the good works He prepared—growth is expected and enabled by God (Eph. 2:10).
5. Practical reminder
  “God has spent your whole life getting you to where you are today.” Let this encourage humble gratitude and perseverance. The Christian life is a steady molding, not instant perfection.
Perplexed State of the Gentiles (The Lost)
1. Sevenfold state of despair
  Verses 11–13 catalog the lost condition: no fondness, no family, no fellow-citizenship, no friends, no future, no Father, no fellowship. This is spiritual destitution and explains the aimless, often destructive culture of the lost (Eph. 2:11–12).
2. Sevenfold state of deliverance
  Verses 13–22 reverse that list by what Christ accomplished: new fellowship by blood; a broken wall and new father; a reconciled body and new future; access by one Spirit and new friends; fellow citizens and a household of God; fitly framed together; a holy dwelling for God by the Spirit (Eph. 2:13–22).
3. Unity and mission
  Christ’s cross removes every barrier—race, ritual, or social status—so the church becomes a united family and a visible testimony of God’s purpose. The Spirit binds believers together and gives access to the Father, empowering witness and service (Eph. 2:14–18).
4. Corporate reality
  We are built together upon apostles and prophets with Christ the chief cornerstone. The church is not a random assembly but a divinely fitted building where God dwells by His Spirit (Eph. 2:19–22).

Summary

Ephesians 2 paints a panoramic picture of God’s will for believers: He rescues the spiritually dead, enriches and restores us by grace, elevates us to a new position in Christ, and prepares us for eternal display of His mercy. Salvation is wholly by God’s grace; faith itself is a gift. The saved are a new people—united, positioned, and purposed for good works God prepared. The lost live in sevenfold despair; Christ’s cross provides sevenfold deliverance. The will of God includes both an eternal plan (what He intends) and a progressive process (how He forms us).

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved;)

Quote to Ponder

Dr. LeQuieu reminds us of the hinge of our hope: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved;).” Meditate on those words this week: the change begins and is sustained entirely by Him.

Application for the Week

Make these practical, actionable steps part of your daily walk this week. Each step is rooted in Ephesians 2 and intended to help you obey the Lord’s will where you are right now.

Daily remember “But God”
Begin each day by acknowledging the gospel truth: your hope and status come from God’s intervention. Start your morning prayer: thank God that He quickened you and seated you in Christ.
Guard your mind
Dr. LeQuieu stressed that sin often begins in the mind. For seven days, practice a simple rule: if it shouldn’t be on a Christian’s mind, shut it off. Replace one unhealthy media habit with Scripture reading or worship music for 20 minutes each evening.
Practice humility to be raised
Humble yourself before the Lord in a specific way: serve someone anonymously this week—mow a lawn, write an encouraging note, help a fellow student—yielding your will to God’s service so He can exalt you in due season (James 4:10; Prov. 3:34).
Identify one “good work” and begin it
Ask the Lord to show you one practical good work He has prepared for you (Eph. 2:10). Start it this week—even a first small step counts. Commit to follow-up and bring a short accountability report to a mature believer.
Engage your church family
We are built together. Attend one midweek or small-group meeting this week, introduce yourself to someone you don’t know, and choose one person to pray for and encourage. Let the Spirit bind you to fellow saints.
Share the gospel with one person
Remember the sevenfold despair of the lost. Pray for one non-Christian and share the gospel clearly—tell them you are a sinner saved by grace and point them to Christ’s blood. Keep it simple, biblical, and loving.
Memorize Ephesians 2:8–9
Hide this passage in your heart this week: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Use it to answer the lie of self-righteousness or despair.

Prayer suggestion for the week: “Lord, thank You for quickening me by Your grace. Teach me to guard my mind, humble my heart, and walk in the good works You have prepared. Make me a faithful witness to those living in despair. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”