RUINED SINNERS RECLAIMED

Ephesians 2:4–10

Introduction

The gospel is the greatest news in history. It is the announcement that ruined sinners—dead in trespasses and sins—have been reclaimed by the mercy, love, and grace of God. In Ephesians 2:4–10, Paul takes us from the graveyard of sin to the heavenly places in Christ. Let’s walk through this life-giving passage together.

His Love (vv. 4–6)

Everything begins with two words: “But God.”

Paul has just told us that we were dead in sin, walking according to the world, the devil, and the flesh (Eph. 2:1–3). By nature, we were children of wrath, deserving judgment. Yet the story takes a seismic shift:

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

What should have followed was our destruction—but instead, we see mercy and love. Not just mercy, but rich mercy. Not just love, but great love.

The phrase “But God” is the gospel in two words. It is God’s intervention, His breaking into our hopeless condition with divine compassion. Our coffin of sin is shattered by His abundant love.

This is not sentiment but power. To be “made alive with Christ” is the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead (Eph. 1:19–20). The gospel is not a self-improvement program; it is God Himself moving toward us in love, bringing the dead to life.

As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said:“These two words, in and of themselves, contain the whole of the gospel.”

We who were enemies, under wrath, are now alive in Christ because of God’s mercy and love.

His Grace (vv. 5b–9)

Paul then interrupts himself with an urgent reminder: “By grace you have been saved.”

Why do Christians love the word grace so much? Because grace means that there is no cause in us for why God acted as He did. Grace is God’s kindness shown to those who deserve the opposite.

• We were dead, but grace raised us with Christ.

• We were condemned, but grace seated us in heavenly places.

• We were children of wrath, but grace made us children of God.

Grace is not an abstract idea—it is God Himself drawing near in Christ. To experience grace is to experience divine with-ness. Grace means God did not abandon us but instead brought us into eternal fellowship with Him.

Paul says the purpose of this grace is “so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (v. 7).

We are not just forgiven—we are God’s trophies of grace for all eternity! The universe will look at us and see living demonstrations of God’s mercy and kindness.

This is why grace is so amazing—and also why it can be so disruptive. Grace dismantles our false identities—whether built on low self-esteem or pride—and rebuilds us in Christ.

Grace is like a surgeon’s scalpel. At first, the cut hurts. But it is the only way to remove the poison inside. Grace may feel violent, but it is God’s healing work in us.

• Grace humbles the proud.

• Grace lifts the broken.

• Grace tears down self-pity and arrogance.

• Grace rebuilds us in Christ.

Paul drives the point home:

“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.”

Salvation is a gift. You cannot earn it, buy it, or bargain for it. You can only receive it. And once you do, boasting is over—because it is all of God.

But do not mistake grace for weakness. Grace cost God everything. On the cross, the wrath we deserved was poured out on Jesus so that grace might flow to us. Mercy and judgment converged at Calvary. The Son of God was forsaken, that children of wrath might become children of mercy.

This is why grace changes everything. It breaks the shackles of sin and destroys the old identity shaped by guilt, pride, or despair. Grace is the divine surgeon’s knife—if it hasn’t cut you, it hasn’t saved you.

Conclusion

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the story of ruined sinners reclaimed.

• Once dead, now alive.

• Once condemned, now forgiven.

• Once children of wrath, now children of God.

All of this because of His rich mercy, His great love, and His amazing grace.

Church, may we feel the weight of this grace today. May we let it humble us, heal us, and reshape us. And may our lives shine forever as trophies of His kindness in Christ Jesus.

“But God…” That is our story. That is our hope. That is our gospel.