Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 06, 2024: SOAP #5299:  Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,…
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

OBSERVATION:  The reason for the dead state of those in Ephesus was THEIR sins.  They had no reason to blame anybody else. 

Oh, the helplessness of being dead and not even being aware of their lost estate nor of an eternity without God.  And, even if somehow, they could be aware, they would be helpless to do anything about it!  

The helplessness of verse one helps us to appreciate the great love, and mercy, and grace we find in verses four and five!!!  

APPLICATION:  The Gospel has two very important truths to be proclaimed:  the truth about sin and its results, AND the truth about God’s forgiveness provided through Jesus’ death on the cross. 

If people only understand the first truth, life becomes meaningless and full of unanswered questions.  If people only focus on the second truth, they may consider what Jesus did as no big deal.  They do not appreciate the terribleness of sin. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me appreciate the terribleness of sin.  Help me to see why such a terrible price had to be paid to set me free from sin.  AND help me appreciate the great victory over sin won for me on the cross.  In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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