Ephesians 2:4–5
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.” (ESV)
Introduction: The Weight of what we Deserve
• Standing guilty before a holy God, the Judge of all the earth.
• By nature, we are “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3).
• If God were only just and not merciful, our story would end in judgment.
• But then, two glorious words: “But God.”
1. The Justice We Deserve (Ephesians 2:1–3)
1.1 Humanity’s Condition
• “Dead in trespasses and sins” (v. 1)- spiritually lifeless, not merely misguided.
1.2 Humanity’s Course
• “Following the course of this world … the prince of the power of the air” (v. 2) –
enslaved to Satan’s influence.
1.3 Humanity’s Cravings
• “Living in the passions of our flesh” (v. 3)- driven by sinful desires.
1.4 Humanity’s Condemnation
• “Children of wrath” (v. 3)- deserving divine judgment.
Summary
• The doctrine of total depravity: sin corrupts every part of our being.
• If justice were all we received, we would be lost forever.
• But praise be to God. He delights in mercy.
2. The God Who Is Rich in Mercy (Ephesians 2:4–5; Psalm 103:8–12)
2.1 God’s Initiative
• “But God, being rich in mercy…” (Eph. 2:4) — salvation begins with Him, not us.
2.2 God’s Character
• “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
(Ps. 103:8–10)
2.3 The Meaning of Mercy
• Mercy: God does not give us what we deserve (wrath).
• He withholds judgment and spares the guilty.
2.4 The Fulfilment of Mercy
• Old Testament: mercy symbolized through sacrifice.
• New Testament: mercy fulfilled in Christ, who absorbs God’s wrath on our behalf.
2.5 The Sovereignty of Mercy
• I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” (Rom. 9:15–16)
• Mercy is never earned; it is always a free, sovereign gift of God.
3. The Cross: Where Mercy and Wrath Meet
3.1 The Substitution of Jesus
• “He was pierced for our transgressions… upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” (Isa. 53:5)
3.2 The Satisfaction of Justice
• The cross is not God ignoring sin but God satisfying justice through mercy.
3.3 The Result for Believers
• Our punishment paid in full- we now stand forever under divine mercy.
4. Living as the “Mercied” People of God
4.1 Humility
• No boasting- we deserve wrath but received mercy (Rom. 3:27).
4.2 Worship
• We adore God for His compassion. “His mercies are new every morning.” (Lam. 3:22–23)
4.3 Forgiveness
• Those who have received mercy extend mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matt. 5:7)
4.4 Assurance
• When accused by Satan, we rest in the mercy of Christ – judgment is satisfied.
Conclusion: Mercy has a Face
• Mercy is not a concept- it’s a Person: Jesus Christ.
• At the cross, He took the wrath we deserved so we might receive mercy we could never
earn.
• “Bless the LORD, O my soul… who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
(Ps. 103:2–4)
• Mercy is the reason we live, repent, and hope.
• Yet mercy only withholds wrath- it does not yet bestow blessing.
• To move from the courtroom to the Father’s table, we need more than mercy- we need
grace, the unearned favour that makes sinners children of God.