## Get out of the Graveyard!

## Ephesians 2:1-10

While at my mother-in-law’s for Thanksgiving, I decided to take a walk down to the cemetary where my parents are buried. It had been some time since I had been there, but seeing the gravestone brought back many memories.

When my mother was buried it was a cloudy and cold wintery day in January of 1987. Quite a contrast to my father’s funeral which was held in June of 1991. On that day the sun was bright and the weather was very hot.

Graveyards are filled with memories of lives that have past. Bro. Johnson reminded me of an inscription a fellow saw on one gravestone: As you are now I once was, and as I am now you one day will be. So be careful how you live as you prepare to follow me.

Someone had placed an additional inscription that read: To follow you I would not be content, until I learned which way that you went.

This morning I want you to go with me to a place of memories. There are some things that we need to remember.

I. Remember What We Were. V1-3

A. We were dead! V1

1. Of course he is talking about our being spiritually dead.

2. Dead, we were unable to understand and appreciate spiritual things.

3. We could do nothing of ourselves to please God.

4. When we were without Christ, we weren’t just sick, we were dead!

5. We didn’t need resuscitation: we needed resurrection!

6. We were dead because of trespasses and sins. Cf Ro. 6:23

B. We were disobedient. V2

1. This was the beginning of spiritual death...because Adam and Eve chose to believe the LIE rather than the TRUTH they died an immediate spiritual death.

2. Since that time, mankind has lived in disobedience to God.