## Three Days to Live

## Ephesians 2:1-7

I passed by a church sign the other day with this message: "Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future". That is certainly true, but it isn't the whole truth. Because regardless of saint or sinner, every person has a past, and every person has a future! Oh, just a minute! That isn't completely true either. In actuality every individual has a past, a future, and a present! Now, that covers it!

In the O.T. we have an example of an individual who was informed that he had but three days to live. The chief baker to Pharoah was the recipient of this bad news.

(Genesis 40:19) Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.

Let me break it to you gently this morning. We only have three days to live. Regardless of who we are, what our backgrounds might be, what we may have accomplished, or any other factor we have three days that will encompass our entire lives. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow! The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus and challenged them with this truth. He wrote of their past, present, and future.

Read: Ephesians 2:1-7

I. Yesterday: Our Past v1-3

A. What do you see in the past?

1. Some folks live like they want to stay there.

2. Nothing quite like an old hippie is there?

3. We see folks like this all the time and we are amused, but this isn't really funny.

4. Nostalgia is the term for that kind of thinking.

5. Old song, "Oh if I could just go back and know what I know now!" But we can't!

B. Picture albums

1. If we are honest, most of us look back and what we see isn't all that great.

2. This is especially true of believers.

3. The Bible says that we were dead in trespasses and sins.

4. The good ole days really weren't that good!

5. We walked according to the course of this world.

(1 John 2:16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

a. We were living to get (the lust of the flesh)

b. We were living to gaze (the lust of the eyes)

c. We were living to gloat (the pride of life)

6. We deserved the wrath of God

(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

C. The believer's past is the unbeliever's present.

1. If you have never come to Jesus by faith then your past and your present is darkened by sin.

2. Those who have no personal relationship with God through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus…

3. Are still controlled by the enemy…Satan.

4. They are condemned already! Not because they are bad people…just because they have not exercised faith in Jesus Christ!

(John 3:18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

II. Today: Our Present v4-6

A. The Present of Every Christian

1. Two wonderful words: But God…

2. Today, we would be without salvation.

3. Today, we would be without hope.

4. Today, we would be on our way to an eternity separated from God in an awful place we call Hell.

5. But God…hath quickened us!

B. Let me be very clear about this.

1. God deserves all glory for what He has done.

2. He, and He alone, has made it possible for us to have eternal life.

3. Not because we are good people…not because we have changed…not because we turned over a new leaf.

4. But God was merciful to us…

5. But God loved us and He quickened us (gave us life!)

C. This changes everything!

(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. When the love of God enters our lives we are transformed!

2. We were dead in trespasses and sins, but now we are alive in Christ

3. This new life is the result of His grace and is made possible by His death for us on the cross

III. Tomorrow: Our Future v. 7

A. For the Child of God: the best is yet to come

1. Little chorus: Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before…Every day with Jesus, I love Him more and more.

2. Is that a reality in our lives? If not, why?

3. Paul reminds us of what a wonderful future to which the child of God has to look forward.

(1 Corinthians 2:9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

4. A popular ad campaign for beer says, "It don't get any better than this."

5. That might be true for a lost man…the future of those without Christ will not be better than their existence now.

6. But for the believer! It will get better than this!

7. God has given us the abundant life to enjoy now, but it is nothing to compare with what He has for us tomorrow.

B. God's grace is unlimited.

1. God is eternal, and so is His grace!

2. In the future, there will be continual demonstrations of the riches of God's grace to us.

3. There will be experiences that prove His great kindness to us.

We all have three days that will define our lives; yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We cannot change our past, but what we do today will have a tremendous impact on our tomorrow. I would like to invite you to come to Christ by faith. He will change your life now and for all eternity. Come to Jesus, do not delay.

Christian, realize this morning what God has done for us. Determine to live for Him now and forever. Be an influence upon others in our lives and point them to the One who can change their lives.