Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV

1. YOUR ENEMY HAS A STRATEGY

"You followed the ways of this world" Ephesians 2:2

A. He Uses Cultural Currents

• Satan doesn't need to possess everyone; he just needs to influence the culture

• When the culture moves away from God, people drift with it naturally

• "Satan's greatest victory isn't making people bad - it's making bad things normal in a world that's going the wrong direction."

B. He Makes Wrong Feel Right

• The "ways of this world" feel natural and acceptable

• Peer pressure becomes spiritual pressure

• "When everyone's doing it, it's easy to forget that God isn't."

• Against the grain

His Strategy has worked well! He has deceived and separated all humanity from a relationship with God. (give premise to the Gospel, our SIN)

"The ruler of the kingdom of the air" Ephesians 2:2

A. Satan Is Real and Active

• Not a cartoon character with a pitchfork

• He has authority in the spiritual realm

• His influence is invisible but undeniable

B. Satan Controls the Atmosphere

• The "air" represents the spiritual atmosphere around us

• He influences thoughts, attitudes, and motivations

• "Satan may not control your circumstances, but he's constantly trying to control your perspective on them."

"The spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" Ephesians 2:2

A. He Works Through Willing People

• Satan uses people who reject God's authority

• Disobedience opens the door to his influence

• Not everyone who opposes you is your enemy - they may be his victim

B. He Creates a Domino Effect

• One person's disobedience affects others

• Sin spreads through relationships and communities

• "Satan doesn't just want to destroy you - he wants to use you to destroy others."

C. Lies He tells

• Did God really say that?

• You don’t matter to him

• You call yourself a Christian?

• You don’t want to look like a religious nut?

2. YOUR ENEMY HAS POWER
3. YOUR ENEMY HAS A TARGET

4. YOUR ENEMY HAD YOU FOOLED

"All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh" Ephesians 2:3

A. We Were All Under His Influence

• Paul includes himself - "all of us"

• Being religious doesn't make you exempt

• We followed our sinful nature naturally

B. We Lived for Self-Gratification

• "Cravings of our flesh and thoughts"

• We were slaves to our appetites and attitudes

You are not a free spirit able to do what you want… You are a slave to your flesh and it never is satisfied

• "Before Christ, we weren't free spirits - we were prisoners who loved our chains."

"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. "Ephesians 2:4-5

A. God's Love Trumps Satan's Schemes

• The word "But" changes everything

• God's love is greater than our past

• His mercy is richer than our mistakes

B. God's Power Defeats Satan's Plans

• What Satan meant for destruction, God uses for redemption

• "Satan may have had the first word in your life, but God always has the last word."

• God is not concerned about where you have been… He is concerned with where you are going and who, and WHOSE  you are becoming

5. YOUR ENEMY IS NO MATCH FOR GOD

"Satan's power is like darkness - it seems overwhelming until the light shows up. When God says 'But' in your life, it's game over for the enemy."