Mor(ph)e Week 3 – David Nasser

Overview

In the series Mor(ph)e, we have been going through Ephesians 2:1-10. Tonight we discussed Ephesians 2:3. When a human is not in Christ, in our sinful state we are children of wrath. As children of wrath we need to realize that a spiritual clean up will do nothing, but instead, we need a resurrection. We are dead in our sins, therefore, we need life. We are not partially owned by the devil or partially owned by God. You are either completely owned by the devil or completely owned by God.

We explored the different attributes of God, and how each attribute of God is immersed in Holiness. When you consider the kindness of God, it shows the Holiness of God, similarly, when you talk about the wrath of God it points back to the Holiness of God.

As we discover the reality of hell as believers, we are invited to think about people we know who do not know Christ. Let us also remember this hell is ultimately what we are saved from through the blood of Christ. If Hell is a real place and we believe what Jesus said about Hell, then the person who we know that is apart from Christ is heading there right now. Hell is not a place where God is absent but instead, it is the place where the mercy of God is absent. Hell is the continual presence of the wrath of God. God saves us from the wrath of God. The love of God saves us from the wrath of God.

Verses

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” – Ephesians 2:1-3

“Consider the kindness and severity of God.” – Romans 11:22

“Because of your hard and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” – Romans 2:5

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” – Ephesians 5:6

“God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whomsoever believers in him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” – John 3:16-18

“So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Mathew 13:49-50

“And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” – Mark 9:47-48

“Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.” – 2 Corinthians 5:11

Quotes

“Disbelieve hell, and you unscrew, unsettle, and unpin everything in Scripture.” – J. C. Ryle

“Gods wrath is his righteousness reacting against our unrighteousness -J. I. Packer

“I cannot preach on hell unless I preach with tears.” – Dwight L. Moody

“God literally saves us from himself”

Questions

1) Do you actually believe God is enough and He is the only one that will satisfy your soul? In what areas of your life do you not believe He is enough?

2) Do you understand the weight sin has in humanity? How have you seen sin impact your personal life?

3) Have you consider the severity of the wrath of God? In which ways do you think your life should look different as you understand more of the severity of His wrath?

4) Do you believe hell is real and those who do not declare Jesus as their Lord and Savior are heading that way? Do you know anyone who does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? As they come to mind spend some time in your group praying for them.