IN CHRIST | Alive In Christ | Ephesians 2:1-10 | Philip Anthony Mitchell

Summary

Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell preaches on Ephesians 2:1–10, explaining what it means to be “alive in Christ” and emphasizing that salvation is God’s work from beginning to end.

1. Christian life includes both hardship and sustaining grace

Mitchell opens by asking the congregation to pray for his vocal cords. He reflects that following Christ involves both joy and sorrow, and that God often strengthens believers by reminding them of truths they already know. He shares a personal example of being encouraged to view an ongoing hardship as a “thorn” God may not remove, while trusting that Christ’s grace is sufficient to endure it.

2. Humanity’s condition apart from Christ

From Paul’s description in Ephesians, Mitchell teaches that people are spiritually dead in sin and separated from God. He connects this condition to Adam’s disobedience and the spread of sin to humanity, arguing that people inherit a sinful nature and also commit deliberate sins.

He describes people apart from Christ as influenced by three forces:

• The world: its customs, values, and ways of thinking.
• The devil: whom Paul calls the “prince of the power of the air.” Mitchell warns that evil influence can operate in both personal relationships and wider cultural systems, so Christians should exercise discernment rather than accept everything they see, hear, or read.
• The flesh: humanity’s fallen, self-centered nature, which inclines people toward selfishness and sin.

In this condition, people are subject to God’s judgment. Mitchell stresses that salvation is not something people can achieve through their own effort.

3. “But God”: Salvation begins with God’s mercy and love

The sermon turns on the words “But God” in Ephesians 2:4. Mitchell emphasizes that God initiates salvation: while people were still spiritually dead and unable to rescue themselves, God acted out of mercy and great love.

He identifies three things God has done for believers:

1. Made them alive with Christ: Spiritual life is given by God, not produced by human effort.
2. Raised them with Christ: Believers are called to set their minds on heavenly things and live with eternity in view.
3. Seated them with Christ: Believers share a new position and identity in Christ, which Mitchell connects to spiritual authority and confidence in prayer.

4. Salvation is a gift, not a reward

Mitchell explains Paul’s teaching that people are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast. He uses an illustration of faith as a means of receiving grace, while stressing that neither salvation nor its ultimate credit belongs to human achievement.

Good works do not earn salvation. Rather, a changed life and good works are the result of being saved.

5. Believers are God’s workmanship, made for good works

From Ephesians 2:10, Mitchell says believers are God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works that God prepared beforehand. He presents the Christian life not primarily as inventing a personal purpose, but as discovering and walking in what God has prepared.

His practical challenge is to ask, “God, what do You want me to do?” rather than focusing only on personal plans or ambitions. He encourages believers to submit their lives to God’s purposes in their families, work, ministry, and other callings.

6. The appropriate response

Mitchell says the fitting response to salvation is awe, gratitude, and joyful submission. Believers should remember the depth of their former condition and the mercy involved in their rescue, then offer their lives to God’s will.

He also gives a direct appeal to those who have not trusted Christ: repent, confess sin, ask Jesus for forgiveness, and surrender to Him. The sermon closes with prayer for believers to live in wonder and obedience, and for unbelievers to come to faith.

Speakers and sources featured

• Philip Anthony Mitchell: Preacher and principal speaker.
• The Apostle Paul and biblical texts: Especially Ephesians 2:1–10; also Romans 5:12, Colossians 3:1–2, John 3, and references to Revelation.
• The congregation: Brief responses and participation are heard, but no other individual speaker is clearly identified.