Ephesians-2

The book of Ephesians

1- the receiving of inheritance

The receiving of our identity

2-Speaks to the core of who we are now and in turn

what our vision should be as well as our task.

Ephesians 2:1–3 NLT

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

Ephesians 2:4–5 NLT

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

Ephesians 2:6 NLT

6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

We became heirs in the Kingdom and given the gift of knowing kingdom things.

Ephesians 2:7 NLT

7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

My example = what do people see when they look at me.

Am I giving Him a good name or making it a mockery

Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Renew Your Perspective

Colossians 3:1–2 MSG

1 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 2 Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

we must think like He thinks.

We must see ourselves like God sees us

we must have the mind of Christ

We must base our lives off of this

we are created for more than just ourselves

we must Identify myself completely with Him

Release Your Past

Galatians 2:20 NLT

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We must let go of old patterns.

We will never lead in an empowering way if we hold on to our old self our old baggage our old citizenship. We must Die to the Past

A dead man feels comfortable in his coffin; but if he were to be made alive again, he would instantly feel suffocated and uncomfortable. There would be a strong urge to escape the coffin and leave it behind.

In the same way, when we were spiritually dead we felt comfortable in trespasses and sins; but having come to new life we feel we must escape that coffin and leave it behind.

WE ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

Rightful heir to the inheritance of the kingdom of God and all authority!

We can rightfully anticipate His glory, presence and promises.

Ephesians 2:11–19 MSG

19 That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building.

The Sustaining Factor - The solidity, the state of being firm or strong in structure

Remember Your Purpose

Ephesians 2:20–22 NLT

20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

We cannot believe in Jesus unless God does a prior work in us,

2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV

4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

the grace or power to believe, and the act of believing, are two different things. Without the grace or power to believe no man ever did or can believe; but with that power the act of faith is a man’s own.

Since God initiates salvation, we should begin with asking God to do the initiating, and granting the ability to believe to those we want to see saved.

Atonement profited me a little, but integrity profited me much more.’ ” (Spurgeon)

God’s love is a transforming love. It meets us right where we are at, but when we receive this love it always takes us where we should be going. The love of God that saves my soul will also change my life.

These good works are valid evidence that someone is walking as one of God’s chosen.