Alive!!!

Saved by Grace through faith

Ephesians 2:1–10 AV 1873

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:1-10

A. The past built on self, sin and shame. (2:1-3)

B. Christ brought us freedom (2:4-7)

C. Saved by grace through faith (2:8-9)

D. Workmanship—Something special God made for a purpose! (2:10)

Brought Near by the blood of Christ

Ephesians 2:11–18 AV 1873

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh; 18 for through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

A. Far off, without Christ (2:11-12)

Nothing in them or their heritage made them attractive to God (2:11)

Separate from God’s promises (2:12)

Hopeless (2:12)

B. Brought close by the work of Christ (2:13-16)

A relationship with God is only available through the blood of Christ (2:13)

Peace, hope and security are through trusting Christ (2:14)

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Ephesians 2. Through Christ We Have Access to the Father by One Spirit, 2:14–18

The term ‘peace’ in both Old and New Testaments came to denote well-being in the widest sense, including salvation, the source and giver of which is God alone. Peace was used for harmony among people (Acts 7:26; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 4:3; Jas. 3:18) and especially for the messianic salvation (Luke 1:79; 2:14; 19:42). The term could describe the content and goal of all Christian preaching, the message itself being called the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15; cf. Acts 10:36; Eph. 2:17). The biblical concept of peace has to do with wholeness, particularly with reference to personal relationships. Peace describes an order established by the God of peace (1 Cor. 14:33; cf. Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9). Christ himself is the mediator of that peace (Rom. 5:1; Col. 1:20). He gives peace to believers (2 Thess. 3:16); indeed, he himself is that peace.

Those believing Christ are a new person which makes peace possible (2:15)

The work of the Cross destroyed sin’s power over us. (2:16)

C. Preaching Christ brings people to the point of access to Christ (2:17-18)

Preaching Christ to people is giving them peace. (2:17-18)

A life lived with people, and thereby bringing them to Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-13

Ephesians 2:11–13 AV 1873

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time passed Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Part of the family

Ephesians 2:19

Ephesians 2:19–22 AV 1873

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: 22 in whom you also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

One family, adopted together (2:19)

Fellow citizens

Household of God

Built upon Christ (2:20-21)

The building is not just us personally, but the church at large.

All supported by Christ as the corner stone

The building fitly framed together. We fit together, work together, care together.

So many people have been stepping up lately. You, as a church are taking responsibility for the ministry. If I asked some people here, “where do you serve?” “What is you ministry?” You would have a hard time narrowing down what you do, because you do everything. Others here really would not have an answer, because you do nothing. We are a building fitly framed together, with out each other we have nothing.

Hebrews 10:25 AV 1873

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

ii. For some, you have never made it out of being a baby in this family, you come, expect to be fed (when, where and how you desire) and then leave.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Ephesians 3. The Gentiles’ Membership of God’s House, 2:19–22

Paul seems, therefore, to be making the following points: Christ is the vital cornerstone on whom the building is constructed. The foundation and position of all the other stones in the superstructure were determined by him. He is ‘the one from which the rest of the foundation is built outwards along the line of the proposed walls’. Accordingly, the temple is built out and up from the revelation given in Christ, with the apostles and prophets elaborating and explaining the mystery, which had been made known to them by the Holy Spirit (3:4–11, esp. v. 5)

Builded together (2:22)

Together is always better than separate.

Together for a purpose…habitation, or workplace for the Spirit.

This ministry is supposed to be a habitation, dwellingplace and workplace for the Holy Spirit. Are you apart of that, or are you in protest of that?