Take Your Seat

INTRODUCTION: Kid’s Table. /Reserved rows in church.

Which Seat Are You In?

Ephesians 2:4 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

But God - lets go back and reread the first 3 verses.

Being rich in mercy - mercy - not getting what you deserved. - ILLUSTRATION FOR MERCY! Jonah? knew God would forgive. ??....Saying you got in a car wreck, but only got a speeding ticket haha

because of the great love with which he loved us -

Seat of Death

Ephesians 2:5 ESV

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

even when

were dead in our trespasses - against who? Against God. were dead. Marriage sin

chair #1 - in cage?

It feels easier to stay in our seat.

Not wanting to get even though we know if feel better elsewhere.

Seat of Life

Ephesians 2:5 ESV

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

made us alive - this was direct ending to the but God.

made us - we don’t have to wait to die to be alive.

together with Christ -

by grace you have been saved -

The only way to move seats is through Grace.

Seat of Heaven

Ephesians 2:6 ESV

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

raised us up with him - Back to chapter 1.

raised - past. Not future, but past. It is a sure thing!

Seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

We already have a seat with Jesus!

Ephesians 2:7 ESV

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

so that - purpose clause.

coming ages - in heaven.??

immeasurably riches of his grace - grace -

kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. -

David and Jonathan's son.

CONCLUSION: First class/standby story.