"From Death to Life, From Far to Near"
Ephesians 2:5–13
Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you 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 you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Made Alive by Grace (Ephesians 2:5–7)
“Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (v. 5)
We were spiritually dead
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
God's mercy and love raised us up
Lamentations 3:22–23
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Titus 3:4–5
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
We are seated with Christ
Romans 6:4–5
Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Saved Through Faith, Not by Works (Ephesians 2:8–9)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Grace is a gift
John 1:16–17
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Faith is the means
Romans 5:1–2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Not from works
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Created for Good Works (Ephesians 2:10)
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”
We are God’s masterpiece
Psalm 139:14
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.
We are created with purpose
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
God prepared works in advance
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Brought Near by the Blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:11–13)
“You who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (v. 13)
Remember who you were
Deuteronomy 5:15
And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
Now reconciled through Christ
II Corinthians 5:18–19
Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
United with God and one another
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
From Death to Life (v. 5)
From Sin to Salvation (vv. 8–9)
From Meaningless to Purpose (v. 10)
From Far to Near (vv. 11–13)
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