The Church that Jesus Built- Ephesians 2
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
#1. THE CHURCH IS A PLACE OF LIFE
Death: The world VS. Life: The church
Death: The Devil VS. Life: Jesus Christ
Death: The Flesh Vs. Life: The Holy Spirit
John 10:10 Life to the full. Devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
There must be death for there to be resurrection!
You can die once and live twice OR you can live once and die twice.
If the church is a place of life, why do we sometimes act so dead?
In good times and difficult times, the church should be a celebration of life through Christ.!
#2. THE CHURCH IS A PLACE OF LOVE
Because of his great love for us…
God could not leave us to the death and wrath that we so deserved.
God's love for us is a love that is unconditional.
What can separate us from the love of God?
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is nothing you can do to make God stop loving you.
If the Church is a place of love, why do we sometimes act so unloving?
The church is to reflect the love of God.
We are to love the Lord with all of our heat, soul, mind, and strength.
We are to love our neighbor as ourselves.
#3 THE CHURCH IS A PLACE OF GRACE.
v. 5 “It is by grace you have been saved.”
God’s love does not save us. God’s love compels Him to offer us His grace.
Myth: God’s love will save everyone. He won’t send anyone to hell.
We have a choice, reject or accept his grace.
God’s grace saves by making that which is imperfect, perfect.
We are made perfect by the blood of Jesus.
We come into contact with the blood of Jesus in the water of baptism.
The church is the pure, beautiful perfect bride of Christ. God’s grace takes imperfect people and unites them into a perfect bride.
Grace- removes any room for arrogance, pride, boasting. When we rely on these things, we reject God’s grace in our lives.
If the church is a place of grace why are we often judgmental?
Come as you are
Encounter Jesus Christ
Give your life to Him
Be transformed by His Grace.
We are not better, we are saved by His grace.
#4 THE CHURCH IS A PLACE OF GLORY
God’s handiwork in our lives brings him glory.
Fellow citizens- that is glory.
Member of his household- that is glory.
We are a living temple- that is glory.
A dwelling for the Holy Spirit- that is glory.
The glory we experience is simply a reflection of the glory of God.
If the church is a place of glory- why do we often live defeated?
The church is to be a place of glory. Everything we do and say should bring him glory.
Our mission is to reflect his glory into the lives of those who are lost and living in defeat.
