180 likes | 244 Views
Amazing Grace. A people of power!. Ephesians 2:11-22. Amazing Grace ... A people of power!. what we were – 5 big Ds what we are – 3 big As how did we get from where we were to where we now are? God and grace made the difference don’t forget what you were / and are.
E N D
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! Ephesians 2:11-22
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • what we were – 5 big Ds • what we are – 3 big As • how did we get from where we were to where we now are? • God and grace made the difference • don’t forget what you were / and are
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:11-12 • ‘remember’ – how could we forget? • we didn’t know the Lord • we were living on another planet • we were outside the covenant • we had no hope in our hearts • we were without God
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:13 • ‘far away … brought near’ • Jesus made the difference! • Near, so very near to God, • Nearer I cannot be; • For in the person of his Son, • I am as near as he.
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:14-18 • he procured peace for us • he proclaimed peace to us • he personified peace • in Christ alone we have peace • the greatest peace mission in history
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:19-22 • ‘Consequently …’ • we belong to God’s people (19a) • we’re members of God’s family (19b) • we are the building of God (20), and • the temple of the living God (21-22)
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • the identity of the church • the church as a building • the church as a body (4) • the church as a bride (5) • figures of the fellowship
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • a building – uniqueness – Christ is the foundation / cornerstone • a body – unity – Christ is the head • a bride – union – Christ is the groom
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • a body – thought of manifestation – to reveal the personality of Christ • a bride – thought of glorification – a special moment in heaven • a building – thought of habitation – the place where God dwells
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • its prominence … • 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 • 1 Timothy 3:15 • 1 Peter 2:5
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • its performance … • only one foundation • ‘apostles’ – special God-sent people • ‘prophets’ – foretelling / forth-telling • ‘Jesus Christ’ – rest / rely on him
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • its perfection … • walk around the building – what should be our main impression? • holiness should be the hallmark – the landmark – and the benchmark
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • its preciousness … • it is ‘joined together’ • it ‘rises’ • THEN ‘... in him you too …’ • the church under construction • it will go on until the work is finished
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • its preciousness … • we are ‘living stones’ • related to the foundation stone • related to the cornerstone • related to all the other stones
Amazing Grace ... A people of power! • 2:20-22 • how does it all happen? • by choice – he selects us • no two stones are the same • there is preparation and shaping • don’t forget what you were … and don’t forget what you now are
Amazing Grace ... We are labourers on God’s global building site!