3. Ephesians 2:4-8 Bible Reading

4. Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

5. Theme for the Month of February 2016!

6. Ephesians 2:4-18

7. I want you to Imagine men in the beginning, before Christ. I want you to Imagine men in the beginning, before Christ. I imagine the condition of all of the human race when they were living in sin, with NO hope at all for receiving redemption from all of their trespasses. I imagine the condition of all of the human race when they were living in sin, with NO hope at all for receiving redemption from all of their trespasses. Imagine what the condition of men is today, even though Jesus came and made the way of escape for all. Many are living the exact same way as the people before the days of the New Testament times. Imagine what the condition of men is today, even though Jesus came and made the way of escape for all. Many are living the exact same way as the people before the days of the New Testament times. What was, and what is, the condition of men without God before and Today? What was, and what is, the condition of men without God before and Today?

8. Ephesians 2:4-18 (NKJV)- 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 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--

9. Ephesians 2:4-18 (NKJV) - 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. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

10. Man’s Self-Inflicted Deplorable State of Depravity Man’s Self-Inflicted Deplorable State of Depravity – Man’s Deplorable Condition

11. Dead (spiritually) in trespasses (2:5) Dead (spiritually) in trespasses (2:5) – Alienated and estranged from God & His promises (2:12) – Without Christ (2:12) – Without God (2:12) – In the world (2:12) – Far off (2:13) Having no hope (2:12) Having no hope (2:12) Enemies of God (2:16) Enemies of God (2:16) 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), being aliens 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. you were without Christ 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. without God 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. in the world 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. were far off 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. having no hope 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. putting to death the enmity 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

12. Man’s Self-Inflicted Deplorable State of Depravity Man’s Self-Inflicted Deplorable State of Depravity – Man’s Deplorable Condition – Man’s Direct Culpability Man is wholly responsible & to blame for this alienated condition/separation (Isa. 59:1-2; Col. 1:21)! Man is wholly responsible & to blame for this alienated condition/separation (Isa. 59:1-2; Col. 1:21)! God is in no way responsible for the separation! God is in no way responsible for the separation! But your iniquities And your sins He will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. And you enemies in your mind Colossians 1:21 (NKJV) 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

13. Man’s Self-Inflicted Deplorable State of Depravity Man’s Self-Inflicted Deplorable State of Depravity – Man’s Deepest Cry Reconciliation! Reconciliation! – Means “to change down, change thoroughly, to exchange” – A change in personal relationship between estranged parties – The essence of reconciliation (a change from death to life): » The ending of enmity & estrangement with God » The establishing (again) of a personal relationship w/ God

14. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Offer He loves us (2:4) and wants to save us (2:5) He loves us (2:4) and wants to save us (2:5) Save us IN CHRIST JESUS (2:13) Save us IN CHRIST JESUS (2:13) – Make us alive together with Christ (2:5) – Raise us up together with Christ (2:6) – Make us sit together in Christ Jesus (2:6) – Show exceeding riches of His grace in Christ (2:7) – Make us a new man in Himself (2:15) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. made us alive 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, made us sit together 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, the exceeding riches 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. one new man from the two 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

15. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Offer Bring us near (2:13) Bring us near (2:13) Be our peace (2:14), make peace (2:15), offer peace (2:17) Be our peace (2:14), make peace (2:15), offer peace (2:17) Make us one in the one body (2:16) Make us one in the one body (2:16) Put to death the enmity between us and God (2:16) Put to death the enmity between us and God (2:16) Grant access (personal relationship) to the Father (2:18) Grant access (personal relationship) to the Father (2:18) Make us fellow citizens in the kingdom (2:19 ) Make us fellow citizens in the kingdom (2:19 ) brought near 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. is our peace 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, thus making peace 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, peace to you 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. in one body 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. putting to death the enmity 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

16. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Work God is not the one who needs to be reconciled to man, but man needs reconciliation to God God is not the one who needs to be reconciled to man, but man needs reconciliation to God

17. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Work God was the only One who could effect reconciliation God was the only One who could effect reconciliation – God had done nothing to cause the separation – Man could do nothing to effect reconciliation

18. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Work God is the One doing the work, while we were: God is the One doing the work, while we were: – Dead in trespasses, alienated and separated from Him – Powerless to do anything ourselves (for ourselves) – Under God’s wrath – Helpless (Rom. 5:6), sinners (5:8), enemies of God (5:10)

19. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Love (2:4) God’s great love prompted His rich grace/mercy to overflow God’s great love prompted His rich grace/mercy to overflow God needed someone to reconcile His enemies back to Him God needed someone to reconcile His enemies back to Him

20. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Love (2:4) Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: – Through Christ (vehicle) – 2:13-16, 18; 2 Cor. 5:18-19

21. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Love (2:4) Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: – Through the Death of Christ – 2:13, 16; Rom. 5:10

22. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Love (2:4) Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: – Through the Blood of Christ (violent) – 2:13; Rom. 5:9, 11

23. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Love (2:4) Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: – Through the Cross of Christ – 2:16; Rom. 5:6-10

24. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Love (2:4) Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: Man’s reconciliation to God is only made possible: – Into the Church of Christ (victorious) – 2:16; Col. 1:24

25. Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation Man’s God-Gifted Rich State of Reconciliation – God’s Rich Love (2:4) Man must accept God’s reconciliation on God’s terms: Man must accept God’s reconciliation on God’s terms: – A penitent believer must be baptized (Rom. 5:6-11; 6:1-18) – Once reconciled, we must remain in faithful union (2 Cor. 5:20)

26. I’m Rich in Peace Because I’m a F RIEND ! So What? Now What? We have “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-20) We have “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-20) – Our ministry: “The ministry of reconciliation” is evangelism (5:18) “The ministry of reconciliation” is evangelism (5:18) – Our message: “The word of reconciliation” is the gospel (5:19) “The word of reconciliation” is the gospel (5:19) – Our mantra: “Be reconciled to God” is the invitation (5:20) “Be reconciled to God” is the invitation (5:20)