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Evening Message 2 : A dwelling place of God in the Spirit

Text: Ephesians 2
5 December 2011

GOD’S PLAN REVIEWED

1. With reference to God’s Provision of Blessings

2. With reference to God’s Provision of Power

3. With reference to God’s Provision for the Church – the Body of Christ

GOD’S PLAN CARRIED OUT

1. Against the Deadly problem of sin

a) Sin defined

i) When we fail and fall short

ii) When we trespass or transgress the laws of God

b) Sin’s deadly effects

i) Spiritual deadness Ephesians 2:1a, 5a

ii) Walked according to the course of this world Ephesians 2:2a

iii) Disobedience Ephesians 2:2b

iv) Lusts of the flesh Ephesians 2:3a

v) Children of wrath Ephesians 2:3b

c) Sin’s implications on Gentiles in the flesh

i) Without Christ Ephesians 2:12a

ii) Aliens (nonMcitizens) Ephesians 2:12b

iii) Strangers from the covenant of promise Ephesians 2:12c

iv) No hope Ephesians 2:12d

v) Without God Ephesians 2:12e

2. Description of the Fullness of God’s grace

a) The glory of His grace Ephesians 1:6

b) Riches of His grace Ephesians 1:7

c) Rich in mercy Ephesians 2:4

d) Great love outpoured Ephesians 2:4

e) Exceeding riches of His grace (expressed) in kindness Ephesians 2:7

f) Saving grace Ephesians 2:8

3. Dynamic Application of Grace in Christ

a) There is redemption in the blood of Christ Ephesians 1:7a

b) There is forgiveness of sins Ephesians 1:7b

c) He makes us come alive Ephesians 2:5b

d) Raised us up Ephesians 2:6a

e) Made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6b

f) Saved by grace and not by works Ephesians 2:8a

g) A great gift Ephesians 2:8b

h) God’s workmanship Ephesians 2:10a

i) Doing good works Ephesians 2:10b

4. Dynamic Results

a) Brought near to God by the blood of Christ Ephesians 2:13

b) Christ brought us peace with God Ephesians 2:14

c) Made both (Israel and Gentiles) one Ephesians 2:14

d) A new man (entity) has been created Ephesians 2:15

e) Reconciled both to God (Israel and Gentiles) Ephesians 2:16

f) Both have access to God the Father through Christ Ephesians 2:18

g) No longer strangers or foreigners Ephesians 2:19a

h) Fellow citizens with the saints Ephesians 2:19b

i) Members of the household of God Ephesians 2:19c

5. Definite Reference to the Church

a) Foundation of the Church

i) The Lord Jesus Christ as the Chief cornerstone Ephesians 2:20

ii) The apostles and the prophets Ephesians 2:20

b) The whole building fitted together Ephesians 2:21a

c) A holy temple to the Lord Ephesians 2:21b

d) A dwelling place of God in the Spirit Ephesians 2:22

APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO GOD’S PLAN

1. Trust in Christ Jesus Ephesians 1:12

a) Hearing of the Gospel, the word of truth Ephesians 1:13a

b) Believing in Jesus Ephesians 1:13b

c) Sealed and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13M14

2. God’s workmanship

a) Faith and love Ephesians 1:15

b) Good works Ephesians 2:10

c) Fitting in Ephesians 2:21

d) Growth

i) In knowledge

ii) In faith

iii) In love

iv) In service