God made us alive!

Our text for Wednesday night will be Ephesians 2:1-10. I don’t expect that we can cover the entire section, but here is an overview:

The central phrase is: “God … made us alive … and raised us up …  and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”

In these verses Paul expresses the past, present and future of the Christian:

1. What one was (1-3): “were dead … once walked … once conducted ourselves”
2. What one is (4-6, 8-9):
   • “alive together … raised up together, and made us sit together” (4-6)
   • “saved through faith” (8)
3. What one will be (7, 10)
   • In the heavenly future: “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace” (7)
   • In our earthly future: “that we should walk in [good works]” (10)

In preparation for our study Wednesday night, please read Ephesians 2:1-10. Consider using Biblegateway.com to read in multiple translations.

Paul provides 6 aspects of salvation:

1. From sin (2:1, “who were dead in trespasses and sins”)
2. By love (2:4, “because of His great love with which He loved us”)
3. Into life (2:5, “made us alive together with Christ”)
4. For a purpose (2:7, “that in the ages to come …”)
5. Through faith (2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith”)
6. Unto good works (2:9, “created in Christ Jesus for good works”)

Kathee and I look forward to studying and praying with you this Wednesday. Until then “pray for one another” (James 5:16).