BUT, "GOD GAVE ME!" - Eph. 2:11-22

Last week, we studied the Apostle Paul’s address to Jewish and Gentile believers in 2:1-10. “He begins by showing that both groups of people were living in disobedience and sin; both stood in need of God’s mercy and love. The Good News in the passage is that a loving and gracious God acted to correct that through his Son. In union with Christ, believers become a new creation and are resurrected and exalted with their Lord. As such, they are lifted out of their former evil condition that they might share in Christ’s victory over sin and live a life of good works. Up to this point the emphasis is on the privileges that Jewish and Gentile believers enjoy in Christ.” In 2:11-22, we turn a corner as the Holy Spirit moves Paul to teach not about “our unity with Christ" but to "our unity in the church.” (Quotes from: Patzia, Arthur G. NIBC: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon. P. 187)

Also last week I talked about defining the health of your Christian Life as being alive or being dead. I had a question about this after the sermon on Sunday, so I thought I would publish my answer here for others. Being alive doesn’t mean you are perfect, sinless, always correct, at peace, or happy. Each of us faces difficult moments and real temptations. Mistakes are made; we sin, and need to repentant. Being alive is sharing in the victory of Christ Jesus over sin (your choice to live not as a slave to sin) and living a life devoted to God.

Being Alive doesn't mean you will always by happy and blow stuff off as if it never happened. God doesn't expect us to walk around blindly to the challenges we face. Being alive means I face those challenges in the power (Holy Spirit empowerment) the Lord supplies (2 Peter 4:11).


The work of God is complete. He sets us right in spiritual relationship and sets us right in human relationships. In 2:11-22, Paul explains how this is possible. I am reminded of another analogy he uses to explain this creation of a new body in Romans 11:17-24 (you should visit this passage.). It explains how God has grafted wild branches into the garden-tame vine. How God has taken the sinner and grafted him into the sinless body of the church. Still with all our difference; big and small, God makes one new man (the church) to manifest His glory and presence in the world.

Here are some questions for your to consider:
1. Much like 2:1-10, there is a verse in this paragraph that marks the change which has occurred freeing us from the past? What is it? Who is the cause of our freedom? By what means is the change purchased?

2. What does it mean to you "through Jesus you have access to the Father by one Spirit"? (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:5-6)

3. What does it mean that God's household (church) is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets? (Ephesians 4:11-16) Why are apostles and prophets selected from the list of 5? (Acts 1:21-22; 1 John 1:1-4)