August 20, 2023 PM
Paul Gotthardt
(#13 in series)
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In Christ: Redemption and God's Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9
The gospel is the good news that tells of God’s design, sin’s intrusion, and Christ’s solution for human flourishing.
The Redemption Story of God (The Gospel)
RAIL 1
30,000-ft view
Big story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation
Key Truth 1: Humanity is separated from God by sin and incapable of reconciling the relationship. (vv. 1-3)
- God’s design, sin’s intrusion
Key Truth 2:God loved us while we were sinners and made reconciliation possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (vv. 4-5)
- Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 3: At salvation, we are united with Christ and our position is permanently changed according to God’s great and gracious purposes. (vv. 6-7)
- Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Key Truth 4: Salvation is God’s gift of __ that is received through __ in Christ. (vv. 8-9)
- Christ’s solution for human flourishing
Why are we separated and incapable of reconciling?
How did God love us and make reconciliation possible?
What brought the change and why is union with Christ so important?
How does a person enter and abide in relationship with God?
RAIL 2
30-ft view
Individual truths of redemption in Ephesians 2
Apart from Christ we are...
- Dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1)
- Alive to the lusts of the flesh (vv. 2-3a)
- By nature, children of wrath (v. 3b)
God accomplished this work by:
- Jesus’ birth
- Jesus’ death
- Jesus’ resurrection
Christ’s work in redemption brought three big changes:
- “To make alive together with”
(synzōopoieō)
- “To raise up together with”
(synegeirō) “
- “To sit down together with”
(synkathizō)
Our relationship with God is:
- By grace
- Through faith
__
__
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- Not of yourselves or your work