Remember… But now… So then…
Ephesians 2:11-22 provides us a great three-point sermon.
2:11 “Therefore, remember…”
Remember when you were far from God. Or just ignoring God. Or at rock bottom. Whatever the circumstances we can all speak to a past time when things were not well. Here we are invited to “remember.” Don’t forget about that season in life. And more, don’t be afraid to talk about it. Chances are someone in your life is going through the same thing. Trust that God can use your testimony about a past time in your life to open up a conversation. For Paul he talks about people who were separated, excluded, far from God and without hope. Sharing this experience will help you to connect with those who are still stuck.
2:13 “But now…”
Paul don’t stay stuck! “But now…” is all about what God has done for us through Jesus. More specifically, the cross. Don’t be shy. Don’t be afraid. Point to the cross. There we find our savior dying for our sin. Taking the death we deserved. Why? Out of his great love. Here’s the whole verse, “13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
2:19 “So then…”
Why? Why the cross? So that we can union with Christ. This is our salvation. And so that we can come together as the body of Christ. Our Unity. He says we are no longer strangers, no longer outsiders. We are citizens. We are a part of the body of Christ. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit!
Take a few minutes to write your own Ephesians 2:11-22. Tell your story in this formate. “Remember… But now… SO then…” Talk about your time or season without God. Recall what happened that brought you close. Share the difference that it now makes.
