Ephesians - Part 5

     This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 26th July 2026, by Colin. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here.  

From Far Away to God's Dwelling Place

Ephesians 2:11–22

Have you ever paused to think about where God found you?

It's easy to focus on where we are today, but the Apostle Paul intentionally asks believers to look back—not to dwell on the past, but to appreciate the incredible grace that transformed it.

In Ephesians 2:11–22, Paul reminds the Gentile believers of their former condition and then paints a beautiful picture of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ. This passage takes us on an extraordinary journey—from being far away from God to becoming His very dwelling place.

Remember Where You Came From

Paul begins with an important instruction: "Remember." Before Christ, the Gentiles were:

• Without Christ
• Excluded from God's covenant people
• Strangers to God's promises
• Without hope
• Without God in the world

Spiritually speaking, they were outsiders.

The same is true of every believer today. Regardless of our background, we were once separated from God because of sin. Remembering our past keeps us humble and fills our hearts with gratitude. Our salvation wasn't earned because we were good enough—it was entirely an act of God's grace.

Remembering where God rescued us from also changes how we see others. Instead of responding with pride or judgment, we are reminded that apart from Christ, we too would be lost. Gratitude produces humility, and humility produces compassion.

Brought Near by the Blood of Christ

The wonderful turning point comes with two beautiful words:

"But now..."

Paul declares:

"But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Jesus accomplished what no human effort ever could.

Through His death on the cross, He established peace in two remarkable ways:

• Peace between God and humanity—our sins are forgiven, and we are reconciled to the Father.
• Peace between people—the barriers that divide us are broken down.

The hostility that once separated Jews and Gentiles was destroyed through Christ. His sacrifice created something entirely new—not Jews becoming Gentiles or Gentiles becoming Jews, but one new humanity united in Him.

Today, Christ continues to tear down walls of nationality, ethnicity, culture, language, and social status. Our identity is no longer rooted in earthly distinctions but in Christ.

Citizens of Heaven

Paul then presents the first of three powerful pictures of our new identity.

We are no longer foreigners.

We are citizens of heaven.

While earthly passports may have different rankings and privileges, every believer possesses the highest citizenship imaginable—the Kingdom of God.

Our primary identity is no longer based on our nationality, language, or culture. We belong to God's eternal kingdom.

What an incredible privilege!

Members of God's Family

Paul goes even further.

We are not merely citizens—we are members of God's household.

God is not simply our King; He is our Father.

That means every believer is our brother or sister in Christ.

Being part of God's family carries practical responsibilities. Families celebrate together, grieve together, encourage one another, and carry one another's burdens. Christianity was never intended to be lived in isolation.

Paul's message challenges us to ask:

• Are we caring for fellow believers?
• Are we bearing one another's burdens?
• Are we actively pursuing unity?

In an increasingly individualistic world, the church is called to be a genuine community where love is demonstrated through everyday actions.

God's Holy Temple

Finally, Paul presents perhaps the most astonishing picture of all.

Believers together are becoming God's holy temple.

In the Old Testament, God's presence dwelt in the temple.

Now, through Christ, God's Spirit dwells among His people.

Jesus Himself is the cornerstone, and every believer is like a living stone being carefully placed into God's spiritual house.

This truth changes how we live.

Because we are God's temple, we are called to:

• Pursue holiness
• Guard unity
• Build one another up
• Worship together
• Display God's presence to the world

The church is not merely a building we attend—it is the place where God's presence is displayed through His people.

Living Worthy of Our Calling

Paul's message ends with both encouragement and challenge.

We once were:

• Far away
• Without hope
• Without God

Now, because of Jesus, we are:

• Reconciled to God
• Reconciled to one another
• Citizens of heaven
• Members of God's family
• God's holy dwelling place

What amazing grace!

The question is no longer whether God has done enough for us.

The question is:

Will we live worthy of the calling we have received?

May we never forget where Christ found us.

May we treasure the peace He purchased through His blood.

May we pursue unity, love deeply, carry one another's burdens, and live as people in whom God delights to dwell.

For those who were once far away have now been brought near—and are being built together into the very dwelling place of God.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Ephesians - Part 4

 

    This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 12th July 2026, by Lasya. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here.  

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8

The book of Ephesians is one of the most profound letters in the New Testament. It was written by the Apostle Paul to a church he had personally discipled for nearly two years. These believers had received the Holy Spirit, endured persecution, and remained faithful in a culture overflowing with idol worship and competing philosophies.

Before arriving at Ephesians 2, Paul prayed that the believers would know three incredible realities: the hope of their calling, the riches of God’s inheritance in His people, and the immeasurable greatness of His power. Now, having lifted their eyes to God’s glory, Paul turns our attention to something far less glorious—our own condition apart from Christ.

At first glance, this passage may appear to be about humanity’s sinfulness. But at its heart, Ephesians 2:1-10 is a breathtaking portrait of God’s grace. It reveals not only where we were, but what God has done to rescue us.

Let’s walk through the four stages of this beautiful story.

Stage 1: Dead on Arrival

Paul begins with sobering words:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…”

Notice that he doesn’t say we were weak, struggling, or spiritually sick.

He says we were dead.

From the moment sin entered the world through Adam, humanity inherited spiritual death. While Adam continued to breathe physically, his fellowship with God was broken. The life of God no longer flowed through him, and that same condition passed on to every human being.

Spiritually speaking, we were dead on arrival.

Paul describes this condition in several ways:

·       We followed the patterns of the world.

·       We lived under the influence of the enemy.

·       We gratified the desires of our sinful nature.

·       We stood deserving of God’s righteous judgment.

Whether our sin looked like reckless rebellion or respectable self-righteousness, the destination was the same. Like both sons in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, one wandered far while the other stayed home, yet both were equally distant from the Father’s heart.

The uncomfortable truth is that before grace, every one of us was spiritually lifeless.

Stage 2: Brought to Life

Then comes one of the greatest phrases in all of Scripture:

“But because of His great love for us…”

Those three words change everything.

God was not motivated by our goodness, our potential, or our promises to improve. He acted because He is rich in mercy and overflowing with love.

While we were dead, God made us alive together with Christ.

The gospel is not merely about improving broken people.

The gospel brings dead people back to life.

That is why salvation is nothing less than a resurrection miracle.

Grace is often defined as unmerited favour, but it is even more than forgiveness. It is God’s lavish kindness toward people who could never earn it.

The story of the Prodigal Son illustrates this beautifully. The father didn’t simply forgive his son and allow him to return as a servant. He ran toward him, embraced him while he was still covered in filth, restored him as family, and celebrated his return.

That is the heart of God.

He doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up before welcoming us. He knows we never could. Instead, He restores the relationship first.

The question every believer must ask is:

Have I truly received this grace?

And just as importantly:

Am I extending that same grace to others?

Stage 3: Raised and Seated with Christ

God’s grace doesn’t stop at making us alive.

Paul says God also raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms.

This is remarkable.

Grace restores not only our relationship with God but also our position before Him.

Like the father placing a robe and ring on the prodigal son, God publicly declares that we are no longer outsiders—we are sons and daughters.

Our position is not based on our performance.

It is entirely based on Christ’s finished work.

Paul reminds us:

“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.”

There is no room for pride because there is no part of salvation that we accomplished ourselves.

Faith simply receives the gift.

When people look at redeemed lives, the focus should never be on how deserving we are. Instead, our lives become living evidence of the immeasurable riches of God’s grace and kindness.

We are masterpieces that point to the greatness of the Artist.

Stage 4: Created for Good Works

Only after explaining grace does Paul speak about good works.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

This order is essential.

We are not saved by good works.

We are saved for good works.

Religion often reverses this sequence. It teaches that if we work hard enough, perhaps God will eventually accept us.

The gospel tells a completely different story.

God loved us while we were still dead.

He restored us.

He welcomed us.

He seated us with Christ.

Only then does He invite us into His work.

Our obedience is never an attempt to earn God’s acceptance.

It is the joyful overflow of already belonging to Him.

As members of God’s family, we now participate in our Father’s business. His work extends far beyond church activities—it reaches into our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, and communities.

Every sphere of life becomes an opportunity to reflect His grace.

Our Response to Grace

Grace is completely free.

Yet it calls for our entire lives.

As Isaac Watts beautifully wrote:

“Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

Perhaps today you identify with the prodigal son, burdened by shame and regret. Maybe you recognize the heart of the elder brother, struggling with pride or finding it difficult to extend grace. Or perhaps you’ve been living as though God’s love must continually be earned.

The invitation of Ephesians 2 remains the same.

Come to the Father.

Receive His grace.

Rest in the position He has already given you.

Then go and live out the good works He has lovingly prepared for you—not to gain His approval, but because you already have it.

Grace doesn’t simply change our destination.

It changes our identity, restores our relationship, establishes our position, and transforms the way we live every day.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org. 

Ephesians - Our Identity in Christ

 

    This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on 21st June 2026, by Navaz. For the audio , please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

THE GREATEST CALL UPON YOUR LIFE

The Gospel According to Ephesians 1:1–14

 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,^[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

SALUTATION

This letter, as we heard last Sunday, does not address any problems, unlike the letters to the Romans, Galatians, and Colossians. The overall theme of this letter is for everyone to grasp the big picture of who God is, what He has done, and what He requires of us as followers of Christ.

As we know, in the Greeco-Roman world, people began their letters by stating who was writing and to whom.

A FUNCTION, NOT A TITLE

You don't wear your calling — you live it.

We know that Paul is the author of this letter. Notice he does not say "Apostle Paul"-today, people use the words "Apostle," "Pastor," etc., as titles prefixed to their names, just like "Dr." These are not titles but functions. How many of us would go around with the titles Cleaner Paul, DLP Paul, Announcements Paul?

WRITTEN IN A CONFUSED CITY, FOR A CONFUSED WORLDV.2

Grace & peace, a common salutation Paul uses, combining the Jewish and Roman greetings.

This letter was written from prison in Rome around 60-62AD. We know that Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 years. Towards the end of his stay, there was a revival, and a riot broke out, and Paul had to leave the city.

Ephesus was known for its worship of Diana (her Roman name) and Artemis (her Greek name). Men became eunuchs, dressed as women, and worshipped her.  So, there was a lot of confusion amid the revival.

So we see Paul straddle the Greeco- Roman world, and the Jewish world. And then there is us as well!

While the Bible is not written TO us, it is written FOR us, which is what makes it relevant and eternal.

 And Paul is writing this letter as a plumbline for understanding your identity and calling in Christ, your understanding of salvation and God’s big plan for the church on the earth, and, finally, how we ought to live in view of this great God and the great calling upon our lives.

 WAKE UP TO WHO & WHOSE YOU ARE

ELEVEN TIMES HE SAYS "IN HIM"

Outside of Him, nothing. Inside of Him, everything.

ONE BREATH, ONE SENTENCE, ONE OVERFLOWING HEART

This is the good news of our salvation.

Blessed in the Heavenly Realms

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (v.3)

CHOSEN BEFORE TIME BEGAN

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight." (v.4a)

That God is our Father

He has blessed us, and that blessing has a geography if you like – it's in the heavenly realms.  Heaven is where God’s Kingdom is. Heaven and earth met in Eden, then in the Temple and now in our hearts.

We have often settled for material blessings, with our physical needs met.

The blessings are IN CHRIST. We can be in Christ when we acknowledge the need for him. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 5:33)

Where is Jesus right now? At the right hand of God, the Father, in the heavenly realms. If we are in Christ, then we too are seated in the heavenly realm – in the Kingdom, living the Kingdom way.

CHOSEN V4a

⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight

He could have passed you by. He didn't. Before you were ever born, you were already chosen.

WHO CHOSE YOU?

Our Salvation Story starts in Christ & is sustained by Him and will continue in Him into eternity. Eternity began the day you were born. Here is something we need to stop and thank God for. Thank God, He chose you. (John 15:16 – you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit --- fruit that will last) By definition, He could have chosen not to choose you, but He did.

This means not all are chosen for salvation. This is not a point for us to argue, shake our fists at God, and say, "Why not them and them?" It is the arrogance of humans and our individualism that makes us feel we deserve an answer. What we deserve is punishment.

WHEN WERE WE CHOSEN?

 Before the world was created. God operates outside of time, involves Himself in time, and is not limited by it.

WAKE UP TO WHY YOU ARE CHOSEN?

the glory of God

WHY WERE YOU CHOSEN?

This is the purpose for which we have been chosen—to glorify God.

Verser 4b We have chosen to be holy – set apart and blameless in His sight. We are blameless only because Jesus took our blame.

The church is the small working model of a new creation (N.T Wright). God chose us for a purpose. It is about restoring the mandate in Genesis 1:28.

FROM ORPHAN TO SON — FROM SON TO HEIR (TO BECOME – TO BELONG)

Before the cross, I was not His child. Now I cry, 'Abba, Father.'

VERSE 5- In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will— 

Let us roll back a little.

At creation, God gave Adam & Eve charge of the earth. They were to title and steward it well. They were supposed to do this in collaboration with God. It was heaven on earth because His will, design for humanity and the world, was being worked out through His image bearers.

But we know that soon, sin entered the world and corrupted everything. Humanity lost its identity, which was deeply linked to its relationship with the father. They lost their purpose because they forgot their design. They were created to rulership and dominion. Their image-bearing qualities would help them do that.  They also lost their relationship with God as their Father.

This brings me to the realisation that before Christ’s death on the cross, I was not a child of God! God is not everyone’s Father. Not everyone can call him Father

Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:11-12)

We are new creations – we have a new DNA. We are God’s workmanship or poem. Never been created before. We have a Divine Nature Activated in us the day we were born again.

GRACE THAT COSTS EVERYTHING

Free for you. Costly for Him.

V6. PURPOSE

⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

This choosing of God has a purpose: for the praise of His glory, not yours. Not so that you have fire insurance and can continue to live your life as you please. If you think that you have misunderstood grace, which is free for you, but it came at a price.

How Did God Do This?

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us... He made known to us the mystery of His will... to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." (vv.7-10)

Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of our sinful nature and to bring us back to Him, and in Him we once again see our purpose: to bring Glory to God on Earth, as it is in heaven. He did this at great cost.

In the Roman world, Grace was clearly understood as a benefactor/patron giving a client something he could never earn nor repay. The patron sets up the client for success and gives him everything he needs. However, the patron would, in turn, expect some services from the client. Imagine the client turning around and telling the benefactor-"Come on, you can't ask me to do that!" You are being unfair and demanding. And yet this is how we treat God.

Jesus has several expectations of us – to be holy (1 Pet 1:16), to obey His commandments (John 14:15), to preach the good news (Matt 28:18-20), to heal the sick, to raise the dead (Lk 9:2), to bring Him glory!!! If you thought being a Christian is only about being saved and not living your life for Jesus, you have probably heard only half the gospel.

Unfortunately, many have heard the salvation story that goes something like this: Come to Jesus, and you will be saved from hell; come to Jesus, and all your problems will go away; come to Jesus, and all your needs will be met. He is gracious and kind, and you don’t need to do anything to follow Jesus. This is a half-truth, and half-truth means there is half a lie!!! And that half-truth can send people to hell. On that day, Jesus, when we say “Lord, Lord”, forbid that He should say I never knew you!!! (Matt7:21-23)

God has saved us for a purpose far bigger than ourselves.  Being a worker in his vineyard is a privilege and does not rob you of your freedom!!

First to Hope, First to Display

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory." (vv.11-12)

MARKED, SEALED, AND GUARANTEED

No one can undo heaven's seal.

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of His glory." (vv.13-14)

THE TRINITY ON DISPLAY

•       FATHER – blessed us with every spiritual blessing

•       SON- Chosen, Adopted, redeemed, saved through Jesus

•       SPIRIT -Marked, sealed and promised an inheritance.

•       No one can take away what God has given us. It has heaven’s seal that no one can undo.

Your Mandate

·       Your identity is received, not invented.

·       Your worth is grounded in God's love, not public approval.

·       Your belonging comes from adoption into God's family.

·       Your future is secure because of God's promises and the Spirit's seal.

WAKE UP TO HOW YOU SHOULD RESPOND

REVELATION 2 To the Church in Ephesus

2 “To the angel^[a] of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. ² I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ 

Let your heart overflow — you have done nothing to deserve this.

FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS AGAIN!

What is our response to this great truth?

·       We need to be so grateful to God for our salvation and, like Paul, burst into incessant praise and thanksgiving.

·       Our hearts need to overflow with gratitude because we have done nothing to deserve such rich mercy and grace.

·       We need to live a purposeful life in Christ for the glory of God.

So, no matter what work you do, it is for the glory of God.

As mum’s raising your kids – it's for the glory of God.

Family life – husband, be a good husband for the glory of God. Wives, be good wives for the glory of God. Children obey and honour your parents for the glory of God.

As a Christian follower, serve the kingdom through your local church for the glory of God. 

PURPOSE IN A NUTSHELL

The fact that God has chosen us, adopted us, elected us, predestined us, sealed us all in His son Jesus Christ & redeemed us by His blood so that the mysteries of God would be revealed to us and that we as new creations become the new working model community called the Church is more than enough reason to give praise to God.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.