| Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2 8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9: Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16: And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; __________________________________________________________________ The Lord’s word speaks to us in Verse 12 about the most awful condition that a person can be in. He speaks about having no hope and without God in this world. As we think about awful conditions, we would all agree that to be in this world that being in this world having no hope and without God is the most awful condition that anyone could ever be in. In the Bible it speaks to us about the bad condition Joseph was in when his brothers sold him into slavery and then he was framed and thrown into prison. Then we think of God’s people in bondage in Egypt who were in an awful condition. Then we think of all the troubles that came upon Job, truly a awful condition to be in.. Then the Bible also speaks to us about those who were lepers and those who were blind. Those who were lame and could not walk. But let us think upon the very most awful condition a person can be in. Our text speaks of as that having no hope and without God in the world. These scriptures in Ephesians 2:8-19 are speaking to those who are now believers in Christ and His shed blood as their very own salvation and putting us in mind of how precious our redemption in Christ is. Now we have a place reserved for us in heaven. We need always to be reminded of this wonderful love and grace and mercy of God that He has given us redemption in Christ’s sacrifice wherein He hath put away our sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Verse 13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. The shed blood of Christ obtained eternal redemption unto all those who believe on it for their very own salvation. Verse 19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. The believer has passed from death unto life and is an heir of God. Back to our text in Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being alien from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants, having no hope and without God in the world. Man’s most awful condition in the world, no hope and without God in the world. Those in Noah’s day that perished—those in Sodom and Gomorrah that perished when God when God brought fire and brimstone and destroyed all—all were without God in the world. John 8:21 speaks to us about those who are in the world without God in the world. “If you believe not I am he ye shall die in your sins”. Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man , which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. Note he was rich, clothed in purple and fine linen, but we shall see that he was in the most awful condition, in the world without God and without hope as we shall see as we read the rest of the story. Verse 20 says and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores. Verse 2l and desiring to be fed with crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. Verse 22- and it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; the rich man also died, and was buried. Verse 23: And in Hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. This rich man was in the world without God and without hope. He died and lifted up his eyes in Hell in torments. He was tormented in the flames. Verse 24- and he cried and said, Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. The next verse will show just what an awful thing it is to be in this world without hope and without God. Verse 25-But Abraham said, Son remember that thou in thy lifetime receiveth thy good things; but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. Verse 26- and beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot. Neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. He found out that he was in torment forever-He would never have even a moment that would not be tormented. Oh what Glory it is, in view of these things we have looked at, to be one that is saved by God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God Verse 9 – Not of works, lest any man should boast. Those who are of faith are made nigh. Verse 13-But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. We who believe in Christ and His shed blood as our redemption are made nigh. By God’s grace those who believe are no more strangers. Verse 19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. All this through the sacrifice of Christ, As we have looked at man’s most awful condition, we see the glory and blessing of being one that is saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. We that believe are reconciled unto God by the cross of Christ. Verse 16: And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. In this verse we see that Jews and Gentiles alike are saved by that redeeming work of Christ when He gave His life for sinners when He died on the cross and He was buried and raised again the third day. So let us ever praise God for the glory of His grace. Ephesians 1:6 - To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hat made us accepted in the Beloved. Those who believe are made accepted by Christ’s sacrifice. Verse 7- In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Delivered from being without hope to being made accepted unto God by Christ’ s blood. To the praise of the glory of His grace. |
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