Ephesians 2:1-22; Mark 5:1-20; 4:39

Recurrent Thought

From God’s point of view, you are already a Complete in Christ. However, in reality, you must ensure that, that reality become true. This is basic discipleship.

The World desperately misses disciplined, obedient and faithful Christ-devoted. A Christ devoted follower is one who know where God picked them from and they hate that place such that they don’t want to return to it. A disciple knows how they have changed by the deposit of riches through the finished work of Christ. Additionally, Christ devoted followers know the authoritative position they have with God. However, Christ devoted followers know that God is not yet through working in them—they are life-long followers (disciples).

Chapter 2 of Ephesians shows the past, the present and the future of a disciple. It shows that the believer is already a masterpiece in Christ (Positionally 2:10) yet God continues to work in and with them. In this chapter we uncover two foundational truths related to the Work of the Holy Spirit in my life. First, the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us access to the Father so that we enjoy the immeasurable riches of Christ.    He participates in our being processed as disciples. Here are Six Frames of Believers Identity

1.You were once Dead in your Trespasses (2:1-3)

• You were controlled by the triad of Evil
• Sinful Flesh: Lived according to its passions
• World & its Mindsets: Followed the course of its philosophies and worldviews
• Prince of the Air (Satan): Worked in His disobedience
• You were children of wrath
• By nature of sin, you could not avoid it. It is so with all human beings (2:3).

2.You are Now Alive in Christ (2:4-6)

• It is by Grace that God Made You Alive (Mercy & Love at work): 2:4
• It is not Your doing. It is a gift. It is God’s doing (2:8).
• Your work can not create this stuff. It is not through your ingenuity (2:9)

3.You are Raised and Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Places (2:6-7)

• He did not just make us alive but he raised us above our previous situations
• He set us in the place of authority and power (1:22-23; 2:6)
• You carry the immeasurable riches of His Grace and Kindness (2:7)

4.You are His Masterpiece of Good Works (2:10)

• The Lord already determined your beauty of righteousness as accessed in Christ.
• A master Piece is a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship. God is working in us daily to form beauty, mastery, and greatness as already determined in times past.
• However, he is still working in our lives. He is allowing the Holy Spirit to continue working on us. Establishing ability to follow his voice
• He gives us His word to establish and grow our capacity to obey Him.
• In times past God determined that whoever believes the gospel and are saved should practice good works. God has graciously quickened us, saved us, made us new creatures, and prepared us unto good works (Eph. 2:10).
• It is abnormal and unethical for a Christ-devoted follower to do works of evil.

Illustration:The Man from Gadara: Mark 5:1-20; 4:39

         "Jesus who calms the storm on the sea also calms the storms in human beings

5.You have Access to the Father of All Blessings (2:18)

• By the Power of the Holy Spirit we have access to the Father. This access makes us to enjoy our new found status.
• We not strangers of heaven; We are citizens and saints in the Household of God (2:19)
• We are no longer strangers to the Covenant of God. We share in the blessings of Jesus; with this we must understand that dividing walls of hostilities, divisions, etc., are broken.
• As long as another person shares our faith and they are followers of Christ, no hostility should be there.

6.You are His Dwelling Place (2:22)

1. The pronoun “You” is in the plural sense although it is also applicable in the singular. Its emphasis is from where he specifies “Gentiles in the Flesh.”  2:11.
2. Therefore, collectively believers are God’s dwelling place (habitation); it is also true that you as an individual you are a dwelling place of God (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
3. The person working daily to make you a dwelling Place is the Holy Spirit (2:22)

Overarching Principle

The Holy Spirit is the being who essentially works with us to unveil and affirm our “becoming” Masterpieces and God’s Dwelling Place.

Conclusion:

You are a master piece for good works; therefore, act accordingly. You are Gods habitation, therefore, host His Presence.