RTW 2023

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Ephesians 1:1-2

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Ephesians 2:1-2

• Paul stayed with the Ephesians several years before heading back to Jerusalem.
• When Paul left Ephesus, the church knew it would be the last time that they ever saw him.
• Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus would have been a great comfort to them.
• Paul explains to the Ephesians the great mystery of the Church.
• The real Church is the Body of Christ.
• Believers are members of the Body, of which Christ is the Head.
• Paul reminds the Ephesians of their identity before Christ: dead in their sins.
• Before Christ, we were all dead in our sins and in love with the world.
• Christ gave us new life.
• Christ seated us at His table with Him in the heavenly places.
• Christ brought us into the covenant family.
• Christ extended salvation to us.
• We deserve none of it.
• We earned none of it.
• He extended grace to us.
• We are identified as His.
• In Christ Alone (Official Lyric Video) – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Alison Krauss

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Know that my identity is defined by Christ, not by feelings, culture, or the world.