Built Together - Week 2

• Wealth — chapters 1–3
• Walk — chapters 4–5
• Warfare — chapter 6

What we were.

What God did.

What we have become.

1. We Were Alive, But Dead

Ephesians 2:1–3

You can be physically alive while spiritually dead.

• The world — “the course of this world”
• The devil — “the prince of the power of the air”
• The flesh — “the passions of our flesh”

Spiritual death doesn't mean inactivity.

• God designed human life to flow from Him outward—God shaping us internally, our desires and will responding to Him, and our lives expressing His will.

Sin reverses the order.

• Instead of asking:
• What does God want?
• we begin with:
• What do I feel?
• What do I want?
• What will satisfy me?
• And eventually:
• I feel. I want. I do.

A life driven by “I feel, I want, I do” eventually leaves us weary, restless, and empty—because the flesh can never give us the life it promises.

2. But God Made Us Alive

Ephesians 2:4–7

Chapter one reminds us that our identity is In Christ. Now in Chapter we are told that the way we walk in that identity is with Christ.

Before:

I feel → I want → I do.

3. God's Grace Gives New Life and a New Purpose

Ephesians 2:8–10

Salvation Is:

• By grace
• Through faith
• Not from ourselves
• Not by works
• So no one can boast

We have now moved from: Who you were to What God did to Why He made you alive.

Grace doesn't just rescue you from an old life. Grace creates you for a new one.

4. Grace Brings Us Near — vv. 11–13

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

It brings far-away people near.

Grace changes our relationship with God, but it also changes our relationship with one another.

That naturally raises the question: If we've all been brought near to God, what does that make us to one another?

5. Jesus Makes Us One — vv. 14–18

Jesus didn't die merely to reconcile you to God. He died to create a reconciled people.

The gospel doesn't just give me peace with God; it creates a people at peace with one another.

6. God Builds Us Together — vv. 19–22

We are citizens.
We are family.
We are a temple.

• God certainly works in us individually, but Ephesians says there is something God intends to do among us collectively that He cannot accomplish through isolated Christianity.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

1. What are some things that can shape our choices besides God? How can we tell when our feelings, wants, or the world around us are leading us more than Jesus?
2. Paul says, “But God” in Ephesians 2:4. Where have you seen God’s grace change your life in a way you could not have changed on your own?
3. We are saved by grace and for good works. What is one good work or step of obedience you believe God may be calling you to right now?
4. Jesus brings people near to God and makes them one. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to take a step toward peace, forgiveness, or unity? What could that step look like?
5. Ephesians 2 says we are being “built together.” What is one way you can move from simply attending church to building deeper relationships with other believers this week?