THE PRICELESS CREATION: AN ASCENSION TO HEAVENLY REALMS
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Priceless Creation
a) Although we became dead in sin, God made it possible for us to be "raised up" created anew in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-6,10).
b) This is the main point about the Priceless Creation. Paul later speaks of this new creation as putting on a new self (Ephesians 4:22-24).
c) Paul makes three connected statements:
i) "We were dead" (Ephesians 2:1,5).
ii) "God... made us alive" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
iii) "We are his workmanship created in Christ" (Ephesians 2:10).
d) When God created our souls in the first place, they were a priceless creation. Yet we destroyed that priceless creation through sin. That has led us to see our need of the "washing of water with the word" which Paul elsewhere calls "the washing of regeneration (rebirth)" (Ephesians 5:26, Titus 3:5).
2. An Ascension To Heavenly Realms
a) Paul sees this new creation as "seated" with Christ "in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). This is a reference to Christ's ascension as our forerunner and present advocate and intercessor. We are not seated in heaven literally but have a guaranteed place reserved there, and are personally represented there by Christ our High Priest. We are "brought near" to the throne of grace "by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). We have "access in one Spirit to the Father through [the Son]" (Ephesians 2:18).
The End ...
1. The Priceless Creationa) Although we became dead in sin, God made it possible for us to be "raised up" created anew in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-6,10).
b) This is the main point about the Priceless Creation. Paul later speaks of this new creation as putting on a new self (Ephesians 4:22-24).
c) Paul makes three connected statements:
i) "We were dead" (Ephesians 2:1,5).
ii) "God... made us alive" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
iii) "We are his workmanship created in Christ" (Ephesians 2:10).
d) When God created our souls in the first place, they were a priceless creation. Yet we destroyed that priceless creation through sin. That has led us to see our need of the "washing of water with the word" which Paul elsewhere calls "the washing of regeneration (rebirth)" (Ephesians 5:26, Titus 3:5).
2. An Ascension To Heavenly Realms
a) Paul sees this new creation as "seated" with Christ "in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). This is a reference to Christ's ascension as our forerunner and present advocate and intercessor. We are not seated in heaven literally but have a guaranteed place reserved there, and are personally represented there by Christ our High Priest. We are "brought near" to the throne of grace "by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). We have "access in one Spirit to the Father through [the Son]" (Ephesians 2:18).
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