Before & After Pictures

I really love before and after pictures. Social media seems to really love them, too. I suppose it is an expression of nostalgia for the “good ole days.” I have a particular interest in photographs of old places, cities, movie locations, etc. It is fun comparing what has changed or what is still the same over 10, 20, 50, or even 100+ years ago. The same is true for people; its fun to see how young, thin, and beautiful people looked so many years ago.

My text Sunday is from Ephesians 2:1-10 and it regards the before and after pics of the church in Ephesus.

Ephesians 2:1-10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions– it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Notice, the before shot: dead in transgressions and sin, following the ways of the world, following the rulers of the kingdom of the air, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature, and objects of wrath.

The after shot is much better: made alive with Christ, saved by grace, raised up with Christ, seated with him in the heavenly realms, God’s workmanship, and created in Christ to do good works.

Their story is our story as well. Because of Jesus, we are very different people than we were! I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey