Introduction

Good morning, beloved! It's a joy to gather with you today, in this sacred space where we seek solace and strength, wisdom and warmth, from the Word of God. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. God has something to say to us today, something we need to hear, something that will nourish our souls and bring us closer to Him.

Today, we're going to turn our hearts and minds to the book of Ephesians, specifically Ephesians 2:5-19. It's a passage that paints a vivid picture of our status and standing as citizens of God's kingdom. It's a position that comes with privileges, responsibilities, and implications that permeates every corner of our lives.

My prayer for us today is that as we reflect on these words, we would not just understand them intellectually, but that they would seep into our hearts, shaping our attitudes, our actions, our very identities.

Let's pray: "Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of gathering in Your name today. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us to grasp the depth and breadth of our citizenship in Your kingdom. May we be humbled by Your grace, emboldened by Your love, and transformed by Your truth. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Transition: So, let's begin, dear friends. Let's gaze upon the glorious reality of our Kingdom Citizenship, as seen through the eyes of Paul, and understand its practical implications in our daily lives.

Privileges of Kingdom Citizenship

The first thing we see in this passage is that our citizenship is a gift of grace. We did not earn it, we did not buy it, we did not inherit it from our parents. It is a gift, freely given by God to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. This is a profound truth that should fill our hearts with gratitude and awe. We were dead in our sins, but God, in His great love, made us alive with Christ and raised us up with Him. This is the first and greatest privilege of our citizenship - the gift of life, the gift of salvation, the gift of grace.

But the privileges of our citizenship do not stop there. Paul tells us that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. This is a powerful image that speaks of authority and power. As citizens of God's kingdom, we share in Christ's authority and power. We are not powerless victims of circumstance, but victorious conquerors in Christ. We have the power to overcome sin, to resist temptation, to stand firm in the face of trials and tribulations. We have the power to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that reflects His glory and goodness.

In addition to the gift of grace and the power of authority, our citizenship also comes with the privilege of purpose. We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We are not aimless wanderers, but purposeful workers. We have a mission, a calling, a divine assignment. We are here for a reason, and that reason is to glorify God and to advance His kingdom on earth. We do this through our words and our actions, through our love and our service, through our faith and our obedience.

Finally, our citizenship gives us the privilege of peace. Paul tells us that Christ himself is our peace, that He has destroyed the barrier of hostility that separated us from God and from each other. As citizens of God's kingdom, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have peace in our hearts, knowing that we are loved and accepted, forgiven and free. We have peace with each other, as we are all members of one body, united in Christ.

Transition: So, as we reflect on these privileges - the gift of grace, the power of authority, the privilege of purpose, and the peace of Christ - let us not take them for granted. Let us cherish them, let us celebrate them, let us live in the light of them. And let us use them, not for our own benefit, but for the glory of God and the good of His kingdom.

Paul's Perspective on Kingdom Citizenship

In Ephesians 2:5-19, Paul paints a vivid picture of our Kingdom Citizenship ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO