Wonder of Wonders...

"(4)But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:4-6 NASB

What an awesome God we serve.  I started writting a post about this topic weeks ago, but never finished it.  Today's sermon inspired me to actually write about what I had been thinking.  The passage was Eph. 2:5-6 Well, here goes...

"While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, 'Your daughter has died; do not trouble the teacher anymore.' But when Jesus heard this, he answered him, 'Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.' When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girls father and mother.  Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, 'Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.' And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.  He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, 'Child, arise!' And her spirit returned, and she got up immidiately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat." Luke 8:49-55

As I was doing my Bible study I came across the above account of Jesus bringing the girl back to life.  I started really thinking about it and I was in awe.  Imagine being brought back to life, or seeing someone be brought back to life.  Seeing someone gain sight, or the ability to walk, or the ability to speak.  That would truly be a miraculous thing.  I am filled with wonder right now as I think about it! 

There are other accounts of death to life in the Bible.  These are two that Pastor Layton mentioned aside from the passage written above:
Luke 7:12-15 (Jesus brings the son of a widow back to life after He felt compassion for the mother.)
John 11:38-44 (Lazarus brought back to life.)

Pastor Layton referenced Ezekiel 37:1-10 and how Ezekiel prophesied to dry bones and they rattled together and sinew grew on them, but they had no breath in them, then he did as the Lord said and he prophesied and the breath came to the bones and they became alive.  We are but dry bones and Christ's death has brought the breath of life to those who believe. Pastor Phil also talked about how Jesus was able to bring people back to life from the dead, and He is also able to bring us, who are dead in sin, to life in Him.  It was amazing looking at these accounts of Christ bringing those three people back to life, and meditating on them.  These people were BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE! Jesus also died, and He was raised from the dead for us.  When we come to Christ we are brought to life from death.  We are alive in Him.  This is truly amazing.

Pastor Phil seems to come up with a "new favorite" passage or scripture or truth every Sunday he teaches.  Last week it was the words "But God" ("But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us" Eph 2:4, Gen. 8:1, 45:7, 50:20, Ps. 73:26, 49:15, Acts 2:22, 2 Cor. 1:9, 1 Cor. 3:6, 1:27, Rom. 5:6). This week his "new favorite" truth was "With Him" ("Even when we were dead in our transgrassions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:5-6).

Pastor Phil Layton: Sunday, March 27, 2011 - "From Death Valley to the Heights of Grace" Eph. 2:5-6