#1397. A vision of our eternity in Christ (28/11/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Previously, in Ephesians 2:4–7, we have reflected on being made alive, raised, and seated with Christ through our union with Him. 

Today, from Ephesians 2:4-7, let’s reflect on God’s great purpose - the great ends - for which He has chosen us. 

To watch this devotional, select the link below:

1. In order that

Paul doesn’t stop at describing what God has done  -  making the dead alive, saving, raising, and seating us with Christ. He now tells us why: ‘in order that…’ Our salvation has a purpose. It is not only for our own joy and benefit, but for something far greater.

2. God’s plan is to show His great love and mercy eternally

God has saved us so that ‘in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.’ For eternity  -  both in heaven now and in the new creation to come  -  God’s plan is to display His inexhaustible grace. Forever, angels and redeemed people will marvel at His love and mercy in salvation.

This theme is already introduced in chapter 1, where Paul says that God’s blessings of election, holiness, adoption, and redemption are all given ‘…to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves’ (Ephesians 1:6). God acts for His glory. Yes, we experience immense joy in His salvation, but ultimately creation, redemption, and restoration all exist for the everlasting praise of God’s grace.

3. Will eternity be boring?

Some wonder, “Won’t heaven get boring? What will we do for eternity?” But if this broken world can capture our fascination for a lifetime, how much more will the infinite glory of God hold us in awe forever? In eternity, we will see more and more clearly how deeply God has loved us in Christ.

Think of the joy of exploring a great gallery or museum. Each painting or artefact captivates us afresh. So it will be as we behold one another in our glorified and redeemed state  -  each life a unique testimony to the grace of God. Eternity will be an endless discovery, an ever-deepening wonder, an unceasing overflow of worship to our Saviour.

4. The incomparable riches of His grace

Paul piles up words to show the magnitude of God’s kindness: His grace is ‘incomparable’ (huperballó  -  surpassing, beyond measure). His grace is ‘riches’  -  more valuable than anything we could own or earn. His grace is ‘kindness’  -  tender and personal, expressed supremely in Christ Jesus. Nothing compares!

Response

Do you feel you lack something today? Look again to ‘the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.’

Do you see that now and forever you are like a living artwork  -  a display of God’s glorious grace? Let your life today show His greatness.

Do you see that salvation by grace is meant to stir endless thanksgiving and worship? Is your life, and is our church, overflowing with gratitude to God - let’s do now, what we will do forever - Praise His glorious grace!

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

Note:

• Please be thinking and praying about who you might want to invite to our upcoming carol service (7th December)

• Also, do sign up for carol singing (30th November).  To sign up, go to: https://forms.monday.com/forms/67541e198902721e4b04ee65cc95ae8a?r=use1

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

This week, we continue in our series: Ephesians: to the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

Our message on Sunday from Ephesians 2:4-7 was:  Wrath to Riches - How God's grace has saved us.

In these verses, we see the astonishing love and grace of God - a love that transforms both our identity and our eternal future. We reflected on how:

Remembering what we have been saved from and saved for should deeply impact how we live now. 

Please read Ephesians 2:4-7 and discuss:

• Personal Reflection – What did God speak to you about through Sunday’s message?

• In verse 3, he sets a contrast with the words, ‘But because…’ Take a moment to review verses 1-3 so as to remind ourselves of our condition when God’s love broke in. 

• Why do you think God loved us? 

• What does it mean to be ‘made alive’ and what are the results?

• What does it mean to be ‘raised up with Christ’? 

• According to verse 7, what will God do through each of us for all eternity? 

• How is this truth - wrath to riches - to be reflected in our lives? 

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• How do these verses assure us that God will continue to bring people to Himself?

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.