WERE AND ARE

INTRO.

1. Past and present tense makes an interesting study.
2. What “was” is replaced by what “is.”
3. N.T. emphasizes in God’s plan the difference in what Christians were and what they now are.

1. THEY WERE UNRIGHTEOUS BUT ARE NOW WASHED, SANCTIFIED, JUSTIFIED—1 Cor. 6:9-11.

(1)  “Unrighteous”—An objective absolute term!

(2)  A partial list of what constitutes unrighteousness.

(3)  Not inherit kingdom of God.

(4)  Such “were” vs. “are.”

1. WERE DEAD IN SINS, BUT NOW ARE SAVED BY GRACE—Eph. 2:5.

(1)  Sinner lost vs. sinner saved.

(2)  Sin a state of deadness—Separation from relationship with God.

(3)  Saved by grace—Alive in Christ---Quickened—Eph. 2:1.

1. Rom. 6:13—As those…alive from the dead.

1. WERE FAR OFF BUT ARE NOW NEAR—Eph. 2:13.

(1)  In Christ Jesus.

(2)  In one body.

(3)  By the cross.

1. WERE DARKNESS BUT ARE NOW LIGHT IN THE LORD—Eph. 5:8.

(1)  Walk as children of light.

(2)  Enjoy the light!

(3)  Let the light expose what needs exposing.

1. WERE NOT A PEOPLE BUT ARE NOW THE PEOPLE OF GOD—1 Pet. 2:9, 10.

(1)  Gives an identity!

(2)  Provides a sense of belonging—A group to be part of—Young people have a group to be a part of.

1. WERE ASTRAY BUT ARE NOW RETURNED—1 Pet. 2:24.

(1)  The Shepherd and Bishop of your souls—Jesus cares!

(2)  No longer wandering in the wilderness of sin but now have a guide and direction.

CONC.

1. Consider the “were” and the “are” of your life.
2. What your were does not have to be what you are or even what you can become.

(1)  1 Jn. 3:2—“Now vs. “shall be.”