In “Made New,” part of the In Christ series, Tyler Lynde opens Ephesians 2:10–13 and traces the journey from “far off” to “brought near.” He celebrates signs of spiritual hunger in our day, yet he presses beyond headlines to the heart of true renewal. Drawing on Jonathan Edwards, Tyler names the marks of a God-breathed awakening: deep conviction of sin, genuine repentance, a growing love for Jesus, and lives aligned with Scripture. That kind of grace doesn’t just stir a moment; it reshapes a life.
Tyler lingers over Paul’s claim that we are God’s workmanship—His poema—created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand. Grace comes first, then works follow. Saved by grace through faith, not by works; yet grace produces obedience and the fruit of the Spirit. This newness is not private inspiration but public transformation: peace that steadies us in trial, kindness that softens neighborhoods, integrity that changes workplaces, and mercy that meets needs in our city. A church alive doesn’t outsource love; it lives it.
He also highlights the first command in Ephesians: remember. Remember being separated from Christ, alienated from God’s people, strangers to the covenants, without hope and without God. Remembering keeps humility fresh and gratitude loud. Then comes the hinge of history—“But now in Christ Jesus…”—and the distance closes. Not by hustle or religion, but by the blood of Christ. Jesus bridges the divide we could never cross, makes enemies family, and seats believers with Him so they can walk in the works already on their path.
With pastoral clarity, Tyler urges both comfort and action: if you feel far, Christ draws near; if you’ve been in church for years, don’t forget what you were saved from; if you’re asking what to do next, begin with prayer, worship, remembering, and simple obedience. Good works are not the ground of salvation, but its consequence and evidence—fruit that remains across generations.
This message offers a clear map for anyone longing for renewal: receive grace, remember your rescue, and walk as a living poem of God’s craftsmanship. Watch and be encouraged to let revival begin where pride ends—at the cross—and to let personal renewal become public witness for the good of your family, your neighborhood, and your city.
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