This week, Pastor Brandon continues our Journey Through Ephesians series with one of the most powerful chapters in Scripture — Ephesians 2. Before Christ, we were spiritually dead, slaves to the world, the enemy, and our own flesh. But Paul reminds us that everything changes with two words: “But God.” Through His mercy and grace, we’ve been raised to life, set free, and created for good works that He prepared for us in advance. This message is a reminder that salvation isn’t the end — it’s the beginning. We were dead, but now we are alive in Christ! ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome to Venture Church Online
1:00 – Building expansion and generosity update
2:30 – Introduction to Ephesians 2
3:40 – Reading Ephesians 2:1–10
5:00 – “Before and After” – setting up the message
7:00 – Pastor Brandon’s story about shoulder surgery
8:30 – Who we were before Jesus
10:00 – Spiritually dead and separated from God
12:00 – Slaves to the world, the enemy, and the flesh
14:40 – The world’s pattern and influence
16:00 – The deception of the enemy
18:00 – Our struggle with the flesh and temptation
22:00 – Deserving of wrath — the weight of sin
24:30 – “But God” — the turning point
26:00 – Made alive with Christ through grace
28:00 – Understanding God’s immeasurable love and mercy
30:00 – Salvation as resurrection and new life
32:00 – We are God’s handiwork — His masterpiece
34:00 – Created for good works prepared in advance
36:00 – God’s pursuit of those still in the “before”
37:30 – The hope of transformation — “But God”
39:00 – Invitation to follow Jesus and prayer of salvation
40:30 – Closing announcements and worship night preview