March 3, 2024
Series: Ephesians
Teacher: mike laughrun
Ephesians 2:11-22
(11) Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands– (12) remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (15) by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (16) and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (17) And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. (18) For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (22) In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Big Truth: Jesus Followers Are Brought Near To God By His Blood.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
James 4:1
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Ephesians 2:13-16
(13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (15) by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (16) and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Big Idea:
In Christ, Jesus followers have peace with God and peace with one another.
(14) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one…
Mark 4:39
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 5:34
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Big Idea:
In Christ, Jesus followers are one.
(14) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one…
Genesis 12:2-3
(2) And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Jonah 3:10
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Jonah 4:1-2
(1) But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. (2) And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.
Acts 10:34, 44-45
(34) Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, … (44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. (45) All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
Ephesians 2:14-16
(14) For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (15) by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, (16) and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Ephesians 2:17-18
(17) And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. (18) For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 3:6
(6) This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
John 17:20-21
(20) “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, (21) that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Ephesians 2:16
and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Ephesians 3:6, 10
(6) This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. … (10) so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 2:19-22
(19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (20) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, (21) in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (22) In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Big Idea:
In Christ, Jesus followers possess kingdom citizenship.
(19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints…
Big Idea:
In Christ, Jesus followers belong to God’s family.
(19) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…
Big Idea:
In Christ, Jesus followers are being built into a dwelling place of God.
(22) In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
In your sin, you were strangers and aliens, separated from God. In Christ, you are members of God’s family, with access to God.
In Christ, you are called according to His purpose. Rejoice in His blood which brings peace.
Feel the weight of our desperation apart from Christ. Feel the glory of His grace shown to us at the cross.
The church is being built together into a temple of God. Long to see your brothers and sisters in Christ walk in the good works prepared beforehand by God (2:10).