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Studies in Ephesians (11). Christ, Our Peace Ephesians 2:11-18. Gentiles brought near ( 11-13 ). Therefore remember You once Gentiles in the flesh Despised by the Jews “ Uncircumcision ” Jews saw Gentiles as unclean Gentiles saw Jews as arrogant, elitist, etc.
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Studies in Ephesians (11) Christ, Our Peace Ephesians 2:11-18
Gentiles brought near (11-13) • Therefore remember • You once Gentiles in the flesh Despised by the Jews “Uncircumcision”Jews saw Gentiles as uncleanGentiles saw Jews as arrogant, elitist, etc. • Are such attitudes pleasing to God?
Gentiles brought near (11-13) • Their former state: • Without Christ • Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel • Strangers from the covenant of promise • Having no hope • Without God in the world • While such descriptions are real, they are no excuse for arrogance
Gentiles brought near (11-13) • But now in Christ… • You who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ • We ALL need the blood of Jesus • 1 Peter 1:18-19 • 1 John 1:7 • Acts 20:28 • Rev. 5:9-10
Christ our peace (14-18) • He Himself is our peace • He is our source of true peace - Joining us together - Giving us tranquility - Producing unity • John 14:27, 16:33 • Colossians 3:15 • Philippians 4:7
Christ our peace (14-18) • How did He bring peace? • He has made both one – Galatians 3:27-28 • He broke down the middle wall of separation- created His own special people – 1 Pet. 2:9 • He abolished in the flesh the enmity – the law of commandments It was temporal –Gal. 3:19-20, 24, Heb. 10:1-4 (5-10) • Colossians 2:14
Christ our peace (14-18) • The result of His peace • So as to create in Himself one new man from the two • A NEW man (neither Jew or Gentile) – Christians! • We are reconciled to God in one body through the cross -Reconciled BOTH to one another and to God! Rom. 5:10, 2 Cor. 5:17-21
Christ our peace (14-18) • He came and preached peace • “to you who were afar off” (Gentiles) • His message is for ALL mankind! Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8Romans 1:16, John 3:16
Christ our peace (14-18) • “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” (18) • Everyone has access to Him - bot you and me!
Paul’s conclusion (19-22) • Therefore – we are fellow-citizens, built together.(More in our next lesson)
God’s grace has saved us and brought us together in Him Does the world see Him in us (John 13:34-35)