Studies in Ephesians 11 Christ Our Peace Ephesians

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. �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

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 – 3: 27 -28 Galatians �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: 8

Christ our peace (14 -18) �“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. ” (18) 18 �Everyone has access to Him - bot you and me!

Paul’s conclusion (19 -22) �Therefore – we are fellowcitizens, 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)