Episode 116 - Our Oneness In Christ Who We Are In Jesus - A Study In Ephesians Ephesians 2:11-22

Message summary – God’s Presence in God’s People brings us Together in God’s Peace

1. Before Christ, No Peace was found

a. Jesus came and brought the great salvation we celebrated in verses 1-10

b. Jews and Gentiles were separated by a chasm of hatred. 2:11-12

c. This was a misapplication of God’s Plan to unite the peoples of the world i. Genesis 11 – At the tower of Babel - God scatters people and confuses languages because of disobedience ii. In Genesis 12 - He immediately begins the reconciliation process by His Grace

d. God chose Abram and made his physical descendants, through Isaac, his chosen and special people

e. They had 2 assignments: i. Live Holy Lives ii. Bear witness to the rest of the World

f. The Jews quickly forgot their purpose and focused on the words special and chosen – misapplying them and forgetting their purpose – As in – We’re holy; you aren’t – We’re Special; You’re not – spiraling down into sin and unholiness – desiring to be like the world, instead of reaching the world with God’s love and purpose as His special envoys. i. The result was 2 hopeless groups!

1. The Jews – disobedient and defiant toward their Holy God

2. The Gentiles – living apart from God, with no one to point them to God – making life up on their own.

g. But, Jesus changes everything! i. HE came to realign the Jews back to God’s plan and open the door for the Gentiles to hear and receive the Gospel – bringing them together in one body – The Church. ii. He now, and for the last 2,000 years, empowers the Church to accomplish the mission, the purpose of drawing people together in Christ.

2. God’s Peace is only possible through the Cross – v13-18

a. By the Blood – The Sacrificial Lamb of Offering

b. In His Flesh – Our Perfect Substitute to satisfy God’s Wrath

c. Through the Cross – Reconciling us to God – 16-18

d. No other way – No one else died for you, like that! i. As the fulfillment of God’s Plan to reconcile the world to Himself

1. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ii. Regardless of Distance Peace is Available

1. Romans 5:1-5

3. God’s Peace was always God’s Plan

a. Genesis 12:1-3

b. Isaiah 49:6

c. Luke 2:29-33

d. Acts 10:44-48

e. Revelation 7:9-12

4. The Church unites Growing Believers together in Peace! V19-22

a. Fellow Citizens with

b. Members of God’s household

c. Build on Christ – v20-22 i. Our foundation is the written Word of God ii. With the Living Word of God as the Cornerstone

1. Aligned precisely with God in Holiness

2. Positioned perfectly in His Spiritual Building

a. As His Growing Temple

b. As His Spirit’s Home i. Johnny’s testimony

1. 5 weeks ago – I don’t get church

2. This week – I want to commit my life fresh and new to the Lord Jesus – I can’t live without Him!

Message summary – God’s Presence in God’s People brings us Together in God’s Peace

Has this happened to you?

Are you a part of the family of God?

Other podcasts from Woodpile Ministries:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rings To Tags - w/ Isaac & Amanda Wood⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Marriage. Family. Home. God's Way.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rings-to-tags/id1634856692⁠⁠