“no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, of God’s household,” – Ephesians 2:19

Context: Ephesians 1:7-14 God’s Purpose – salvation

Ephesians 1:7-14 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. (And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.  NLT)  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:7-14  NASB

We need to introduce a few new concepts for the next several weeks.

“In Him,” (close relationship) 

Fresh start, forgiven, made clean, given peace and new life, born again.

Redeemed in Him. Regenerated in Him. One in Him. Victorious in Him.

Jesus is my #1. Savior King of my heart.

God’s Purpose Never Changes. God’s Instrument May Change. You are an instrument in God’s hand. The Local Church is God’s Instrument for this Age. (Covenants – Tabernacles – Animal Sacrifice – Circumcision)

“time” – last days as spiritual era, here and now the local church is God’s instrument (timeline)

What does God care about? What is God doing? How should we be involved?

Ephesians 2:13-22  “Now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So, then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:13-22  NASB

“no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, of God’s household,” – Ephesians 2:19

God’s Purpose Never Changes. God’s Instrument May Change. Every instrument has a purpose. You can’t have an effective purpose without an instrument.

The Local Church is God’s Instrument for this Age. (Covenants – Tabernacles – Animal Sacrifice – Circumcision)

Ephesians 2:19-22  So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:19-22  NLT

What have we learned?

1.     God’s purpose includes salvation through Jesus.

2.     God’s purpose never changes.

3.     God’s instrument may change.

4.     God’s instrument for this age is the local church.

Wisdom & Warning

1.     Jesus followers must pursue a close relationship with Jesus through wholehearted devotion.

2.     Jesus’ life and teaching are reliable as instruction, foundation, and covering.

3.     Our enemy wants to diminish and destroy our relationship with Jesus and His church.

4.     Our enemy works through wrong theology and wrong emphasis.

5.     Any teaching that diminishes our devotion to Jesus or participation in the local church is not from God.

6.     Any teaching that predicts the failure of the church is not from God, nor is it biblical.

What should we do?

1.     Read Ephesians 1:7-14, 2:13-22 this week.

2.     Pray, asking God for understanding and wisdom about it.

3.     Memorize one verse.

4.     Write your observations and share them.