In Christ,Identity and Intimacy are

Intricately linked.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:11-22

No Reason for Boasting

No Boasting: God Initiates We Respond

“ So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh . . .” (2:11)

What we were without Christ (Eph 2:11-12)

What we were without Christ (Eph 2:11-12)

Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:6

What we were without Christ (Eph 2:11-12)

What we were without Christ (Eph 2:11-12)

While people of other faiths pursue their god(s) for a variety of reasons, Christians recognize that the only true God has been the One actively pursuing them even when they were His enemies (Rom 5:8).

“the circumcised”

“the uncircumcised”

Sign of the Covenant

Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

Genesis 18:23

We tend to underestimate the grace of Godand overestimate the righteousness of people.

In order to be saved,one must become part of

God’s covenant community.

In order to be saved,one must become part of

God’s covenant community.

“ So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh . . .” (2:11)

No MessiahNot Citizens

ForeignersNo Hope

Without God

What we were without Christ (Eph 2:11-12)

Not CitizensWithout God

What Christ Did to Make the Church

No Messiah

ForeignersNo Hope

. . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

It is worth noting that the spiritual plight of the Gentiles was caused not by God but by their own willful sin.

The promise of a better covenant appears for the first time in Jeremiah 31:31-34, and it is the only Old Testament occurrence of a covenant that is expressed as qualitatively “new”.

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Hebrews 8:7-13 (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

Ephesians 2:13

End of Law

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

“the circumcised”No Hostility

End of Law

“the uncircumcised”

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything;

what matters is faith working through love. Galatians 5:6

No Hostility

End of Law

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

Unfortunately, while the old covenant boundaries of God

were removedthe barriers created by His children

often still remain.

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

PEACEReconciliationUnity

No Hostility

End of Law

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

God is not just adding Gentiles – He is making a new People!!

PEACEReconciliationUnity

No Hostility

End of Law

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

While, we tend to approach reconciliation as a way to achieve unity.Christ has given us unity

in order for us to be reconciled.

ReconciliationUnity

No Hostility

PEACE

End of Law

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news ⌊ ⌋of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Ephesians 2:17

ReconciliationUnity

No Hostility

PEACE

End of Law

What Christ Did to Make the Church . . . BUT NOW (2:13-17)

The people of the covenant were not necessarily savedbut salvation came through them.

Ephesians 2:18For through [Christ] we

both have access by one Spirit

to the Father.

The Central Place of the Trinity in Salvation (2:18)

Glorifi

esGlorifies

Glorifies

Citizens with Saints

Household Members

Holy Sanctuary

Living Building

What the Church Looks Like (2:19-22)

You also are being built together for God`s dwelling in the Spirit.

God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth

of this mystery.Ephesians 2:22

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God`s Glorious Mystery