Ephesians 2:14 He [Jesus] made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death

John 13:34 I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples

Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all

Ephesians 2:19-22 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

Through Christ We Are: 1.Citizens 2.Family 3.A Holy Temple

Rights of Citizenship: we have the right to boldly enter heaven’s most holy place. We have the right to access the resources of the Kingdom. We have the rights that belong to us as co-heirs with Christ, as being seated with Christ. (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 2:6)

Responsibilities of Citizenship: we have a responsibility to live by the Spirit. We have a responsibility to be an ambassador for the kingdom of Heaven on this earth. We have a responsibility to tell everyone about the hope that we have in Christ. We have a responsibility to care for the poor and oppressed

James 1:27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

Philippians 2:2 make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose

Acts 4:32 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness

Primary Responsibility of Citizen: PRAYER

Family Language: We are Sons and Daughters: I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” (1 Cor. 6:18) We are Brothers and Sisters: So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 2:11)

Charles Colson: Harmony and oneness in Spirit can only be achieved when Christians set aside their personal agendas and submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit, who empowers the church, can never lead believers into disunity

Romans 15:5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

Family Benefits: A Place of Acceptance: accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory (Rom. 15:7) Full acceptance: Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong (Rom. 14:1)

Family Benefits: Forgiveness is received and given freely and quickly -Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Col. 3:13)

Family Benefits: Find help with your burdens – especially struggles with sin Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ (Gal. 6:1-3)

Family Benefits: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16)

1 John 4:20 We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Family Responsibilities: Serve One Another in Love: 1 Peter 4:10 - God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Corinthians 12:7 - A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”

Ephesians 4:11-12 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ

Ephesians 2:21-22 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

We are a Holy Temple: Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?” (1 Cor. 6:19)

We are a Holy Temple: You are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God ( 1 Peter 2:5)

Spiritual Sacrifices: Our Bodies - “Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will accept.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Spiritual Sacrifices: Our Praise - With Jesus’ help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of His name” (Hebrews 13:15

Spiritual Sacrifices: Our Good Works - Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16)

Spiritual Sacrifices: Our Resources - I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet smelling sacrifice that is acceptable to God and pleases Him.” (Philippians 4:18)

Spiritual Sacrifices: People we bring to faith - God gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:16)

Spiritual Sacrifices: Our Prayers - Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. (revelation 8:3-4)

A Holy Temple; A Royal Priesthood Everywhere we step is a place where heaven meets earth.