Part 8 Don’t Forget!

11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders 11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.

12 In those days you were living apart from Christ 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.

14 For Christ Himself has brought peace to us 14 For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups.

16 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.

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from Him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners 19 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.

20 Together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself.

21 We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through Him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. Ephesians 2:11-22

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders……

Remember the Alamo, Remember the Maine, Remember Pearl Harbor, Remember 9-11

Here are some Key Spiritual Matters to REMEMBER…..

1. REMEMBER that you used to be ____________________! (11, 13, 14) ON THE WRONG SIDE

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders by birth…You were excluded from God’s people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

But now you belong to Christ Jesus Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to Him because of the blood of Christ.

God is in the business of tearing down _______ and rebuilding _______________! WALLS RELATIONSHIPS

We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds.

5 With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

What are God’s Mighty Weapons We Use on the Devil’s Strongholds?? God’s Armor (Ephesians 6) Sword (Hebrews 4:12) Prayer (James 5)

14 For Christ Himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us.

15 By His death He ended the whole system of Jewish law that excluded the Gentiles. His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new person from the two groups.

16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of His death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. 17 He has brought this Good News of peace…. Ephesians 2:14-17

God can rebuild _____ Relationship!!! ANY

2. REMEMBER God wants to Change us on the _______! (11) INSIDE

You were called “the uncircumcised ones” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. Ephesians 2:11

God wants to change us from the INSIDE OUT!

What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. 2 Corinthians 5:17

For God knew His people in advance, and he chose them to become like His Son. Romans 8:29

For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him. Philippians 2:13

Prayer, Word, Holy Spirit, other believers How does He change us? Prayer, Word, Holy Spirit, other believers

3. REMEMBER You are Part of something Bigger than __________! (19-22) YOURSELF

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners 19 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. We are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself.

21 We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through Him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

It is human nature to be selfish and short-sighted!

Good citizens obey the rules! You are a citizen of a Holy Nation! Good citizens obey the rules! Serve The Country! You are a member of God’s Family! Look out for other family members! You are a piece of God’s Holy Temple! Every part has an important function.

The Pastors are PREPARERS! The People are the MINISTERS! (God) has given...pastors …. to prepare God’s people for works of ministry, so the Body of Christ may be built up. The Pastors are PREPARERS! The People are the MINISTERS!

4. REMEMBER Growth comes thru _____________! (21-22) FELLOWSHIP

21 We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through Him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. Ephesians 2:21-22

Challenging Questions! Are You On the Right Side? Are You Changing? Are You doing Your Part? Telling others about Christ? Serving at DLBC? Are you Part of a Fellowship Group?

Part 8 Don’t Forget!