1. Studies in Ephesians (11) Christ, Our Peace Ephesians 2:11-18

2. Gentiles brought near ( 11-13 ) Therefore remember You once Gentiles in the flesh Despised by the Jews “Uncircumcision” Jews saw Gentiles as unclean Gentiles saw Jews as arrogant, elitist, etc. Are such attitudes pleasing to God?

3. Gentiles brought near ( 11-13 ) Their former state: Without Christ Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel Strangers from the covenant of promise Having no hope Without God in the world While such descriptions are real, they are no excuse for arrogance

4. Gentiles brought near ( 11-13 ) But now in Christ… You who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ We ALL need the blood of Jesus 1 Peter 1:18-19 1 Peter 1:18-19 1 John 1:7 1 John 1:7 Acts 20:28 Acts 20:28 Rev. 5:9-10 Rev. 5:9-10

5. Christ our peace ( 14-18 ) He Himself is our peace He is our source of true peace - Joining us together - Giving us tranquility - Producing unity John 14:27, 16:33 John 14:27, 16:33 Colossians 3:15 Colossians 3:15 Philippians 4:7 Philippians 4:7

6. Christ our peace ( 14-18 ) How did He bring peace? Galatians 3:27-28 He has made both one – Galatians 3:27-28 1 Pet. 2:9 He broke down the middle wall of separation- created His own special people – 1 Pet. 2:9 Gal. 3:19-20, 24, Heb. 10:1-4 (5-10) He abolished in the flesh the enmity – the law of commandments It was temporal – Gal. 3:19-20, 24, Heb. 10:1-4 (5-10) Colossians 2:14 Colossians 2:14

7. Christ our peace ( 14-18 ) The result of His peace So as to create in Himself one new man from the two A NEW man (neither Jew or Gentile) – Christians! Rom. 5:10, 2 Cor. 5:17-21 We are reconciled to God in one body through the cross - Reconciled BOTH to one another and to God! Rom. 5:10, 2 Cor. 5:17-21

8. Christ our peace ( 14-18 ) He came and preached peace “to you who were afar off” (Gentiles) Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8 Romans 1:16, John 3:16 His message is for ALL mankind! Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8 Romans 1:16, John 3:16

9. Christ our peace ( 14-18 ) 18 “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” ( 18 ) Everyone has access to Him - bot you and me!

10. Paul’s conclusion ( 19-22 ) Therefore – we are fellow- citizens, built together. (More in our next lesson)

11. God’s grace has saved us and brought us together in Him Does the world see Him in us (John 13:34-35)