NOTES: Tis the Season, Part 4

Tis the Season: Week 4: Peace- Together Again

Date: Sunday December 17, 2022

Text: Ephesians 2:11-22

Let’s Connect:

Can’t we just get along and the expectations of the holiday miracle:

We dare not miss what the Holy Spirit through Scripture wants us to know!

Let’s Explain: (text)

Eph. 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Paul reminds the Church in Ephesus of these 7 important points of theology:

They were all alienated and separated from God.

There was the wall of hostility (sin).

Christ Jesus destroyed that wall and opened the way to God.

Both God and humanity (Jew and Greek) are together again through Christ.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

True peace is being reconciled to God.

Jesus IS our peace. 

In Christ Jesus, a new person is created.

Let’s Relate:

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Because we are reconciled to God, peace is our new state of being.

Enjoy it, like God enjoys you.

Luke 2:14 (ESV) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Our Challenge:

Be a person of peace. (Luke 10:5-6; 2 Cor. 13:11-12)

Practice peace.

Live in peace.

2 Peter 1:2 (ESV)

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.