Ephesians 2:17-19

10/28/12 Message by Erik Christensen

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
(Ephesians 2:17-19 ESV)

There is a uniqueness in us. We are His representatives.
1. The proclamation of the Gospel
2. The position of the believers
3. The privilege of the saved

1. The proclamation of the Gospel

• Preach = tell something good
• In verse 17, the word is "Preach" - evangelize; to proclaim or to tell; to tell something good, more specifically to tell the Gospel
• to those who are far off (Gentiles) and to those who are near (Jews)
• What are we preaching? Peace rather than conflict; reconciliation "I have peace because of grace."

"Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD,
“and I will heal him."
(Isaiah 57:19b ESV)

• Peace provides healing (reconciliation = right relationship with God)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 5:1 ESV)

• Peace provides justification; (justified = as if you had never sinned)

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
(John 1:17-18 ESV)

At the incarnation Jesus preached peace; Jesus explained God

• The Gospel message comes from Jesus

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
(Galatians 1:15-16 ESV)

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
(Galatians 1:8-12 ESV)

The Gospel cannot be changed; he didn't receive it from someone else giving it... (Not Joseph Smith)

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

[What an incredible verse; this verse has it all]
Be ready to give an accurate reason

2. The position of the believers

• Our access to royalty

Example - Erik gave an example of places he couldn't go by himself, like KAFB. But, when he is in the same car with someone, he can go right in. [Also sunport landside vs airside]

• Jews and Greeks have the same access
• We are one body

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV)

3. The privilege of the saved

• "No longer strangers" -  [Once saved, always saved; We are brought near]
• "Fellow citizens" [Bound together with another in terms of their political identity]

We are of God's household; of His family

• Our citizenship is in heaven

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
(Philippians 3:20 ESV)