A. FOUR STEPS DOWN FROM GOD
Remember comes from tombstone, “a place of remembering.”
1. You were a Gentile (v. 11). Born outside God’s covenant relationship.
• “In the flesh” both spiritually and physically lost.
2. You were without Christ (v. 12). Name means deliverer or anointed one.
• No one to save you.
3. You were aliens, (v. 12).
• Not known by God.
• Excluded from heaven.
• Without citizenship rights.
4. You were without hope (v. 12), the bottom drops out forever.
B. FOUR STEPS TOWARDS GOD
• But now (v. 13) a contrast with your past.
• In Christ Jesus, human name means He came in the flesh.
1. You were brought close (v. 13), not just turned around, but immediately you are ready to be saved.
Far off ? Brought close
2. You were joined to Christ (v. 14) who is your peace.
• The word peace means “to join.”
• His person.
• His provision.
• Not raised to be Jews, but both raised to Christ, “one new man.”
3. You are no longer guilty or condemned. The law against you is abolished (v. 15), “It is finished.”
Middle Wall
• Previously hated each other.
• Hated God.
• Jewish laws
• Gentile idolatry.
• Made us equal.
• You are free to go.
4. You now have peace with God (v. 16-17).
Peace ? with God = salvation
Peace ? of God = sanctification
• Reconciled means, “to make savable.” The cross has made it possible for us to repent, receive Christ, and be saved.
C. FOUR RESULTS
1. You have access to the Father (v. 18).
a. You get to the Father through the Son.
Through His message.
Through His death.
b. You get to the Father by the Spirit.
The Spirit prepares you.
The Spirit prepares the Father.
c. You are fellow citizens (v. 19) with all:
• The rights: we have protection and privileges. And with all the responsibilities. We have duties.
d. You are family (v. 18). You are the “household of God.”
What Do We Get From God?
• God’s nature.
• God’s eternal life.
• God’s inheritance (riches).
• God’s presence.
e. You are the temple of God (v. 22). The corner stone is Jesus, built by apostles and prophets.
We Are God’s Temple
• God lives in a Temple.
• God is glorified in a Temple.
• The Temple is perfectly built.
• The Temple gets bigger.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc
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