Brought Near

Jesus calls us into relationship

Verses 17-19

We were once far, now we are brought near.

Illustration - David Aiello, buddies’ lunch in lynchburg.

We thought we were providing David with community, but he is the one that brought us near.

Jesus has brought those that seem different and distant into a relationship with Him.

Do not forget about what God has brought you out of, but do not forget you are no longer that person.

The foundation (verse 20)

i. The prophets and apostles knew the foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 1:8 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!”

John 1:27 “He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.””

Everyone in the Old and New Testament had the same sight, the Messiah. They were looking in the Old Testament for what was to come. In the New Testament, they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In both the Old and New Testament, they knew that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is what the means of our faith.

ii. Jesus is the foundation

Hebrews 12:2 “keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus is the initiator, perfecter, and substance of our faith.

iii. The Church is built on the foundation

2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”

Nothing about the church catches the Lord by surprise. He knows who belongs to Him, and desires them to turn away from wickedness.

Jesus is the initiator of the growth in the Holy Temple.

The Lord desires us to grow into fullness in Him, not our own ability.

Ephesians 4:16 “From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.”

1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Recognizing that there is a foundation helps us to start sooner.

Coach Ron Washington from the Braves, says that we work now to eliminate excuses later.

Jesus has gotten rid of a lot of our excuses.

Jesus desires to build us up

In the same way that Jesus builds the temple.

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”

The moment that we accept Jesus, the job isn’t done.

We are continuing to grow!

What are the ways we grow?

Recognize the areas that we are depending on our efforts.

Have an honest relationship with Jesus and ask Him to help you give Him control over the areas that are not submitted to Him.