The New Temple Of God

Main Point: The Gospel Of Peace Unites All Believers (Jew & Gentile) In Christ; by His Blood we are all ONE.

[V11-13] As Gentiles:

We Did Not Belong To The People Of God

We Did Not Belong To The Promise Of God

We Did Not Belong To The Family Of God

[V14-22] BUT NOW: Good News is Proclaimed! Prince Of Peace Is Here! Because of His Blood:

We Have Peace (V14-18): Christ is our Peace!

Willy Wonka: Opened the gates, he purified the children, he gave Charlie unfettered access to the chocolate factory

He Tore Down The Wall

“Jesus abolished both the regulations of the ceremonial law and the condemnation of the moral law. Both were divisive. Both were put aside by the cross” -John Stott

No More Distinction or Condemnation Under The Law

We Were Unclean, Now We Are Clean

We Were Cursed, Now We Are Holy

We Were Sinners, Now We Are Saints

We Were Atheists, Now We Are Priests of God

We Were Enemies of God, Now We Are Friends

We Were Children Under HIs Wrath, Now We Are Children Of HIs Love

We Were Far From God, Now We Are Near

We Were Two Peoples, Now We Are One

He Reconciled Us (Cleansed Us)

No More Hostility or Enmity Under The Gospel Of Peace

One Path to Salvation- Christ On The Cross Bearing Our Sin, His Blood Shed

Hebrews 10:11–14 “Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.”

One Sacrifice Brought Forgiveness From God

Hebrews 9:22 “According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

One Sacrifice Brought Peace With God

One Sacrifice Brought Unity With One Another. (One Body & One New Man)

God turned away his own wrath, and we, seeing his great love, turned away ours also.” - John Stott

Galatians 3:28 “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:11 “In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.”

This Reconciliation Is What He Proclaimed & Still Proclaims through HIs Church Today!

Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!””

He Gave Us Access (Opened The Gates)

The Sacrifice Has Been Made & The Veil is Torn Between Us & God

John 14:6 “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Hebrews 10:19–22 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.”

We Have A Father That:

Loves Us, Shows Compassion To Us, Cares For Us, Provides For Us , Delights In Us, Disciplines & Corrects Us, Hears & Answers Us, Equips & Prepares Us, Comforts Us, He Forgives Us, Is Always Near To Us

We Belong (V19): Jesus Built One Church (One Of Closeness Relationally)

We Are Citizens of One Kingdom (People Of God)

We Are Members of One Family (Family Of God)

We Are Stones of One Temple (Promise Of God)

The Gathering is Our Identity

Hebrews 10:25 “not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

Jesus is The Cornerstone

Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.”

We Have Purpose (V20-22): The Gospel is meant to be proclaimed

As The Temple Of God (The Church is Where People Meet God)

We Reflect His Character (We Bear His Name)

Focal Point of God’s Goodness

We Carry His Presence (We Bear His Spirit)

Dwelling Place of God’s Spirit (Individually & Corporately)

He Has Drawn Near To Us

We Proclaim His Gospel (We Bear His Message)

Living Proof of His Declaration Of Peace

No Distinction Or Division- “All Are Welcome In The Temple B/C of Christ”

We Are Still Being “Fitted Together”

As We Proclaim The Message & The Builder Will Add Bricks (Believers)

Invitation/Call To Action: