JOINED TOGETHER IN CHRIST.

Ephesians 2:14–22 ESV

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. 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.

Remember putting your face above a headless frame painted to represent a muscle man, a clown, or even a bathing beauty? Many of us have had our pictures taken this way, and the photos are humorous because the head doesn't fit the body. If we could picture Christ as the head of our local body of believers, would the world laugh at the misfit? Or would they stand in awe of a human body so closely related to a divine head?

Dan Bernard.

1-THE UNITY

A-CHRIST BROKE DOWN THE BARRIER THAT KEEPS US FROM HIM.

Ephesians 2:14–15 ESV

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,

Romans 10:4 ESV

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

EPHESIANS 2:14-1

Romans 6:4 ESV

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

B- THROUGH CHRIST WE ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER.

EPHESIANS 2:16-18

Ephesians 2:16–18 ESV

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.

John 14:26 ESV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

2-THE STRUCTURE

A- THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD WAS LAID BY THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS.

Ephesians 2:19–20 ESV

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,

Revelation 21:14 ESV

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

EPHESIANS 2:

REVELATION 21:14

B-CHRIST IS THE CORNERSTONE THAT HOLDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

Ephesians 2:21 ESV

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:20 ESV

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

EPHESIANS

EPHESIANS 2:20

DICTIONARY-a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.

3- THE TEMPLE

A-WE ARE BEING BUILT INTO A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD.

Ephesians 2:21–22 ESV

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.

EPHESIANS

1 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.