2020 09 12 - Coming Back to Who We Are

Welcome

Today’s Passage: Ephesians 2

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Connect

As we begin the process of coming back together, it is good to look at who we are.

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EXPLORE

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 2:11–3:6 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 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. 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT OF THE SCRIPTURE

Any relevant exegetical notes to better understand the scripture

MAIN IDEA

Transition from scripture to main idea

THE MAIN THING:

The Word of God, not the world defines who and what we are as a church.

Explore the Main Idea

1. We are a family, not a business.

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Ephesians 3:6 ESV

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We aren’t connected by AGREEMENT. We are connected by IDENTITY.

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2. We are a body, not a building.

Text

Ephesians 3:6 ESV

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We are not a PHYSICAL LOCATION. We are a PHYSICAL PRESENCE.

3. We are a community of disciples, not a club for Christians.

We aren’t here to do activities, we are here to share life

Ephesians 3:6 ESV

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

We are not here to SHARE ACTIVITIES for enjoyment. We are here to SHARE LIFE for discipleship.

Transform

Coming Back to the Main Thing

The Word of God, not the world defines who and what we are as a church.

Bring to Primary Application

Evaluate

Eliminate

Engage

Endure

Lead Application to Commitment

Commitment steps

Invitation

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