IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Access to the Father by One Spirit

Date: Nov. 21, 2020

Passage

Ephesians 2:11-22 (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.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:18

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

1. Brought near by Christ's blood (11-18)

Paul reminded the Ephesian Christians that most of them were once considered Gentiles. They did not have the written code nor circumcision that the Jews had. They were separated from God, separated from Christ, and separated from God's chosen people Israel. But because of Christ, Gentiles everywhere (then and now) are brought near through the blood that Christ shed on the cross. Jesus is our peace. He bridged the distance between sinful people and God. He also bridged the distance between Gentile and Jew. He has made the two one and has torn asunder the dividing wall by abolishing the commandments and regulations. We are all one in Christ.

2. We are citizens with God's people (19-22)

The result of Christ's death on the cross is that we who believe are no longer foreigners and aliens. We are now citizens of His kingdom, along with God's people. Because of what Jesus did, we are now members of God's own household, with Jesus Christ as its cornerstone. Together with God's people, we are a holy temple, even as a dwelling place for the Spirit of God.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for Jesus by whom we may live as your holy people, indwelt with your Spirit.

One Word: United in Christ

Daily Bread

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Revelation 19:11-21

Key Verse: 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

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Intro Daily