There is a brand new reality we experience in Christ Jesus.
And in order to describe this incredible life, Paul gives three pictures to enunciate the depth and profundity of Christianity: citizens, family, a building.
In this expositional message, Nathan Johnson explores Ephesians 2:19-22 and describes what it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God, a part of God’s family, and an essential part of the building that houses the presence of God Almighty.
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Key Passage: Ephesians 2:19-22
Ephesians 2:19-22 – “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
A Simple Bible Study Resource
Strangers and Foreigners (Aliens)
- Strangers: a person who comes from a foreign country who does not owe allegiance to your country; frequently of someone who does not speak one’s native tongue
- Foreigner (alien): one who lives in a place without the right of citizenship
- Outsiders with no rights
- Cut off (Ephesians 2:11-12)
- No Longer: not for any more time; no longer
3 Pictures of the New Reality
1. Citizen – emphasizes the possession of the same citizenship with others
- Rights/Resources (Benefits):
- Armament – Protection of the Kingdom
- Access – access unto the throne room of the King
- We receive His direction, protection, provision, oversight
- Advantages – the bounty of the Kingdom is ours
- Freedom, life abundant, confidence, victory, surety, hope
- Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Responsibility (Action):
- Every citizen within a kingdom/country has responsibilities (ie: taxes)
- Representation:
- Ambassador – we are a picture of the Kingdom – emissaries giving the Message of the King
- 2 Corinthians 5:17–20 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
- Ambassador – we are a picture of the Kingdom – emissaries giving the Message of the King
2. Family
- We are not merely household servants but fellow heirs (sons and daughters) of the King Himself (through adoption)
- Rights/Resources (Benefits):
- It’s all relational … God wants relationship with us
- You are not an outsider … but a partaker of the family of God
- Responsibility (Action):
- Involved – love and care for the others in the family
- Philippians 2:3–4 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
- Ephesians 1:15–16 – For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
- Representation:
- Identity – we bear the Name of the family (we bear His Name) … Christians
- take on His character and nature
- I represent the Family
- Identity – we bear the Name of the family (we bear His Name) … Christians
3. Temple (Building)
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
- Rights/Resources (Benefits):
- Sanctuary – a sacred place but one you could escape to for hiding, safety, and refuge
- If we are the temple then we find continual refuge in Him (because He lives and brings about peace within our lives)
- Saturated – we have the opportunity to be constantly saturated within His presence, person, mind, heart
- Sourced
- we are filled with God Himself!
- He produces the work within you
- He becomes every resource you need for every activity
- Sanctuary – a sacred place but one you could escape to for hiding, safety, and refuge
- Responsibility (Action):
- Surrender (and respond) – A life of continual abiding, dependence, and surrender
- Representation:
- Spirit’s Abode (Conduit)
- A place of prayer for all the nations
- The place the world knows is marked by the life and presence of God (like Jerusalem in OT/NT)
The New Reality » Partaking the Promise
- What was once estranged and cut off has now become partakers within the very promise itself!
- Ephesians 3:6 – 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.
- Colossians 1:27 – To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
In Our Next Study Together …
I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your
- The focus of our next study: Ephesians 2:19-22
- We will examine the truth that Jesus is the Rock, our Cornerstone – found in Ephesians 2:19-22.
- I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on Ephesians 2:11-22.
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About The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series
The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is a Christ-centered practical in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Join NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) as he expositionally preaches from this incredible book – which will help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, and understand how to study God’s Word.
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. Deeper Christian equips Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
About NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson)
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the
Read more about him here.
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