From Everlasting
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
We have two names given by the angel, from God, to Joseph; Emmanuel, God is with us, and Jesus the savior.
The Angel speaks to Joseph in a dream
Mat 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
Mat 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Jesus the Savior
Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
Luke 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
Luke 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
Luke 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
Luke 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Luke 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Luke 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
Luke 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luke 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
What is it to be saved?
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Where did they get the power to witness? By the Holy Spirit they had boldness..
Immanuel, God With Us
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Isa 7:15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Adam fell from God’s presence and we were separated from God’s presence; spiritually dead
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
The Spirit of God came to certain men
Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Gen 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Exo 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…
God would come to be with us
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
These are the 7 spirits in Revelation; the fullness of the Holy Spirit
Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
So in Christ we have salvation and the presence of God, the Holy Spirit. Apart from Jesus we are separated from God.
2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Cor 13:6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
So by faith in Jesus we are saved and if truly saved we will have the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our life. We will manifest the gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12 and 1 Cor 12) and the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-23)
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Salvation is a lifetime continuation. We work out our Sanctification, being holy vessels for the master’s use. We are saved, being saved and we will be saved when he comes for us.We are the adopted son’s of God and servants of God.
He is with you now, walk with him and talk with him. Feel his presence and hear him speak to you.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Ephesians 2
Quickened
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
We were like Adam, dead in trespasses and sins, breaking the laws of God.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
You who were once dead in sins, has God made alive in Christ Jesus, giving you eternal life in the Holy Spirit. As sinners we were under the sentence of death and our spirit was dead to the things of God. We were not interested in spiritual things.
Mat 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
In times past you obeyed the prince of darkness, the prince of the power of the air. In Daniel this was described as the prince of Persia, an angelic power of satan that restrained an angel from delivering a message to Daniel for two weeks. Michael the archangel came to his rescue. Michael is the head angel, but is not the Lord of hosts, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. So then, in the air are principalities and powers, which have certain domains. This evil spirit works in the children of disobedience.
Samuel told Saul in a prophecy about the evils of rebellion:
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Paul warns the church, that once they were disobedient, but now they are alive in Christ and must obey him in all things.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
How blessed are those who have received the mercy of God and his grace by receiving his son Jesus into new life. It was not our goodness that saved us, but the finished work of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, who shed his blood for our sins. We are quickened, made alive in body and spirit by our Lord's spirit that dwells within us.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
By Grace
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
We are in Christ Jesus at the right hand of the Father, yet dwelling in the flesh here below. God is Spirit and we dwell in Jesus by our redeemed spirit. How much greater is our spirit being then our flesh. The spirit is eternal, so we should serve God in our spirits, with our flesh following in obedience.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
This is not a temporary place, but an eternal dwelling place with Jesus and in his grace. Though we are not yet completely with him, when we are with him we will inherit all things of God. We are most wealthy.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
These are oft quoted verses in witnessing. Many believe earning favor with God comes by our works of righteousness. No, believing in Jesus saves us; by grace are we saved. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus only is the atonement for our sins.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
No, works for salvation does not mean we sit after being redeemed. With the power of the Holy Spirit we are now equipped to serve our Lord in good works. Each has a pre ordained walk that only they can achieve for God. He has a plan for your life, including all the commands of Jesus, Better find out what they are and joyfully serve him. It starts with good character, the spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22,23) and then the exercise of our spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit in obedience. We willingly serve not by bondage to law but by freedom of the spirit.
By the Blood
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
In times past, you who are now in Christ were Gentiles, non-Jews, outside of the covenant with God. The law and the promises of God came through Israel. They were the covenant people, set aside for God. You were outsiders, dogs, and outcasts.
Jesus was born a Jew, keeping all the laws including circumcision.
Lev 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Lev 12:4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
Did Mary keep these laws? Yes she did.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Being poor, they offered birds; a bullock or ram was also accepted as a sacrifice. The wise men had not yet brought their gifts to the king, including the gold; they would come later into a house.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Paul reminds them, as we should be reminded, that at one time we were without Jesus, strangers from God's people and promises. The Gentiles did not have a history of a covenant relationship to God; we were sinners after the type of Adam, without hope, having no promises to hold onto and having no knowledge of a personal God. God, if he existed, was out there somewhere, separated from them.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ all has changed. We are no longer aliens, we are become one with Christ and he with God, our Father. We are brought near to God in a New Covenant relationship; children of God, all because of the precious blood of Jesus. His righteous blood shed as payment for our sins, in him is hope and eternal peace.
Jesus, keep me ever near. Without you we perish, in you is life, eternal life. Help us to share this message with family and friends, who are outside of the promises. May they too draw near to God, through the precious blood of Jesus. Amen
Reconciled
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
The temple in Jerusalem was holy and separated and for the Jewish covenant people. No Gentile could come into the Holy place; a wall separated the Jews from the outer court of the Gentiles.
Paul was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile beyond the dividing wall, and was arrested.
Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Paul used this familiar example of the temple wall to give a picture in their minds of the separation that was removed in Christ Jesus. The separation of sin caused by Adam’s transgression, was also reconciled.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Jesus is our peace; he gave the Holy Spirit of Peace to his church. He has broken down the separation of the Jews from the non-Jews (Gentiles). All are one in Christ Jesus. Whereas the law came to the Jews and the ordinances that separated Jew from Gentiles, these are abolished in the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus. We are become new creations; a spirit filled people of God, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled, restored in their relationship, unto God and each other. This was done by Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross and his resurrection, the blessed gospel. Those who receive him by hearing and believing the gospel message of peace with God through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and resurrection, are made one body. The nearby Jew and the far away Gentile all become one, upon believing in the Christ and are joined to him by his Holy Spirit.
Household of God
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Because all those in Christ are one family, you in Ephesus and you the reader, are no more strangers and aliens "but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" We are brothers and sisters to Jesus our Lord, in our spirit and soon in our new resurrected bodies as we go to be with Jesus.
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Our hope and our faith are built on the promises of God; in like manner Abraham by faith looked for a city ;
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Jesus Christ the foundation and chief corner stone of the house of God;
Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
He being the foundation upon which the Apostles and prophets were built upon. We are added to the building of the house of God, a Holy temple unto God. We are a Holy separated people, this world is not our home, but we are witnesses of the builder, our Lord Jesus Christ. He who said..."I will build my church" (Mat 16:18), used Peter and the Apostles and ourselves for this purpose,..."and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He is our confidence, in him we trust and we are all connected through his Spirit, the household of God.
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:
We were like Adam, dead in trespasses and sins, breaking the laws of God.
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
You who were once dead in sins, has God made alive in Christ Jesus, giving you eternal life in the Holy Spirit. As sinners we were under the sentence of death and our spirit was dead to the things of God. We were not interested in spiritual things.
Mat 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
In times past you obeyed the prince of darkness, the prince of the power of the air. In Daniel this was described as the prince of Persia, an angelic power of satan that restrained an angel from delivering a message to Daniel for two weeks. Michael the archangel came to his rescue. Michael is the head angel, but is not the Lord of hosts, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. So then, in the air are principalities and powers, which have certain domains. This evil spirit works in the children of disobedience.
Samuel told Saul in a prophecy about the evils of rebellion:
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Paul warns the church, that once they were disobedient, but now they are alive in Christ and must obey him in all things.
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
How blessed are those who have received the mercy of God and his grace by receiving his son Jesus into new life. It was not our goodness that saved us, but the finished work of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, who shed his blood for our sins. We are quickened, made alive in body and spirit by our Lord's spirit that dwells within us.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
By Grace
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
We are in Christ Jesus at the right hand of the Father, yet dwelling in the flesh here below. God is Spirit and we dwell in Jesus by our redeemed spirit. How much greater is our spirit being then our flesh. The spirit is eternal, so we should serve God in our spirits, with our flesh following in obedience.
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
This is not a temporary place, but an eternal dwelling place with Jesus and in his grace. Though we are not yet completely with him, when we are with him we will inherit all things of God. We are most wealthy.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
These are oft quoted verses in witnessing. Many believe earning favor with God comes by our works of righteousness. No, believing in Jesus saves us; by grace are we saved. We cannot save ourselves. Jesus only is the atonement for our sins.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
No, works for salvation does not mean we sit after being redeemed. With the power of the Holy Spirit we are now equipped to serve our Lord in good works. Each has a pre ordained walk that only they can achieve for God. He has a plan for your life, including all the commands of Jesus, Better find out what they are and joyfully serve him. It starts with good character, the spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22,23) and then the exercise of our spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit in obedience. We willingly serve not by bondage to law but by freedom of the spirit.
By the Blood
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
In times past, you who are now in Christ were Gentiles, non-Jews, outside of the covenant with God. The law and the promises of God came through Israel. They were the covenant people, set aside for God. You were outsiders, dogs, and outcasts.
Jesus was born a Jew, keeping all the laws including circumcision.
Lev 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Lev 12:4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
Did Mary keep these laws? Yes she did.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luke 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luke 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Being poor, they offered birds; a bullock or ram was also accepted as a sacrifice. The wise men had not yet brought their gifts to the king, including the gold; they would come later into a house.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Paul reminds them, as we should be reminded, that at one time we were without Jesus, strangers from God's people and promises. The Gentiles did not have a history of a covenant relationship to God; we were sinners after the type of Adam, without hope, having no promises to hold onto and having no knowledge of a personal God. God, if he existed, was out there somewhere, separated from them.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ all has changed. We are no longer aliens, we are become one with Christ and he with God, our Father. We are brought near to God in a New Covenant relationship; children of God, all because of the precious blood of Jesus. His righteous blood shed as payment for our sins, in him is hope and eternal peace.
Jesus, keep me ever near. Without you we perish, in you is life, eternal life. Help us to share this message with family and friends, who are outside of the promises. May they too draw near to God, through the precious blood of Jesus. Amen
Reconciled
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
The temple in Jerusalem was holy and separated and for the Jewish covenant people. No Gentile could come into the Holy place; a wall separated the Jews from the outer court of the Gentiles.
Paul was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile beyond the dividing wall, and was arrested.
Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Paul used this familiar example of the temple wall to give a picture in their minds of the separation that was removed in Christ Jesus. The separation of sin caused by Adam’s transgression, was also reconciled.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Jesus is our peace; he gave the Holy Spirit of Peace to his church. He has broken down the separation of the Jews from the non-Jews (Gentiles). All are one in Christ Jesus. Whereas the law came to the Jews and the ordinances that separated Jew from Gentiles, these are abolished in the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus. We are become new creations; a spirit filled people of God, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled, restored in their relationship, unto God and each other. This was done by Jesus' shed blood and death on the cross and his resurrection, the blessed gospel. Those who receive him by hearing and believing the gospel message of peace with God through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and resurrection, are made one body. The nearby Jew and the far away Gentile all become one, upon believing in the Christ and are joined to him by his Holy Spirit.
Household of God
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Because all those in Christ are one family, you in Ephesus and you the reader, are no more strangers and aliens "but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" We are brothers and sisters to Jesus our Lord, in our spirit and soon in our new resurrected bodies as we go to be with Jesus.
1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Our hope and our faith are built on the promises of God; in like manner Abraham by faith looked for a city ;
Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Jesus Christ the foundation and chief corner stone of the house of God;
Luke 20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
He being the foundation upon which the Apostles and prophets were built upon. We are added to the building of the house of God, a Holy temple unto God. We are a Holy separated people, this world is not our home, but we are witnesses of the builder, our Lord Jesus Christ. He who said..."I will build my church" (Mat 16:18), used Peter and the Apostles and ourselves for this purpose,..."and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He is our confidence, in him we trust and we are all connected through his Spirit, the household of God.
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