Church Growth: God’s Way Ephesians 2:17-22 Ryan Habbena December 31, 2006 Twin City Fellowship

Ephesians Thus Far Predestined for glory Predestined for glory Given insight into the “mystery of God” Given insight into the “mystery of God” Prayer for further enlightenment to the hope of His calling Prayer for further enlightenment to the hope of His calling Former enemies of God turned heirs of the Kingdom Former enemies of God turned heirs of the Kingdom Granted grace and faith through His kindness Granted grace and faith through His kindness Strangers of the covenants turned co-heirs through the Cross Strangers of the covenants turned co-heirs through the Cross

The Proclamation of the Gospel Ephesians 2:17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

The Foundation of the Faith 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

The Cornerstone: Christ Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

“Apostles and Prophets” Further Defined Ephesians 3:4-6 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 1Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.

Church Growth: God’s Way 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

A Dynamic Contrast Through the Law Through the Law There was a “dividing wall” between Jew and Gentile. (Ephesians 2:14-15) Through the Gospel Jew and Gentile are “fitted together” through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:21)

Passage Summary God’s Temple is now His people from all tribes, nations, and tongues, who are built on the foundation of Christ, His commissioned apostles, and Spirit-filled prophets. God’s Temple is now His people from all tribes, nations, and tongues, who are built on the foundation of Christ, His commissioned apostles, and Spirit-filled prophets. The church, both Jew and Gentile, now grows through the Spirit who builds upon this once for all laid foundation. The church, both Jew and Gentile, now grows through the Spirit who builds upon this once for all laid foundation.

Who Speaks for God? Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 'It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. 'But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' "You may say in your heart, 'How will we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?‘ If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

Jesus Christ Speaks for God Matthew 17:1-4 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

“Listen To Him!” Matthew 17:5-8 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid." And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

Contend for the Faith Delivered “Once for All” Jude 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

Listen to Christ the “Cornerstone” who “Has Spoken” Hebrews 1:1-2a God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.

Listen to the “Foundation” of the Apostles and Prophets who “Have Spoken” Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard