Ephesians 2:11-16

· Circumcision is of the flesh. Done by human hands. It is not necessary to salvation. Being Gentile is of the flesh, it is inconsequential to our salvation. The things of the flesh have no bearing on whether or not we receive salvation.

· 12- Excluded, although they did not have to be excluded.

· Strangers

· No Hope

· Without God

· 13- The Gentiles (those who were excluded, strangers, No Hope, without God) have now been accepted . It is through Christ’s blood that they have been cleansed and accepted.

o The need for ritual cleansing.

o Only way to be accepted into the OT covenant Gospel was to accept their God.

o Only way to be accepted into the spiritual Israel is to accept THE sacrifice.

· 14- Peace: one who brings unity/removed the barrier

· What did the tearing of the veil at Christ’s death signify?

· The barrier was the Law/God’s Word. How would this be a barrier? Different requirements for Gentiles?

· We can do nothing in our flesh to attain righteousness but Christ in the flesh did all that was required to obtain righteousness.

· In His flesh He made two opposites become one, united.

· In His flesh, Christ made peace.

· Through Christ, Jews & Gentiles are one body; there are no legitimate obstacles to their fellowship.

· The cross has put to death all obstacles to unity for all people.

· What are ways that we have isolated the church from the unchurched?

· What are ways that we could bring the church into the world?

· What are ways we could bring peace to those we currently are not reaching?

· Pray that we would obediently seek those who are unchurched.