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YAG 20th Retreat: Session 3

Text: Ephesians 2:17-22
15 November 2014

YAG 20th RETREAT
SESSION #3
Saturday, 15 November 2014
Time: 11.00am
Theme: “THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT”

IMAGERY OF UNITY

THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who are near.
For through Him we both have access by ONE Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:17-18

1. He came and preached peace who were afar off and to those who are near

a) Actual preaching            Mark 1:14
b) Through His disciples            Acts 2:14-39
c) Through the Holy Spirit            Acts 1:2
d) Message of peace

i) Symbolising forgiveness of sin
ii) Reconciliation
iii) Justification

e) To those who were afar off

i) Gentiles in mind (in this context)
ii) Ministry through Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles
iii) Sending others like Silvanus and Timothy

f) To those who are near

i) Jews in mind (in this context)
ii) Paul would always make a beeline to the nearest synagogue and there share his faith

2. For through Him we both have access by ONE Spirit to the Father

a) Through Christ

i) His death on Calvary
ii) His resurrection from the dead
iii) Through justification
iv) Through reconciliation
v) Through sanctification

b) We both have access by ONE Spirit to the Father

i) We both would be a reference to Jews and Gentiles
ii) Access to God the Father

c) By ONE Spirit

i) The ministry of the Spirit is to be noted
ii) He carries on where Christ has left off

THE CHURCH

1. Members of the church described

a) No longer strangers            Ephesians 2:19 ξἐνοι
b) Nor foreigners            Ephesians 2:19 πἀροικοι
c) Fellow citizens            Ephesians 2:19 ςυμπολῖται (LXX Zechariah 13:7)
d) Members of the household of God            Ephesians 2:19 οἰκεῖοι members of the family

2. The foundation of the church

a) The foundation of the apostles            Ephesians 2:20 θεμελίω
b) And the prophets Ephesians 2:20
c) Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone            Ephesians 2:20 ἀκρογωνιαῖοσ

3. The building of the Church

a) In Christ            Ephesians 2:21
b) Having been built on            Ephesians 2:20 ἐποικοδομηθἐντεσ
c) The whole building being fitted together            Ephesians 2:21 ςυναρμολογουμἐ
d) Grows into a holy temple in the Lord            Ephesians 2:21 αὒξει
e) You also are being built together            Ephesians 2:22 ςυνοικοδομεῖςθε joined together (Present Passive Ptc)
f) For a dwelling place of God            Ephesians 2:22 κατοικητηριον
g) In the Spirit            Ephesians 2:22 ἐν Πνεφματι