Sermon Audio

The blessed benefits of reconciliation, Pt2

Scripture: Ephesians 2:20-21

Stream or download The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt34

---

III. THE PERMANENCE OF OUR BLESSINGS

Verses 20-21. We are built into a great edifice.

1. God is the builder. Hebs 11:10; Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste, Isaiah 28:16. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase, 1 Corinthians 3:6. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Matthew 16:18.

2. We are built upon the Word of God. The reference to the apostles and prophets is to their words and writings given of God.

3. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. That is the stone which binds all together; the chief foundation. Every believer is “joined” to Him “fitly” or closely, verse 21. This is how the church grows and advances. The agent of advances is the Holy Spirit. It is by Him we grow.

4. The purpose of the building. It is “an holy temple,” the “habitation of God.” Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  1Co 3:16.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us, 1Jo 4:12.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God, 1Jo 4:15.
We who have given shelter to the devil in our lives should now rejoice in the presence of God within our being and serve Him well.

The blessed benefits of reconciliation, Pt2

Scripture: Eph 2:18-22.

Stream or download The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt 33

---

II. THE ENJOYMENT OF THESE BLESSINGS SHOWS THAT WE ARE INDEED CHANGED
now therefore . . verse 19.

1. Christians need assuring of their changed status. We are slow to be convinced of our sinfulness and slow also to be persuaded of our blessings in Christ.

2. It is by exercising these privileges that we best show the change wrought in us. Acts 3:1-10. The lame man’s leaping and walking testified of his healing.

3. Despite the poor earthly circumstances of many of God’s saints, they are possessors of great wealth and privileges. Acts 22:25-29. Citizenship of heaven counts for more! We are members of God’s household and under His care and protection.

The blessed benefits of reconciliation, Pt1

Scripture: Eph 2:18-22.

Stream or download The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt32

---

Having considered how Christ has accomplished reconciliation between the sinner and God and between the Jew and the Gentile, we move on to consider the benefits that arise out of reconciliation with God.

I. ACCESS TO GOD

1. How glorious is the reconciliation Christ accomplished! Verse 18. “Access unto the Father.” We are ushered into the very presence of the Father. Do we fully recognise this? Do we rightly evaluate this? Do we truly avail of this?

2. Access is through Christ. Not Mary, saints or self-merit but Christ alone. How blasphemous of the RC church to proclaim “new” intermediaries such as “padre Pio”! For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, Heb 7:25. Christ appears constantly before His Father representing us and therefore we may at any time approach God. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, Romans 8:34.

3. Access is by the Spirit. Christ has opened the way but without the grace supplied by the Holy Spirit we could not walk that way, (John 5:7.) We need the HS’s grace to overcome our own weakness and disinclination to pray. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered, Romans 8:26.