From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at 6:10 AM

Subject: 11-13-24 THOUGHTS

11-13-24   THOUGHTS

“Both groups” here are the Jews and the Gentiles.  The gentiles are the “far” and the Jews are the “near”.  PEACE on all is the theme.  “We both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”
The discussion turns to “the body” concept.  It becomes a discussion of the Church!  Many beautifully descriptive  words lead us to verses 21-22 as the culmination of our reading.  In God’s word, the sense of our existence is in the Church!  

Eph 2:14-22    For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,  15  by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,  16  and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.  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. 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, 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.

My Prayer:
Father, help us to see the Church as You see it.  May we see its purpose, design and beauty.  May we see its power and excitement as it bears fruit for eternity.  It isn’t  a “something over there”, it’s us, O God, Your children working in fellowship as a body.  Help each of us to find our place, and our zeal for this rightness.   In the name of our Lord,   Amen.