Nobody likes to be
…especially if it’s something good.
Who Paul is writing to
- the early
-
Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. —Ephesians 2:12-13
No stranger is to enter within the balustrade round the temple and enclosure. Whoever is caught will be himself responsible for his ensuing death.
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs togetherThe Jewish leaders constructed signs… with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. —Ephesians 3:6
Barriers to the faith…
The Jewish leaders constructed signs…
What are our barriers?
Fear… I don’t belong because of my
Frustration… I don’t want to belong because of how I was
“The Greek word mysterion is different, however. Although still a ‘secret’, it is no longer closely guarded but open… More simply, mysterion is a truth previously hidden from human knowledge or understanding but now disclosed by the revelation of God.” —John Stott
What’s a cornerstone?
“Now he is the bond of the building, holding Jew and Gentile in firm unity. This precious cornerstone binds God and man together in wondrous amity, for he is both in one. He joins earth and heaven together, for he participates in each. He joins time and eternity together, for he was a man of few years, and yet he is the Ancient of Days. Wondrous cornerstone!” —Charles Spurgeon
Rock References in the Bible…
The stone the builders have rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes. —Psalm 118:22
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. —Matthew 7:24
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail… —Matthew 16:18
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. —Ephesians 3:12