Ephesians 2:15 (NKJV) To be God’s dwelling place is to be a person of peace Once we say yes to Jesus, There is no longer the distinction of Jew and Gentile; we are all one new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 also talks about this truth Ephesians 2:16(NKJV) To reconcile means to restore, it speaks of harmony and making peace Enmity means intense hostility it comes from the same root word meaning enemy Ephesians 2:17(NKJV) It’s “through him”–Jesus Christ and His death–that anyone may now come boldly to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) Prior to this, Jews could approach God through their mediator, the high priest, and Gentiles could approach God by their conversion to Judaism. Jesus has become the door whereby all people may come to God solely on the basis of faith in what He has done for them. Ephesians 2:18(NKJV) The Greek noun for “access” used here is “PROSAGOGE,” it literally means “admission” Jesus provided the admission price to the Father with the shedding of His blood, the Holy Spirit is the one who escorts us to the throne of God, and God the Father Himself receives us. Being God’s Dwelling place gives us access to solutions Ephesians 2:19(NKJV) Gentiles were strangers and foreigners “Strangers” were neither friends nor acquaintances, but rather outsiders. “Foreigners” were aliens who were permitted to reside in a country but who lived without any rights of citizenship. Because of Christ’s reconciling work on the cross, All of us now have access to the Father, we are His dwelling place The saints as the “household of God” are built upon the foundation of the teachings of the apostles and prophets. We can learn a lot from The early church, They “continued in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42) Ephesians 2:20(NKJV) Christ Himself is called the chief cornerstone on whom every structure is aligned perfectly. This metaphor depicts believers as a carefully joined, constantly growing temple inhabited by God. Ephesians 2:21(NKJV), Ephesians 2:22(NKJV) *God inhabits our born-again spirits through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Why choose this life? The forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7) A new heart (Jeremiah 31:33-34), Intimate relationship with God (Hebrews 8:11) Peace with God (Colossians 1:20) The putting away of sin (Hebrews 9:26) Continual cleansing (1 John 1:7) A cleansed conscience (Hebrews 9:14) Reconciliation (Ephesians 2:16) Access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18) Healing for the physical body (Matthew 8:17) How to be His dwelling place Don’t fill your days with looking back to yesterday keep fighting forward what God has for you is in front of you Never trust any conclusion that doesn’t include Hope Pray in the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-28) Stay in the Word of God (Proverbs 4:20-23) God is only obligated to His Word, therefore His Word is the only thing we can rely on Make the Kingdom of God My Priority Whatever I don’t have time for, I don’t value