I. Remember What You Were
“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in their body by hands)---Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from the citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12).

Separated
Excluded
Foreigners
Without hope
Without God

II. Thank Jesus for What He Did
1. He brought you near.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Jesus” (v.13).

2. He became our peace.
“For he himself is our peace” (v.14)
“My peace I leave with you. My peace I give you” (John 14:27).
“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near” (v.17)

3. He made us one.
“. . . who has made the two groups one” (v.14)
“His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity” (v.15).

4. He broke down walls of prejudice.
“. . . and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (v.14)

5. He perfectly obeyed every command of God.
“ . . . by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations” (v.15).

6. He reconciled us with God.
“. . . and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross” (v.16).

7. He gave us access to God.
“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (v.18).

III. Know What God Is Doing Today
1. He is placing us in His family.
“. . . fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (v.19).

2. He is growing us upon the foundation of His Word.
“. . . built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (v.20).

3. He has made Jesus the cornerstone of our faith.
“. . . with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (v.20).

4. He is making us into His temple.
“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” (v.21).
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

5. He is growing His church.
“And in him you too are being build together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (v.22).

What Does It Mean to Be Married to God’s Church?
1. You join.
2. You make the church a priority.
3. You make your pastor’s job a joy.
4. You find ways to serve.
5. You give financially.
6. You connect with people.
7. You invite others to attend.

God’s Construction Project
He is the builder of His church
Jesus is the cornerstone of the church
We are the bricks