Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Eph 2:19) “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”  A “saint” is anyone who is saved! We together have been made citizens of heaven. Since the Lord already sees us “sitting in the heavenlies”, we are declared “citizens” of that wonderful place, the central home of God! Glory! I am looking forward to seeing it with my own eyes!  

(Eph 2:18) “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”  There will be many people today who will enter into various congregations, sing and listen to a sermon, who will not in reality “worship”. Jesus said the day now was when those who worship the Father will worship Him “in spirit” and “in truth”.  In spirit refers to the new birth, spiritual birth. If you have not been born again, made alive spiritually as one old enough to repent of sin and ask forgiveness based on Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, then you are “dead” spiritually. Therefore you cannot possibly worship. All who are spirit have the Holy Spirit of God living in them and through Him we come before the Father and worship through our spirit by His Spirit before the Throne of God!

(Eph 2:18) “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”  “Access” for those who “…once were afar off….”!Oh the privilege of prayer, coming into the very presence of God! Just recently it hit me, as my tired mind sometimes drifts while I am in prayer, that it is the Lord God my Father I am before. He deserves my full attention! I have been given something the majority of men have not received! I have been given access to the very presence of God! Use it, yes! But do not let it become commonplace in your heart! Come to http://www.thirstingsouls.com for Songs, Teaching and Preaching.

(Eph 2:17) “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”   In contest, it is Christ Who is said to have preached to Jews and Gentiles the Gospel – “Sin has been paid. The way of reconciliation to God has been purchased!”  I didn’t see Jesus when the evangelist proclaimed the news to this sinful man, yet….He was there speaking to my heart! Praise God! I believed, repented, and He gave me the Gift of Everlasting Life!

(Eph 2:15) “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity….. (16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”   By the cross….. This is the way to eternal life. In fact, it is the only way to heaven and the eventuality of the new heaven and the new earth. One must recognize their own unworthiness, their utter corruptness of character and action; then one must turn to the cross by faith and ask for mercy and forgiveness. The cross is the only way!

(Eph 2:15) “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity….. (16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”   Our sin that caused “enmity” (the wrath of God upon us) was placed upon the Lord Jesus (one body). It slew the Lord Jesus and the Lord Jesus slew it by overcoming the death it caused!

(Eph 2:15) “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity….. (16) And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:”  “Reconcile”: to bring to parties back to fellowship. God’s holy nature could not, though, simply overlook our sin. He could not just say, “That’s ok. I understand you are but sinful flesh.” Holiness demands judgment. So, He did what no man could do for himself. He came as Jesus the Son, lives the life we should have led in love and devotion and obedience to the Father, and then sacrificed that life to pay for our sins. He did the reconciling (the making of the way) Himself! If only the world truly knew! God help us to seek opportunities to clearly explain, taking no short cuts!