"Citizenship In The Kingdom"

In recent months, the topic of citizenship in the United States has been widely discussed ……. on every media platform available.

Ephesians, 2:12-22...

From what I have read, there are as many as 15 qualifications for citizenship. It is not my job nor am I interested in discussing that matter even though I do have opinions but let me assure you I don’t share those with you all this week.

But I do want us to look at what it means to be a citizen of heaven – --- of the kingdom and that is what Paul addresses in our passage this week.

Now remember that in Scripture there is always a dual message. There is a message to the church in the first century and there’s a message to the church in the 21st century.

Paul begins by reminding God’s people, then and now, that at one time, all of us were separated from Christ and were excluded as citizens of heaven. In other words, none of us has a free pass. Imagine if there was a border guard at Heaven’s gate. Before Christ, our spiritual passports were stamped with the word, “Foreigners.” We didn’t speak the language of the Kingdom, we weren’t part of God’s family, and we had no access to His promises.

But Jesus came and He paid the ultimate price, the “citizenship fee” with His own blood. When we placed our faith in Him, the documents were signed. Our status changed in a moment; instantly—from alien to citizen, from stranger to family member. Now, we don’t live hoping to belong; we live because we DO belong. We are citizens of Heaven, and carry a passport of grace everywhere we go.

Paul reminds us when we were excluded, we were placed in the condition of being without hope…… Have you ever felt hopeless? It’s one of the hardest things we can experience in life. Hopelessness is the major cause of depression and the only way out is to regain your hope. Paul reminds us that in our previous condition we were not only living without hope; we were living a life without God. And here is the reason. Our God is a holy God. He is love, light, Spirit and He is completely pure. The word Holy in the Bible is translated as being set apart. That means that as believers we are unique like our fingerprints are. We are called to be different from the world. We are literally set apart for his work.

Now I think I know each of you well enough to know that none of us want to live a life that is empty; without hope and without access to God. I certainly don’t. Again, commie in our previous life before becoming a believer Paul says:

• we are separated from Jesus.

• We are separated from his promises of salvation, grace and eternal life. And that is the single worst condition we could ever be in.

Then Paul gives us some good news and in verse 13. Paul says, “but now, those who now believe in Christ have been removed from one place and moved to another. Instead of this old condition of being far away from God, we are now in a position of being near to God.” And then Paul tells us the reason for this move, from old to new ……. and the reason is the blood of Jesus. Not anything we have done.

It’s all about what He has done and it’s all about the blood. In Hebrews, the writer tells us that without the blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. It is not possible to receive any forgiveness except through the blood.

This is true in the Old Testament as well as of course the New Testament period now we might ask why? Why does it only come through the blood? Well primarily because Jesus says so but a better response is not why is it the only way; our response should be, thank you God there is a way. But here is the reason. Blood represents life. It’s a very reason we have blood work done. We know that without it there is no chance of life.

Blood equals life.

Jesus shed His blood. We received the benefit. Jesus died. We received the promise. Jesus has been resurrected. We will be as well.

Then Paul moves to the topic of peace. He has told us so far that the only Place we can find Hope is through Jesus. The only place we can find forgiveness is through Jesus. Now he tells us the only place we can find peace is through Jesus. Verses 14-16. God wants our peace to be both horizontal and vertical.

Here is what I mean. He wants the Gentiles; that’s us and the Jews to be at peace with one another. Jews have been the most hated ethnic group in the world for centuries. They are blamed for the crucifixion. They are being targeted still today. Hitler was responsible for the killing of at least 6 million Jews. Often, we hold a minute of silence in memory of someone who has passed away. If we held a moment of silence for every one of the 6 million Jews who were killed during the Holocaust, we would be silent for 11 years. ?

The Jews have always been known as God’s people. And it is his desire for every Jewish individual to know him. We will be hosting a Passover meal on March 29th at our worship service, led by a Messianic Jew. His name is Daniel Fox. Don’t miss it. It will be an incredible experience. So, all of this is complicated when we talk about this horizontal relationship Jesus came to solve. But here is the one-

minute explanation.

• The Jews kept the law. The non-Jews; Gentiles did not.

• This created a barrier between the two groups.

• The death of Jesus eliminated the barrier.

• Now, neither Jew nor Gentile is now no longer bound to the OT law.

So, the purpose of HORIZONTAL peace is to bring God’s people together.

As one. The purpose of VERTICAL peace is to bring God’s people to HIM. First, between man and now between man and God. As a result, this would put death to the “hostility” that exists. The barrier. And all this peace comes through the cross. Jew and non-Jew are now reconciled to 1 another. You know what it means to reconcile something. It’s like a bank statement. We show one number in the account – the bank shows another – when we reconcile it, it suddenly looks the same. Jews and non-Jews become the same in God’s eyes.

The Father developed a plan. It’s Grace.

The Son carried out the plan. Through his death on the cross.

The Holy Spirit opened the door.

Once we are redeemed, we are no longer far away from God. We are brought near/closer to God. He preached peace to both groups and then gave us complete access or eternity. And for most of us, it will be the only time in our lifetime we will have access to the king access to the only King that matters, the King of Kings. Now we are part of God’s household, the family of God and our footing is secure because now we stand on a brand-new foundation.

We literally stand on the promises of God. In our former building we put in new carpeting in the entire worship center. When we pulled it all up, now we could just see concrete. So, we allowed everyone to come to the church that week and write their favorite promise from God on the floor. Then each week we could literally stand on those promises. God’s promises are sure –- for every believer and God is anything, He is a promise keeper.

Paul tells us we are no longer foreigners; we are no longer aliens; we are now citizens. In America, here is the difference.

• Citizens vote. Non-citizens can’t. They have no voice, literally.

• Citizens can hold office. Non-citizens cannot.

• Citizens cannot be forced to leave. Non-citizens can be forced out. It is literally happening, daily, right before our eyes.

But most important, as citizens of God’s kingdom, we do not risk being thrown out. Citizenship is a privilege. Citizenship is a promise. Citizenship is permanent.

Paul closes this portion of his letter reminding us our foundation is secure; we are now on equal ground and we cannot be snatched away. Satan cannot. He came to steal, kill and destroy but He cannot steal your salvation. We are secure in Jesus alone. . and we become a holy temple, and in that temple, we dwell with God Himself.

Can you imagine??? … you pick up the newspaper or see an ad on social media and this is what it says. "Beautiful homes are now being given away. Completely free. The city is perfect and will have everything you need. Comes with free water that is 100% pure water, there will be no electric bills, even the pavement is perfect on the streets; in fact, the streets are made of gold. In this city, your health will be perfect; on the streets there are never any car accidents, wonderful people, the best music you have ever heard; you won’t need a car … transportation will be provided and is always free." Sounds like the perfect place. John describes it in this way: Revelation 22:1-5. Verses 17.

And all we have to do is make a reservation. When my children were young and we made road trips I would just drive until I was getting too tired and then pull in somewhere and get a hotel. But that doesn’t always work. Sometimes there none available and you realize “I should have made a reservation.” I don’t want to stand before Jesus one day without a reservation. I don’t want to stand before Jesus one day without being a citizen.

Listen, this world is not my home. I’m just passing through. I love this world. But my home is elsewhere. This world is a bus stop on the wqy to our everlasting home. Ever felt you’re just not at home somewhere? Well guess what? You’re not. Our home is with HIM. Be Blessed. I love you all!!!