SEPTEMBER 23, 2024
READ: Ephesians 2 (Focus vs. 8-13 & 17-22”
MEMORY VERSE
“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people.” Ephesians 2:19
BACKGROUND
“You don’t belong here.” Those words crushed an eight-year-old girl’s heart, and the pain stayed with her.
Her family had emigrated from a refugee camp in a war-torn country to a new country, and her immigration card had the word alien stamped on it. She felt like she didn’t belong.
As an adult, although she put her faith in Jesus, she still felt alienated—stung by the feeling that she was an unwelcome outsider. While reading her Bible, she discovered the promises of Ephesians 2.
In verse 12, she saw that old, troubling word alien. “You were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (nkjv).
But as she kept reading, she saw how Christ’s sacrifice had changed her status. She got to verse 19, which told her, “You are no longer” a foreigner or alien. She was a “fellow citizen” with God’s people. Realizing that she was a citizen of heaven, she was overjoyed.
Never again would she be an outsider. God had taken her in and accepted her.
Because of our sin, we’re alienated from God. But we don’t have to stay that way. Jesus brought peace to all who were “far away” (v. 17), making all who trust Him fellow citizens of His eternal kingdom—united as the body of Christ.
By: Dave Branon
INSIGHT
As believers in Jesus, we have His promise that we’re not strangers to Him: “You are . . . fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19).
In fact, His care for us is so intimate that at this very moment, He’s preparing a home where we’ll live with Him forever! Christ said: “I go and prepare a place for you, [and] I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).
When we arrive at our eternal home, we’ll be in His presence forever.
By: Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
In what way do you feel alienated? What does it mean for you to know that God has called all His children to be united in Him?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Because of our sin, we’re alienated from God. But we don’t have to stay that way. “
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“The world is filled with strangers because what truly makes someone strange (estranged) is being a stranger to God.” Tim Conway
PRAYER
“Dear heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to experience fellowship with You and with others who love and trust You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“FOREIGNERS (SONS OF GOD)” Tender Mavundia
We were foreigners in relation to Israel
We were foreign to be born again
We were strangers to God our creator
But now we are…the Sons of God
But now, but now
We are no more strangers and foreigners
We are born by Grace, by faith
We are the temple of the Lord
We are the heirs
We are sons the Sons of God
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ROMANS 6
