Introduction: Let’s talk about ___________ for just a moment. Barrier defined means: What are some barriers people face today?

As we come to our text…

I. The _________ Barrier – 2:14 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Do you see ________ as barriers?

The temple (see handout inside sermon notes) -

In the Bible the wall the Jews built was called, the ________ wall of separation as used here in Ephesians 2:14. Some translations like the ESV, NIV, HCSB use the words, “the dividing wall of__________.”

Jewish historian Josephus, wrote…

Excavations at the temple site in 1871 - 1

Want some good news?

It is interesting that the Greek word for “broken” is in the aorist tense, which tells us that it was a ________ action. It was done, completed, finished. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one,

The word “He” in the Greek is “autos” and it is in the emphatic position. There is no other __________. Galatians 3:28 - 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

II. The ______ Barrier– 2:15 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

God’s ______ is a barrier to a lot of people.

Have you ever heard the crazy laws that exist around the country? Here are a few:

“the law of commandments contained in the ordinances.” This includes the _________ system, ________ laws, and laws of _________. Read the book of Leviticus and you will have a good picture of all the ceremonial laws.

Verse 15 - “having abolished”?

Now what does this mean practically? 2

What else did the cross accomplish?

so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

He made in Himself one new man from the two (Jew and Gentile), thus making peace.

The ______ result is beautiful, “thus making peace.”

What is the “new” thing that God created? It was the ________. Saved Jews and Saved Gentiles now made up this new thing called the Church.

III. The _______ Barrier – 2:16 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

What is your ethnic background?

Does ethnicity keep people from God?

The word “reconcile” -

Revelation 5:9 - And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,”

Jesus loves the Little ChildrenIV. The _________ Barrier – 2:17

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17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

Notice again the word, “He” -

Who was the message of “peace” for?

Write this down on a blank page in your Bible:

What I find fascinating is that the ______ of what Jesus preached (peace) still vibrates the halls of history.

V. The _________ Barrier – 2:18 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Those words are telling us that it is about a __________ and not about __________. It is about coming to God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ breaks down even the decision barrier.

we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Saved Jews and Gentiles have _______.

The Greek word for “access” -

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Conclusion: Jesus Christ removes all _________. There are no excuses! We have covered them all in section of Scripture. We discovered that…4