A PEACEMAKING CITIZENSHIP
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Priceless Citizenship
Ephesians 2:19
"You are fellow citizens with the saints."
2. A Peacemaking Citizenship
a) One of the themes in Ephesians 2 is peace and reconciliation. Peace between people and God, and peace among the people (Ephesians 2:14-19). The citizenship we have been given imparts obligations, and it is a given "that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). One of our main obligations is to be peacemakers, by bringing the gospel of peace to others that they might be reconciled to God, and by encouraging peace and unity among people.
b) Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).
i) Only if we are heirs do we have citizenship in heaven.
ii) Only if we are sons are we heirs.
iii) Only if we are peacemakers shall we be called sons.
c) Heaven is a place of peace perfect peace. That does not mean inactivity or silence, but full fellowship and unity. We are "fellow citizens with the saints" (Ephesians 2:19). God's gift to us now is peace, reconciliation, unity, and fellowship. We must grow in this gift so as not to be found misfits in heaven. Heaven has no high walls so that people who are enemies will be kept away from one another. Whoever is there, you'll have to live in their company forever. So make peace with them now.
The End ...
1. The Priceless CitizenshipEphesians 2:19
"You are fellow citizens with the saints."
2. A Peacemaking Citizenship
a) One of the themes in Ephesians 2 is peace and reconciliation. Peace between people and God, and peace among the people (Ephesians 2:14-19). The citizenship we have been given imparts obligations, and it is a given "that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). One of our main obligations is to be peacemakers, by bringing the gospel of peace to others that they might be reconciled to God, and by encouraging peace and unity among people.
b) Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).
i) Only if we are heirs do we have citizenship in heaven.
ii) Only if we are sons are we heirs.
iii) Only if we are peacemakers shall we be called sons.
c) Heaven is a place of peace perfect peace. That does not mean inactivity or silence, but full fellowship and unity. We are "fellow citizens with the saints" (Ephesians 2:19). God's gift to us now is peace, reconciliation, unity, and fellowship. We must grow in this gift so as not to be found misfits in heaven. Heaven has no high walls so that people who are enemies will be kept away from one another. Whoever is there, you'll have to live in their company forever. So make peace with them now.
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