Advent Week 3: JOY - “Access to the Father”

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Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Ephesians
Sermon Scripture:  Ephesians 2:17-18

​Jesus Achieved Our Peace (2:14-16)

• He killed the hostility that had _______________ us.
• He broke down the wall that _______________ us.
• He satisfied what the law _______________ of us.
• He bore the sin that would have _______________ us.

Jesus Announced Our Peace (2:17)

• Jesus preached peace _______ his disciples…
  • _______________ the cross. (John 14:27; 16:33)
  • _______________ the cross. (John 20:19-21)
• Jesus preaches peace _______________ his disciples… (2 Corinthians 5:20)
  • To the religious _______________ who is near. (Acts 10:36)
  • To the religious _______________ who is far off. (Romans 10:14-15)
• If we are going to preach peace, we must preach _______________.
  • We preach peace, not _______________.
  • The gospel is a message of peace, not a demand for _______________.

Jesus Gave Us Access to the Father (2:18)

• The goal of the gospel is to bring us to ___________.
  • The Destination: The Father- The goal is not just escaping hell, but coming _________ to the Father.
  • The Means: The Son- Jesus is the Mediator, the Door, and the Priest.
  • The Agent: The Holy Spirit- The Spirit applies the work of Christ to our hearts, crying "Abba! Father!"
• Christian prayer is distinct from all other forms of prayer because it is Trinitarian.
  • We do not pray to a vague deity. We pray ________ the Father.
  • We do not pray on our own merit. We pray _______________ the Son.
  • We do not pray by our own energy. We pray _______ the Spirit.
• Does your prayer life reflect the _______________?
  • Do you approach God as a _______________ Father?
  • Do you rely consciously on the _______________ of Jesus for your right to be heard?
  • Do you ask the Spirit to _______________ you pray when you don't know what to say?
• Why should Christians learn to pray this way?
  • This is how God has revealed himself in Scripture.
  • Praying this way expresses our understanding of the _______________.
  • Our joy in God will increase as we meditate on what He has done for us.
    • The Father has _______________ us.
    • The Son _______________ us.
    • The Spirit helps us.