Shared Blessings

Aim: To rejoice in Christ, the spring and source of all shared blessings.

Doctrine: In Christ, Jews and gentiles both partake of shared blessings, which direct us God-ward, together; and which encourage sweet fellowship.

Exegesis: The grace of Christ that makes our shared blessings possible: Jesus fulfills the law: by slaying sin and the ceremonies (v. 16); Jesus fulfills prophecy: by preaching peace to the hearts of churchmen everywhere (v. 17); Jesus fulfills all unity: by granting His whole church access to our (common) Father (v. 18).

Further application: How the church should steward these precious shared blessings: let us live in peace with God and one another, and let us be agents of grace (in God's world).

Key verse: v. 18 ''For through Him [Christ] we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.''