Accessing God: The Role of Christ and the Spirit

 

Summary

In Ephesians 2:18, we are presented with a profound truth: through Jesus Christ, we have access to the Father by one Spirit. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith, highlighting the involvement of the Holy Trinity in our salvation. The ultimate purpose of salvation is to bring us into a relationship with God as our Father. This relationship is not just a theological concept but a lived experience, especially evident in our prayer life. Prayer is the means by which we draw near to God, and it is essential to understand how we obtain this access.

The key to effective prayer lies in understanding two fundamental doctrines: the work of Jesus Christ and the role of the Holy Spirit. These are not optional or interchangeable; both are essential. Jesus Christ is our mediator, the one who has made it possible for us to approach God. His sacrifice on the cross, His blood, and His resurrection are the foundation of our access to God. Without acknowledging this, our prayers lack the necessary foundation.

Moreover, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our prayer life. It is through the Spirit that we are able to truly connect with God, to worship Him in spirit and truth. The Spirit guides us, empowers us, and intercedes for us. Ignoring the Spirit's role leads to a mechanical and lifeless prayer life.

It is also important to avoid adding anything or anyone to this divine equation. The Roman Catholic tradition, for example, introduces the Virgin Mary and the saints as additional mediators, which contradicts the exclusivity of Christ's mediating role. Our access to God is solely through Christ and by the Spirit.

In summary, our prayer life is a reflection of our understanding of these truths. When we grasp the significance of Christ's work and the Spirit's role, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that we are clothed in Christ's righteousness and empowered by the Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- Understanding Access to God: Our access to God is through Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit. This dual foundation is essential for a meaningful prayer life. Without recognizing the mediating role of Christ and the empowering presence of the Spirit, our prayers lack depth and efficacy. [02:21]

- The Role of Jesus Christ: Jesus is our mediator, and His sacrifice is the basis of our relationship with God. His blood, shed for our sins, is central to our access to the Father. This understanding is crucial for approaching God with confidence and assurance. [21:07]

- The Importance of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is vital in our prayer life, enabling us to worship God in spirit and truth. The Spirit guides, empowers, and intercedes for us, making our prayers alive and effective. [13:23]

- Avoiding Additions to the Gospel: Adding mediators like the Virgin Mary or saints detracts from the sufficiency of Christ's work. Our access to God is exclusive to Christ and the Spirit, and any addition is a deviation from biblical teaching. [19:02]

- Living in the Reality of Salvation: Our prayer life should reflect the reality of our salvation. When we understand and embrace the work of Christ and the role of the Spirit, we can approach God with boldness, knowing we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. [39:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:18
- [00:30] - The Purpose of Salvation
- [01:06] - The Role of the Holy Trinity
- [02:21] - Access to the Father
- [03:19] - Questions on Prayer
- [05:05] - The Joy of Access
- [06:39] - Testing Our Faith
- [09:01] - The Complexity of Prayer
- [11:04] - Worship in Spirit and Truth
- [13:23] - Essential Doctrines for Prayer
- [15:13] - Misconceptions About Prayer
- [19:02] - Avoiding Additions to Christ
- [21:07] - Through Christ Alone
- [39:24] - Clothed in Righteousness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:18: "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 2:18, who are the two entities involved in granting us access to the Father? How does this verse highlight the role of the Holy Trinity in our salvation?
2. In the sermon, what is described as the ultimate purpose of salvation? How does this purpose relate to our prayer life? [01:26]
3. What are the two fundamental doctrines mentioned in the sermon that are essential for effective prayer? [13:23]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in our prayer life? [16:13]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does understanding Jesus Christ as our mediator affect the way we approach God in prayer? What implications does this have for our confidence in prayer? [21:07]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of not adding anything to the gospel, such as additional mediators. How might this understanding impact one's view of prayer and access to God? [19:02]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a lack of understanding of the Holy Spirit's role can lead to a lifeless prayer life? [16:13]
4. How does the concept of being "clothed in Christ's righteousness" influence our ability to approach God with boldness? [39:24]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current prayer life. Do you feel confident in your prayers? If not, what steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Christ's mediating role and the Holy Spirit's empowerment? [03:56]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of not adding mediators to our access to God. Are there any practices or beliefs in your life that might unintentionally add to the gospel? How can you align more closely with the biblical teaching of Christ as the sole mediator? [19:02]
3. Consider a recent time when you felt your prayers were mechanical or lifeless. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower your prayer life moving forward? [16:13]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of understanding and embracing the work of Christ and the role of the Spirit. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily prayer routine to approach God with greater boldness? [39:24]
5. Think about a specific area in your life where you struggle to feel God's presence. How can you use the truths from this sermon to approach God with confidence in that area?
6. Identify one aspect of your prayer life that you would like to improve. What practical steps can you take this week to make your prayers more effective and alive?
7. How can you remind yourself daily of the access you have to God through Christ and the Spirit? Consider creating a tangible reminder, such as a note or a symbol, to keep this truth at the forefront of your mind.

Devotional

Day 1: Access to God Through Christ and the Spirit
Understanding our access to God is foundational to a meaningful prayer life. Ephesians 2:18 reveals that through Jesus Christ, we have access to the Father by one Spirit. This dual foundation is essential; without recognizing the mediating role of Christ and the empowering presence of the Spirit, our prayers lack depth and efficacy. Jesus, as our mediator, has made it possible for us to approach God, and the Holy Spirit enables us to connect with God in spirit and truth. This understanding transforms our prayer life from a mere ritual to a profound experience of communion with God. [02:21]

Ephesians 3:12: "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower your prayers today?


Day 2: Christ's Sacrifice as the Basis of Our Relationship
Jesus Christ is our mediator, and His sacrifice is the basis of our relationship with God. His blood, shed for our sins, is central to our access to the Father. This understanding is crucial for approaching God with confidence and assurance. When we grasp the significance of Christ's work, we can approach God knowing that we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. This truth should fill us with gratitude and boldness in our prayer life, as we rely on the finished work of Christ to draw near to God. [21:07]

Hebrews 10:19-22: "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith."

Reflection: How does understanding Christ's sacrifice change the way you approach God in prayer today?


Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Role in Our Prayer Life
The Holy Spirit is vital in our prayer life, enabling us to worship God in spirit and truth. The Spirit guides, empowers, and intercedes for us, making our prayers alive and effective. Without the Spirit, our prayers can become mechanical and lifeless. Embracing the Spirit's role means allowing Him to lead us into deeper communion with God, transforming our prayer life into a dynamic and life-giving experience. [13:23]

Romans 8:26-27: "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your prayers today?


Day 4: The Sufficiency of Christ's Work
Adding mediators like the Virgin Mary or saints detracts from the sufficiency of Christ's work. Our access to God is exclusive to Christ and the Spirit, and any addition is a deviation from biblical teaching. Understanding this exclusivity is crucial for maintaining the purity of the gospel and ensuring that our faith rests solely on the finished work of Christ. This truth calls us to a deeper reliance on Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity. [19:02]

1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Are there any beliefs or practices in your life that might unintentionally add to the sufficiency of Christ's work? How can you refocus on Christ alone today?


Day 5: Living in the Reality of Salvation
Our prayer life should reflect the reality of our salvation. When we understand and embrace the work of Christ and the role of the Spirit, we can approach God with boldness, knowing we are clothed in Christ's righteousness. This reality transforms our daily walk with God, as we live out our faith with confidence and assurance. Embracing this truth means living in the freedom and joy that comes from being in a right relationship with God through Christ. [39:24]

Colossians 3:3-4: "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: How can you let the reality of your salvation in Christ shape your actions and attitudes today?

Quotes


In Ephesians 2:18, we are presented with a profound truth: through Jesus Christ, we have access to the Father by one Spirit. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith, highlighting the involvement of the Holy Trinity in our salvation. The ultimate purpose of salvation is to bring us into a relationship with God as our Father. [00:00:11]

Prayer is not a simple matter, and there's no greater fallacy than to think that prayer is simple. There are so many people, you know, who contrast prayer with teaching, with doctrine, with theology. Ah, they say, I can't be bothered about doctrine and so on, but prayer is everything to me. [00:09:03]

There are two things which are absolutely essential to prayer, according to the apostles' preaching at this point. There are two truths we have to grasp, two doctrines we must lay a hold of: through Him by one Spirit. Now, these two are absolutely essential. That's the apostles' teaching, not only here; it's the teaching of the whole scripture. [00:13:23]

There are those who do not hesitate to teach that this whole matter of approaching God and of prayer to God is, as I say, something which is supremely simple and easy. They say, are you in trouble? Are you in difficulties with regard to your future, and do you need guidance and so on? [00:14:20]

There are some who emphasize the correct doctrine concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and his atonement and so on, quite right, but they neglect the absolute necessity of the operation of the Holy Spirit. And according to this teaching, their prayer is equally useless. You can be absolutely orthodox, but at the same time, you can be spiritually dead. [00:15:32]

I say that to add anything or anyone to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit is not only to deny the Scripture, it is indeed again to go tragically astray in the whole matter of prayer. So that if you pray to the Virgin Mary, if you pray to the Saints who have lived in the past, and who are so saintly that they're able to exercise the function of what they call supererogation. [00:19:02]

There is no access to God except in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me. And yet people rush into the presence of God and think he's their Father without mentioning the Lord Jesus Christ at all. [00:21:07]

Christ also hath once suffered for us, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit. Now, there it seems to me is a perfect statement of this doctrine. Christ, you notice, has once suffered for us, that just for the unjust. [00:24:41]

It is through Christ, it is in Christ, it is by Christ and what he has done that we have this access unto God. And apart from that, we have no access unto God at all. Now, you see, you can't read your Old Testament without seeing very clearly that obviously there is need of instruction about this approach to God. [00:25:56]

The Lord Jesus Christ admits us into the presence of God because he is our great sin bearer. That is what we must put first. The Apostle has been putting it first, but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Have you noticed the repetition of the terms: the blood, his flesh, his body, his cross? [00:27:12]

Christ saves us then not only by shedding his blood but by entering into the heavens as our great high priest. But then another way in which he helps me to have access to the Father is this: you may say to me, all right, I can see that my sins are forgiven in that way, but still, when I think of God in his eternity of power and of majesty and of might. [00:35:57]

We have this access through Christ because we are not only given his righteousness, we are given his life. We are born again of him; we become partakers of the divine nature. He is the firstborn among many brethren. Indeed, Paul has been saying it at great length already in this second chapter of the epistle to the Ephesians. [00:40:02]

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Transcript
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