Ephesians 2:11-22

Sermon

Ephesians 2:11–22 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Greatest rivalries in history?

GO

Paul is describing a deep, complex, hostile rivalvry between Jews and Gentiles. (what is gentile)

It was:

Religious

Cultural

Racial

Heres what I find so amazing about God’s grace. The fact that the work of Jesus brings us reconciliation with God ALSO BRINGS US reconciliation with others.

He begins by telling them that the gospel demands we remember what we were saved from because THE GOSPEL NEEDED TO APPLY TO US.

This is not, back in my day I and people just werent as bad as they are now.

Paul says you were once that way too.

This is totally relevant for us because it hits most of us, Gentiles that are christians.

They were and we were: (verse 12)

1. Separated from Christ

2. Alienated from the people of God (foreigner)

3. Hopeless due to no God

We have a montra around the youth room DONT TRUST FEELINGS TRUST TRUTH

Yall i say that so much that they can finish the statement for me

But at least once every week or two, a teenager or other person will say I feel so seperated from God.

So i walk them through, if its feelings or truth.

Do you feel separated from God?

I hope not, but if you do, theres hope coming!!!

HERES HOPE!!!

But Christ has brought reconciliation: (13-18)

Brought peace Because he is our peace (14)

did this by personally breaking down the wall between us and God

Jesus and his peace does two things:

Preaches to near and far

Allows access to the Father

both the near and far

A passage that i take people to a lot is Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This isnt some cheap attempt at feeling better.

This isnt about feelings at all.

Jesus is our peace and through the work of the holy spirit and through growing in JESUS - this passage is true.

The lesson says this changes our identity and our identification.

This also begins to raise the question:

So What is a church?

(lead a discussion here)

Probably should distinguish between local and universal church

This passage would lead us to believe that its a collection of those that were far from God and those that are being brought near to God.

It names 4 things:

Citizens in God’s kingdom (no longer aliens) - v19

How does this change things for a person? help below

Citizens have benefitssome of this can be found in ch 1 as far as getting what Jesus deserved (inheritance and place in Gods kingdom)

we also now have responsibilities in addition to benefits

Members of God’s house - v19

How does this change things for a person?

This just got personal. Which is more personal - a citizen in a country or a member in a house

The story of asking for milk at midnight from daddy.

Stones in God’s temple - v20-22

We now have a purpose, at a general level and at a specific level

General-we are added to the number of heaven and local church - and add to the power of numbers when working

Specific - we have specific callings and giftings to use in the church

A dwelling place for God - v22

This building is no longer God’s house, your body is.

This is silly, but do you have a greater respect for this building than your own body?

saying things like dont be lying in God’s house. (light hearted)

But heres the final thing

As we will find in the weeks to come, that changes everything for you and me and those far and near to God!!