Ephesians Week 4: Who We Are in Christ

Ephesians 2:11–12 ESV

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— 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.

Who We Once Were

According to Ephesians 2:11-12, who were we apart from Christ?

Christ-Less

-Gentiles were separated from the Messianic hope of Israel

Foreigners

-Excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise

Hopeless and Godless

-While God did plan on blessing all nations through Israel, the Gentile unbelievers did not know this. Because they did not know the promises, they did not have the hope fo the promises, not did they know the God of the promises. They had opted for idols instead of God, suppressing the truth revealed to them.

What would your life look like without Jesus?

2. What Christ Has Done

Ephesians 2:13–18 ESV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 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, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

- BUT now in Christ Jesus

Looking at Ephesians 2:13-18, What has Christ done for us?

a. Christ has brought us peace

b. Christ has made us one

-The law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations that is ceremonial law. These commandments as regulations put up a huge wall between Jew and Gentile. Jesus set all of this aside by dying on the cross. At the cross, Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial system.

c. Christ preached peace

d. Christ has given us access to God

Take a look at the following Scriptures and list how God has brought natural enemies into fellowship

Joshua 2: The spies and Rahab

1 Kings 17:7-16: Elijah and Widow from Zarephath(center of Baal Worship)

1 Samuel 18: David and Saul’s Daughter

Luke 19:1-10: Jesus and Zacchaeus (Chief Tax Collector)

Acts 15: Paul and the jewish church Leaders (Uniting the Jewish and Gentile church)

3. Who We Have Now Become

Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

a. Citizens of God’s Kingdom

b. Members of God’s Family

c. Stones in God’s Temple

If you are tempted to take for granted what it means to be a member of God’s household, let the following verses be reminders that Christ reserved special places for and took special care of His people.

Deuteronomy 7:6

Psalm 147:3

Jeremiah 1:5

Matthew 19:14

Which of the verses above resonate with you and help remind you of how God provides for His people? Are there other verses that help you remember who you have now become in Christ?

Personal Reflection

From this passage (Ephesians 2:11-22) explain what Christ has done for us.

How does verse 18 relate to prayer? How should it affect our view of prayer?

Which of the three illustrations of the church in 2:19-22 (citizens, family, or stones) made the biggest impact on you? Why?

How should this passage change the way we think about the church?