One in Christ

Hopeless Before Christ

(V11) Remember where you came from

A) Gentiles were outsiders and not included in the promises of the biblical covenants

No promise of land, without spiritual blessings and the protection of God, no lasting kingdom, and no messiah (Hopeless situation)

B) (V13) But now in Christ

Brought near because of the death of Christ

2. (V14) Middle wall of separation

A) V14 Broken down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile

There was an actual wall of separation in the Temple that divided Jew and Gentile when worshipping God

The court of Gentiles was the outermost court and they were not allowed any further

B) There was hatred between Jew and Gentile and in some cases it still exist

In his commentary Doctor Constable said this,

"The Jew had an immense contempt for the Gentile. The Gentiles, said the Jews, were created by God to be fuel for the fires of hell. God, they said, loves only Israel of all the nations that he had made. The best of the serpents crush, they said, the best of the Gentiles kill. It was not even lawful to render help to a Gentile mother in her hour of sorest need, for that would simply be to bring another Gentile into the world. Until Christ came, the Gentiles were an object of contempt to the Jews. The barrier between them was absolute. If a Jewish boy married a Gentile girl, or if a Jewish girl married a Gentile boy, the funeral of that Jewish boy or girl was carried out. Such contact with a Gentile was the equivalent of death.

2.1 (V15) One New Man

Paul says the separation does not exist in God’s eyes

A) In fact, Jew and Gentile are now the new man, two become one.

Application: Look around the room and notice the different colors we are, yet we are one in Christ

I believe the enemy seeks to divide the church any way he can (Through appearance, group of friends, economic status, or theology)

2.2 (V18) You now have access the Father A) At times, we take having access to the Father for granted

Through lack of prayer and time spent with Him

We run to others for help, despite

3. (V19-22) You are a fellow citizen of the household of God

Believers make up building, but Christ is the foundation

Without a solid foundation the building will not stand

A) Jesus Christ is chief corner stone

Literally means at the tip of the angle, which refers to the capstone or binding stone that holds the whole structure together

The corner stone is the most important stone to the structure, its the one that ties everything together which provides stability

3.1 (V22) Being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit

A) The church is the temple and God dwells in us

B) Holy and set apart

Conclusion: Paul is building on all that God has done for not only the Gentile but also the Jew.

We should walk away with appreciation for the blessings of God, which should stir our heart full of thanksgiving.

A heart full of thanksgiving should effect how we love God and our neighbor