Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesians 2:11-22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell ©1999

The Berlin Wall

 

Shortly after the fall of communism and the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, a newspaper editorial headline in the United States announced, " Peace Breaks Out All Over! " He claimed that the great Berlin wall had now come down paving the way for peace.

Peace is what all men want, but can they really find it outside of Christ?

While it is true that people in East Germany now experience greater freedom, the editors claims were very optimistic.

Bosnia shows that men cannot find peace without Christ no matter how hard they try.

True peace cannot be gained easily.

Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, is only one who can bring real peace.

Introduction

 

Last Sunday morning we went on a */spiritual journey/*.

We saw the our true spiritual condition when God first found us.

We saw how and why God saved us.

Then we saw the purpose that God has for believers.

In today's passage Paul reflects on God's great Peace Mission.

Through Jesus Christ, He has reconciled men to each other and to Himself.

This peace mission has special significance to Gentiles.

Because Gentiles were separated from from God's people.

They had no future or hope.

We will see what God has done through His Son.

Paul's desire is because of what God has done, Gentiles will serve the Lord out of love and gratitude.

I want to look at 3 things:

 

I.

Separation

II.

Reconciliation

III.

Unification

   

I.

Separation

 

Remember

 

*Ephesians 2:11* /Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—/

 

Having highlighted the spiritual position of all men in *Ephesians 2:1-10*, Paul now /commands/ the Gentiles to*/ remember/* their former position of being separated from God's chosen people, Israel.

He refers to circumcision because this was an outward sign that formed a barrier between Jew and Gentile.

Circumcision was the sign of the covenant that God gave to Abraham when He chose Israel.

Israel was to be separate from the world so that God could reveal His salvation through them to all men.

Unfortunately the Jews looked down on Gentiles and considered them unclean.

They missed the point that God blessed them so that He could reach out to all the nations.

God had to correct the Jerusalem church of this same error.

They wanted to make the Gentiles become like Jews through circumcision.

But God made no distinctions of this kind anymore.

Previously uncircumcised Gentiles missed out on five blessings that Israel received.

*Ephesians 2:12* /That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world./

*/a.

Without Christ    /*

*/ /*

*/Without Christ/* is the key distinction that all the others in verse 12 fall under.

Before the Gentiles received the Gospel they were */without Christ/*.

They didn't have the hope of the coming Messiah.

They didn't know of God's plan of salvation until the Lord sent the apostles to tell them.

*/ /*

*/b.

Without Citizenship/*

*/ /*

The Jews were God's chosen people, His holy nation.

Before Christ came the Gentiles were aliens and strangers.

God cared for them but they had no national identity as Israel did.

Gentiles could become proselytes through circumcision and observance of the law.

But they never attained the status of the children of Israel.

*/ /*

*/c.

Without Covenants/*

 

God made covenants with Israel only.

The Gentiles could receive blessing through the covenants like the Abrahamic Covenant.

But the Gentiles had no covenant with God.

God's promises of blessing came through the covenants and the Gentiles were excluded.

*/ /*

*/d.

Without Hope/*

*/ /*

It is a recorded fact that a great cloud of hopelessness covered the ancient world.

The traditions, philosophies and religions of the world were empty.

They promised no hope for the future or for life after death.

*1 Thessalonians 4:13* tells us that unsaved people have no hope.

The Gentiles longed for hope beyond the grave, but they had none.

*/ /*

*/e.

Without God/*

*/ /*

Although the Gentile nations worshipped many gods, these were dead and could not help.

The Gentiles were truly */without God/* and the life that only He can give.

The sad fact is that the nations at one time knew God but chose to live apart from Him.

They then corrupted themselves worshipping the creature instead of the Creator.

Romans 1:18-23 gives us this sad account of mans fall into depravity.

Before Christ came to save us, this was the position of the Gentiles.

Separated from God and God's people because of sin./

Is this your position this morning?

Are you without Christ and without hope?/

*/If so I have good news for you.

You can find:    /*

 

II.

Reconciliation

 

*/a.

Jew To Gentile/*

*/ /*

*Ephesians 2:13-15* /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 both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,/

*/The Cross /*

 

From being */without Christ/*, the Ephesians were reconciled */in Christ/*.

Paul says that Christ has reconciled Jew and Gentile to God.

The word */peace/* is used three times in these verses because */reconciliation/* brings peace.

The word */reconcile/* means */to restore, to bring together./*

The Gentiles were once afar off, but now */in Jesus Christ/* they have been brought near.

/What is the middle wall of separation?

How did Jesus Christ break it down?/

The temple was divided into sections.

Depending on your race, sex and religious position you could enter so far.

Imagine that you, a Gentile, are approaching the temple.

The first barrier you come to is supposed to stop you, a non Jew, from going further.