JFC (Eph 2:11-22)

One in Christ

Application: Christ in common, everything in common

People come from many different backgrounds, yet we have everything in common because of Christ

Intro: The Apostle Paul continues to unravel all God has done for us. In the previous chapter we discussed the spiritual blessings that God has poured out onto the believer.

As we conclude chapter two, Paul describes the state of the Gentile prior to coming to Christ as an outsider, excluded from citizenship and the covenant promises, without God and without hope.

However, the work of the cross radically changed our position and broke down barriers between us and God as well as Jewish believers.

Last month: We finished with we are saved by grace through faith in Christ (V8).

A) Salvation is gift from God for simply believing in Jesus

B) Sincere faith requires action

EPH 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

We are never to young or to old to be used by God.

We each have a place of influence weather its with unsaved family, co-workers, neighbors, or even at the grocery store.

We were saved to love God and make Him known

The Church is God’s Plan: People come from many different backgrounds, yet we have everything in common because of Christ

(V11) Don’t forget that you Gentile used to be outsiders

Paul reminding the Gentiles, prior to Christ you were without God and without hope

(What is a Gentile?) Gentile is anyone who is not Jewish

A) Hatred between Jew and Gentile

The Jew was proud of their God given position (Partly pride created hostility)

Deut 26:18 “The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure”

God’s intent was for Israel to be a distinct people, a nation who pointed others toward God and His promised provision of a Redeemer, Messiah, and Savior

Contentions because the Gentiles did not follow the law

To some extent, hostility or separation still exist today between Jew and Gentile… (When I was Israel)

1.1 (V12) Prior to Christ, the Gentiles were excluded from citizenship and the covenant promises

Outsiders because…

A) The Gentiles had no direct part in the promises of God to Israel contained in the biblical covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic).

B) Covenant was an agreement between God and the nation of Israel

The Mosiac Covenant was given, which was the law the Jews agreed to follow. (If they obeyed the law they would be blessed above measure, but if they disobeyed they would be cursed

The law created separation between the Jews and the rest of the world, which created hostility between the two groups of people

At that time, the Gentiles were without God and without hope

2. (V13) But now, you have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ

A) Because you are united with Christ

Brought near to God

2.1 (V14) Christ brought down the dividing wall of separation between Jew and Gentile

Christ brought us peace

United Jew and Gentile into one people group

He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us

*Temple was divided by courts, depending on your social status you were allowed into your specific court

***Christ can breakdown any wall that stands between you and God. Whatever your struggles are, Christ is greater

2.2 (V15) Christ fulfilled the demands of the law, ending the system of the law with it’s commandments

A) Jesus was the perfect sacrifice

The body of Jesus ("His flesh") sacrificed on the cross terminated the hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

It did so in the sense that when Jesus Christ died He fulfilled all the demands of the Mosaic Law.

The Mosaic Law ceased to be God's standard for regulating the life of His people when Christ died (Rom. 10:4; et al.).

The Mosaic Law had been the cause of the hostility between Jews and Gentiles. Its dietary distinctions and laws requiring separation in particular created hostility between Jews and Gentiles.

2.3 (V18) All can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit

A) No separation, all have access

B) Christ in common, everything in common

3. (19-22) Jew / Gentile make up the church (We are the temple)

A) Laid on the foundation of the apostles and prophets

B) Christ the corner stone that ties it all together