What Are We Building? Ephesians 2:17-20

Ephesians 2:17–22 CSB

17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away 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 foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.

Introduction:

Jews and Gentiles separated

Ephesians 2:17–18 CSB

17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

The Church is like a house

Ephesians 2:19 CSB

19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household,

The house is built........

I. Foundation of the Apostle and Prophets

Ephesians 2:20 CSB

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

This is not in contradiction with 1 Cor. 3:11

1 Corinthians 3:11 CSB

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.

The foundation of the apostles and prophets here is the teaching and example of them, which points to Christ.

Acts 2:42 CSB

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

Our foundation in which we stand must be Christ, Him preached, understood, and known.

It is what the Gentiles heard about Christ that the Holy Spirit used to bring them to salvation. (last week-how can they hear without a preacher).

PRACTICAL: We must build on the foundation of Christ. Our missional, evangelistic, and discipleship methods must all be built on the foundation that is laid. Our aim is Christ and Him crucified. One of the ways that we do is by partnering with organizations (i.e. the Wolves or some that others come up with).

Remember this passage is about how those did not know Christ (Gentiles) became unified with Him (and the Jews) because of the Gospels. This ought to be the picture for our church.

II. Christ the Cornerstone

Ephesians 2:20 CSB

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.

Now as the foundation has been laid, everything must be in align. It is Christ who is the corner stone. The cornerstone is the stone that set so that the rest of the building is aligned. If the cornerstone is off the whole building is off. If the cornerstone is solid the whole building is solid.

Our Story

Dad

Me

Change (time)

COVID

Now

(this message is to the whole church)

What are we building? What He built

Matthew 16:18 CSB

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Ephesians 4:11–12 CSB

11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,