9_3_2023 - Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ Is The Cornerstone

(Opening Prayer)

(Sermon Introduction)

Today we continue our “Ephesians” series.

(AG Reminder)

Central is an Assembly of God church. For more information on our AG beliefs and positions feel free to check out the “What We Believe” link on the Central App, visit the website, or stop by the office.

(Ephesians Context)

The books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are what we call the “Prison Epistles.”

Paul is writing Ephesians during his first imprisonment in Rome around 60 AD (recorded in Acts 28).

Like Colossians, this letter was carried to the province of Asia by Tychicus (Eph. 6:20-21).

This explains the similarity of doctrinal content, the same ideas being fresh in the apostle’s mind as he wrote these letters.

On Paul’s second missionary journey he planted the church of Ephesus (Acts 18:19).

On his third missionary journey Paul pastored the church of Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31).

Paul finishes his third missionary journey and stops in Ephesus to say goodbye as he made his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to prison in Rome where he is writing this letter to them.

(Series Recap and Sermon Title)

In Ephesians 1 we focused on the calling of Paul and the nature of the gospel.

In Ephesians 2:1-10 we focused on the world and they are, and we were dead-walking, devil-following, flesh-desiring, and wrath-bound.

But God in His love gave us His mercy and grace!

In Ephesians 2:11-18 we focused on how Christ has brought peace to ALL people.

Today we are in Ephesians 2:19-22 speaking about “CHRIST IS THE CORNERSTONE.”

Ephesians 2:19–22 (ESV)

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

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

(Ephesians 2:19-22 Context)

This verse transitions to the third section of the passage with the words “So then,” which provide the logical consequences of the statements made in verses 14–18.

In order to express the mighty reconciling work of Jesus, Paul employs a variety of metaphors (political, familial, and religious).

First, because of the reconciliation brought by Christ’s sacrifice, Gentiles who were described as “strangers” are now “fellow citizens.”

A “stranger” is someone from another tribe or country, and in verse 12 the term was used to describe Gentiles’ being strangers to the covenants of promise.

Paul is declaring that believers who were once considered foreigners are now, along with other believers (“the saints”), citizens in God’s kingdom (Phil. 3:20).

Gentile believers now have a homeland and are therefore fellow citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom.

1. In Christ We Are Citizens of Heaven and Members of God’s Household

Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)

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

Because of the reconciliation brought about by Christ’s sacrifice, Gentiles who were described as “aliens” are now also “members of the household of God.”

Ephesians–Philemon (Commentary)

“Aliens” are those who live in a land as foreigners. They are in the land but do not have the rights and privileges of citizens.

Benjamin L. Merkle, “Ephesians,” in Ephesians–Philemon, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XI, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).

So, as strangers and aliens, Gentiles were essentially considered outsiders.

But now, Paul declares, those who have been reconciled to God through Christ have been brought into God’s household.

They have been adopted and granted all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of children of the heavenly Father (1:5; 2:18).

Paul uses household language to give confidence and assurance to his Gentile readers that their heavenly Father receives them as children and will protect and provide for them.

2. In Christ We Are the Temple of the Lord

Ephesians 2:20–21 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Because of the reconciling work of Christ, Paul can also describe the Gentiles as the building stones used in God’s holy temple.

Because “house” (or “household”) can also refer to a spiritual house or temple, Paul easily transitions to his third metaphor.

The significance of the temple is that it is where God dwells.

There are at least five characteristics of this spiritual temple.

First, God is the one building it.

Twice in this passage Paul uses the divine passive to signify that it is God who is responsible for building his holy temple.

It is “built” on a secure foundation, and together believers “are being built” as a dwelling place for God.

Second, this temple is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.”

Believers are built upon the authoritative and normative teaching of the apostles and prophets, a teaching that arose from divine revelation.

The third distinctive of the temple is that Christ Jesus is its “cornerstone.”

Ephesians–Philemon (Comment)

The cornerstone was the most important stone of the foundation, bearing the weight of the building and tying the walls firmly together.

Benjamin L. Merkle, “Ephesians,” in Ephesians–Philemon, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XI, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).

Christ is the anchor of the foundation (1 Cor. 3:11) that is built by the proclamation of the gospel of Christ.

The fourth feature is that only those who are united with Christ make up the stones in this spiritual temple.

Throughout Ephesians Paul has emphasized the believer’s union with Christ, and this passage is certainly no exception.

It is only through our faith in Christ that we become part of God’s holy people, household, or temple.

The fifth characteristic of the temple is that it is not complete but is currently under construction and growing.

The growth Pail has in mind here seems to be both spiritual growth (into a holy temple) and numerical (as Gentiles who believe are added to the structure).

The picture here is that members of God’s temple are placed stone by stone into the structure of the building until it is complete.

3. In Christ We Are The Dwelling Place of God By the Spirit

(Instrumental Music)

Ephesians 2:22 (ESV)

22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Ephesians–Philemon (Commentary)

In the previous verse, Paul referenced God’s holy “temple” (naos), which refers to the temple proper (whereas hieron refers to the temple compound).

In the OT, God’s presence was uniquely located in the temple (Lev. 26:12; 1 Cor. 3:16–17; 2 Cor. 6:16).

Thus, God is building this temple as his dwelling place by his Spirit.

Benjamin L. Merkle, “Ephesians,” in Ephesians–Philemon, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XI, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).

The status of Gentiles who now believe in Jesus as the Messiah has been completely transformed.

Those who were Christ-less (“separated from Christ”), homeless (“alienated from the commonwealth of Israel”), friendless (“strangers to the covenants of promise”), hopeless (“having no hope”), and godless (“without God”) are now citizens, members, and God’s dwelling place.

Just as the Israelites were often urged to remember their past, especially their slavery in Egypt and God’s deliverance in the exodus (Deut. 5:15; 15:15; 16:12; 24:18, 22), so are we exhorted to remember our former separation and alienation from God.

Paul does not give his readers new instruction but rather reminds them of what they already know in order to make them more cognizant of these truths and to encourage them to respond appropriately.

It is healthy for us to remember where we have come from and where we now stand by God’s grace.

Paul’s encouragement is all the more crucial for us: we should slow down and reflect on God’s faithfulness in remaking us—from those who were not a people, into his own people.

(Sermon Recap)

Christ Is The Cornerstone

In Christ We Are Citizens of Heaven and Members of God’s Household.

In Christ We Are The Temple Of The Lord.

In Christ We Are The Dwelling Place of God By the Spirit.

(Closing Tension)

According to Revelation, believers from “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9) will worship around God’s throne.

But often the church on earth does not look like the church in heaven.

We must work hard not to contradict the gospel inadvertently by refusing to worship, fellowship, or serve with people who look, speak, or act differently than we do.

The gospel unites all believers together into one family and one temple (Eph. 4:1–6).

Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6; cf. Eph. 2:14) and has brought peace to his people (John 14:27; Eph. 2:17).

The church, with all of its diversity, is built on one foundation (apostles and prophets) and has one cornerstone (Jesus Christ).

We must strive, then, to display the unity Christ has secured.

(Response Card)

(Closing Challenge)

(Response)

(Invite Prayer Team)

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you.

25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.