Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Ephesians 2:19-21

Tonight, we are going to conclude chapter two of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We have been looking at a before, during and after picture of the follower of Christ. What they looked like and who they were before coming to Christ. What the process, or more specifically the work of the Lord in their coming to Christ and their transformation from death to life.

Last week we looked at the completed process in verses 11-18.

- Those verses reminded us that before coming to Christ we, as Gentiles, were separated from God; religion had barricaded us from the presence and life of God.

- In Christ, and in Christ alone we are brought near to God. It had to be the work of Christ because we were estranged from God and through Christ God demonstrated His great love for mankind.

- In Christ we receive peace that brings all believers together as one, breaks down the barriers that used to separate us, removes the hostility of the law against us, and creates us as a “new man.”

- Christ brings reconciliation of a relationship that was splintered by man. It was only the work of Christ that could bring us back into a right place before God.

- Finally, we said that in Christ we gain rightful access to the throne room of God; no longer needed and intermediary to be in His presence.

---

Tonight, we are going to continue to study the life of the believer AFTER salvation that stretches into a community with other believers to which we all belong after coming to Christ; that being the Church. The church of Jesus Christ is a critical and essential element in the life of the believer. It is essential in the spread of the Gospel. It is the instrument used of God to reach the lost and create disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NASB)

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

This portion of text gives us an excellent picture of the church. So, let’s look at six characteristics of the church which are mentioned here by Paul.

Picture 1: A New Nation (v 19)

Picture 2: God’s Family (v 19)

Picture 3: God’s Building (v 20)

Picture 4: A Growing Organism (v 21)

Picture 5: A World-wide Temple – The “Capital C” Church (v 21)

Picture 6: A Local Temple – The Local Church (v 22)

I. The church is pictured as a new nation or new society (Ephesians 2:19)

Ephesians 2:19 (NASB)

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

Paul says we are NOW “fellow citizens.” We, as the Gentile believes are now fellow citizens, members of a new nation with the Saints of God. That which we were barricaded against prior to Christ and prior to Salvation, we have now been joined together with.

1. We WERE foreigners and aliens

The word translated here as “aliens,” means to be an outsider; someone who does not belong; an unknown person. The word translated as “strangers, or foreigners,” means a sojourner, a migrant, and exile; someone who is passing through but does not belong where they are.

Prior to Christ there were many times when we, as Gentiles, as outsiders, did not belong in the family of God; the promise of salvation was not available to us and we did not belong among the believers. We were not part of God and His Kingdom; therefore, we were not entitled the be blessings and promises that came along with being part of the Kingdom. We were aliens and exiled from His presence.

Because of this we had not relationship with the Heavenly Father. We had no home and no rights to citizenship in the Kingdom. Because of our sin, we were separated from that right. Because of our not being a member of the family of Abraham, we had no right to the Kingdom.

BUT Paul says in verse 19, “You are NO LONGER strangers or foreigners or aliens to God. You have been brought into the family; you have been brought into the Kingdom of God through Christ. He says we are now “Fellow Citizens” with ALL of God’s people. In this we have gained all the rights and privileges that accompany being part of the Kingdom.

2. We are NOW God’s people (Philippians 3:20, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:27)

The term Paul uses for being part of God’s people means to be set apart or separated TO God. We are no longer on the outside looking in; we are on the inside as full-fledged citizens of God’s people. We are part of the nation created by God.

Philippians 3:20 (NASB)

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

2 Peter 3:13 (NASB)

13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Revelation 21:27 (NASB)

27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it [God’s city, God’s nation], but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

II. The church is pictured as the family of God (Ephesians 2:19)

Ephesians 2:19 (NASB)

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

Not only are we members of the nation of God, through Christ we have been brought into the family of God.

- Being part of a family brings with it the privileges of that family.

While on the outside, we did not have access to the privileges. There are two specific ones to look at.

1. We have the privilege of adoption (1 John 3:1)

Being Gentiles, we have been adopted into the family of God.

- We are now sons and daughters of God; joint heirs with Christ.

The physical children of God are the Israelites; the descendants of Abraham. The were selected from all the nations of the world and God’s special people. To gain the rights of the family; because we Gentiles could not access that through a physical lineage, we were adopted by God into His family. We receive all the rights and privileges that are associated with being a member.

As an adopted member of God’s family, we have the blessing of living in the house of God, with His family, and experience all the same experiences. We receive the love, care, and interest of God. He provides us with clothing, food, and training. We experience the Father’s concern, help, protection, and shelter, while also partaking in His discipline, fellowship, and companionship.

- There is nothing the physical child of God receives that we are not privileged to.

1 John 3:1 (NASB)

3 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

We possess all the rights and privileges pursuant thereof.

2. We have the privilege of responsibly and service (Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 6:7)

Along with the privileges of adoption also come the privilege of responsibility and service.

- All members of God’s family are entrusted with responsibilities and duties we are to perform.

- Our responsibilities help to build up and strengthen the family.

Galatians 6:10 (NASB)

10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Ephesians 6:7 (NASB)

7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

III. The church is pictured as God’s Building (Ephesians 2:20)

Ephesians 2:20 (NASB)

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

- Followers of Christ, the Believers, are pictured as the stones which are being used to build up a building for God.

Two things to note concerning God’s building.

1. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone first laid for this building.

Christ being the chief Cornerstone tells us three things.

- The cornerstone is the first stone laid. All others stones are laid in relation to the Cornerstone.

- Jesus is the first piece of God’s movement, God’s Kingdom.

- Christ is the author of salvation, all others involved are crew members. (Hebrews 2:10)

Hebrews 2:10 (NASB)

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

- Christ is the author and source of eternal salvation. All others are the readers of the story. (Hebrews 12:2)

Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End. All others come AFTER Him. Hebrews 6:19-20)

Christ is the forerunner who went before us into the presence of God. All others enter God’s presence THROUGH Him

Hebrews 6:19-20 (NASB)

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

- The Cornerstone is the supportive stone of the entire building. All other stones are placed upon it, and held together by it. Christ is the support and power of the church.

- Christ is the HEAD Cornerstone, the only foundation upon which we can build. All others crumble who are not set upon the Cornerstone. (1 Corinthians 3:11)

1 Corinthians 3:11 (NASB)

11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

- Christ is the CHIEF Cornerstone, anyone who is added to the building must be fitted to the cornerstone.

- The Cornerstone is the directional stone; it lines up the entire building.

All the lines and instructions for the building must line up to it. Christ is perfect and His instruction is perfect. Therefore, if the stones are aligned to the Cornerstone, they will be in perfect alignment. If we base our following or instruction upon any other source or sources, and are not corrected or removed, we will cause the direction and line of the entire building to become off.

What happens often times is instead of pulling the stone that is not built upon the cornerstone, we decide to pull the Cornerstone, keeping the building off line. In this case, no church, no building can survive. Without Christ, the church collapses.

2. The church is built upon the foundation constructed by the prophets and apostles. (Romans 1:16)

The apostles surrounded Jesus. They learned from Jesus. They fed off Jesus. Their word and their testimony are the foundation upon which the church is to be laid. Their foundation is aligned with the Cornerstone. The Holy Scriptures are the testimony of the Apostles.

Romans 1:16 (NASB)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek

IV. The Church is a picture of a growing organism (Ephesians 2:21)

Ephesians 2:21 (NASB)

21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,

The word translated here as

- “Growing,” is a biological term that carries the idea of a living organism.

As a living organism, the church is made up of various living parts. The building of God grows based on its parts; more and more parts are added the “Capital C” Church daily. This building will continue to grow until Christ returns.

1 Peter 2:4-5

4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Peter refers to Christ as the “Living Stone” upon which all other stones must build. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

To live and grow, we must build upon this Living Stone.

- As a living stone, we have a couple challenges.

1. The church MUST grow. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Church is not finished and we must be bringing in new believers and fitting them in place according the Cornerstone.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

2. Every believer has a part to play in the function of the Church.

Every stone is expected to labor.

V. The Church is pictured as the World-wide temple – the “Capital C” church. (Ephesians 2:21)

Ephesians 2:21 (NASB)

21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,

Each individual makes up a piece of the WHOLE building, the universal church. Each generation brings about new pieces which are fitted into the universal structure.

-The “Capital C” church is the believers from every generation (Ephesians 3:6)

will be a part of the new universe when God creates the new heaven and the new earth. Each person is placed into the structure, is “fitted together,” by Christ alone. We are built upon the foundation of the prophets and Apostles. Any other foundation or cornerstone will not hold up. Man’s foundation, man’s philosophies, and ideals, will not be a part of God’s building.

Ephesians 3:6 (NASB)

6 the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

VI. The church is pictured as a LOCAL temple – the LOCAL church. (Ephesians 2:22)

Ephesians 2:22 (NASB)

22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Paul uses the term “YOU” to refer to the church in Ephesus. Each individual church is pictured as a building built for God’s presence; and each member is an essential building stone placed and joined into the building.

- The stability of the local church lies in each individual stone being cemented together in the Lord.

- The Local church is a dwelling place for the presence of God through the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God lives out His life through the church. The Holy Spirit dwells in the church to help believers when they are:

- Troubled or distressed

- Discouraged

- Suffering

- Joyful or excited

- Slothful and inactive

- Witnessing and teaching

- Preaching and ministering

The Holy Spirit dwells in the church to conform the church to the image of God’s will.

- The effectiveness of EVERY local church is how much they allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within. (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 John 2:27)

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NASB)

16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NASB)

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

1 John 2:27 (NASB)

27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

Picture 1: A New Nation (v 19)

Picture 2: God’s Family (v 19)

Picture 3: God’s Building (v 20)

Picture 4: A Growing Organism (v 21)

Picture 5: A World-wide Temple – The “Capital C” Church (v 21)

Picture 6: A Local Temple – The Local Church (v 22)