Rob's Expository Sermon Preparation | Ephesians 2:11–22 (2)

Introduction:

A Missionary, an Oak tree, and a family tree

LET’S LOOK FIRST AT HOW SIN ALIENATES US FROM ONE ANOTHER, AND SECOND HOW THE GOSPEL CROSSES THESE BARRIERS TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S MISSION:

I) Sin Alienates us from God and From One Another (vv. 11-12)

A. Because of Sin, we are Alienated from One Another

i. Cultural, racial, and Ethnic Divisions hinder the mission of the church today

1. Racism has again made headlines – even in the church

2. EXAMPLE: Churches in the south; “white flight” churches;

ii. Similar divisions hindered the church’s mission in Ephesus (vs. 11)

1. The first “synod” addressed the relationship between Jew & Gentile

2. “Therefore”: God has “good works”… but something stands in the way

B. Ultimately, Alienation from One Another Stems from Alienation from God

i. Tribalism results from sin: we all tend to cluster with people like us

1. SinàBabelàlanguages and cultural differences create deep divisions

2. It doesn’t take long before we look down on those who are different

3. EXAMPLE: “If you ain’t Dutch…(some laugh, others will feel excluded.)

ii. Worse: We are building an identity on something other than God

1. Jews believed they were favored for their moral performance

2. So they looked down on “uncircumcised” as far from God (vv. 11-12)

iii. However: Jew AND Gentile are alienated from God (see vs. 16)

1. The problem: ALL are alienated, estranged, and sinful before a holy God

2. Therefore: Our fundamental problem isn’t racism; it’s alienation from God that further alienates us from one another

BOTH JEW AND GENTILE ARE ALIENATED FROM A HOLY GOD BECAUSE OF SIN – AND WE ALL TRY TO FIND OUR WORTH AND VALUE IN SOMETHING OTHER THAN GOD. THE QUESTION IS – HOW DOES GOD SOLVE OUR PROBLEM?

II) The Gospel is the Good news of Reconciliation

A. Jesus Brings Peace (vs. 17)

i. Jesus preaches peace (but that’s not enough)

1. In his ministry, Jesus crossed cultural/ethnic barriers to preach peace

2. But MANY have preached peace: Lennon; Ghandi; MLK;

3. Peace: eliminate religion because it’s divisive; merge all religions together

ii. Jesus IS Our Peace (vs. 14)

1. Jesus creates one new man – but what does this mean? (vs. 14b)

2. REMEMBER: the temple had walls that kept out Gentiles AND Jews

3. Jesus fulfills the ritual laws à

4. Jesus experiences the hostility that separates us in HIM we have access to God (vs. 15)

iii. Therefore, Jesus destroys the hostility between people (vs. 15b-16)

1. Jesus has created a new body: “Those who are in Christ”

2. Jesus created a new household: a foundation & cornerstone! (vv. 19-20)

3. APPLICATION: My identity is grounded in its deepest level, in Christ

B. Therefore, Christians Can be agents of Reconciliation in Our World

i. The gospel alone is the power for reconciliation

1. Many efforts are motivated by PC; or by guilt; or by human behavior\

2. Many efforts fail because they emphasize what separates (Haidt)

3. The gospel says: “At our core, we all have in common: I’m sinful, in need of a savior; Jesus IS that Savior!”

ii. The Church is called to remember that we are what we are by grace

1. Paul’s first command: “Remember your past!” (vs. 11, 12)

2. Remember that you are what you are because somewhere, someone crossed the cultural boundary to share Jesus

iii. The Church is called to reflect the glory of God’s Global household

1. The church is to reflect the diversity of God’s household

2. APPLICATION: Our Bolivia Partnership: Not “What can we do to help you” as much as “What can we learn from you?”

Transition:

Conclusion

Eating from a common Loaf