We are now ONE

Recalibrating begins when we renew our focus… on Jesus… on prayer… on surrender everything to God.

God’s desire is for us to be more like Jesus, that cannot happen on our own strength, goodness, wisdom, works.

Only God has the ability to create HIS masterpiece out of our brokenness, our ashes, and our pain.

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

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.

Through God’s goodness we can now have that necessary overhaul that we so desperately need. The truth is that all of us are in that boat, we all are totally lost without Jesus. The religious community in Jesus day were blind but unwilling to acknowledge there blindness.

The church today can be just like the Pharisees, unable to relate to the nonbeliever, unable to relate to lost souls, unable to relate with broken humanity because so many in the church are big on the appearance of being good as long as we compare ourselves to others. However, we are called to look to Jesus and yield to HIS transformational work that HE wants to do in us.

We cannot get what Jesus want’s for us until we surrender.

As we surrender, we are becoming what God created us to be, to become that masterpiece to do those good works that God created us for.

Church, we are all in the same process, all of us are in desperate need of God’s healing work.

Jesus came for those who are hopeless, in bondage, stuck in addiction, enslaved to sin.

No matter how hopeless the situation, as long as Jesus is in the room, there is hope.

Jesus made real transformation possible.

Jesus broke down every wall that separates, every form of hostility. Through Christ we are now ONE body.

If God can change me, God can change anybody. We all need God’s grace because all of us have failed and fallen short of God’s glory.

Relationships can be very messy but unity and reconciliation is now possible through Christ.

The early church was full of division. Jew/Gentile/Roman/Greek/Samaritan, Jew/Christian, rich/poor, men/women. Kind of like today…

Paul highlights those divisions but also reminds the church that we are messengers of reconciliation and unity that can only happen through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10–22 ESV

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off 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 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.

PRAY

There is Hostility in our History

Families have history, some good, some bad, some we don’t talk about, some we love to talk about.

The Jews have a wonderful history. They were heirs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Led by Moses to the promised land, God’s law that passed down, they were God’s covenant people… the promised Messiah would be born through the linage of King David to bring salvation to all humanity.

So much of God’s wonderful promises have been been brought through God’s chosen people Israel.

Without the Jews we would not have God’s favor and blessing available to us. We were a people outside of that covenant.

There is also the bad Jewish history because they could not obey the law that God gave them.

This caused division, forced separation, and eventually exile but God brought them back as a smaller group, a remnant who returned to the Lord.

The Samaritans were born out of that bad history where 10 of the tribes became enemies of Judah and Benjamin. They became the northern kingdom and the other 2 tribes became the southern kingdom.

Israel had a history of idolatry (baal worship), prophets were being killed, the poor were being neglected so God’s people were under God’s judgement. Israel and Judah were removed from the promised land and taken into exile.

But God restored HIS people after 72 years of exile, just like HE promised. This was a people who turned back to the Lord and remembered God’s judgement. To protect themselves from idolatry and sins from the past they created walls and rules to protect themselves from outside influence.

There was a history behind the hostility and division. The division was racially motivated, religiously motivated, traditionally motivated and it had nothing to do with their love for God and there love for other people.

There was a division between Jews and Gentiles.

Jews were a part of the covenant relationship with God, partakers of the promises handed down in the Old Testament and the Gentiles were not.

The Jews were set apart through circumcision an identifier made by the flesh, not by the Spirit. Gentiles were considered uncircumcised.

As Gentiles we were not a part of that covenant promise, we were separated from God’s original covenant.

Paul reminds us that (vs. 11-12):

We were called the uncircumcision

Once separated from Christ

Alienated from Israel

strangers to the covenant promise and without hope.

Jesus saw that we were hopeless but from the very beginning, God’s plan, God’s desire was to make one covenant as one people to include us.

Ephesians 2:13 ESV

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We are now brought near to God… not because of our skin color, who we voted for, whether we give lots of money to the church, what our past looks like, or who we married, or where we lived. NO… Read vs. 13

Our history says that we were far off so we cannot change our history but Jesus came to remove that hostility by offering us real peace.

Jesus took our hostility and gave us HIS peace.

The things that divide us are now suddenly irrelevant. Jesus is now our peace.

Ephesians 2:14–16 ESV

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Jesus, becoming the final and complete sacrifice… the perfect lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world… Jesus is not only the sacrifice but HE is also our high priest where we can come boldly before the throne of grace with confidence.

We are no longer 2 separate groups but one.

We are no longer enemies of God but Jesus gave us access to God by destroying the walls that divide, killing the hostility and giving us real peace because Jesus is our peace.

Being an election year hostility and division is always the strategy to win power. If they can divide, they can get the most votes.

It’s no longer about electing the best candidate, it’s about making your opponent unelectable, by slandering the opponent’s character.

We don’t simply trust God by honoring people, loving and respecting people, including our enemies, but we try to get the upper hand by tearing the other person down.

Do we trust God by respecting people even those who support a different party or candidate.

No matter what happens trust in God, just rest knowing that Jesus is still our peace.

We have nothing to worry about, no matter how things end up, no matter what man says, no matter who is in power, Jesus is our peace through the hostility of the cross.

The things that divide us, the things that we hold on to, the things we get angry and bitter and jealous over are suddenly now irrelevant because of God’s peace.

Now we must respond how Jesus did and preach peace.

Ephesians 2:17–18 ESV

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

There are those who know Jesus, have a relationship with Jesus and follower Jesus. And those who are far from God but Jesus came to offer everyone an opportunity to have peace with God so we must preach peace.

All of us have access to our heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit.

How often do we take advantage of that access?

Having access to the gym gives me access to the equipment, the tools, the classes that will make me stronger and healthier.

We are no longer enemies of God, Jesus not only gave us access, but friendship!

Romans 5:10–11 NLT

10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

We now have access to God. We are no longer separated from God, we are no longer enemies of God but Jesus made friendship with God now possible for us.

Through Jesus we now have peace, we now have friendship, we now are citizens of heaven.

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,

Never forget your status before Jesus gave you access, all of us were strangers and aliens. Now we are fellow citizens with the saints, we are not only friends but family, members of God’s household we are now One church unified with Christ.

Church, if that is true we must love everyone and show honor and respect to everyone.

Yes, even people who we don’t agree with, who are sinners and don’t care and don’t want to change, who are lost, bound up, who lean too far to the left or to the right.

We must respect, we must honor, we must be quick to listen and quick to love.

We will all stand before God and give an account for our choices and nobody else's.

God is our judge and HE sees everything. If we are called to be peacemakers, allow the Holy Spirit to examine our own heart so that we can effectively minister to others. Jesus said…

Matthew 7:1–5 ESV

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Jesus gives us the pattern for reconciliation and healing.

First examine yourself.

Second surrender those secret sins to God daily.

Thirdly be humble and honest with others so God can use you to confront sin in those who want to be free.

It’s God’s kindness that is ment to lead us to repentance.

Unity is possible when Jesus is our cornerstone.

We cannot truly be unified unless Jesus is our firm foundation.

When our foundation is shaky our faith is shaky. Jesus must be our cornerstone… individually and personally; financially, with our time and calendar.

Within our immediate family; as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

Within our church ministries, our vision, purpose and core values.

Jesus must be our 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.

When Jesus is our cornerstone, the foundation will be firmly established.

Know God’s Word, pray God’s Word and Live God’s Word.

Surrender to Jesus’ Lordship every day.

Follow Jesus.

When Jesus is our cornerstone the Body of Christ is beautifully connected to one another.

When Jesus is our cornerstone the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

Take it Home:

Is there still hostility from your history that is still causing division?

Have you surrendered your hostility to Jesus and allow HIM to break down those walls with HIS peace?

Is Jesus your cornerstone? Does the Holy Spirit inhabit you?