Created to Relate

Context

Paul had just finished reminding them of the gospel

Dead in trespasses (v. 1)

God made us alive together with Christ (v. 4)

We were saved by grace (v. 8)

We were created to show God’s glory in the word.

He reminded them that they needed God to make them alive again!

Now, he’s going to remind them of what Jesus has done to reconcile them to one another.

Big Idea: We were created to relate

Ephesians 2:11–12 ESV

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.

Explanation

Paul begins be reminding them of who they were.

Christless

Without a Messiah

He’s writing to Gentiles, which means they were not Jews.

God’s chosen people were Jews, which means that the Jews were the ones who knew of the Savior.

The Jews had the Scriptures.

They did to have a Savior to hope for.

Strangers

The Israelites had one another.

They shared a common nation/faith

They belonged to one another.

These Gentiles didn’t have anyone.

They had no community that would support them, stand up for them, or stand with them

They were strangers who stood by themselves

Hopeless and godless

The Old Testament tells us that God’s plan was to bless all nations

The Gentiles did not know this.

They did not know of the promises of God

They didn’t know to have hope

They didn’t know the God who made the promises.

Since they did not know God, they didn’t have hope.

This shows us that:

We were once alone

Before you come to know Jesus, this is the same tragic position.

If you do not know Christ, this is your reality.

You have nothing lasting to hope in.

If you’re not a Christian, then you’re separated from Christ.

If you’re a Christian, it’s important that you remember this

When we remember where we came from, we live with thankfulness to God and love toward His people.

Like 2:4, there’s another great “but.”

Ephesians 2:13–18 ESV

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.

We were once alone, BUT NOW we can be brought near to God!

Gospel presentation

Jesus Christ died on the cross to save sinners just like you and me!

Jesus took our punishment.

The cross reminds us of the gravity of our sins.

The cross tells us that we were so evil that it took the death of God’s Son to save us.

He took our sin so that we can be made right before God.

We can be called children of God because Jesus took our place!

We can be forgiven of all our sins because of what Jesus did on the cross!

Jesus’s death gives us peace with God (v. 14)

When we put our trust in Him, we don’t have to go to hell for our sins anymore.

We are part of God’s family.

You don’t have to be alone anymore.

Jesus died so that we could be reconciled and forgiven by God (v. 16)

There is no more hostility between God and those who trust in Jesus as Savior.

If you’re not a Christian, you can be forgive of all your sins today!

You can have access to God through faith in Jesus Christ!

In addition to that, you have a new family in Christ.

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.

Citizens of God’s Kingdom

No longer are you strangers

You belong here.

There are no second-class citizens in God’s Kingdom.

God has given us His Holy Spirit and every blessing/privilege that comes through being with Him.

Members of God’s family.

We were created to be together.

A beautiful reality about God is that He exists in a Trinity.

God does not need us because He’s lonely.

God exists within Himself as God.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit together.

In perfect unity.

We were created in His image to be with one another and with Him.

The way that we experience love is to be loved by someone else.

God loves us first and draws us to love Him.

God helps us to love one another.

Take the Next Step

Write down someone’s name you know doesn’t love Jesus

Write down how you are going to pursue relationships that point you to Jesus.