Peace Talks

Read Ephesians 2:11-22.

Great Britain knew they were on the brink of war again on October 1, 1938. Hitler had just the year prior taken over Austria and now he was about to march on Czechoslovakia. There was an incredible fear throughout Great Britain for they were just a generation removed from WW1 which had claimed nearly a million lives of their people.

The people began an exodus out of the cities, those who chose to stay stood in line to recieved gas mask and information on what to do in the event there was an air raid. Measures were taken to instal sirens to warn of incoming bombers. There were even men stationed at the Zoo to kill wild animals just in case the cages were to be broken open and they were set loose. In hopes to prevent yet another World War, Prime Minister Sire Neville Chamberlain mobilized the Royal Navy. He and His wife even went to pray at the Westminister Abbey seeking a miracle.

Two days after Hitlers declaration to invade Czechoslovakia, He agreed to meet in Munich with Chamberlin, the Italian leader Benito Mussolini and the French premier Edouard Daladier to discuss a diplomatic solution.

Without consulting Czechoslovakia, the leaders agreed to give Germany a region of Sudetenland a region of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain also separately drafted a non aggression pact between Britain and Germany which Hitler signed.

Upon returning to London, the normally reserved english, would break out in jubilation. So much so that when Chamberlin finally went to his home on #10 Downing Street, the crowds gathered shouting “Good old Neville!” and they sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

From his second floor window Chamberlain addressed the crowds stating “I believe it is peace for out time.”

In March of 1939, Hitler would march and take over the rest of Czechoslovakia, and two days later would cross over into Poland. In less than a hear of a presumed “Peace,” on September 1, 1939 the Prime minister was forced to declare war against Germany and launching want you and I know from history as WW2.

Wars have always been and will continue until Christ a new heaven and new earth.

In Ephesians Chapter 2, Paul reminds us that before we were saved, were separated from Christ. There was no peace and no hope.

No Hope

The Problem

Ephesians 2:11–12 (NASB95)

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—

remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Separated from Christ

Not only were they separated from Christ by lineage, but more importantly they were separated from Christ spiritually.

Isaiah 59:2 (NASB95)

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

2. Excluded - from the commonwealth

Meaning that as Gentiles, could be a proselyte but they would never know the full meaning of being Jew as he was not born one.

3. Strangers to covenants of promise

The covenants of Abraham in Genesis 12 provided for blessing to the Gentiles, but the covenants were not made with the Gentiles they were made and given to the people of Israel.

4. Having no hope and without God

You will recall, the people had the Temple of Artemis, but she was not the only god they worshiped. They had many gods. Unlike our God who wants a relationship with us their gods were not knowable and did not want a relationship.

Paul was reminding the believers that in their previous condition, there truly was no hope in Life.

The comes verse 13…. “But Now”

But Now

The Solution

Ephesians 2:13 (NASB95)

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

We were separated v.12, but In Christ we are brought near.

When Did He Bring Us Near?

Ephesians 2:4–5 (NASB95)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

How Did Christ Bring Us Near?

Colossians 1:20 (NASB95)

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

With Christ we are brought near by His blood, the result is “Peace”

Peace Given

The Result

Ephesians 2:14–17 (NASB95)

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances,

so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;

It is the work of Christ which brought peace between Jew and Gentile.

One of the issues was the law…

For hundreds of years, the Jews had laws in religion, dress, diet, etc… these laws had become a sticking point between the Jewish Believers and the Gentile Believers

If you will recall the story of Peter in Acts 11. Peter went up to the roof to pray and scripture says he was hungry… he falls into a trance and in the trance, God lowers food down to him on a sheet. The problem was the food God lowered down for him to eat that was not kosher, so he refused… this happened 3 times. After the third time Cornelius’s men come knocking on the door asking for Peter.

Cornelius was a Gentile, and God was preparing Peter to go to this Gentiles house, but wanted Peter to share the Gospel, not the Gospel plus works.

Again in Acts 15 we see the Jewish believers having issues with the gentile believers because they were not be circumcised which was their custom.

But verse 14 says Jesus “Broke Down the Barrier of the Dividing Wall”

You see the word Reconcile.

To reconcile simply means to bring together.

3. Christ through His blood was able to reconcile both Jew and Gentile into one body, there would longer be a distinct or separation in Christ, but single body (the church), to God through the cross.

Let me make clear however, Israel is still God’s people, but in terms of Salvation through Jesus Christ there is no distinction between the Jew and Gentile.

Jesus says in John 14:6, this applies to both the Jew and the Gentile

John 14:6 (NASB95)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

With reconciliation not only is peace given but peace can be realized experientially.

Peace Realized

Peace Brings Unity

Ephesians 2:18–22 (NASB95)

for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,

Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

How is this peace realized?

We now have access to the Father

Hebrews 4:16 (NASB95)

Therefore let us draw near with confidence “Let us therefore come boldly (NKJV)” to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

If you read carefully, you will see Paul uses the terms “we” and “fellow citizens.”

Those are both inclusive terms.

Lets dip back into history for a moment…

In Genesis 10:1, we see there were three races that came from the line of Noah.

Genesis 10:1 (NASB95)

Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood.

Throughout the OT and just general history itself we can see these races have never been at peace for very long. Peace treaties have been made by the thousands, but there has always been war and bigotry of some sort. If you turn on the news or even just check your own heart, it is still happening today!

Remember there are 3 primary races on earth, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

In Acts 8 we see the Ethiopian eunuch a descendent of Ham get saved.

In Acts 9 we see Saul of Tarsus, who is called Paul get saved. He is a descendent of Shem.

In Acts 10 we see the household of Cornelius get saved. They are descendants of Japheth.

How do we see this in Action?

Getting my licenses yesterday story

We can have an instant connection and common ground because we are family brothers and sisters, brought together in peace through Jesus Christ.

Lets look again at the second half of verse 20.

Ephesians 2:20b (NASB95)

Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,

In construction the corner stone is the one stone that binds or keeps the structure from collapsing. Think of an archway. The stone at the top of the archway is that cornerstone. If you remove the stone the arch will collapse. Cornerstone can also mean the stone that identifies or makes a building recognizable, by date or who dedicated it, etc.

Jesus is “The Cornerstone!”

Not only in Ephesians 2:20

When Christ is removed from the equation, in society there is nothing but war, hate, and sinful behaviors, but when Christ is the cornerstone there is complete unity and peace no matter our age, sex, or race, as believers we can have a unity that only Christ can provide.

Final Thoughts

Lets put it all together…

Our Sin Kept Us Separated From God

Christ Blood Bridged That Gap

As Believers No Matter Race, Gender, Or Age We Are One Body In Christ Jesus

Jesus Is The Cornerstone, The Glue That Makes It All Work

Just like our story with Sire Neville Chamberlain trying to make peace with Hitler, peace will never last when done man’s way. The only true and lasting peace can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray.

Family of God