The Foundation for Unity
Ephesians: Rooted and Grounded • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Introduction
Introduction
We come this morning, in Ephesians, to a paragraph that gives us the foundation for the House of God that Christ is building. A foundation is a vital part of any building. A foundation is the reason for the higher structure of the building. A foundation is a secure rest for all that is built above it. We will see this morning the Foundation for Unity.
Remember, the letter of Paul to the Ephesians, an important epistle in the Bible, has much to say on the subject of what our church should be. Paul will show us the importance of unity, faithful leadership and biblical order in the church. We will see the vital part that their family plays in the life of every Christian. We have seen the blessings of God through His salvation. We will also see the reality of the spiritual warfare around us.
Written by Paul the Apostle, Ephesians is a letter that begins high on a mountain top in chapter one. We see the amazing blessings of the Trinity toward saved man. As we come down the mountain from this great height, we will see more and more practical help for that same saved man. Man needs God’s help. Ephesians shows us several ways that God helps man.
Remember, the central theme of Ephesians is the unity of believers, in Christ, as part of the local church.
Unity is a concept that we have lost sight of in contemporary America. What does unity mean? How is it achieved? Can it be achieved? We hear about stories of sports teams coming together to win championships. They inspire us to try to work together. However, perhaps the differences between people are too great to bridge. Often people seem to have conflicting goals and perpendicular designs. What if unity is just a daydream for us today?
Scripture gives us the idea of unity exemplified in the person of God Himself. The Trinity is the unity of the Godhead as He exists in Three Persons. God is unified in His purpose to redeem mankind. He is unified in His attributes. If we are to find unity in our church and in this world, Christians will only find it in our identification in God Himself. We have already seen the central nature of the phrase “in Christ” in this Epistle. Unity is no exception.
One of my least favorite jobs that I have had in my life was as a plumber’s helper. We specialized in houses that were being built and renovations. The company that I worked for had high standards for their work.
One day, we were looking to tie together two pipes to run the water from the street into the house. We had to use a shark bite for this.
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Mechanical unity can be faulty. Spiritual unity will be perfect.
Unity is an aspect of a growing and maturing church. Disunity is the result of a process of weakening and fracturing by believers who have ceased to grow. Solomon tells us,
Only by pride cometh contention:
But with the well advised is wisdom.
What brings us unity in Christ? We will see this morning.
Declaration
Declaration
God wants His people to realize this morning that peace with Him is the reason for peace with others. The foundation of our church is the Word of God with Christ as the satisfactory sacrifice. Growing believers are unified on the foundation of peace. Choose peace for unity today!
1. Why is there Unity?
1. Why is there Unity?
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
There is unity because,
A. All were without God v. 11-12
A. All were without God v. 11-12
In verse 11, Paul commands the Ephesians to remember their past again just as he had in verse 1 of chapter 2. Think about it, Paul says!
As regards their race, Gentiles were not included in the chosen people of God. This was the visible difference between each group. Everyone could tell which was chosen and which was not just by looking at them. In verses 1-10, there was application as he pointed out their sin to show them the process of salvation. Here he points out their sin with the intent to promote acceptance. There is acceptance in Christ as we will see.
Circumcision was the sign of those who were a part of the covenant people. Only Jewish people would have observed this rite. This was a sign in their walk that they believed the promise of God. This was part of their behavior.
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
A Jewish person was visible outwardly and behaviorally as a chosen person. A Gentile was visible outwardly and behaviorally as an excluded person. Gentiles were excluded as “aliens” because of their birth as non-Jews. The “commonwealth” was the citizenry of the chosen people Israel. This was the group that excluded the Gentiles. The commonwealth was God’s particular people for His particular promises. Belonging was only by birth or acceptance.
A stranger is someone who is not included but is an outcast from another group. They do not know the blessings or the acceptance of that other group. The Gentile had no expectation of a future change of condition or destination. The covenant promises regarding the land, seed and blessing were foreign to him. He could not receive the covering of his sin. He was “without hope”. While the Jew was able to look with confidence at the promises of God, the Gentile was cut off from these promises. Paul makes the distinction between this group that still exists today and believers in First Thessalonians,
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
The experience of the unsaved man is life without God. The word translated here “without God” is atheos or literally “no God”. There is no relationship with the God of the Bible whether in the time of Judaism or in the time of Christianity. Instead of being a religious person, Paul recognizes that the Gentile was worshiping non-divine objects and beings. One dictionary lists the ways this practical atheism existed in the New Testament world,
átheos. There were seven basic forms of atheism in antiquity: 1. the practical atheism of the ignorant, careless, and hedonistic (cf. Is. 22:13; Rom. 1:30); 2. the secularized religion of the state-cult (Ezek. 28:2; Dan. 11:36; Rev. 13); 3. belief in fate (cf. Col. 1); 4. metaphysical reinterpretation of beliefs; 5. religious doubt (cf. Ps. 73); 6. defiance of the omnipotent God (cf. Moses in Ex. 32:32; Jeremiah; Job); 7. any denial of God or the gods (Jews and Christians are accused of atheism by polytheists, whose gods they reject, while Eph. 2:11–12 calls pagans átheoi, and cf. Mart. Pol. 9.2).
There is unity because,
B. All can be saved through the blood v. 13
B. All can be saved through the blood v. 13
Paul commands the Ephesians to remember. Think about it! While they were atheists before, now they are in Christ! God reached out to the Gentiles!
I create the fruit of the lips;
Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord;
And I will heal him.
The topic of this passage is not sin before but is what has now happened “in Christ Jesus”. The far away is made near through the work of Christ on the cross. His blood made the atonement for all people. We call this doctrine: General Atonement. Christ shed His blood for all mankind.
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
The use of the word “stranger” in verse 12 gives the farther context of a person who was living in the land of Israel. The stranger was required to do certain things and be a certain way to be included in the worship of the nation. The nearer context was a person who was a “convert” or a “proselyte” to Israel. He would have been under even more scrutiny in this Second Temple period because of the many rules that had been added by the religious leaders. Paul is pointing out that Christ opened the door of access to the promises of God to all and for all like had never been available before.
The Blood gives everyone the opportunity to have acceptance with God.
Why is there Unity?
2. How is there Unity?
2. How is there Unity?
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
There is unity by means of,
A. Peace through common ground v. 14
A. Peace through common ground v. 14
Peace was seen in verse 2 of the letter. Peace and grace were connected by Paul as he fused the Jewish and Gentile salutations together in His greeting.
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace is the calmness that happens in a relationship that is restored and working in unity. Christ is this peace to all those who believe in the finished work of the Blood.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
The reason for the change that has happened in the world is the peace of Christ. He has made the parts fit together in the human race. Jew and Gentile are now united through the blood of Christ. Peace within is the source of peace without.
(use the slide to show the temple)
The middle wall was a fence or divider that prevented the Gentiles from coming into the holy part of the Jerusalem Temple to worship God. This was removed by Christ through His death on the cross. The law divided those chosen and those unchosen. Christ removes this barrier so that all might come to Him.
While the physical and legal barriers were broken down as well, the greatest change brought about by Christ is the removal of the barrier that we all had between us and God. That barrier was our common sin. Christ’s sacrifice washed this away with His Blood and that is where the removal of the other barriers began!
The ordinances was the Mosiac law and its legal requirements. The strangers who lived in Israel would have had stringent regulations to follow to avoid becoming outcasts from the commerce of the region.
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
There is unity by means of,
B. Peace through common reconciliation v. 15-16
B. Peace through common reconciliation v. 15-16
The result of the cross is that peace is made between man and God. This peace was broken in the garden by sin. Peace is restored through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
The purpose of His sacrifice is the reconciliation of the two portions of humanity into one race to God. Reconciliation is the restoration of a relationship that was broken by sin. The cross brings us into this communication with God.
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
The word “body” is the idea of a group in unity together as the church is. The death of Christ allows this unity because we are all saved the same way.
The cross removes the hatred of law for the sinner. There is no longer any hostility on the sinner because he cannot keep the requirements of the Law.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
There is unity by means of,
C. Peace through a common Gospel v. 17
C. Peace through a common Gospel v. 17
The word “preached” is the giving of the Gospel to others. The good news of the cross is that there is now peace with God through the sacrifice of Christ, His Son. We preach Christ, crucified.
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Spurgeon in his devotional Morning and Evening reminds us,
Morning and Evening Evening, March 2
From his first sermon to his last, Paul preached Christ, and nothing but Christ. He lifted up the cross, and extolled the Son of God who bled thereon. Follow his example in all your personal efforts to spread the glad tidings of salvation, and let “Christ and him crucified” be your ever recurring theme.
The only source of peace within and peace without is the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel changes lives. It brings new life where the old man once reigned. There is hope in the Gospel. There is a relationship with God in the Gospel. The Jew and the Gentile are both unified because God calls to all to come and receive the Gospel. At Pentecost, Peter preached,
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Why is there Unity?
How is there Unity?
3. Where is there Unity?
3. Where is there Unity?
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
We now have unity,
A. In the presence of God the Father v. 18
A. In the presence of God the Father v. 18
The way is now open for us to come into the presence of God. Christ is the conduit that we can come to the Father.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
The Spirit is the one who prays to the Father in our name. He brings our cries and heart concerns to the presence of God. When we do not know what to pray, He gives words to our heart’s concerns. We are moving toward God because of the way that Christ has now opened.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
B. In the household of God v. 19
B. In the household of God v. 19
The word for “foreigners” indicates a temporary habitation in a land that was not home. No longer are the Gentiles cut off. Now they are able to share in the promises of God as a fellow member of this chosen group. There is community through Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
The idea of enmity seems to be that as Gentiles were made one with Israel through the cross, we are to be one with one another. We must live the reality of the cross with other people. This is the hardest part of the Christian life. We struggle with our flesh to show love to others.
Another term used here is the “household of God.” The saved person is a part of this inner group or particular family of God. They are in the house with the Master.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
C. In the building of the church v. 20-22
C. In the building of the church v. 20-22
We are now experiencing the building of Christ in our lives as a worthy abode for the Holy Spirit. This is a building that has a structure that is determined by God Himself. He knows the process and He has the blueprints for the church as a dwelling place for us as His children.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God,
Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone,
A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:
He that believeth shall not make haste.
The necessary basis for this building is the apostles and prophets. The stone at the corner that was first built or the last stone that completes the building is Christ. The foundation is the working of the Word of God to make us more like Jesus Christ. The Word was written by apostles and prophets. It was based on the Words of Christ. Together we are built up as the Second Temple was in the time of Ezra.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
God is building each of us apart and in the church together. Each day, God builds us as individual followers of Him. Each time we gather together, He is building us as a corporate body of believers. God wants a building that is unified and brings glory to Him. This building is a place that God would love to dwell in. It is a place like the temple that is clean, holy and cherished for the worship and honor of God.
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
A house that is not built on a sure foundation is not going to withstand in adverse conditions. A house that is built of multiple pieces will break apart in the storms of life. The cross unites the different pieces of Jews and Gentiles together into the local church. The cross builds the church on the foundation of Christ and next the apostles and prophets. We see here Unity. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preaches
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As we look at the truths of this passage, several vital spiritual themes stand out for us today. In my life, I have seen much conflict in the church. The conflict seems to stem from forgetting the commonality of mankind’s sin and Christ’s exclusive salvation. The cross is the central event in the salvation story. Without His Death, He could not rise again. The cross of Christ is the source of the unity of God’s people. We only become God’s people by looking to the cross.
Where is division? It is outside of the way of the cross.
Where is racism? It is outside of the way of the cross.
Where is rejection? It is outside of the way of the cross.
Where is acceptance? It is found in the cross.
Where is hope? It is found in the cross.
Where is peace? It is found in the cross.
Isaiah tells us where the unity of mankind began and where the unity of the saved begins.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned every one to his own way;
And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Mankind is unified in our need for a Saviour to take away our sin. We all have the same problem and need the same solution. We saw last week that the Resurrection and Ascension allow us to receive new life through the grace of Christ. This week, we see that peace is available through the Death of Christ.
God wants His people to realize that peace with Him is the reason for peace with others. The foundation of our church consists the Word of God with Christ as the satisfactory sacrifice. Growing believers are unified on the foundation of peace.
When the Gospel of peace has been preached to you, what has been your reaction? Have you received it or rejected it? Today, you can accept the free gift of salvation through the cross of Christ. We are united as human through our need for salvation. We are united as Christians in our peace through His Cross.
Unity is a central part of the letter of Paul to the Ephesians. It is part of the theme of the book. The Jews and the Gentiles were different groups of people. They looked different. Thew were raised different. They acted different. But they all needed salvation.
No matter who you are or what you have done, Christ died for you. You can be one with other believers through Christ. Unity ought to be the reputation of Revival Baptist Church. No matter who we were, now, through Christ, we are a building that Christ is building here in King William County to the glory of God.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
