Built Together: A Living Temple Made of Broken People

Preliminary:

Invite to Ephesians 2.

Thanks for songs, testimonies etc

We will be reading Ephesians 2:19-22.

Review:

Week 1: "From Death to Life: The Power of God’s Grace”

Week 2: "Saved by Grace: The Gift of God”

Week 3: "One in Christ: From Separation to Reconciliation”

This week we are going to attempt to finish Ephesians 2 dealing especially with Eph 2:19-22. on the topic of the church in a little message I’ve titled, “Built Together: A Living Temple Made of Broken People” on the idea of How God uses His Church to Shine Amidst Darkness.

You know churches are an interesting study - the people that attend them are an even greater study.

I was reading recently about a church that had an older gentleman who kept falling asleep in church. His snoring was rather obvious and disturbed the pastor while he was trying to preach. So the pastor came up with an idea he started paying five year old Tommy Brown $1.00 to keep his grandpa awake during the service.

One Sunday morning as the pastor was just warming up to his topic from over on his left side he heard the distinct and distracting sound of Grandpa Brown snoring. After church the Pastor made his way straight to little Tommy and jumped him pretty good.

Tommy looked up at Pastor Jones and said, “I know Sir! but Grandpa paid me $2 to let him sleep.”

Well I know that the spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak and there are times when people doze - but have you ever thought about what the Church is?

Let’s hear what Paul says about it in this passage - We’ll be reading Ephesians 2:19-22.

READ: Eph 2:19-22

Ephesians 2:19–22 KJV 1900

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Bonhoeffer a Pastor how suffered at the hands of Nazi Germany for faithfully preaching stated,

The church is an act of God in Jesus Christ. We are part of the church community because we have been called by God, saved by God’s grace in Christ. The church is the only group in which you have to confess you are not worthy to be a member! God graciously gives us church, established in Christ!

Mornings with Bonhoeffer: 100 Reflections on the Christian Life

Merrill Tenney wrote in the Zondervan Encyclopedia....

A church in the NT existed as soon as a company of believers associated themselves together for regular worship, for instruction in the Word of God, fellowship, and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41–42). The community of disciples was described as a church even before there was an established order for discipline and spiritual oversight (5:11). Church officers do not constitute the church even though they have an important God-given role to fill in it and on its behalf.

The emphasis in the NT is on the church as a living organism rather than an organization. It is the presence of the living Lord that authenticates the local church, which in turn is an expression of the universal church.

Merrill C. Tenney; Zondervan. The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Volume 1: A-C

Church often gets a bad rap for being a place that is a ____ for hypocrites:

There actually is a tension if you will between hypocrisy and holiness:

A man once declined an invitation to attend a church, saying, “I can’t go there—there are too many hypocrites.” His friend quipped back, “Oh, don’t worry, there’s always room for one more!” This simple exchange highlights a tension that has existed since the birth of the church: the ideal image of the church as the body of Christ and the often flawed human reality we experience.

Paul’s message in Ephesians calls us to a profound vision of the church—a community of faith built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. And yet, we constantly see the gap between this biblical vision and the imperfections of the church as we know it.

I’ve heard statements like, “If you ever find the perfect church - don’t go it won’t be perfect anymore...”

For the Biblical Vision of the Church Paul uses vivid imagery that of a household, the temple, and a cornerstone.

He is bringing into focus the powerful truth of church being a place of belonging and worship and the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in the ongoing and progression of the church.

He begins this passage by showing who makes up the church -

1. Citizenship in God’s Kingdom (v.19a)

Ephesians 2:19 “19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

Strangers to Saints - There has been a transition from strangers to citizens in God’s kingdom. If you remember last week we talked about how Christ broke down the wall of separation - now Salvation is not just for the Jews but for whosoever will.

Aliens to Associates - No longer alienated, but embraced as fellow citizens.

There has been a shift from strangers and aliens to fellow citizens.

The term “Fellow Citizens” speaks to the significance of being part of God’s Kingdom

The Greek word that we translate “fellow citizens” sumpolitai {soom-pa-lee-tas} refers to people who share citizenship together. It draws from the political language of the Roman world, where being a citizen of a city or state brought with it certain legal protections, privileges, and a sense of belonging. In the Roman Empire, being a citizen was a highly prized status, especially since not everyone had this privilege. Paul uses this imagery to emphasize that Gentiles—once considered outsiders—are now fully included in the kingdom of God.

With citizenship comes rights and privileges. In the same way that Roman citizens enjoyed certain legal protections and were granted access to resources and advantages that others were not, being a citizen in God’s kingdom carries its own spiritual privileges:

Access to God: Through Christ, believers can now approach God confidently (Ephesians 2:18), enjoying a personal relationship with Him as their Father.

Inheritance: Believers are heirs with Christ, sharing in the promises of God’s kingdom and the hope of eternal life (Romans 8:17).

Community Belonging: Fellowship with other believers is also a key privilege. As citizens, they share a deep bond of unity and purpose within the Church, which transcends ethnic, social, and cultural divides.

To be a fellow citizen in God’s kingdom means a new identity. Gentiles, who were once “foreigners and strangers” (Ephesians 2:19), are no longer on the margins. They have been brought near and now belong to the people of God. This new identity is not just individual but communal, rooted in the shared citizenship with other believers.This new identity also surpasses any earthly identity or nationality. It means that the believer's ultimate allegiance is no longer to any earthly kingdom but to the kingdom of God. Their true home is now with God and His people.

The Church as a Unified Body

The concept of "fellow citizens" reinforces the unity of the Church. The Church is not a divided entity with tiers of insiders and outsiders; rather, it is a unified body where all believers—regardless of background—have equal standing before God. This is part of Paul’s broader vision in Ephesians: to show that the Church, the Body of Christ, is a spiritual temple where all believers are built together as a dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:21-22).

“We were once foreigners, but now we belong. God's grace has rewritten our citizenship.” – Billy Graham“

Christian unity does not begin with us; it begins with Christ, the One who joins us together.” – A.W. Tozer“

The church is like a stained-glass window—each piece unique, yet together displaying God’s light.” – Rick Warren

“Unity in the body of Christ is the outward expression of inward grace.” – F.F. Bruce

2. Community in God’s Family (v. 19b)

Ephesians 2:19 “... the household of God;”

Family Fellowship - Becoming members of the household of God.

Saintly Society – Joining the fellowship of saints in God’s family.

“The church isn’t a place we go; it’s a people we become.” – N.T. Wright

3. Construction on God’s Foundation (v20)

Ephesians 2:20 “20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

Architecture is an interesting things - and can at times go without any real notice or appreciation. One of the greatest modern architects, I think without question, would be Frank Lloyd Wright. He was an innovator many of his designs were ahead of their time.

He designed a wide variety of structures, homes, offices, churches, schools, libraries, bridges, museums

One of Wright’s most famous buildings, The Fallingwater house

The Fallingwater House was built about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is built partly over a waterfall on the Bear Run river. It was designed to serve as a weekend retreat for the Kaufmann’s a wealthy department store owner.

After its completion,

Time called Fallingwater Wright's "most beautiful job"[5] and

it is listed among Smithsonian's "Life List of 28 Places to See Before You Die".[6]

The house was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 11, 1976.[7]

In 1991, members of the American Institute of Architects named Fallingwater the "best all-time work of American architecture"[8] and, in 2007, ranked Fallingwater 29th on its "America's Favorite Architecture" list.[9]

It was designed by a famous architect, and became one of his most famous structures. But the story goes that it was designed in three hours. Wright received a call from Kaufman that he was on his way to his office and so Wright set to work designing and had it completed before his clients arrival.

You might say it became a famous piece by accident.

But the Church was no accidental design - it was in place before the foundation of the world.

The Church shows...

Apostolic Architecture – Built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets

“The church is no new invention; it’s rooted in the faith and work of the apostles and prophets.” – Augustine of Hippo“

The Word of God, spoken by prophets and apostles, is the bedrock on which we stand.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones“

The gospel foundation, laid by the apostles, cannot be improved upon—it must only be built upon.” – R.C. Sproul

George Keith has been attributed to writing the great hymn:

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word! What more can be said than to you God hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“The foundation of apostles and prophets isn’t nostalgia—it’s the gospel made visible.” – Kevin DeYoung

Not only do we Apostolic Architecture we have for its base...

Cornerstone of Christ – Jesus as the cornerstone uniting the structure.

A hymn I had to memorize for Bible College speaks of this great truth:

1 The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is His new creation, by water and the word. From heav'n He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.

2 Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation: one Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.

“Jesus doesn’t just give life to the church; He is the life of the church.” – A.W. Tozer“

The cornerstone sets the direction, and when Christ is the cornerstone, the church follows Him alone.” – Billy Graham“

The cornerstone is not just a piece of the foundation; it’s the piece that aligns the whole building.” – N.T. Wright

So we have been talking about 1. Citizenship in God’s Kingdom, 2. Community in God’s Family, 3. Construction on God’s Foundation now we want to talk about...

4. Cohesion in God’s Structure (v. 21)

Ephesians 2:21 “21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”

Joined by Jesus – The whole building is joined together in Christ.

He is both Cornerstone and Mortar that holds and fits us together.

Temple Transformation – Growing into a holy temple in the Lord.

There is a verse in the Old Testament that talks about how the stones were not to be shaped or chiseled in the temple but in the quarry. We are framed, and chiseled, and cut, and polished, and sanded, so we fit just perfectly with others to grow the holy temple in the Lord.

The church is described by Paul as “a holy temple in the Lord,” a “spiritual dwelling for God” (Ephesians 2:21-22).

This is the ideal, the divine blueprint for what the church is meant to be.

Throughout history, this image has inspired Christians, shaping our faith and vision of what the church should look like—a place of belonging, a beacon of truth, and an instrument of reconciliation in a broken world.

Despite the inspiring biblical imagery, however, the real church often falls short.

For many of us, the churches we have known are filled with challenges—imperfections, disputes, and failures.

The gap between the biblical ideal and our lived reality is one of the greatest dilemmas in Christian life.

II. The Dilemma: A Church That Struggles to Match Its Vision

When we look back at history, we are often tempted to romanticize the past, thinking that perhaps the early church, or the church in the Middle Ages, or even the church of the 19th century, got it right. But the reality is much more complex.

In 1800, for example, only 5% of the U.S. population were participating members of churches, and church leaders lamented the church’s lack of influence.

The Middle Ages,T he thirteenth century, for example, was the period of great cathedral building throughout Europe., also reveal spiritual weakness. Dante’s writings, for instance, illustrate the internal struggles of the church during this time.

In “The Divine Comedy,” Dante embarks on a journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Throughout this journey, he encounters numerous clergy members, including popes, bishops, and priests, who are condemned for their sins.

This portrayal highlights the church’s weaknesses and ineffectiveness, as many of its leaders are depicted as corrupt and morally compromised12.

It shows that during the Middle Ages, where the church wielded immense power often strayed from its spiritual mission. His work serves as a reflection of the broader societal issues and the need for reform within the church3.

Even the apostolic age, with giants like Paul leading the way, was not immune to the struggles of sin and division. Paul’s description of the Corinthian church is sobering: “quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder” (2 Corinthians 12:20). And James speaks to the favoritism shown to the wealthy in the early church (James 2:1-9).

The reality is that no period in church history presents us with a perfect church. It never was perfect, and it never will be.

III. Earthen Vessels: The Church’s Treasure in Fragile Humanity

Paul provides a remarkable metaphor to help us understand this tension: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). The church is indeed a rare and precious treasure, embodying the redemptive ministry of Christ. Yet, we who carry this treasure are fragile, flawed, and all too human.

Despite these frailties, history shows us that the church has profoundly impacted the world. In the early centuries, Christians outlived, out thought, and out died their pagan neighbors. The Middle Ages saw the church absorb and civilize brutish pagan societies, preserving culture and knowledge that would later fuel the Renaissance and the Reformation. The church laid the foundation of civil law and inspired the very ideals that underpin modern Western civilization.

In America, the church played a critical role in shaping the civic declarations that birthed the nation. From colonial pulpits, sermons sparked the ideals of freedom and justice that led to the American Revolution. Even with its imperfections, the church has always carried within it the power to shape history and transform societies.

We can set around and complain about the state of our local church - but if that is all we do we are contributing to the problem -

we are a community a family - and when one is hurting we all hurt -

we also have to remember to be kind,

to love one another,

to serve one another,

to bear long with one another,

to forgive one another - when they don’t act like you think they should, when they don’t have all of the same qualities you do, when they interpret things just a little different.

Jesus never said - “You will be known as follower of me or My Disciples” because you do such amazing things in your community, or because you are on the cutting edge of church programs and methods, or because you do everything just right

No IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A SEE ABLE, RECOGNIZABLE, VISIBLE, TANGIBLE, NOTICABLE, REAL TRUE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER

1. Citizenship in God’s Kingdom, 2. Community in God’s Family, 3. Construction on God’s Foundation, Cohesion in God’s Structure and now we want to talk about...

5. Consecration for God’s Dwelling (v. 22)

Ephesians 2:22 “22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Spiritual Structure – Built together as a dwelling place for God.

Spirit’s Sanctuary – Inhabited by the Holy Spirit, the church becomes God’s home.

This should change and reframe the thought

From "What Is the World Coming To?" to "See What Has Come to the World!"

Church services should be a time to both worship God and give any unbelievers in the group - and yes even in Corinthians Paul points out that unbelievers might be, could be, would be present in gatherings,

Those unbelievers should be given an encounter with THE ONE WHO HAS COME INTO THE WORLD -

That is the Church Paul is talking about here one where God’s presence is allowed to work in its fullness

This includes spiritual formation, emotional healing, and any other needs that might be present.

We should be “Built Together: A Living Temple Made of Broken People”