An Incorruptible Union

INTRODUCTION

Open your copy of God’s Word and join me in Ephesians chapter two. As you are finding Ephesians two, let me own up to a mistake I’ve made the last couple of Sundays. I have said that this series in Ephesians is six weeks long. I was wrong. Some of you may have been thinking last week, “Wait…we’ve just started chapter two and we’re in week 3…we’ve got 4.5 chapters to cover in 3 more weeks?!?!”

So, I was wrong. This is an 11 week series. My bad.

TEXT

Ephesians 2:11–22 (ESV)

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— 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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 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, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have 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 members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

TRANSITION

This passage is a call to “remember” and to “respond.” You know, the gospel calls for a response. And, it’s not simply a one time response—it is a daily/ongoing response. In other words—how are you actively and intentionally living in response TODAY to what God has done for you/in you by His grace, through His Son, and for His glory?

Last week, I told you that in the first half of this letter, Paul is laying down the foundation of the gospel. The second half is the implications of the gospel—how the Jesus changes everything and how we live, again, in response.

3 Commands

1) Remember What You Once Were

(vs 11-12)

“Gentiles in the flesh, called ‘the uncircumcision,’ which is made in the flesh by hands…”

(Explain)

These things were also true of you and me before we were saved and, in all reality, if you are here today and you have never been born again, these things are true of you NOW.

Paul says we were:

A) Separated from Christ

B) Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel

C) Strangers to the covenant promises

D) Having no hope and without God in the world

If we could summarize what Paul is saying, it’s this…

“Before you were born again//While you were still dead in your trespasses and sins…you were EXCLUDED from the life and love of God, you were EXCLUDED from the blessing/favor of God, and you were EXCLUDED from the hope of God.”

Before Christ, you were dead, you were damned, and you were in despair.

The key word—excluded. Our life was marked by DIVISION. We were divided from a relationship with God and divided from a relationship with God’s covenant people.

Remember what you once were.

Secondly, in verses 13—18, Paul commands us to…

2) Remember What Christ Has Done

(vs 13—18)

We saw last week here at the beginning of chapter two that sin brings death. You were “dead” in your trespasses and sins. Paul, in Romans 6 says…

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

For the wages of sin is death…

Sin brings death but it also brings division.

One New Year’s Eve at London’s Garrick Club, British dramatist Frederick Lonsdale was asked by Seymour Hicks to reconcile with a fellow member. The two had quarreled in the past and never restored their friendship. “You must,” Hicks said to Lonsdale. “It is very unkind to be unfriendly at such a time. Go over now and wish him a happy New Year.”

So Lonsdale crossed the room and spoke to his enemy. “I wish you a happy New Year,” he said, “but only one.”

Paul commands us to remember what Christ has done. This, again, takes us back a few verses—what we unpacked last Sunday—the two powerful words that change everything—“BUT GOD.”

A) Jesus has RECONCILED us to God

Our separation from God not only makes us spiritually DEAD to God…it makes us ENEMIES of God.

For someone here today—this is your greatest need.

B) Jesus has RECONCILED us to one another

“He is our peace.” This morning, we have actively remembered the shed blood and broken body of Jesus that reconciles us to God. This is the greatest illustration of this truth that I can give you this morning!

This is the whole purpose of the Lord’s Supper! It’s not just a symbol or an ordinance that we do every quarter because that’s what Christians are supposed to do!

Now, in some traditions—and I kinda/sorta wish we did this (at least for the symbolic meaning)—there is one loaf that is broken and given out and one cup that is drunk out of (maybe not so much that part!).

3) Remember What God Has Made Us

(vs 19—22)

He has made us…

A) ONE NEW RACE OF HUMANITY

New creation created in the image of Christ.

The old man/the old Adam has died and the new man has been raised with Christ.

B) ONE NEW FAMILY OF GOD

We’ve gone from outsiders to children.

We’ve gone from enemies to sons and daughters.

C) ONE NEW TEMPLE OF GOD

Many of you are very familiar with a song that became popular in the 1970s. You could probably sing the chorus in your sleep…

“I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. I’ve been washed in the fountain—cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod. For I’m part of the family—the family of God.” Did you know, though, that there are two verses to that song? It’s not just a chorus! Listen to verse 2 of that song… “From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King. No longer an outcast—a new song I sing. From rags unto riches from the weak to the strong. I’m not worthy to be here but praise God I belong.”

The Main Point

Through Jesus, we are brought into an incorruptible union with God and with one another.

And because of what God has done, I believe this text CALLS believers to respond in 3 ways…

3 Takeaways:

A) We must remove any and all barriers.

Remove any and all barriers keeping people from Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

B) We must pursue unity and reconciliation.

Are people going to hurt your feelings? Oh yeah. Are people going to say things/do things that

C) We must live out our purpose.

Where the Spirit of God dwells—The place where heaven and earth intersect.