#5 Ephesians: Killing the Hostility

Introduction

Chapter 1 Paul begins Ephesians reminding them not to forget Gods spiritual blessings upon their life.

Chapter 2 Paul reminds them not to forget where they came from… they were dead, but now Christ has made you alive!

Chapter 2:11-22 - Paul now reminds them again of where they came from and where they are now… their position and identity in Christ. How there relationship status has been radically changed… From alienation to reconciliation (or from hostility to peace)

relationship status has changed… (Facebook relationship status) relationships change… like someone, friend zone, seeing someone, dating someone, engaged to someone, married to someone, tension with spouse, at odds, alienated, divorced, separated.

God and humanity have been divorced. The great divorce as Lewis calls it… but now through the mediation of Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled.

Reconciliation is a big word expressing a big idea, namely, all that is involved in turning a state of alienation, hostility, and apartness into a state of intimate, affectionate, harmonious togetherness on a permanent basis.

J. I. Packer

This is what all of us hunger for.

Deep down. We all just want peace. And we all need reconciliation in order to enjoy peace again.

History is rife and full of situations of alienation, segregation, and division.

Gen. 3:15 - hostility and enmity.

Some of these situations experienced temporary or limited reconciliation. Some many would say still haven’t been resolved.

Man’s solutions to sin’s problems will always be limited.

Apartheid in South Africa and Nelson Mandela.

The Troubles in Northern Ireland: Division: The Troubles (1968-1998) were a period of violent conflict between the Protestant Unionists (who wanted to remain part of the United Kingdom) and the Catholic Nationalists

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and others, brought about the end of legalized segregation.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ): Division: Since 1953,

The Berlin Wall: A Wall of Hostility

October 7 - came across a border wall, and raped and murdered men women and children. 1,200. Is there any hope for reconciliation?

Gacaca Courts

Story of the Hutu and Tutsi Reconciliation

In 1994, Rwanda experienced one of the most brutal genocides in modern history. Over the course of about 100 days, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis, along with some moderate Hutus, were systematically killed by extremist Hutu factions. The violence stemmed from deep-seated ethnic tensions that had been brewing for decades, creating a “dividing wall of hostility” between the Hutu and Tutsi groups.

The genocide left Rwanda shattered, with families torn apart and communities engulfed in fear and hatred. The wounds of betrayal, murder, and ethnic conflict seemed insurmountable. However, in the years following the genocide, an extraordinary movement of reconciliation began to take root in Rwanda. This movement is a striking example of how two hostile groups can be brought together in peace.

The “Gacaca Courts” and Forgiveness

To address the massive number of crimes and rebuild the social fabric, Rwanda introduced a unique form of justice called Gacaca courts. These were community-based courts designed not only to administer justice but also to promote reconciliation. Through this process, Hutu perpetrators of the genocide stood before the very communities they had wronged, often face-to-face with the survivors of their violence.

Instead of focusing solely on retribution, these courts encouraged confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Tutsis who had lost family members were given the opportunity to forgive those who had committed atrocities. Many Hutus, in turn, expressed genuine remorse for their participation in the killings.

This process of reconciliation was a dramatic breaking down of the “dividing wall of hostility” that had separated the two ethnic groups. Families that were once torn apart by ethnic hatred were being restored through forgiveness and grace.

hostility is everywhere…. Where can we receive forgiveness, reconciliation and peace??

At One Time I Was (11-12)

Explain Setting

Paul is speaking to who? the church at Ephesus, mostly Gentiles. Growing up in Roman culture. Many converted to Christian faith from the religious idol worship at the temple of Artemis. Highly spiritually charged and affluent culture and society. The darkness was very strong there in Roman society of Ephesus.

Paul has laid out for them their new situation and their new identity as a NEW SOCIETY of people who were dead but are now made alive in christ by grace alone. They are now to walk in this newfound peace being reconciled to God but they are not to forget who they were and where they came from. But also to look to what God saved them FOR. And what he is building the, to become.

I Was an Unclean Gentile

Gentiles and Jews situation.

In Ephesians 2:11-12, Paul reminds the Gentiles that they were once separated from God, alienated from Israel, and strangers to God’s covenants.

Historically, God chose Israel through Abraham to be His people, to reflect His holiness to the world. They were entrusted with the covenant promises, the law, the temple, and ultimately the lineage of Christ. Israel was meant to be a light to the nations. However, instead of viewing this as a gift of grace, many Jews saw it as a privilege, creating division with Gentiles, whom they often looked down upon.

Circumcision and uncircumcision.

Paul in Ephesians 2:11 highlights the division between Jews, who were circumcised and part of God’s covenant, and Gentiles, who were uncircumcised and outside the covenant. However, true circumcision is not just physical but spiritual—a matter of the heart. Romans 2:29 explains that a true Jew is one inwardly, with circumcision done by the Spirit, not just by following the law.

I Was an Alien

Not from another planet but a foreigner… having no rights…

Separated.

Illegal immigration. Illegal aliens. Without rights and citizenship.

disconnected. Separated from parents. Divorced.

Without Hope and Without God.

Hopeless and Godless.

These essentially mean the same things. Being without God is truly what it means to be without hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”

Hopeless.

Depression? On the rise? Anxiety and stress over the supposed meaningless of life and the lack of purpose to my very existence?

When lab rats lose hope in experimental settings, it often results in extreme behavioral and physiological changes. A well-known study that highlights this concept is Curt Richter’s 1950s experiment on “learned helplessness.” In this study, rats were placed in water where they had to swim to survive. Initially, rats that felt there was no possibility of escape or rescue would give up and drown within a short period, often within minutes.

However, when these same rats were periodically rescued just before drowning, they continued swimming for much longer, sometimes for days, because they had hope of being saved. The study concluded that having a sense of hope and control over their circumstances drastically affected the rats’ willingness to keep trying.

hopelessness is like drowning without ever thinking you’ll get to shore. But Ben the smallest glimmer of hope can keep ones faith alive.

Godless

Atheos - without, God. ‘godless’ (atheoi)

Without relationship to God.

It’s not that they did not believe in gods… oh they had plenty of those. It’s that they believed in all the other gods besides the one true god.

For you today, if you lack belief in God, of the Bible, and the revealed son of God, jesus Christ, it’s not that you are an atheist, but that you worship everything else besides God on high, including yourself.

the world and society will set before you a banquet of gods to worship.

The Message of Ephesians 1. The Portrait of an Alienated Humanity, or What We Once Were (Verses 11–12)

In William Hendriksen’s summary they were ‘Christless, stateless, friendless, hopeless and Godless’. In Paul’s single phrase they were ‘far off’ (13), alienated from God and from the people of God.

Such Were Some of You.

We were in the State of affairs.

Before Christ. Without Christ. Before Faith and His Grace Upon our lives, we too were Christless, stateless, friendless, hopless and Godless.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

We were as Josh put it last week, “The Walking Dead.”

But Now In Christ I Have (13-18)

“I have moved from afar away to be brought near”

I have moved from alienation to reconciliation and from hostility to peace.

Were afar off but now we are near.

The blood of Christ. Symbolizing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the CROSS.

The cross of Jesus Christ was the evil means of separation and death that God transformed to be used for peace and salvation.

what’s the absolute worst thing that has happened in history??

It’s been said that the worst thing to happen in the history of the world was the death of the Son of God on the cross. And the very best thing to happen in the history of the world was the death of the son of God on the cross and his resurrection.

I heard a preacher say once: If God can take the very worst thing and make it the best thing, than he can take the very worst thing that’s ever happened to you and make it become a part of the story of your best things. All things can work together for good…. Because God is about reconciliation.

Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.

Watchman Nee

From Alienation to Reconciliation and from Hostility to Peace.

War in Israel, against the terrorist organizations of Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran. Imagine, peace between groups of which there has been nothing but bloodshed and murder and hostility and rape and genocide.

Republicans vs Democrats. Trump vs. Kamala. Red vs. Blue. Imagine, reconciling the two parties to agree.

This is more than compromise or a peace treaty…

- it’s not like when Judson and Taylor need to apologize to each other… sorry… half hearted hug… tolerate each other ok?

But this illustration is so limited. Because we see this in terms of compromise. Can they just agree to disagree on a few things. Whoah! Is that what God does for us? Tolerates us? No. He loves you! Imagine, The republican party and the democratic party coming together and working together in perfect harmony that you eventually wouldn’t be able to tell the two apart.

This is what is meant by the new society created, which is the CHURCH. We are not to have two sides of the asiles here, spiritually speaking. We should dwell together in harmony, in peace with one another, showing love to one another.

How is this possible???

Reconciliation

Jesus is Our Peace.

Between God and Humanity.

Between each other.

eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Jesus is Making Peace.

How?

Bringing us together as one.

Removing the dividing wall of hostility

The cross was the battering ram to break down the dividing wall of hostility. Because the ransom is paid through the cross. The veil in the temple is torn. The stain is cleansed. The sin is atoned for. The debt is paid. The division is removed, peace and reconciliation is now possible because of Jesus Christ.

There is no longer a dividing wall of ethnic Jews from Gentiles. It’s broken down. Those boundary lines are abolished. And a new society of redeemed and reconciled people are joined together.

A famous wall inscription that faced the outer courtyard of the Jerusalem temple is extant; it warned Gentiles that they would have only themselves to blame for their death if they passed into the inner courts. Hence, it was a “dividing wall” or “a wall that separates.”413 Paul may or may not be alluding to this wall in v. 14, but it well illustrates Jesus Christ’s reconciliation of all peoples by tearing down this wall and building up both Jews and Gentiles into a new humanity (v. 15). It is ironic that in his early life, Jesus probably worked as a “builder” (τέκτων, tektōn; Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3) or building contractor who would have torn down and built up, and that as the divine Son he built all creation (1 Cor 8:6; Col 1:15–20), and now through his mediatorial, incarnate work he has inaugurated God’s new creation in a unified, universal church. S. M. Baugh

Wall along the Texas southern border between Mexico and USA. Though I believe physically in this fallen world and in order to create safety and order within nations. Walls are necessary. Boundaries between countries are necessary and should be maintained. Spiritually speaking, we must consider this illustration. There is now no walls between us as brothers and sisters in Christ and between God and man.

This is amazing!

Jesus is Killing the hostility by preaching peace

the contrary nature here is striking. Killing to bring peace? Aggression to bring about gentleness? Death to bring life?

Upside down paradoxical nature of the cross of Jesus Christ.

Killing —> the cross is an instrument of execution becomes the very instrument used for reconciliation and salvation.

Imagine, a Tank used to destroy, blow up and break apart lives being the very thing used to blow holes through the Berlin wall and knock it down?

RECONCILED together through the cross and the crucifixion?

Jesus kills hostility brought about through sin and replaces it with peace which makes was for spiritual transformation.

Access Granted

Reconciliation is amazing. But this is more wondrous and more amazing. Reconciliation is not the end. Beyond reconciliation, we have access to the Father.

God’s Way of Reconciliation, 316 / David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

Ever been locked out of an account? Can’t remember a password? Passport out of date? Your access to another world or your access to information or your bank account is invalid.

Your sin, your rebellion and utter hatred towards God, the stain of your wickedness against the holiness and purity of God… they are invalid. You do not have access to God apart from Christ.

Jesus Christ brings a separated account and grants them access by the key code of his sacrificial death on the cross and his conquering resurrection. Thereby, making the gateway possible for you to pass from earth to heaven and heaven to earth. Opens the means of communication for you to speak openly with God on high.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus brings unity by preaching peace

Unity is the central concern of the Ephesians.

John 17:11 “And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Peace Results in a New Man

Again, this peace God has made, brings two separated parties together through spiritual and physical reconciliation. HE will do teh same to heaven and earth again as well.

But this is not just a getting along because we have too but a complete change of identity and citizenship.

NEW MAN. NEW HUMANITY. NEW SOCIETY.

A New Person in the place of the old person.

“You ever say, I feel like a new man.” A fresh start.

transition: (1)at one time you were…. (2)but now in Christ…(3) so then you are….

So Then I Am No Longer (19-22)

NO LONGER

Strangers, Aliens.

Estranged, foreigners, ostracized, pushed away, divided, cast out, banished, afar off… this is no longer who you are…

Do you understand this today?

In Christ… this is not who you are. Stop living like you are hopeless and godless. Start living with hope and with God walking in relationship with him. Walking by faith…

He defines your spiritual identity. He loves you and gave himself for you. So this is a good reason to smile and sing for joy. Because of all he has done for us.

BUT YOU ARE NOW

Citizens, saints, members

Citizenship - rights and privileges as a Roman Citizen. Benefits afforded.

Saints - holy, sanctified

Members- part of the family but more accurately, part of the body. We are all members one of another.

BUILT TOGETHER

Buidling metaphors.

foundation, built together, structure, joined… but then he uses a living organice term

Ephesians (Commentary)

Paul’s casual metaphors on elements of building construction are interesting given that Ephesus was in early phases of a building boom that lasted into the next century (cf. 1 Cor 3:9–12). When this epistle was written, one would undoubtedly see new construction sites throughout the city with foundations and stones being brought in from quarries (or reused from earlier buildings). Christ forms the “cornerstone” (ἀκρογωνιαῖον, akrogōniaion—a substantive adj.), which ensures that the whole building is square and stable.

Christ the cornerstone

You and I together, being built into a spiritual temple, a structure, dependent on one another, with the expressed purpose of radiating the worship of God as a holy temple.

The church becomes a dwelling place for God… both now and one day in all fullness

Revelation 21:1–5 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

Conclusion:

We were. We are no longer. We are now.

Vertically: are You at peace with God? because he has made a way to be at peace with you? Horizontally: who do you need to make peace with?