Love That Brings Together

Introduction

Good morning! Please open your Bibles to Ephesians 2. We are in our second week of our series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, which we are calling “Love Beyond Reason.” The title of the series is based on Ephesians 3:18–19. Paul’s desire for the church in Ephesus was that they would

have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

So throughout this series, we are going to talk about what this love the surpasses knowledge does for those of us who are in Christ. We talked last week about a love that Chose us: how God the Father chose us to be adopted as His sons and daughters; how Jesus the Son redeemed us and forgave us of our sins, and how God the Holy Spirit is a living, personal presence in our lives today.

This morning, we are going to look at two more things God’s love beyond reason does for those are in Christ. First, it brings us to life, and then, it brings us together.

We’re going to get through the entire chapter, but let’s begin by reading Ephesians 2:1-10

Ephesians 2:1–10 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Let’s pray together.

Jeremy Bentham was a British philosopher who died in 1832. He is considered the founder of utilitarianism Now I don’t know anything about the philosophy of utilitarianism. If I did, maybe I would understand a provision Jeremy Bentham put in his will. Bentham apparently left a fortune to the University College of London. But there was one condition: Bentham was to be present at every board meeting.

For more than a hundred years following his death, a wax figure of Jeremy Bentham, built around his actual skeleton and dressed in 18th century clothing was wheeled into the boardroom and placed at the head of the table for board meetings. And when the roll was called, the secretary of the board would make a notation: “Mr. Jeremy Bentham, present but not voting.” (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Ephesians (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2014), 43–44).

You know, every single day of our Christian life, we fight against our fleshly nature. Over and over, the apostle Paul used this image of our being dead to sin. He said in Romans 6:11

So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:3 “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

The problem so often is that we keep giving our flesh a seat at the table. And not just a seat at the table, we keep on letting it vote!

In verses 1-10, we really see a perfect outline of what a Christian testimony is. The other day, John Guyon, Diana Hall and I were talking about how cool it would be if we had a series where we focused on the different stories of how people came to faith in Jesus, because that’s what a testimony is. And if you’ve never given your testimony before, just think about it in four parts:

The once was (what life was like before Jesus),

the But Now (what your life is like after meeting Jesus);

the But How (how Jesus saved you)

and the What Now (what your purpose is, and how Christ empowers you to fulfill that purpose.

Let’s see how that works out in these verses:

Once Was: In verses 1-3, Paul tells the Ephesians that they were dead in their sins. “trespass” is Greek word that means a violation. Crossing a line that is forbidden to cross (like a no trespassing sign today). And “sin” means missing the mark. Picture an archer trying to hit a target.

Notice the phrases Paul uses here:

“following the course of this world.”

“The sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived.”

“By nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind.”

Paul isn’t describing weird, perverted, deviant behavior here. He is describing human nature.

A lot of times we actually use human nature to excuse sin. “Boys will be boys.” “it’s natural to want to explore.” “They’re just sowing their wild oats.” “Doing what comes naturally.”

And you’re right. Sin is natural. But do you know what else comes naturally? Death. Death comes naturally.

But it’s worse than that. Paul says that not only were we dead in our sins, look at Ephesians 2:12 . We were also

Ephesians 2:12 ESV

12 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.

Not only does sin separate us from God; it also separates us from each other.

In context, Paul was talking to Gentiles who were separated from Jews and were strangers to what he called the covenants of promise. But it’s true for us also. When we are living in sin, we are isolated not just from God, but from each other.

Which is why we need something supernatural to happen. And that’s what you see in Ephesians 2:4-6

Ephesians 2:4–6 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Let me stop there. These are maybe the two greatest words in the entire Bible: But God.

Once we were dead in our trespasses and sins. We were incapable of responding to God on our own. But God in his great mercy and because of his great love, made us alive together with Christ.

Do you know what mercy is? Mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve.

But now, God

Read Ephesians 2:11-22

1. God’s promises are for everyone. No one is excluded.

Paul reminds the Gentile believers that they were once excluded when it came to the promises and covenants of God. God initially made his covenant with Abraham and Abraham’s descendants.

• God promised to give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:2, 15:4-5, 17:2-6).

• God also promised that Abraham would be a blessing and that all families of the earth would be blessed through him and his descendants (Genesis 12:3, 22:18).

• As a sign of this covenant, God commanded Abraham and his male descendants to be circumcised (Genesis 17:9-14).

Paul is saying that those of us who are of the “uncircumcised” group — i.e. Gentiles — were not originally part of the covenants and promises. We were separate, excluded, without hope, and without God in this world.

It is a terrible thing to be excluded and without hope.Have you ever been excluded from something? Being excluded can leave some emotional scars. Imagine being the only one in your class not invited to a birthday party. Or overhearing your friends discussing plans that don’t include you. Sometimes we get overlooked for promotions at work, or not being a part of key projects. It hurts to be excluded.

But now, God’s promises are for everyone. Gentiles are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with all of God’s people. This means the promises of God are for you and for me. Why? Because God’s all-encompassing, transformative love cannot be limited to one people group. It is for all creation.

2. A new mindset: Near or Far?

God’s promises are for everyone. No one is excluded because Christ has “destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (2:14). Christ destroyed the walls that formerly separated us.

Ephesians is introducing a way of thinking about people. I want you to hear this because what I’m about to say is part of being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

A. The old way of thinking about people is: In or Out? If you were circumcised, you were in. If you were Jewish, you were in. If you observed the religious traditions, you were in. On the other hand, if you weren’t any of these things nor observed the religious patterns, you were out. Not circumcised? Out! Not Jewish? Out!

The In or Out Mindset classifies people based on their belonging to a group (Gentiles), creating boundaries (walls of hostility), and emphasizing differences (Jews vs. Gentiles). This In or Out Mindset often leads to division and labeling, where those who are "out" are stigmatized and marginalized.

Division and labeling are directly opposed to the purposes of God who is working “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ” (Ephesians 1:10). The In or Out Mindsetproduces condescension and arrogance among those who are "in," promoting a sense of moral superiority and self-righteousness.

Let’s re-read a couple verses and pick-up on the new mindset Paul is introducing to us:

• “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (2:13).

• “He came and preached peace toy who were far away and peace to those who were near” (2:17).

B. Paul doesn’t talk about people being In or Out. He refers to people being Near or Far. And that’s the new mindset I’d like to introduce to you. The new way of thinking about people is: are they Near or Far?

The Near or Far Mindset focuses on people’s proximity to Jesus, who is the center of all things, rather than on group membership. The question isn’t, are they in or out? The question is, are they moving closer to Jesus or farther away from Jesus? Are they near? Or are they far?

Jesus Christ is the center of all things. In him all things were created. All things were created for him. He is the head of all things in heaven and earth, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17). Jesus sustains all things by his powerful word (Hebrews 1:2-3). And through Jesus all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:1-3).

The Near or Far Mindset encourages unity, viewing everyone as made in the image of God. Some are closer to the center (Jesus) than others. How can we help them move towards Jesus? The Near or Far Mindsetrecognizes that people are at different points in their journey with God. The Near or Far Mindset fosters humility, compassion, and hope.

3. What does Jesus do with people who are far from him?

What does Jesus do with people who are far from him? Does he shake his head in disgust? Does he explode in anger at them? Does he curse them? Here’s what the Bible says Jesus does with people who are far from him:

A. He goes and searches for them

• "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

• "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” Matthew 18:12

B. He brings them near

• "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13

• "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:16

C. He preaches peace

• "He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” Ephesians 2:17

• "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

D. He endures their criticism and violence

• "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

• "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23

E. He forgives them

• "When Jesus saw their faith, he said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.’" Luke 5:20

• "Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:34

F. He takes them as they are and then transforms their inner person

• "'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.’" John 8:11

• "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

• "Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’" John 4:13-14

Conclusion

At the beginning of the message, we talked about Jeremy Bentham, who still wanted to give his dead flesh a seat at the table. Jeremy Bentham wanted to cling to life, even though he was dead.

I want to close with another picture. James Calvert was born in England in 1813, about 20 years before Jeremy Bentham died. Early in life, Calvert felt led to become a missionary, and in 1838 he and his wife sailed to Fiji, where he intended to share the gospel with the Fiji islanders. At that time, the Fiji was known as the Cannibal Isles. They tribes had practiced cannibalism for over 2300 years, and still practiced it into the late 19th century.

So just before Calvert and his wife disembarked, the captain of the ship in which he traveled tried to talk him out of going. “You will risk your life and all those with you if you go among such savages,” he said. Calvert’s magnificent reply was, “We died before we came here.”

The Calverts spent 18 years in Fiji and converted the king of Fiji to Christianity.

What is going to be your testimony?

Are you going to be Jeremy Bentham, doing everything you can to hold on to the things of the flesh, or are you going to be James Calvert, who gave up his life and truly lived.