Ephesians 5

A New Life In Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–22 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Paul begins this letter to the church at Ephesus, reminding them that they were IN CHRIST. That they were chosen by God to be adopted into His family. And that they were saved by the grace of God and through His blood.

He told them that he had heard about their love for the other saints. He told them that he prayed for them to have a better understanding of God. That the eyes of theirs hearts would see would be enlightened.

He reminded them of where they were before Jesus

This week he is counting reminding of where they were, but as Gentiles.

The Jews and the Gentiles was a huge racial division. Paul lets them know that the blood of Jesus brought them together.

Many Jews still did not want to accept Gentiles unless they were first circumcised.

In Acts Chapter 1.

I. We are saved by grace alone. VS 8-10

Ephesians 2:8–10 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

VS 8-9 are 2 of the well none verses in the Bible. Great verses for us to share.

“By grace are you save”

Salvation is a free gift offered to us by the grace of God. The way that we get it, is through faith.

Since salvation is a gift, it can buy by bought, it an not be earned, it can not be worked for.

If you had to work to get to get grace, then grace wouldn’t be grace.

 Amazing grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

Amazing grace is the most recorded song in History.

“by grave are you saved through faith”

 Faith is not works.

Faith is not spiritual gift.

Faith is not a feeling on you get deep inside.

Faith is not a mental attitude.

Faith is belief and trust in God.

Faith is the hand that reaches our and accepts grace. (which is a gift)

The most important thing about your faith is, what is your faith in?

Is it in your good works?

Is it yourself?

Is it baptism?

Your faith has to be in Christ alone.

How do we get faith?

Romans 10:17 NKJV

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We here God’s word, we hear about His grace, we have faith, and we receive His grace.

“not of yourselves”

Means: To not your own doings.

It’s not about anything that have done. Baptism, good works, not by giving money, not by helping people, not by going on a mission trip, not being a pastor, not by being a deacon, not singing Christian music, teaching Sunday School.

“It is a gift from God”

VS 9

Not of works, lest anyone should boast” (brag)

Amplified Bible Chapter 2

[It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

If God let people into heaven for the their good works, then they could boast.

I’m here because I was a good person.

I’m here because helped the homeless.

I’m here because..…

If you were saved on your own, would more worship of self instead of worshiping Jesus.

Paul did not boast.

All other religion you have to do something to earn favor from their God.

You have to do something to earn your way to heaven.

Christianity is the only belief that has a God that gives you a gift.

II.Jesus gives us Hope. VS 11-13

Everyone need the Lord’s salvation, because of our sin we are spiritual dead, we are hopeless and separated from God.

Ephesians 2:11–13 NKJV

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The Church in Ephesus was made up of mostly Gentiles. There was a few Jews there. Gentiles were identified as the uncircumcised.

1 Samuel 17:26 NKJV

26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

But since the time that God called Abraham, God made a difference between Jews and Gentiles.

He made this difference, not that the Jews might boast, but that they might be a blessing and a help to the Gentiles.

Without Christ: The Ephesians worshiped the goddess, Diana, and, before the coming of the Gospel, knew nothing about Christ.

Without citizenship: “being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel” God called the Jews and built them into a nation. He gave them His laws and His blessings. A Gentile could enter the nation as a proselyte.

Without covenants: “and strangers from the covenants of promise”

Genesis 12:1–3 NKJV

1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God did not make any covenants with the Gentile nations. But they would be blessed.

The Gentiles were “aliens” and “strangers”—and the Jews never let them forget it. Many of the Pharisees would pray daily, “O God, I give thanks that I am a Jew, not a Gentile.”

Now the Gentiles were apart of the promises of God, they could receive salvation, the Jews had to also accept the Gentiles.

Jews were not saved just because they were Jews, they had to accept Gods grace through Jesus.

Without hope: having no hope and without God in the world.

This is a terrible, awful condition that Paul describes. But now notice that something has happened.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

But now IN CHRIST.

Far off. speaking of the Gentiles.

They “brought near” how? by the blood of Jesus.

The blood of Jesus brought together the Jew and the Gentile.

Because of Jesus we have hope. That should give us peace.

III. Jesus gives us peace. VS 14-18

Ephesians 2:14–18 NKJV

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Mark 4:39 NKJV

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Mark 5:34 NKJV

34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

John 14:27 NKJV

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

VS 14 has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Wall of separation was the that that separated the Jews and Gentiles.

Sin separate a lost person from God. Jesus breaks down that fall, when a person repents and gives their live to Him.

VS 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

By grace are you saved through faith”

Paul speak of the law here, but how Jesus through His death on the cross no longer have to live by the law. Trying to do good, trying work your way into heaven, will not give you peace.

But Jesus, God becoming flesh gives us peace.

Ephesians 2:17–18 NKJV

17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Jesus came to earth, gave His live for the Jew and the Gentile.

What Jesus did for us brought peace.

It is a great thing to live a live and live it in peace.

What would this world be like if Jesus didn’t give His life on the cross.

The reason our country is becoming darker is because there is less preaching of the gospel.

VI. Jesus is our cornerstone. VS 19-22

Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

VS 20

Jesus is the cornerstone. The apostles, prophets, built the foundation. So there is no more need for apostles or prophets.

Jesus is the cornerstone of the church.

Were as Christians citizens together.

No matter where someone is from, as followers of Jesus we are apart of the household of God.

Heaven is our home.