Built Upon Christ

Introduction

It is no coincidence that the theme of this year’s BFC Conference was unity and we come upon this text. The text implies unity at every turn although the word ‘unity’ is never used. Words such as ‘fellow,’ ‘household,’ ‘joined,’ and ‘together’ are all implied words of Christian unity. Unity will not be the focus here as much as the premise of it, that is the firm foundation that we have in Jesus Christ.

We are not built upon the structural integrity of this building or even the privileges that we have in this country. We are built upon Jesus Christ. When we want something to be built we seek out the best builder we can find (within the budget of course). As we do so we look through experience, credentials, and knowledge. There are many who desire our business, some making promises that sound very good.

But when we think of our Christian faith, to whom or what do we turn? Do we turn to the very best of the best? Or are we bogged down with all the other things that want our time by promising wonderful things? Just as with the best of the builders they provide the greatest service and product without all the thrill and fluff. Our Lord Jesus is the same way in this case. What He provides is not thrill and show, but results. Results that are far more glorious and magnificent than we could ever comprehend.

We have the greatest builder, the Lord Jesus Christ. His building work is perfect with no mistakes, EVER. So, what does this builder offer? Three points for your consideration...

Citizenship (v.19)

A Firm Foundation (v.20)

Holiness (vv.21-22)

As a Citizen of God (v.19)

A significant shift takes place in verse 19. Paul moves from the factual statements of what it means to be one in Christ to the practical side. Verse 19 could say, “because you are in Christ through the Spirit you are...”

The Gentiles are no longer strangers and sojourners but citizens. Strangers and sojourners directly applies to verse 12 and their former state of being so. What did it mean to be a stranger and a sojourner? In Bible times, this held far more significance than it does for most people today. To be a stranger or a sojourner meant that there was no protection, no assurance in the land. At any time a sojourner or stranger could be removed from the land. He had no say in judicial and legal matters. He, also, had no rights. Such a one could not even haggle a price at the market with a fellow brother, because he was not a citizen (BSL summary).

Leviticus 22:10 is an example of this. The priest was permitted to eat of the offering of the people of Israel. That was his portion from the Yahweh. However, if a stranger or sojourner who resided in his house as an assistant or helpmate was not permitted to eat of it. Only those, as verse 11 states, who are bought or born in the family may partake of it. It was a familial tie that permitted this. The same is true in Ephesians 2:12 when the Gentiles were not permitted to have the benefits of being born of the Jews.

The only way for a person to be permitted into the citizenship of God is to be in Christ, a part of one body in the Spirit unto God the Father. That is the tie in of verses 18 and 19.

This is not to be confused with what is said in 1 Peter 2:11–12 which reads, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul, by keeping your conduct excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good works, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

In a sense every Christian is a stranger and an exile/sojourner on this earth. For we do not conform to the ways of this world, instead living our lives with a renewed mind and heart (Romans 12:2).

A Transaction Must Take Place

What definitively singles this out is that a transaction must take place in order for a sinner to be made brand new. Just like today, in order to be a citizen of another country there are requirements that must be met in order for that to happen. However, these requirements are divine.

The difference is that there is nothing that a sinner can do to inherit citizenship in the family of God. There is no civics and history test like the US nor do you have to live in the Central African Republic for 35 years (cia.gov). To be a citizen of the household of God, God initiates the act. This is true of every Christian and, therefore, brings about a sense of unity. We are all saved by the same means.

A Beautiful Family Picture

We were away for one week, and I missed my family here. How much greater the family of God as described in verse 19! Gentiles are now fellow citizens with all the saints. IOW, there is nothing that can separate believers because our foundation is all the same as will be seen in verse 20. Every believer is a fellow slave of Christ one with another and we all belong under the umbrella of being in God’s household. These are two distinguishing marks — a slave of Christ and in the household of God.

This family picture is not something to be waited for. Paul is speaking present tense as he writes to the Ephesians. Upon being saved the Ephesians (and every other believer) are grafted into the family. This is dually seen in that we experience this in a partial sense on earth and long for this to be experienced in its fullness in heaven.

Brothers, we are family. Right now, and forever will be. How awesome is God that He has preserved us and those long before us as those who are in the household of God! We must ask what do the “members of a spiritual family” (Mounce) look like? Scripture would answer this question like this, “do good to one another” (Galatians 6:10), “conduct ourselves well” (1 Timothy 3:15), and “to be separated from the world system” (implied in 1 John 3:1). Remember, the Gentiles were no longer stranger and sojourners. They were no longer cut off from the family of God. No, they are now included in God’s family! Just as the Jews were to live their faith in Christ out, so were the Gentiles.

With a Sure Foundation (v.20)

The only way that we can live this out is by standing on the firm foundation which is told to us in verse 20, for this is how we live in unity. James Montgomery Boice, former pastor at Tenth Pres church in Philadelphia, now with the Lord wrote, “The only unity worth having —the only true unity— is the unity built on the revealed truth of God centering in the person and work of Jesus Christ.” Notice, that this unity has everything to do with Jesus Christ. Therefore, every personal vendetta that we might have, or any personal preference, or conformity we would desire from another on a human level is done away with. Unity is found in Jesus Christ alone.

Unity in Christ built upon His Word

What then do the prophets and apostles have to do with unity if Christ is the source of it? Simply, because the prophets and the apostles pointed men, women, boys and girls in their respective generations to the Lord Jesus Christ. One might say, “but Jesus is not in the OT!” I would beg to differ. Jesus is all over the OT, passages such as Psalm 16, Isaiah 52-53, Daniel 7:13-14, are just a small pool of the proof.

Our foundation is not found in the prophets and apostles alone, for that would be putting our hope and trust in man which the prophets and apostles would cry out against such a motion. Brothers, this does show us the legitimacy and validity of the Word of God. The Bible that you hold regardless of medium, is the very Word of God that is given to you to have you stand upon the most solid foundation ever to have been built! IOW, there is no greater foundation than what is told to us in the Bible, our beloved and precious Lord Jesus Christ. For the first time, the Gentiles could read the OT and see all the promises given to the Jews now applied to them. What an amazing truth this is!

They now saw texts like Jeremiah 12:14–17 come to life. Gentiles are now the people of God following His ways and are built up amongst Israel and Judah. In short, God keeps His Word. Therefore, when we read this book, it is not another passing story that merely warms the heart. No! This book is the Word of God, that which said thousands of years prior that Gentiles would be among the people of God and flourish, of whom we are this very day. It has ALWAYS been the plan of God to bring the Gentiles to repentance and trust in Christ.

The reason that the apostles and prophets hold weight is “because they bear Jesus’ authentic message” (Mounce). For what did Jesus say to the travelers to Emmaus in Luke 24:44? “Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.””

The Distinction of the Source

It would be right to say that Jesus is the Source of all the prophets and apostles. Paul goes further to emphasize this truth. Jesus, all by Himself, is the cornerstone. The Greek does not include the word stone in Paul’s rendering.

The same is true in Psalm 118:22 which Jesus quotes in Matthew 21:42. The word stone is not there, but this should not cause any concern. Why? Because of the significance of being the corner. In olden days the corner was referred to the very first stone that was laid. It was done so in such a strategic spot that the entire building was held up by this stone. Imagine playing the game Jenga in real life. If the cornerstone was removed the building would collapse. This is true of Christianity. Without Christ, there is no Christianity. This may seem basic, but essential nonetheless. Why? Because those who argue that Christianity is man’s thoughts or that the Bible was interpreted by men and there is no Divine influence fail to combat the numerous text throughout Scripture that point the reader to Jesus Christ.

This could be summarized like this… the apostles and prophets were geared toward the Jewish people, but in Christ both Jew and Gentile come together.

The apostles and prophets bore the message of Christ to the nations. Later on in the apostle John’s life he pastored a Gentile church in Ephesus. Paul, as we know was involved with the Gentiles from the early stages of ministry. They went forth to the Gentiles because of the rejection of the cornerstone, Jesus Christ. This is Paul’s indictment of the Jews in Acts 4:11.

A plausible question could be asked. What makes you a Christian and why are you a Christian? If it is because of the preaching of a particular pastor or books that you may have read that is the wrong reason. What makes the apostles and prophets being founded on the firm foundation of Christ unique is that the message is the same: believe in Christ, turn from sin, and be born again. That is the calling of Christ at this very moment. As Peter quotes Isaiah in 1 Peter 2:6 “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes upon Him will not be put to shame.”” Will you respond to this message today?

In Holiness because Christ is Holy (v.21-22)

Those who are firm in Christ are holy. Holiness is said of every believer because Christ has so given that to every believer. Every Christian is declared holy in the sight of God. Therefore, we are built on Christ because He is holy and has made us so. Before we get to the holiness aspect, the construction of the building (believers in Christ) is to be examined first.

The Building Consisting of Believers

Another plug is offered by Paul regarding the joining of Jew and Gentile. As we have seen in the prior two verses, so we see here, the dynamic of cause and effect. Without a building being present what is there to make holy? Similarly, if there are no Christians present who is there to make sanctified? Again, we see the effects of unity. The building is joined together. Just as a building is erected today, no one would say it is just brick, or plaster, or concrete, but all these things combined. This is the picture that Paul is bringing forth.

Our Christian experience is dependent upon the cornerstone, Jesus Christ. Not only is our Christian experience dependent upon Christ but, specifically, our gathering together as saints on the Lord’s Day, our fellowship, our service one to another, our love, our commitment to pray for one another. Without the cornerstone being present what is the point of these things? They would all be done in vain.

Christian regardless of where you fall on issues like eschatology, the correct mode of baptism, or how a worship service should look, may I challenge you with this… As you think on these things are you doing so with Christ as the cornerstone? Is He the reason for your thoughts on the matter? Listen! No Christian will get to heaven and be saved because his view on eschatology or baptism or the perfect worship service was conducted week in and week out. Christians enter heaven because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His rising from the grave!

Now, things like eschatology, baptism, and the worship service are important things to talk about, however they must not supersede our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Question, take away your thoughts on matters like these and any other personal preference, what are you left with? A common bond united in Christ!

The building of this body destroys any notion of a “lone-ranger Christian.” Christianity is not meant to be lived and experienced alone. Yes, Christ is always with you. But Paul mentions that the building is “being joined together.” There is relationship and togetherness in Christianity.

Why the stressing on relationship and togetherness? Because Paul mentions this concept either implicitly or explicitly 6 times in verses 19-22.

From Building to Holy Sanctuary

There is a spiritual dimension to this building. A feature of this building is that it continues to grow, both by number and in holiness. Hence the holy tag to the sanctuary. Christ is growing the body of believers in number and in sanctification. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 speaks to the spiritual side saying, “Do you not know that you are a sanctuary of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the sanctuary of God, God will destroy him, for the sanctuary of God is holy, and that is what you are.” Is this talking about your body as a fleshly dwelling place? For some have come to this conclusion. However, in Christ, we are, individually, as well as corporately holy in His sight because He is holy. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 is another section that people take to only mean what is put into our fleshly bodies. Verses 16-20 put the holiness of the people of God, His sanctuary into perspective saying, “Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

The warning here is to not eat too many cheeseburgers (that is not the best of ideas), but to flee from sexual immorality and sin against your body! The building of God is growing in number AND in holiness. Paul speaks of this again in 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 with the point being that the holy sanctuary of God must not live a life that is domineered by idolatry. One commentator comments on this saying, “We are set apart to belong to him and to constitute the new Israel, the church that unites all races and ethnic groups into one temple in the Lord. We are also called to live holy lives, to live wholly (pun intended) for him as we become his temple in this world” (Grant R. Osborne).

Therefore it is not enough for this church to add people for the sake of adding to the number. What must be more on our hearts and minds is the addition of men and women, boys and girls who are committed to Christ and live so outwardly. This does not mean that we only bring in churched people, but those (unbelievers) whom the Lord might be leading in your circles to come to Christ, to repent of sin, and live renewed of mind and heart.

Not just any other Dwelling

Paul concludes chapter 2 with a Trinitarian exhortation. You see that in Christ we are being made into a dwelling of God through the Holy Spirit. Paul has said that we are being built upon a firm foundation, we are joined together growing into a holy sanctuary, and we are being built into a dwelling of God. So then, what does being built into a dwelling of God mean?

The dwelling place of God can be traced back to the Tabernacle that was erected by the people of Israel. Exodus 40:34–35 writes of the most holy place of the Tabernacle, “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had dwelt on it, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle.” This is the OT account of Yahweh dwelling with His people.

Similarly in the NT, God dwells with His people. He dwells with a people that are being sanctified daily, growing in holiness, having been indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Here is a tough reality for some to swallow, ‘God does not dwell with every person.’ Verse 22 argues that God is building His people up as a most glorious dwelling place. In short, the people of God are far more valuable to God than a Tabernacle.

Brothers, we are not just any other dwelling for the Lord. This body of believers does not only constitute another local church in Pennsylvania. No! Christ is building us up as a holy sanctuary, a most desirable dwelling place as He continues to add to the number those who are devoted to Him.

Oh how sweet eternity will be for those of us who are counted among the living holy sanctuary of God where God dwells!

Conclusion

Thus as we look toward our eternal dwelling place, may we remember the promises and the calling that God has placed before and on every Christian. We are a special people beloved by God. He has removed every barrier to Himself and replaced them with a firm foundation that is found in His Son, Jesus Christ. And He is actively at work in growing us into a greater and more pure representation of Himself. Oh that our trust would be placed on Christ who has shown His trustworthiness time and again. And that we would reap the great rewards of a holy and sanctified life. To this end we must press on.