Ephesians 2:11-22

BECAUSE OF JESUS…WE ARE NOT ALONE

Review Series

Week 1-We are adopted into God’s Family

Week 2-We are made alive for a purpose

This week we are in Ephesians 2:11-22

Next Week Ephesians 3:1-13

Prayer

Read Ephesians 2:11-22

Paul has kept the same theme about reminding the audience of their past and what God did through Jesus. This time he adds another benefit of being a part of God’s family.

Separated before knowing Christ (Separation)

The first part of this section talks about a separation from God. He uses the term circumcision to show what that separation is. Some of the Jews were looking to the old covenant of Abraham that was a physical circumcision. Paul is telling them that when Jesus came there is a new circumcision that is not of a physical nature but that it is a spiritual nature.

Brought near through Christ (Reconciliation)

The second part of this scripture starting in verse 13 informs them that but now in Christ you were brought near to the family of God. He also explains that he tore down a dividing wall of hostility he did it so he could be reconciled to God in one body he came in the good news that we were far away but now we are brought near so now everyone has access to him through 1 spirit to the father.

ONE family on foundation of Christ (Unification)

Therefore, we are all citizens with Saints and members of God’s family. And that this is built on the foundation of the apostles and Christ Jesus is the cornerstone of that foundation we are built together in God’s house.

Remember, the people Paul was writing to was Jewish and non-Jewish members of that church. The overarching theme throughout Ephesians is the unification of the body of believers. There was lack of unity based on hostilities between the two groups of people, and this is purely because of cultural status quo.

We can summarize Paul’s message to the group of believers like this: the blood of Jesus brings those who are separated into body of believers. Also, Paul teaches the body of Christ needs to be unified.

Unity defined-The unity of the Church is how free it is from divisions among true Christians. There is a difference between true, genuine Christians who have been changed by the Holy Spirit, and those who have not let God change their lives.

Church unity does not mean we agree on every single issue. Jesus prayed for the unity in his prayer in Gethsemane (John 17:21-23) Too many people believe that unity is thinking the same about everything.

The Church should be the example of unity. With Jesus as the cornerstone and foundation of the church, every believer becomes a stone in the building of the Church. Believers need to be dependent on each other like stones of a building rely on each other. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

The cornerstone of a building is the most important part of the building because the stones rely on the cornerstone for support. The body of Christ relies on Jesus for support. Also, each brick must rely on each other. Because of what Jesus did for us, we can know we are not alone in this life.

MAIN POINT: BECAUSE OF JESUS…WE ARE NOT ALONE

When we are in the body of Christ, we know we are not alone because of what Jesus did for us. One thing we can know is that God will never leave us. He promises to be with us to the end of the age.

Another part of not feeling alone is that we are in God’s family. When people decide to follow Jesus, they are brought into the family of God.

Paul was telling the church in Ephesus that Jesus broke down the wall of separation with the new covenant. Before Christ, the Gentiles were left with little hope. But now, Jesus brought in a new covenant that created a spiritual circumcision that is within the heart. The Jews of the time were still living with the old covenant, but Paul was telling them that it doesn’t matter anymore.

Churches today can have a similar struggle with this. Yes, we don’t have the debate about circumcision in our churches, but there is still a separation that can happen. There are too many times churches have split oven non-biblical issues. It is vital for churches to be united in the main things. When we understand how much we need God’s grace and mercy, it will help guests and new believers to know they are not alone.

How we know we are not alone

We came from the same place (Separated from God)

It is easy to forget what God saved us from as we get older. I have been a Christian for more than 30 years. It can be difficult to remember being separated from God. However, when we think of where we came from before Christ, we can relate to those outside of God’s family. We should never look at ourselves better than others. We have God’s blessings, but we need to know it is all because of Jesus.

We were brought into God’s family through Jesus Christ. (Reconciled)

God reconciled us through Christ and brought us near to Him. Remember, we are adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ.

We are part of the body of Christ (Unification)

Being in the body of Christ means we are one of the stones in the Church. Each stone in a building must be in its spot for the building to stay strong. We each have a part in the furthering of God’s kingdom. One main part is helping others see the beauty of God’s redemption.

When we know we are not alone, we should help those outside of God’s family see God wants them to never be alone.