United in Christ

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:11–22 NLT

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

References:

Romans 2:25–29 (NIV84)

25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. 28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.

Background Research:

Ephesians 2:11–22 stands as one of the New Testament’s great declarations of God’s reconciliation of all things in Christ[1], addressing a fundamental problem: the deep hostility separating Jews and Gentiles in the ancient world.

The passage begins by reminding Gentile believers of their former condition—excluded from Israel’s citizenship and covenant promises, existing without hope or connection to God (Eph 2:11–22). Both groups faced estrangement from God, though for different reasons: Gentiles lacked access to God’s revelation entirely, while Jews possessed God’s law yet remained disobedient to it[1]. Beyond their separate alienation from God, Jews and Gentiles lived in active hostility toward one another[1].

The transformative claim arrives abruptly: Christ himself serves as peace by destroying the dividing wall of hostility, abolishing the law’s commandments and regulations to create one unified body from the two groups (Eph 2:11–22). Peace is not a program Christians construct or debate—Christ himself, in his flesh, constitutes peace itself, and his reconciliation of all people to God represents the true reality of peace[1].

Critically, Christ’s peace-making between each group and God becomes the foundation for their peace with one another; having each been reconciled to God through Christ’s cross, all believers are called to reconcile with each other[1]. Through Christ, both groups now access the Father by one Spirit (Eph 2:11–22)—a shared relationship replacing former separation.

The passage concludes by reimagining the Gentiles’ identity entirely. Rather than remaining aliens, they become fellow citizens in God’s household, built together as a holy temple where God dwells by his Spirit (Eph 2:11–22). God’s plan to draw all nations to himself through redeemed Israel finds its fulfillment in Christ, who reconciles Jews and Gentiles to God and to one another in the church[2].

[1] George W. Stroup, “Theological Perspective on Ephesians 2:11‒22,” in Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary: Year B, ed. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), 254, 256. [2] Stephen E. Fowl, Ephesians: An Introduction and Study Guide: Being a Christian, at Home and in the Cosmos, ed. Tat-siong Benny Liew, T&T Clark Study Guides to the New Testament (London; Oxford; New York; New Delhi; Sydney: Bloomsbury T&T Clark: An Imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2017), 10:8.

Theme: The Wall is down we are one in Christ

Object Lesson:

The Story of Three Bricklayers – A Parable About The Power of Purpose

The story of three bricklayers is a multi-faceted parable with many different variations, but is rooted in an authentic story. After the great fire of 1666 that leveled London, the world’s most famous architect, Christopher Wren, was commissioned to rebuild St Paul’s Cathedral.

One day in 1671, Christopher Wren observed three bricklayers on a scaffold, one crouched, one half-standing and one standing tall, working very hard and fast. To the first bricklayer, Christopher Wren asked the question, “What are you doing?” to which the bricklayer replied, “I’m a bricklayer. I’m working hard laying bricks to feed my family.” The second bricklayer, responded, “I’m a builder. I’m building a wall.” But the third brick layer, the most productive of the three and the future leader of the group, when asked the question, “What are you doing?” replied with a gleam in his eye, “I’m a cathedral builder. I’m building a great cathedral to The Almighty.”

Online you will find many variations of this story, but each version tells of three people working on the same wall, doing the same work, but with totally different perspectives. From this story, many analogies and applications can be drawn. Some of these include the importance of:

Big Picture Thinking – Being able to see the end result and how your work contributes to that end.

Attitude – A positive attitude and pride in what you are doing will show up in your work and your motivation.

Connection to the Organization’s Mission – Employees who are rightly connected to the organization’s mission, vision, values, and goals are happier, more engaged, and more productive employees.

While these applications are true and insightful, I find this story has another potential application.

 The Power of Purpose

The story of the three bricklayers is also a metaphor on the power of purpose, where the “cathedral builder,” demonstrates a personal expression of purpose that transforms his attitude and gives a higher meaning to his work. Another term for purpose we use in ministry circles is “calling.” For the first bricklayer, building the wall was a job. For the second bricklayer it was an occupation. For the third bricklayer, it was a calling.

A calling reflects our universal need to matter, to influence, and make a difference in the world around us.  Victor Frankel made this clear in his book, The Meaning of Life.  He wrote about how some people survived the holocaust, but so many didn’t.  One of the things he identified was those who had a purpose or reason to continue to live that was beyond themselves tended to survive, while those who were focused primarily on themselves did not.  Those who survived found some meaning in their painful circumstances.  The meaning they found was in caring for and helping others in this horrible experience.

The story of the three bricklayers can also be used to illustrate the responsibility of leaders to encourage others to find their “cathedral,” and to help and support others in pursuing and building their “cathedral.” We are uniquely created by God for a specific purpose at a particular time in history that no one else can fulfill but us. As church leaders, we need to wrestle with the questions, how do I move people from where they are to cathedral builders?  How do I help people discover their God given purpose at each juncture in life’s journey, and resource them to live it out?

We need to recognize that God didn’t make anybody to just be a bricklayer.  Don’t hear me wrong, nothing is wrong with being a bricklayer. But, as Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote: “If a man is “called” to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”

Here is a Grace Kids–style, joyful, hands-on object lesson for Ephesians 2:11–22 that teaches “Jesus Makes Us One Family.” It’s simple, visual, and perfect for large group or small group.

⭐ Kid-Friendly Object Lesson

“The Wall That Jesus Tore Down”

Ephesians 2:11–22

🎒 Supplies

10–15 , cardboard boxes, or large plastic cupsfoam blocks

A that says big sign“KEEP OUT”

A (paper, cardboard, or wooden)cross

Tape

🧱 1. Build the Wall (The Problem Before Jesus)

What you do: Invite a few kids to help you build a tall wall using the blocks. Tape the “KEEP OUT” sign to the front.

What you say (kid-friendly): “Before Jesus came, there were two groups—Jews and Gentiles. They didn’t get along. They didn’t play together. They didn’t worship together. They didn’t even eat together. It was like a giant wall stood between them. And this wall didn’t just separate people from each other—it showed that everyone was far away from God too.”

Kid connection: “Have you ever felt left out? Like someone said, ‘You can’t play with us’? That’s what this wall was like.”

✝️ 2. Bring Out the Cross (Jesus Steps In)

Hold up the cross.

What you say: “But God didn’t want people to stay separated. So Jesus came! And when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He destroyed the wall that kept people apart.”

💥 3. Knock Down the Wall (Jesus Makes Peace)

Invite a child to gently knock the wall down.

What you say: “Jesus didn’t just break the wall—He became our peace. That means He helps us get along. He brings us close to God. And He makes one new family instead of two groups.”

Kid connection: “It’s like Jesus said, ‘No more teams. No more fighting. Everyone gets to be part of My family.’”

🏠 4. Build Something New (God’s Family)

Use the same blocks to build a house or tower.

What you say: “Now that Jesus has brought us together, God is building something new. The Bible says we are like a house God is building. Jesus is the cornerstone—the most important piece—and we are all part of His family.”

Kid connection: “We’re like Lego bricks. Different shapes, sizes, and colors—but Jesus snaps us together into something amazing.”

🎯 Bottom Line for Kids

“Jesus makes us one family.”

🧠 Memory Motion

Songs:

Outline:

Here’s a kid‑friendly, joyful, Grace Kids–style outline for Ephesians 2:11–22, written so you can teach it easily in large group, small group, or class settings.

⭐ Kid-Friendly Outline for Ephesians 2:11–22

Theme: Jesus Makes Us One Family

1. The Big Problem (Before Jesus)

There used to be two groups— and —and they didn’t get along. Kids’ Version: Jews Gentiles

Like two teams who refused to play together. What it felt like:

People were separated from God from each other. Why it mattered: and

Kid Example: Imagine a playground where half the kids say, “You can’t play with us.” That’s what it was like.

2. Jesus Steps In

Jesus came and broke down the “wall” that kept people apart. Kids’ Version:

What He did:

Made peace

Brought everyone close to God

Made one new family instead of two groups

Kid Example: It’s like Jesus took a giant sledgehammer and smashed the wall that said “Keep Out.”

3. Peace for Everyone

Jesus didn’t just fix the problem—He our peace. Kids’ Version: became

What that means:

We don’t have to fight

We don’t have to be separated

We all get to be part of God’s family

Kid Example: Jesus is like the friend who helps everyone get along and play the same game.

4. One Family, One Home

Now everyone who believes in Jesus is part of God’s household.Kids’ Version:

We belong:

Not strangers

Not visitors

But full members of God’s family

Kid Example: It’s like being adopted into the best family ever—God’s family.

5. Built Together Like a House

God is building us like a house where He lives. Kids’ Version:

The apostles and prophets The foundation:

Jesus The cornerstone:

All of us, growing together The building:

Kid Example: We’re like Lego bricks—different shapes and colors—but Jesus snaps us together into something amazing.

🎯 Key Takeaways for Kids

Jesus brings people together.

We are all part of God’s family when we believe in Jesus.

God is building something beautiful with all of us.

There are no “outsiders” in God’s kingdom.

💬 One-Sentence Memory Idea

Questions:

What did Jesus do to the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles?

What is the significance of the metaphor of the 'cathedral builder' in the sermon?

What does the scripture identify as the 'wall of hostility' and how was it broken down?

Why is Jesus called the cornerstone in the new family of believers?

How can we show that we are part of God's family?

What happens when we believe in Jesus according to the sermon?