Staff Devotion 15

Intro

June 22, 2024 was a hot day! The heat index was near 100, the church was around 85, my house was around the same. As hot as it was, things had to be done! Suits donned, dresses and makeup done, flowers in place.

People gathered from all around the country, piled into this church, and, through sweat and tears, watched as two people came together. Although we all but passed out from the nerves and the heat, two people, from two backgrounds and walks of life, with very different story left their families and cleaved to each other.

On mine and Callee’s wedding day, we went from being two people to one creation in Christ. This is something that Paul speaks to often in his letters, and Ephesians is no stranger.

We talked last week about a very similar topic as we learned that, in Christ, we who were once dead, are now made alive to be His workmanship!This week, as we look to Ephesians chapter 2:11-22, Paul continues that thought as he teaches us that, together, we are made one in the person of Jesus Christ.

Every believer, as different and separate that we are in the way we think, live, and act, must be made one, together, in Christ.

Who We Were

Like I mentioned a minute ago, these points are going to sound similar as Paul continues his thoughts from earlier in the chapter, but hang in there with me and it will all come together. As we continue down through this passage, Paul is clear that we were once a certain type of people, he is clear that we were not who God wanted us or created us to be. He is clear that we once were something else.

So, as we look to Ephesians 2, let’s see what the Scripture says about who we were.

Ephesians 2:11–12 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye 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:”

It is clear and certain here that Paul is making a distinction — not a current distinction but one from times past. He says “Remember, you were once called something else by the Jews, you were a people without Christ, foreigners from the Kingdom, strangers to heaven, hopeless and without God.”So, I think it is appropriate to break that down further.

Christless foreigners

Remember, everything Paul is talking about here refers to someone without Christ, someone who is not born again. Someone who, as we learned last week, is still dead in their sins.

He clearly calls unbelievers “Christless foreigners.” What does that mean tho? What does it look like to be a Christless foreigner?It means that you are not right with God. You are alone. You are in sin.

To be without Christ is to be separated from Him now and forever.

Exalting Jesus in Ephesians Christless (2:12a)

To be separated from Christ personally, that is, separated from His salvation, is to be “excluded from the life of God” (

Again, Paul goes on to say that those without Christ are foreigners, the KJV uses the term aliens. In other words, they were not created to be a part of God’s people and although Christ remedied that with His sacrifice, they have not chosen to become citizens yet. They are outside of the gates so to say.

Remember, fellow Christians, this is who you were. Who you were without Christ … do you remember it? Do you remember being a Christless foreigner? Likely, what this leads to is what lead you to Christ because when you are a Christless foreinger, you are hopeless and Godless.

Hopeless and Godless

Paul is pretty clear that as a people seperated from Christ, we were hopeless and Godless.

This reality hits everyone differently, but when you realize that you are without any hope and far from our loving God, chances are it will cause a change in your life. Many people come to Christ when they realize that they are without hope and far from the Creator.

There is no hope apart from Christ. This is a tragic reality, one you must believe. Like last week, you must ask “Who was I without Christ?” Be reminded of it. Be reminded how far God has brought you!

What Christ Has Done

Then, you must stop and realize what Christ has done!

Ephesians 2:13–18 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

You have been given the opportunity to be near to God. You are near to God as a follower. Not because of what you have done, but because of the goodness and work of Jesus Christ on the cross. When I was little, I mean baby little, I was often inconsolable. I cried and cried and screamed and screamed pretty much all of the time — ask Granny, Papaw, and Robin. However, when I was brought near, held close, by Papaw or Robin (sorry Granny). It calmed me down. It reassured me. It brought me peace. This is what happens when we draw near to God. All because of what Christ has done. So, let’s break it down.

Christ Has Brought Us Peace

That is the first thing we see in verse 14. Not only has Christ given us peace, He brought us peace through Himseld for He is peace! Our peace must come from Him for He is peace incarnate.

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Do you need peace in your life? Cling to Christ, the prince of Peace Himself.

Christ has Made Us One

Paul goes on to make sure we know that Christ has made us one!

In Christ, there is now no Jew and Gentile. No Citizen and Foreigner in the kingdom of God. Rather, we are all grafted in to the promise and are all made to be sons and daughters of the king. He tore down the wall of hostility between us and made us to be one cohesive family. But, who is in this family? Born again believers of God. No matter where you came from or what your background is — when you are born again, you are welcomed in.

Paul was clear in the first part of this passage that it is not about our flesh, our ethnicity, our nation, or our language. It is about Christs’ work on the cross as He united us together. We are all reconciled to God. Point blank.

Christ Has Preached Peace

Verse 17 then states that through this process, Christ has continued to preach peace. This goes far beyond the sermons Christ preached on earth.

Rather, this is a clear picture of the peace that Christ preached as part of His work on the cross. Because of what Christ did on the cross, we can have peace. This is how He preaches peace still today. He preaches peace to each of us as we draw near to Him. And to those who reject Him, He wants to preach peace still yet. Then He uses you and I to proclaim the peace He offers to a peace-less world

Christ Has Given All Access to God

He rounds this part out with Ephesians 2:18 “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

It is clear that each person who lives on this planet has real and true access to God the Father through the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. This goes beyond salvation, this is about sustenance too! We have all inclusive access to the Father 24/7 through prayer!

Exalting Jesus in Ephesians Christ Has Given Us Access to God (2:18)

This is what prayer is about. Prayer is conversation with the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit

Who Are We Now?

So, who are we now?

Ephesians 2:19–22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

NOW Paul says, you are citizens of God’s kingdom!

Citizens of God’s Kingdom

We are no longer refugees trying to flee the pain and hopelessness of this world, we are true citizens of God’s kingdom right here and now! As citizens, we have privileges to talk to the King any and all of the time.

We have a brother and sisterhood of believers.

We have a full-time guide to lead us in our life.

We no longer need to feel vulnerable, but bold as we work for Christ as His citizens.

Members of God’s Family

More personally than that, we are members of God’s Family!

Citizens of a kingdom have certain privileges, yes. But, members of a family have so many more! And, we get to be both!

Exalting Jesus in Ephesians Members of God’s Family (2:19b)

How are we one family? We have the same Father. Paul just made that point in 2:18. We have access to “the Father.” We are adopted children, as Paul asserted in 1:5. The church is made up of adopted brothers and sisters. We have responsibilities in the family. We are one family, each fulfilling his role, bringing glory to our Father (

Exalting Jesus in Ephesians Members of God’s Family (2:19b)

The church is not a building we go to or an event we attend. The church is family, living life together on mission. Be careful not to treat the church as a hotel—visiting a place occasionally, giving a tip if you are served well. Rather, see the church as part of your Christian identity, and understand that we all have a role in God’s household.

Stones in God’s Temple

Paul then uses this neat metaphor to show just how well we have to work together as he calls us stones in the Temple of God.

In other words, as Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, or the stone that holds everything together and sets the course for the building, we are the stones He uses to complete the building. We are the church, members of one body, stones in one building, working together for the good of the Cornerstone. When one stone leaves, the rest are in danger. Treat each other well and work together for the glory of God.

What Do We Do Now?

So, what does all of this mean? What do we do now that we know this information?

Remember How Far Gone You Were

First you have to remember just how far from God you were. Whether you lived “right” or lived “wrong” without Christ you were a sinner, a foreigner, bound for Hell eternally. You were as far as the addict, the murderer, the fill-in-the-blank. Never forget that. Never forget that Christ has done more than just help you, He has radically changed you!

Realize How Far He Has Brought You

Part of that will lead you to realizing just how far God has brought you! If you were that far from God (and you were) how close are you now? That chasm that separated you and Him as been crossed by God Himself as He strives to bring you near to Him!

This should fill you with gratitude.

Lead Others Boldly To This Way Of Life

If you recognize these things to be true, then boldly lead others to this way of life. Don’t shy away from the challenge, for God will guide you. Trust in Him and lead others to do the same.

Lead with your voice, your testimony, your understanding of the Word. Let God fill in your gaps. Share what Christ has done in you and let God use your voice and boldness. If you believe that what you have is really a good thing, don’t you want others to know about it too?