Transforming in Christ

Introduction

Remember Your Former State

Eph 2:11-

Ephesians 2:11–12 NRSV

So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Paul is writing to a Gentile church in Asia minor

Founded on one of his missionary journeys

Spent three years in Ephesus

Reminds them of their former state of separation from God

No relationship

No hope in the covenant

Lacking any identity

This is for us

We are part of this Gentile community

Isolated from God

This is our former state outside of the covenant

This state is what makes the Gospel message so strong

Remember Your Transformation

Ephesians 2:13–18 NRSV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Eph 2:13-

Reminder of the transormation

By the state of our birth, we had no knowledge of God

Only through Christ do we receive knowledge of God

Christ bridges the gap

Removes the division of birth and separation from knowledge of God

Christ brings peace

Not the absence of war or conflict

True holistic peace

The state of unity as one people

Removal of the dividing wall of hostility

This becomes a major stumbling block for us

Are we hostile to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ because we care more about being right than about loving them?

Verse 17

The Gospel to both the Jew and Gentile

Both needed to understand who God is

The Church needs to preach the Gospel to itself

We need the reminder of Christ’s peace

Verse 18

Only through Christ do we have access to the Father

Trinitarian language

The heart of the Gospel

Remember Your New Status

Ephesians 2:19–22 NRSV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Ephesians 2:20–22 NRSV

built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Movement from being strangers and aliens to being citizens of the kingdom

Becoming the building of God

A building requires unity

Cannot be divided

The purpose of the building

The dwelling place of God

True communal relationship with God

Cannot be forgoten

The New Temple

Together as one body