Through Ephesians -04 - Let the Walls fall down

Reading: Eph 2:11-22

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility

Ephesians 2:14 (NIV)

Intro:

   Racism and denominationalism are the two giants that we have never been able to slay — according to coach Bill McCarty, head of the PK movement. One of the 7 promises of a Promise Keeper is to “Reach beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.”

   But is that right? Is it Biblical? Paul answers that question in no uncertain terms in this passage.

I. Our Divisions are in the Past (vv.11-12)

   A.   Excluded by Definition

      1.   Before Jesus came into our lives we were “out” as far as God was concerned.

      2.   Even God’s chosen people didn’t have an automatic in, and we weren’t even one of those!

      3.   Double exclusion: alienated from God and alienated from the people of God.

   B.   Exclusion based on Externals

      1.   We didn’t measure up to human performance standards.

      2.   Oh but how we use externals to exclude others: African Americans, Asians, Jews, Middle East, denominational affiliation.

   C.   No promise, no hope, no God

      1.   Before Jesus came into the picture we were all lost causes.

      2.   We were separate from God and therefore excluded from all God was doing.

      3.   We were excluded from God’s people. God wasn’t even working on us.

II.   Jesus’ Blood unites us all. (vv.13-18)

   A.   Jesus’ Blood redefines Reality

      1.   Suddenly everyone comes together under the blood of Jesus. (Paul’s big “but”)

      2.   There is only one blood that saves and it saves everyone in the same way!

   B.   Jesus Destroys the Externals (v.15)

      1.   Jesus atoning sacrifice does away with the need for the entire Jewish ceremonial system and all that accompanied it: regulations of ceremonial cleanness/un-cleanness, the mark of ceremonial cleannes: circumcision, and therefore separation of Israel as a nation from the other nations.

      2.   Jesus destroys the dividing wall of hostility

          a.    In the temple was a court for only priests surrounded by a court for only male Jews, surrounded by a court for only Jews (the women’s court). These were all on the same level. 5 steps down was a wall and 14 more steps was the court of gentiles. On the wall were inscriptions that forbade gentiles from entering under penalty of death.

          b.   Incidentally, this gentile court was were the noisy temple commerce was taking place the day Jesus drove the money changers out. These merchants were thoughtlessly intruding upon the gentiles closest access to God’s presence in the temple. But that’s another story.

   C.   Jesus Reconciles us all to God

      1.   The gentiles who had been “far off” in the gentile court, were “brought near” to God directly through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.

      2.   Preaching peace (shalom) to the “far and near” means offering peace to all.

      3.   There is one way to be reconciled to God and it is exactly the same for Jews and gentiles: through Jesus.

III. Building on Unity. (vv.19-22)

   A.   Our unity is a Given!

      1.   Unity with other believers is not something to achieve but something to receive.

      2.   The black folks getting their churches burned, the hispanic pentecostals, the folks at the Assembly church down the road, folks in traditional and contemporary churches, folks in house churches and cathedrals -- these are our brothers and sisters because we are all members of God’s household (v.19).

      3.   When Paul adds built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone, we should undertand that he’s talking about unity with those who affirm the message of the apostles: that the one way to salvation is through grace by faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

   B.   Only one Building

      1.   We’ve got lots of buildings now.

          a.    And why don’t we just admit that some of the biggest differences are merely of emphasis and style.

          b.   And even those theological differences that do exist, most of them are about secondary issues.

      2.   One building for those who measure up to the externals and for those who don’t, but love God anyway.

      3.   Alger is doing well here:

          a.    e.g., contemporary vs. traditional worship styles:

          b.   Many different church backgrounds.

          c.    Many different family situations.

          d.   More than just Dutch!

   C.   The building where God Lives

      1.   The place where God is breaking down walls, that’s where God lives.

      2.   Unity is one of the signs of the coming of the Kingdom!

The Bottom Line:

Our Unity in Christ compels us to Let Go of all of our differences.