Rags to Riches

Introduction

We closed last week with , “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

As we begin today, I want you to remember that we are God’s workmanship, and He specifically designed you and me for the work he prepared for us to do.

If you have your Bibles, turn with me to and we’ll begin reading with verse 11.

Ephesians 2:11-

Ephesians 2:11–13 NIV84

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Gentiles

Formerly

1

Gentiles by birth.

Called “uncircumcised”

Separated from Jesus.

Excluded from citizenship.

Foreigners to God’s covenants and promises.

Without hope.

Without God!

But Now

In Christ Jesus

Brought near to God.

Christ Is:

Ephesians 2:14-

Ephesians 2:14–15 NIV84

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,

Our peace!

He made 2-1—Jews and Gentiles together.

He destroyed the barrier/dividing wall of hostility.

Ephesians 2:16 NIV84

and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Ephesians 2:16-

Ephesians 2:16–18 NIV84

and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Jesus’ Purpose

Reconcile both Jew and Gentile to God!

To put to death racial hostility!

To preach peace to both.

To give all men access to God the Father.

Gentiles Now

Ephesians 2:18–22 NIV84

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

No longer foreigners and aliens.

Now fellow citizens with God’s people.

Members of God’s household.

Built on a firm foundation:

The Apostles (New Testament)

The Prophets (Old Testament)

Jesus as the Cornerstone

God is NOT finished yet!

So What?

In the first century there a tremendous amount of racism. The Gentiles did not like the Jews, and the Jews did not like the Gentiles.

Then you add to this, that the Romans believed they were supreme, and superior. The Jews still considered themselves to be God’s chosen people.

Jesus came to take the Gentiles (Romans, and everyone else who was not a Jew) and the Jews and abolish the wall of hostility that stood between them.

Today, Jesus desires to abolish the racism that exists in the world today. Many will say to me, “But wait, we’ve been hurt for years by the others.”

And Jesus has come to remove racism in the world today.