United in Christ
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Therefore Remember
Therefore Remember
Therefore:
Therefore:
o While we were dead in our trespasses God made us alive together with Christ
o By Grace we were saved, not of our own works
o We are created in Christ for good works
REMEMBER:
REMEMBER:
o In other words – don’t take this for granted.
o We were called “the uncircumcision” by what was called the circumcision.
§ Made in the flesh by hands
§ More in a minute…
§ This was a necessary division because of our human weaknesses
§ Not because a lack of love that God has for gentiles
o We were separated from Christ
o We were alienated from the commonwealth
o We were strangers to the covenants of promise.
o We had no hope
o We didn’t have God
But Now in Christ Jesus (13-18)
But Now in Christ Jesus (13-18)
You were once far off having been brought near by the blood of Christ
You were once far off having been brought near by the blood of Christ
o We know the Christ’s sacrifice paid for our sins, made us acceptable to God
o But it also did so much more.
o We were far off but now we are near to God
o Now we belong…
He himself is our peace.
He himself is our peace.
o We do not have a relationship with a representation of God through the essence of Christ.
§ We know THE God because of Jesus THE Christ who died for our sins and gave the gift of The Holy Spirit.
o Jesus Himself is our peace
o Broken down in the flesh the dividing wall of hostility…
§ God, through Christ, took a human division and made a deep spiritual connection.
o Abolishing the Law?
§ Important: “The law of commandments expressed in ordinances.”
· Mosaic law – which brought condemnation.
· Jesus now is our ordinance.
· Reconciling us both to God (v16)
o In one body
o Thereby killing the hostility
o ALL CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE are together in one body.
§ We not there because of our holiness.
§ We are not there because of our nationality.
§ WE do not deserve to be there.
§ We are there because God loves us all.
· We both have access to God by the SAME Spirit. (vv18)
So then
So then
No longer strangers and aliens
No longer strangers and aliens
o Fellow citizens with the saints
§ Fellow meaning the same as, equal to
o Members of the household of God
§ We no longer approach as outsiders
Built on the (same) foundation of the apostles and prophets
Built on the (same) foundation of the apostles and prophets
o Not a similar yet equal body but built onto the SAME body of Christ.
o Think about tor deep history.
o The Gospel story stretches back to the beginning of time and so we find our history.
o We are not some kind of spiritual science project, or some afterthought.
· We have a shared purpose
o Joined together (the whole structure meaning all people belonging to God)
o We are to grow into a Holy Temple in the Lord.
§ We are where God is
· Here is the point:
o At one time the best we all could be was a special interest group
§ When our life was over…it was over.
o But now we are a part of the body of Christ
DOES YOUR LIFE REFLECT AN UNDErSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR THAT SINGLE TRUTH?
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body
And be thankful.” -
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.