Jesus Christ Our Peace

This world likes to think that if we could get rid of guns, if we could train people not to be violent, or hate, or show anger and aggression than we would have a peaceful world.

They believe that with the right training and mindset we can have peace on this earth…but they are wrong.

The problem isn’t anger, or aggression or hate. The problem is sin. And there is only one way to deal with sin and that is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Only when people accept Jesus’ sacrifice for sin can there be peace.

Paul says that Christ is our peace.

This means that if you don’t believe the truth about Jesus Christ, He cannot be your peace!

Paul not only says that Christ is our peace, but He tells us how Christ accomplished peace.

Paul says that Christ has made both one. What is Paul talking about? Both of what are made one?

Paul is talking about Jews and Gentiles in this passage. Paul says that Jesus Christ is our peace and one of the ways He is our peace is because He made Jews and Gentiles one.

Christ broke down the middle wall of partition, the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles. Peace is made through the destruction of that wall.

Jesus broke down the hostility and anger that existed between Jews and Gentiles (further explained in v.15), and He did this by making them one.

This ties in to what Paul said in verse 13, you who were far off are made near.

There was a barrier to unity between Jews and gentiles; a wall that we will be told in verse 15 was caused by the hostility the law created.

We have barriers today, racism, parentage, looks, social status, and monetary advantages.

What Paul is saying is that salvation breaks down these barriers! This destruction of barriers brings peace.

As believers in Christ, we are one! Paul makes this clear in (p. 1339).

(p. 1339)

Galatians 3:26–28 NKJV

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

If we claim to be Christians today than the color of people’s skin, who their parents are, what they look like, how much money they make these things shouldn’t matter!

What matters is if they know the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior.

Paul says that Christ is our peace. How is He our peace? By breaking down the barriers, and bringing unity.

READ v. 15

The Greek phrasing in vv. 14-15 make it clear that the enmity or hostility here is referring to the wall that was broken down.

Paul is saying that the wall was the hostility and enmity of the Jews and Gentiles for one another.

The enmity is not the law! The law caused this enmity but the law is not the enmity.

When Paul says that Christ abolished the enmity even the law of commandments contained in ordinances what that means is that the enmity, or hostility, was removed because that law was rendered inoperable.

Christ Abolished the enmity. He destroyed it.

Abolished – καταργέω (katargeō) abolish; set aside; wipe out. To inactivate v. — to cause something to become idle, inactive, inoperative, or useless. Verb, aorist, active, circumstantial participle, singular, nominative, masculine.

Abolished – καταργέω (katargeō)

Christ by His sacrifice on the cross removed this enmity because he made the way of salvation possible without the keeping of the law.

That’s what Paul is taking about when he says the law of commandments contained in ordinances.

That is what the law was, it was commandments that were contained in a list of do’s and don’ts.

Because the Jews tried to keep the law and the Gentiles didn’t, there was hostility between the two.

Christ by His sacrifice on the cross removed this enmity because he made the way of salvation possible without the keeping of the law.

Why did Christ do this?

The end of verse15. To make = to create. One new man,

The Bible Knowledge Commentary puts it this way.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:15–16

In the church, Gentiles do not become Jews, nor do Jews become Gentiles. Instead believing Jews and Gentiles become Christians, a whole new single entity.

Peace comes because Jesus Christ removed the law!

Christ made in Himself one new man ( not time but quality) and because we are new old things are passed away and now Jews and Gentiles are one and there is peace.

Paul says there was a barrier between Jews and Gentiles, but Jesus Christ took it down.

If we want peace, we must seek it in Christ alone.

One of the problems today is that we separate over things that are not important and we refuse to separate over the important issues.

Compromise doctrine vs. music & translations.

If we want peace, we must seek it in Christ alone.

Peace only comes when barriers are destroyed.

What barriers in our lives are preventing peace?

Christ is our peace. When we trust Him alone, peace fills our lives. Sing with me

#409 “I Know Whom I Have Believed” (vv. 1-2)

We know Who we believe in. What we commit to Him, He keeps. That brings us peace.

Christ provides peace through destruction. What separated us has been destroyed!

Christ also provides…

2. Peace Through Reconciliation v. 16

You see crosses everywhere today.

You see musicians wearing them; you see them in tattoos and on buildings.

I have even seen crosses on advertisements!

Every time I see a cross it makes me wonder if the person wearing it, or using it to advertise, do they really know what it means?

In this verse Paul shows that the Cross is vital for peace.

READ v. 16

Paul says that Christ’s goal is to reconcile Jews and Gentiles to God in one body. And He does this by the cross.

How does an instrument that essentially tortures you to death reconcile us to God?

To answer that, we need to discuss reconciliation.

ἀποκαταλλάσσω (apokatallassō) reconcile. To reconcile back v. — to reconcile, perhaps emphasizing the restoration of the previously harmonious relationship. Finite verb, aorist, active, subjunctive, third person, singular.

ἀποκαταλλάσσω (apokatallassō)

The first three letters of the Greek, apo, are a preposition meaning “to restore to a condition that had been lost.”

And the rest of the word, katallasso, means “to reconcile those that are at variance.”

The idea is that there was a time when mankind was in a different relationship to God and the cross of Christ restores us to that relationship.

Sin places us at opposition to God, but the cross changes that.

Because Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself and took our punishment on the cross we are able to come to the Lord.

When we believe on the Lord there ceases to be Jew and Gentile and becomes only the body of Christ and as the body of Christ we are reconciled to God through what Christ accomplished on the cross.

One of the reasons for making Jews and Gentiles one was to reconcile them to God as one new unique body. This was accomplished by the Cross.

Many people today want us to believe that we can be reconciled to God through whatever means we choose.

It is almost as if they believe that as long as we believe in something God will be ok with us.

But Paul teaches that only those who are one in Christ can be reconciled to God.

What are you trusting in to reconcile you to God?

The body of Christ is able to have unity because we are one in Christ through what He accomplished on the Cross. It is the cross that reconciles Jews and gentiles in one body to God.

The “enmity” that is put to death exists between God and mankind.

Enmity – ἔχθρα (echthra) enmity. Hostility, a state of deep-seated ill-will.

Enmity – ἔχθρα (echthra)

This refers to the extreme ill will or hatred that exists between enemies.

The Cross destroys this.

Why was there enmity between God and man? says (S).

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The just reward, the penalty for sin is death. Because of the sin of Adam and Eve each of us is born with a sin nature, and we all sin.

Sin separates us from God and leaves us deserving of punishment and wrath.

But God’s mercy and love leads Him to send us a savior, that savior is Jesus Christ.

And He saves us because He died on the cross bearing our sins.

Because of what Christ did God doesn’t hold our sin against us…He forgives it. But only if we believe in Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18–20 NKJV

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Because of what Christ did God doesn’t hold our sin against us…He forgives it, but only if we believe in Jesus Christ.

We read this in (p. 1353).

(p. 1353)

Colossians 1:19–22 NKJV

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

It is Jesus Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross for our sin that makes us acceptable to God.

So ultimately it is the cross that destroys the enmity between God and us. And it is the cross that makes it possible for Jews and Gentiles to be one body in Jesus Christ.

So we see very clearly that Without the cross of Christ there can be no peace.

Some think minimize cross = peace. Because the Cross is offensive. So, if we get rid of it, there will be peace.

The cross is essential to peace.

It is in Christ Jesus that we find peace.

Only those reconciled to God have peace.

This world is craving peace, and it’s not seeing peace in the church.

It see’s us at war with one another and plagued by worry and fear. Don’t let that be true of you!

Seek the peace of the cross, the peace that comes through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Sing with me

#409 “I Know Whom I Have Believed” (vv. 3-4)

The one we have trusted, through whom we have been reconciled to God, He brings us peace.

He destroys the barriers between us and God.

He brings us into a right relationship.

Finally, Christ provides…

3. Peace Through Connection vv. 17-18

This world tries to tell us that we can find peace by eliminating negative things and emphasizing the positive.

We are told that toleration is the key to peace.

And yet, the one thing that they will never tolerate is the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

You can believe in anything else you want; but if you believe in Christ you will be labeled as an intolerant hater.

The reality that they are missing is that Belief in Jesus Christ is the only basis for peace!

READ v. 17

Once the enmity was slain by the cross, Christ preached peace to those far off (gentiles, us) and to those who were near (Jews).

This shows very clearly that God is no respecter of persons.

All are able to come to know the Lord! Paul makes this point in (p. 1303).

(p. 1303)

Romans 10:8–13 NKJV

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

These verses make it very clear that anyone can come to Christ, there is no difference between Jew or Greek, not with God.

This world would have you to believe that Christians are racist or chauvinistic or homophobic, but a Christian who truly follows Christ simply views all of humanity as guilty of sin and equally in need of a savior.

In Christ Jesus everyone is equal.

All of us are sinners and in need of a Savior. He saves us all exactly the same way, by grace through faith.

READ v. 18

This is such an awesome promise.

Earlier in the chapter Paul describes Gentiles as those without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise; without hope, and without God.

Now, not only have they been brought near, they have access to the Father. Hallelujah!

This is talking about you and me!

Before we came to know the Lord sin had separated us from God!

Now through Jesus Christ we have access by one spirit to God!

Remember verse 13? The far off are brought near. We are given admission to God’s presence, given the ability to approach Him.

Jesus Christ, by His death, has provided us access. (S).

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Christ through His death on the cross has made both reconciliation and access to God possible.

Because of our connection to Christ we have the Spirit and we have access to the Father.

Our connection to Christ gives us peace with God.

There is only one source of peace, Jesus.

One day we will experience the total peace that He brings. Sing with me

#105 “He Is Lord” (chorus)

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 #530 “Saved, Saved!” (chorus)

Saved by His pow'r divine Saved to new life sublime Life now is sweet And my joy is complete For I'm saved saved saved

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 #191 “There Is Power In The Blood” (chorus)

There is power power Wonder working power In the blood of the Lamb There is power power Wonder working power In the precious blood of the Lamb

Conclusion

Jesus Christ has removed all the barriers between people groups and made it possible for us to be part of the body of Christ.

Peace is knowing that Christ has made us one.

Peace is centered on truth, the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

[1] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 626.

Peace exists because of the cross; it is the cross that destroys the enmity and reconciles us to God.

The only way to find peace is in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

If we hold to the truth there will be unity and peace.

It is our connection to Jesus that gives us peace with God.

Only when we have peace with God are we able to experience the peace of God.

If you are experiencing a lack of peace, come to Jesus.

Jesus Christ is our peace.

#493 “It Is Well With My Soul”

Ephesians 2:14–18 NKJV

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

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