Life Together Pt. V (2)

Once Separated, Now United

Introduction: Fish and the Monkey

Ephesians 2:11–22 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Remember- Look Back (11-12 )

Gentiles- Nations

Separated

aliens

strangers

No hope

But now- Look Presently (13-18)

Now in Christ Jesus

from far to near- Used to be way out here. Outsiders brought in (inside jokes)

from enmity to peace- Enemies brought about reconciliation. Peace is the way things are supposed to be. Temple separated- Jews and Gentiles. Court of the gentiles. Kept out of the temple. (John 4:4) No cultural barrier, all included in the ministry of Jesus.

Division to United

Peace with God, peace with one another. Tear down, build up. New creation, new humanity. New society (church)

Head of the human race. Jesus is succeeding where Israel failed, Jesus won. In Jesus, we are a new creation.

Gal 3:28

Ethnicity, society, salary, parents are, what you did, what you didn't do, clothing, money, etc. No classes of Christians- that’s Karl Marx. One in Jesus Christ.

So then- Look forward (19-22)

Images of the church- Reconciliation

Citizens- with the saints of another city. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come (Heb 13:14)

Together we are his temple.

The Church is so important. We can display unity among ethnicity, economics, ages, jobs, etc. Nothing should prohibit us from being united.

We are to display a little bit of heaven on earth. One God reflecting one people.

One God, one people

Questions

Why are people so separated? How has this impacted our society?

What is so significant about the ministry of Jesus? What has he accomplished?

What is one step you can take to unite together as the church? Serve the church? Set aside for the church?