Unified in Christ

Introduction

Summarize:

There are two distinct peoples that are both in full error before God. Jews and Gentiles have been set against one another since the founding of Israel.

A significant part of our repentance of sin is the joining of the church family.

Exposition

Ephesians 2:14–16 ESV

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.

Author: Paul

Audience: All the Saints

Content: Peace is brought from God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross

Context: We are to be unified in our devotion to Christ.

Comparison: James 4:1-10

Explanation

Ephesians 2:14 ESV

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

He Himself is our peace

Transition from v11 “you Gentiles” to OUR and US

who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.

Jew and Gentile were as much at odds as the sinner toward God

Ephesians 2:15 ESV

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,

How has he removed the divisions?

By abolishing the former law (lit. “make inoperable”)

The law still exposes sin, but is completed in Jesus

One new man?

Previously the Jew held to the law

The Gentile was unconcerned with the law

This caused division

One new body is in Christ, united by salvation through the cross.

Also, obedient to Christ together, not as a following of the written law, but by work of the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:16 ESV

and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Not only is hostility toward one another to be slain, but the hostility between man and God.

Consider Matt 5:9

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Our peace with one another is meant to be an evidence of our peace with God.

James 4:1–3 ESV

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Application

The cross makes us a people of unity

God stops our warring with a word:

Psalm 46:8–10 ESV

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

The cross makes us a people of holiness

Jesus during the sermon on the mount addresses: anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, showing love to the undeserving, praying for your enemies. He exposes our carnal minds.

Matthew 5:48 ESV

48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1 Peter 1:14–16 ESV

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

The cross makes us a people of prayer

Luke 19:45–46 ESV

45 And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

Our Response

Wednesday nights: “Set Apart for Christ” Bible study and a time of prayer