Belonging to God's Family

1. Introduction

Well I wonder if you’ve ever joined any clubs or societies growing up. scouts, footy clubs, recently i saw a bloke wearing an anti-social social club shirt. wonder what that kind of club would be like. Well when I started university there were lots of clubs and societies you could join. I reckon I signed up for 5 groups only ever went to one. The chocolate club, because lets face it, who doesn’t like chocolate. The FMAA accounting club – no thanks. The Coffee Appreciation club - should’ve joined that one. But I joined the CU. Christian Union at Melbourne University. It was to mature in my faith, reach Uni friends for Jesus. And I got to say, it was great. I look back on it fondly. I learnt lots about God from his word, that flower example from last week I remember Dave Walter preaching on Ephesians 2 on sin, that has always stuck with me. It was great. But here’s the thing, you know, despite how great it was – I always felt a bit like I didn’t belong. I love the people there now, but back then the people were hard to get along with. I was ABC. Australian Born Chinese, but there it was mostly Country folk, nothing against country folk but it was just different. We had different interests, hobbies, personalities. Things that i valued. I felt like I didn’t belong a lot of the time. Friends, It’s important for us to have the sense that we belong, that we have a place don’t we? I wanted to belong. I wanted to fit in. it’s an important part of life isn’t it? To have that sense that we belong, that we have a place.

What about at church? I’ve seen churches with the phrase “a place to belong”. There are churches called Belong Church. But what does it mean to belong in God’s family? Is it the same as a club or a society?

Context/link: Friends like last week, today God shows us another contrast – from another angle. The passage reads as another before and after structure. this is how you were, but look what God does. Last week it about how sin separated us from God. But God has made us alive in Christ. God does this by grace. It’s his undeserved free gift. This week, we see that we, Gentiles didn’t belong to God or his people. there was a time when we didn’t belong but God but look at what Christ does. We’re following the same structure as last week you can find it in your outlines.

2. Remember that you did not belong to God’s people (2:11-12)

Firstly remember that you did not belong to God’s people. you want to talk about belonging. There was a time you didn’t even belong. Come with me to verse 11 – Paul wants the Gentile Christians to take a trip down memory lane. Eph. 2:11-12

Ephesians 2:11–12 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.

READ THIS —> Therefore remember – this is the first command in this letter, remember. What are they to 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— 12 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.

Remember that you didn’t belong to God or to God’s people. Remember there was a wall that you couldn’t scale. A wall bigger than the great wall of China. This wall divided the Jews and Gentiles. It’s a big theme in Ephesians. The Jews and the Gentiles and what God has done to unite them.

Let’s be clear here. The fact is, the Gentiles hated God. And they hated God’s people. Don’t think Gentiles were good folk God just happened to overlook. And on the other side, God did not choose Israel because they were good. No, God just chose a lowly insignificant people just because. He just loved them. That’s why he chose them.

so look at verse 11, notice the Jews are called the circumcision. It’s made by hands, the procedure on Jewish baby boys to mark them out as His chosen people. This is right back in Genesis 17:10. This visibly separated the Jews from the Gentiles – notice they are called ‘the uncircumcision,’ non Jews. That’s us. We are gentiles. He is making a clear distinction between the two. Listen to what he’s saying. The Gentiles did not belong to God. Remember that. You and I did not belong.

To add salt to the wound, Look how Gentiles are described. there’s no doubt they didn’t belong. Paul says 4 things in verse 12. Like nailing a hammer hitting nails into a coffin.

Ephesians 2:12 (ESV)

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.

First nail, you were separated from Christ. You weren’t in Christ, with Christ, you were separated. There was no relationship. They did not know Christ. Second nail, you were alienated, you Gentiles were excluded from citizenship. No benefits, no rights. Gentiles yes could live in the land with the Israelites, but they could not enjoy full rights, full citizenship as God’s people. They were unholy and unclean. You weren’t a citizen of Israel. The third nail – they were strangers to the covenants of promise. This is important. Because all the promises made to Abraham, Moses, David – key figures in the Old Testament. These promises do you remember in Genesis 12 of LOB, land, offspring and blessing, that God will be their God, they will be his people sorry Gentiles, it’s not for you. And to sum it up, the final nail in the coffin, you were without hope and without God in the world. Nobodies, no hopers in God’s eyes. You didn’t know the living God. That’s hard to hear. Who likes to hear you’re no hoper? One commentator puts it well: We were Christless, stateless, friendless, hopeless and godless

And Paul sums it all up with one word in verse 13, can you spot it? Far. You were once far off. You were far. Further than scaling the great wall of china. Did you know that’s taken over 1800 years to build? It’s over 21,000km. That’s 12 times from Melbourne to Sydney up and back. That’s far. but here you can’t even measure the distance. This gigantic chasm between us Gentiles and God cannot be measured. It’s that far.

Remember, Gentile Christian that you did not belong. You were far away from God, far away from his people. separated. alienated. Excluded . not a part of God’s covenant promises. No hopers. Without God. Could it be any clearer? you don’t belong.

theres nothing worse as a kid not being picked for a team, captains picking a team and you are left on the bench. and as offensive as it might sound, without Jesus we are not invited to the party. Isn’t it a bit painful when all your mates are invited to a birthday party and you get left out? no invite. We did not belong.

3. But now in Jesus we belong in God’s family (2:13-22)

But now, a great turn of events. the same word we saw last week – remember last week we were dead in sin but now we are made alive together in Christ. Here, we didn’t belong to God or his people, but now in Christ Jesus, we belong in God’s family. We’re one family. Come to verse 13. Jesus changes everything. He brings us near.

Ephesians 2:13 ESV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

How are the Gentiles brought near? It’s by the blood of Jesus. That’s all you need to go from death to life. Jesus’ blood shed on the cross for your sin, your rebellion against God. And it’s all God’s work. You plural, you all, yall have been brought near. and the verb is passive. You’re not active in this. God brings you near. how? Christ blood on the cross. But what does he achieve by his blood? Jesus brings peace. But how does it work? Look at verse 14 - he abolishes the law

Ephesians 2:14–15 (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,

Jesus, in his flesh by his blood, He abolishes, puts an end to the law with its commandments and regulations. Like those signs you see people hold up at protests “End Abortion, or stop racism” put an end to these horrible things. But Jesus by his blood it’s like he holds up a sign that says “The law is abolished.” Unlike abortion and racism, Jesus has actually accomplished this. it’s done.

But how does this work? Step back with me for a moment, Paul here is talking about the law of Moses. This was the way the Jews related to God. This distinguished them from the Gentiles. It was based on a covenant. A promise. It’s a binding covenant God made with the Jews. This covenant included all sorts of laws, all types of regulations – read through Leviticus but there’s laws about circumcision, food laws, ceremonial laws, 613 laws. God will be their God, but they needed to come to him on his gracious terms. They had to obey his law.

So when Jesus came he set aside these laws. The fact is, they couldn’t keep it. The Old Testament is full of Israel’s disobedience to the law. Yet This is was God’s plan. He would send his son Jesus. Jesus would bring in a new covenant. The law could not save God’s people. It showed them they were sinners. They needed a Saviour. As part of God’s plan, he sent his own son Jesus. Jesus fully obeyed the law. He never disobeyed his Father. So, when Jesus died and rose again, he fulfilled, he set aside, he abolished the law. The whole system, the 10 commandments, all 613 laws set aside. Abolished. Done away with. There’s no need to keep them. Now, there’s a whole new way. There’s a new covenant. This new covenant, promised in the Old Testament means there’s forgiveness now by faith in Jesus. In fact, God gives his people the holy Spirit. This means we can belong as God’s people forever. This is all done by Jesus as he set aside in his flesh the law, its commands and regulations.

Why did Jesus do this? To create one people.

Look at verse 15 second half, it’s just so wonderful. This is the purpose of why he set aside the law,

Ephesians 2:15–16 (ESV)

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.

Jesus has brought peace. He abolishes the law through his life, death and resurrection. Why did he do this? So that he might create in himself one new man. It’s not Jew and Gentile. it’s now Christian. Jesus has torn it down the wall of hostility between these two groups. You might be thinking, Jew and Gentile hostility? What’s the big deal? THE TRUTH IS, THEY hated each other. Jews would hold a funeral service if a Jew married a gentile because they were loss to them. We don’t need to get into the history of anti-semitism. But Jesus has brought peace.

So, You don’t need to be Jewish, a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob eat kosher food to be right with God. That’s in the past. Now, anyone can be part of this new covenant By faith. This is huge. It’s a big big deal.

And this means for us we all belong to God’s family. it doesn’t matter if you are Italian or Vietnamese, Ghanian or Australian, Serbian or Croatia, we can all belong to God because of Jesus. Jesus came to preach peace to you who were far – people like us. Gentiles. God has brought us near. The offers there for you. we want inner peace, world peace, peaceful relationships. Peace is staring us in the face, Jesus Christ. Call on him as your lord and saviour and you will have peace with God. you will belong to him. Friends this peace comes not just to those who are far, but those near – the Jews. Jews today spend time waiting for the Messiah but we find him here in God’s Word. verse 18

Ephesians 2:18 ESV

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

We all can belong in God’s family. We all have access to God our Father . So, have you found peace with God by trusting in Jesus? Have you put your faith in him? You want to belong in God’s family? You want peace? Trust in Jesus.

What have we seen? Remember we were far away, we Gentiles were not part of God’s family but now in Christ Jesus we’ve been brought near. Jesus death and resurrection. We’re now one family.

This is your status. GEe what a big difference Jesus makes. Paul tells us what we are now. its the complete opposite of verses 11 and 12. it’s encouraging.

Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV

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.

Look at the contrast between the beginning and end of this passage.

You were separated from Christ – but now see there you are members of God’s household

You were alienated from the commonwealth of Israel – you’re not an alien anymore – you know what I mean, you have citizenship it’s wonderful isn’t it?

You were strangers to the covenants of promise – you’re not a stranger, these promises belong to you

You had no hope and no God – Jesus is our cornerstone, the foundation stone – God is our hope. He’s our father.

What a great God we have. full citizenship. we belong.

Citizenship illustration:

My mate Melissa was in Wuhan when the virus was first starting to spread. we studied at the same Theological College up in Sydney. She’s went visit family and friends after college. We’d finished 4 years of college. It was her celebration. What a celebration that was, not. It was stressful. As the virus is spreading, she needed to evacuate. She had to get out right. She reflects on how good it was to be an Aussie citizen. Getting evacuated by the Australian Government was such an experience of God’s grace and the blessing of being an Aussie citizen. We just had to call DFAT – the department of foreign affairs and trade, register our details and say help! I asked her, how’d you feel when you got onto that flight. She says “I’m saved!” Mel reflects on how being a citizen of Australia means she had security, benefits, lifted out of a disaster zone when the Qantas plane took off from the Wuhan airport. I never felt more appreciative of holding an Aussie passport! The thing is, Mel’s Asian. She goes I felt no discrimination. It didn’t matter that I looked Asian, I had my Aussie passport, it was all good. I was safe.

Friends in Christ we belong to God. we’re citizens and members of God’s household, citizens of heaven. more than that, We are a people who transcend time and death and even this earth. We are gathered around Jesus in the heavenly realms. He is our cornerstone. the key piece that holds the building together. The apostles and prophets who taught us about Jesus – they are the foundation. And now we are part of the building, part of the temple, part of the one family as fully fledged members. We are the people of God.

I hope you can see the difference Jesus makes. Without Jesus we don’t belong. That was our status. We don’t belong to God’s people. without hope and without God. It was terrible. But because of God’s amazing grace, Jesus has come. He has fulfilled and abolished the old covenant. With Jesus we all belong. Jesus has established the new covenant by his death and resurrection. we are Reconciled to God, Reconciled to his people, fully acceptable, completely accepted. We belong to God’s new covenant people. We know we belong because we have God’s Spirit. Understand that we are in the eternal family of God.

4. Implications

So how does this passage change us as a church at EPC? two implications.

4.1 We all belong because of Jesus

This means that we all belong because of Jesus. He has abolished the law by his flesh. There’s no more Jew and Gentile division. In fact, God sees no division between any one anymore. it’s just not how he looks at us. what matters is if you trust in His Son Jesus Christ, had your sins forgiven, restored in a relationship with God. Friends, God has brought us together as one family. We belong. So there is no need to put up walls and divide over things. We do that all the time. Young and old. Culture – I’m Chinese, I’m African, I’m American, denomination i’m Presbyterian i’m Anglican. These are superficial divisions. What matters is this: we’re all one in Christ saved by the same blood of Jesus. so if you are Single or married, educated or uneducated, and the issue of our current time, vaccinated or unvaccinated. these are wisdom issues, but you belong by faith in Jesus. my issue as young uni student was that i didn’t get this. intellectually i knew Jesus died for my sins, we can all be saved. but i still defined how i belonged by my interests, hobbies, culture. It was based on how i felt, how I fit in based on my categories. It’s worldly. but here’s the truth. Jesus death and a resurrection means we are all part of God’s family. All who trust in him. We all belong by faith in Jesus. when you know this truth, it frees you to welcome all people. You don’t choose your family, you love them as they are. So let’s not focus on what divides but let’s the praises of the one who saved us. Yes it’s messy. we’re all works in progress, we sin. but let this truth shape your life. we all belong because of Jesus, who died and rose again to make one new man - unite us as a family in Christ.

4.2 We belong to God’s people

Secondly, what God’s taught me this week is profound. i hope you get this. Yes, the reality is I, you individually belong because of God’s amazing grace. But friends, together , we already belong in the heavenlies, in the temple of God. And this means We’re part of something bigger than ourselves. Our church here is visible earthly representation, the local church shows the world Jesus has won. Friends, we’re part of God’s family. Right here at EPC. you’re not just saved to be on your own. you’re saved into the body of Christ. into a family. here look to your left, look to your right this is your family in Christ. this is where you belong. family care for each other. family love each other. family don’t spectate they get into the nitty gritty of life. We are not a club or society, this is family. and family, this church family God saved you into this local church at this time. So let’s live like family and love each other. very practically It means we’re not just serving because someone put us on a roster, we serve joyfully the King of Kings and Lord of Lords our brothers and sisters in Christ. We’re not just doing a favor for someone, we’re loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. What a privilege. Yes it’s tiring, but what a joy. Together, we are God’s people – he saved us into a family. We don’t just go to church – this is not spectator sport - We belong to Jesus he died for the church to make one new family.

Brothers and sisters, God is so good. Remember we were far away, no hopers but in Christ Jesus we belong in God’s family. Please pray with me as I pray for us.

Let’s pray