Main Idea: Salvation in Christ turns believer s future from lost and hostile to one of divine unity

Transcription

1 1 Sermon outline Ephesians 2: Main Idea: Salvation in Christ turns believer s future from lost and hostile to one of divine unity and purpose. We get to be with God!! 4-stages of the Gospel for those that believe 1. (Lost & hostile) v , 14b( (2:1, 3b) The Gentile was w/o hope and hostile toward God and His chosen people. 2. (Salvation through Christ) v.13-14a (2:4-5) Faith in Christ reconciled both Jew and Gentle to God by Holy Spirit. 3. (One people) v (Gal 3:28) (Isa 57:18-19) Christ brought peace and unity to his believers. (Jew and Gentile) 4. (Part of God s Holy temple) v (Gal 6:10) (1 Pt 2:4-5) Believers are part of Christ s amazing body/temple, citizens living for the glory of God s purpose through Christ Jesus! Application 1. Are we clear on all that the Gospel of Christ is doing (in this teaching) and can do for all that come to Christ? 2. Have we let our own hostility go unchecked? Do we need to repent and bring peace in any relationships? Is their hostility towards God? Why? How can Christ change that? 3. Do we understand that the biggest gift is that we get a relationship with God!!!! What does and will that look like?

2 2. Sermon notes Temples were all the rage in Rome and in Asia. Temples were the pride of man and their supposed relationship and obedience to their god s. Rome was leading this charge. Baalbek/Heliopolis was the pride of Rome. It was three huge temples with huge granite columns. Jupiter alone had 54 massive granite columns over 60 feet high! This is the cult world Christ came into and this is the cult Gentile world Paul was sharing the Gospel with. So for him to use that which man was most proud of to explain what Christ had done was powerful, dangerous and effective. Paul s first point. 2:11-12 Lost and Hostile The Gospel message reveals that the Gentiles were without hope and did not know God. You are a sinner. Ro 3: 23 6: 23 Vs 11. 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

3 3.vs 12 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 Gentile --All those not Jewish, not circumcised. The uncircumcision 1 Samuel 17:26. When David ask? who is this uncircumcised Philistine/Gentile that he should defy the armies of the living God? This is physical and spiritual. Separated- Alienated from commonwealth of Israel- Vs. 14 claims it is a Wall of Hostility Sin has separated them from God and from God s chosen people. Ro 9:4 to them (Jews) belong the adoption the glory the covenants, the giving of the law, the promises. ON the wall in Jewish temples in the court of men one would find this message inscribed into the stone wall. Whoever is captured will have himself to blame for his subsequent death Eph 2 14b speak of the wall of hostility Vs. 12b Having no hope and without God in the world Lost, no hope of salvation in Christ Jesus. Remember when you had No enlightenment vs. 1:18 Gentiles were left to their own nature, without the hope of God s promises to Abraham, Moses, and David. Eph 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. Lost and Hostile

4 Second Point: alleluia!!! Salvation through Christ Christ on the cross changed everything brought them near to God (and to His people) Vs. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ vs. 17. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Vs. 14 For he himself ( Christ) is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility Jn 3:16 God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.(not just the Jewish people anymore) Preached Peace is peace. Making them Right with God and with each other, both Jew (near) and Gentile (far off). (Both of them) Christ was and is the peace for all mankind The answer to their sin issue is Faith In Christ! Peace came through Christ! Third Point ONE NEW HUMANITY Unity within the body both Jew and Gentile

5 b Who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility Both one- Not Jew or gentile but one spiritual human race in Christ. Only two races, saved non-saved. Broken Down wall of Hostility. Sacrifice on the cross for their sins. The cross paid the price and brought peace and unity within mankind, first with God and then with each other. Peace with God and with each other through redemption in Christ. HOW? Overcoming sin yes, but also Vs. 15 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,.vs 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility (false teachings, false legalism, False Gods.) By abolishing/ fulfilling the law and bringing the covenant of Grace through Christ the Jew and Gentile can come together as one family of God Matt 5:17 Christ came to complete/fulfill / accomplish their purpose (the ordinances.= Statue, task) to make us right with God and each other by Grace through faith. Eph 2:8.

6 6.VS 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. Eph 6:5 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace The Gospel was for both the chosen People and to the lost world. Vs. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. A new Adam, new spirit-filled human race empowered by the Holy Spirit. 1cor 15:45b The last Adam became a life-giving spirit Access redemption, salvation, adoption. John 14:6 I am the way and the light no one comes to the Father but through me access means all who come have a personal relationship with God through Christ are brought into God s Kingdom. not through ordinances or family Heritage, but through Christ and Christ alone. One Spirit. Infilling of the Holy spirit in all who put their faith in Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves [a] or free and all were made to drink of one Spirit. RESULTS OF THE SPIRITAUL ADOPTION!!! Vs 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, [a] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

7 7 God united Jew and Gentile (stranger and aliens to God) into one family, with one God, one Holy Spirit, one Savior. Citizens. To be a roman citizen was to have full protection and rights and full access to all that was available in the city. Acts 21 :29 Gentile couldn t go into the center of the temple. With Christ s new kingdom they had full access to the NEW TEMPLE OF GOD Forth point: Citizens of God Temble. God s people are unity to be part of God s spiritual and eternal temple. Not made by man but by Christ through the Holy Spirit Vs 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, Vs. 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Vs. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by [b] the Spirit Rev 21:14 speaks of a wall in Jerusalem where it will be written the twelve tribes and on another wall the twelve Apostles, showing foundational connections of Old and New Covenant. Cornerstone: Critical stone for foundation to ensure building is square and stable. Isa 28:16 Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believers in Him will not be put to shame Christ Jesus!! corporate unity and growth with Christ and with each as we become more like Christ.

8 8 It s not about a building. Its about the renewing of our minds that comes from following Christ together in one Spirit, no longer hostile towards God or each other in our dead spirit ( flesh) Holy Temple Believers join the Holy Spirit s temple and therefore we can meet anywhere and anytime and be in the presence of God. The Temple is the Body of Christ made up of His followers. It is the growing spirit of Christ. Held up and powered by Christ. Its bigger than we can image. VIDEO!!! (1 Cor 3:16) Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you I peter 2:5 You yourselves (a family, a group) like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, (not alone) to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (Ro 12) Eph 2: 9 we are His workmanship, create in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk Paul is showing them that God has made them God s Temple for His glory! There is no temple like it and no other place in this world that is of God. This is how we come to God! THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST! This is the family of God for his Glory and purpose.

9 9 Summaries A.They were hostile towards God and Gods people. But the Good news of Jesus Christ came to the world!!!! Christ brought Peace with our Father and with each other and made us a family. And made us part of God s redeeming plan for the world. But how is our Hostility towards Christ and towards each other. Repent and let it go before we come to communion!! Find peace and see the God s bigger view of your life!!. Eph 3:10 That the world may know!. It makes the gathering for the Lord s Supper that much more meaningful and purposeful. Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

10 Come, remember and give praise as one unity body. 10