Northwest Passage US

The Barriers Broken Down Between Us

Ephesians 2:11-22

INTRODUCTION

  • In the past three months I’ve spoken on our inheritance in Christ and Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation from Eph.1 and Raised up to New Life from Eph.2:1-10 – how Christ changed us from being dead in sin to new life in Christ.
  • Today: Consequences of that change that affect our relationships vertically with God and horizontally with people.

BARRIERS BROKEN BETWEEN CHRIST AND US – vv. 11-13

  • Separated from the Covenant – vv.11-12
    • Circumcised v. Uncircumcised.
      • Uncircumcised Gentiles: unholy to God → unclean
      • Circumcised Jews: in Covenant with God
    • Covenant Separation
      • Separated from Christ
      • Excluded from God’s Commonwealth (Citizenship)
      • Alienated from the Covenants of Promise. God’s promises always connected to covenant relationship with His people.
      • Without God and hope
  • Brought Near by Christ’s Death – v.13
    • Being in Covenant Places us “in Messiah Jesus.” We’re in Him a real ontological, spiritual sense as members of His Body.
    • God brings us near to Him relationally through Christ’s blood. “The life is in the blood” (Gen.9:4; Lev.17:11,14)

BARRIERS BROKEN BETWEEN JEWS AND US – vv.14-18

  • Christ Made Us One – vv.14-15
    • He is Our Peace – Peace (shalom) means much more than simple peace of mind. It is a comprehensive term for well-being, that includes physical, emotional and spiritual health, safety, prosperity, harmony, tranquility and integration. God’s peace is comprehensive in its effects.
    • Peace between Jew and Gentile.
      • Israel’s relations with surrounding nations hostile or tenuous.
      • Domination beneath 4 pagan empires.
    • Christ Made All Peoples One. All people have access to God through the New Covenant, the new basis for unity.
      • Christ Broke Down the Dividing Wall
      • Nearly 2,000 years of separation abolished in one day!
      • The Law (torah) created enmity between Gentile and Jew. Even today, kosher laws make it very difficult for Orthodox Jews to eat in Gentile homes. Previously unthinkable: an unclean act.
    • One New Man – the born-again. One body in Christ.
      • New spirit. Ezek.36:26-27. Uniquely bi-spiritual creatures: a new creation of God.
      • New relationship – family members, children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ.
      • New Covenant – better promises (Heb.8:6) New Testament.
  • Reconciled into One Body – vv.16
    • Christians are not just new creations, but are mystically united in one great, new creation: the Body of Christ!
    • The cross eliminated our enmity with God.
    • In the Spirit, we are all interconnected. Full unity realized in Heaven.
  • Peace and Access to the Father – vv.17-18
    • Jesus preached peace vicariously to all humanity.
      • We are all living extensions of His life and Gospel message.
      • Jesus preaches through us: His mouth, hands and feet.
    • Jesus is our gateway to the Father’s heart. The Father receives us as if we were His Son, because His Son lives in us and is our true life. (Gal.2:20; Col.3:2-3). That is the miracle of being “in Christ.”

BARRIERS BROKEN BETWEEN HEAVEN AND US – vv.19-22

  • Fellow Citizens of God’s Household – v.19
    • We’re not aliens and strangers – outsiders looking in.
    • Fellow citizens and members of His household. [Jesus asked Stanley Altaras, “Do you want to join the royal family?”]
  • The Foundation of God’s House: Apostolic Revelation – vv.20
    • God’s foundation is revelation from apostles and prophets.
    • Christ is the Cornerstone: everything derives from Him. He is the basis for every life and work founded in His Name.
  • Built into a Dwelling of God – vv.21-22
    • The Body of Christ is God’s Temple.
      • We are individually God’s temple. (1 Cor. 3:16).
      • We are Corporately God’s temple. (Lk.17:20-21 – you plural)
      • Every church congregation is a microcosm of God’s temple.
    • We are Being Built Together into a Dwelling of God’s Spirit.