“A New Community of Peace”
Eph 2:11-22
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-4
A. Paul blessed God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing 1:3-14
B. Paul prayed for their enlightenment 1:15-23
C. Paul detailed our resurrected life in Christ 2:1-10
D. Paul declared our awesome acceptance and reconciliation 2:11-21
1. Our Awful Alienation and Rejection 2:11-12
2. Our Awesome Acceptance and Reconciliation 2:13-21
What powerful words; “But NOW!” The Gospel message really is about “but now!”
It is a bad news / good news story. Beyond this vital truth of reconciliation, there are some additional important concepts that deserve some further consideration.
Peace
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
The peace that Paul proclaims here is a change in relationship between Jew and Gentile and between all people and God. Peace is a condition or sense of harmony, well-being, and prosperity. The biblical concept means more than the absence of hostility, and it is more than a mere psychological state. There is peace with God, self and others.
The rebellion of Adam and Eve created chaos in our world. The peaceful state of Adam’s relationship with God became disrupted and turned to fear, self-consciousness, guilt and eventually hostility.
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace.
The angel who announced His birth declared…
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:14
The Jews were required to offer “peace offerings.” The peace offering was a celebratory offering shared between God, the priest and the one presenting the offering. Parts were completely burned on the altar. The priest was given the breast and right thigh. The one offering enjoyed the rest. This was intended to be a communal celebration of God’s blessing.
Jesus became the ultimate peace offering that restores community; community with God and community with the Jews and even peace with ourselves.
27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27
He established peace with God and people by creating a new race of people.
He brought about a new sense of harmony and community with God and each other.
He annulled the legally imposed laws that divided Jew and Gentile.
The message of peace with God and each other was a core message Jesus preached.
17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; Ephesians 2:14-17
New Race
Because of Jesus there is no long a division between Jew and Gentile. We are all connected in Christ. The New Testament is filled with images that illustrate this new unity. The image of a body with Christ as the head over a multitude of diverse body parts. Paul reminded the Colossians of the unification of all people in Christ.
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:10-11
The issue is Christ. The issue is not nationality, heritage or social standing, but Christ.
He also obliterated the distinction between male and female.
27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:27-29
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." Ro 10:12-15
This is the age of “WHOEVER.”
Jesus eliminated the basis for all prejudice based on nationality or social standing or anything.
He made all groups into one new people – Christians, followers of Jesus, the church. The Jew/Gentile issue was argued early on in the development of the church. Peter settled the issue at a gathering of church leaders in Jerusalem.
7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." Acts 15:7-11
Access
Before Jesus, access to the presence of God was limited to a chosen few. Even the design of the temple demonstrated the limitation. Heavy curtains separated the holy of holies from the common folk. Walls blocked entrance and participation by Gentiles. Everything screamed exclusiveness and restriction. Many limitations applied to both Jew and Gentile. Jesus changed all of that.
18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:18
Through Christ, God grants free and confident access to His presence.
His monumental achievement was graphically illustrated even while He hung on the cross.
44 It was now about noon, and darkness fell over the whole land until 3 pm, 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. Luke 23:44-45
That became a potent picture of restored relationship. Access to God had been restored; sweet fellowship once again possible. Paul repeats this life changing truth again in Chapter 3.
11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Ephesians 3:11-12
Not just access, but CONFIDENT access to God.
Hebrews details the work of Jesus as High Priest. He is the ultimate High Priest who intercedes for us and encourages access to the Father.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Confidently draw near since we have the ultimate High Priest on our side.
19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22
Since Jesus made entrance to God presence possible through His sacrifice…
Since Jesus now resides in the holy place as our eternal advocate…
…we are encouraged to…
Enter with confidence
Draw near with sincerity and faith having been cleansed by Jesus.
Jesus claimed to be the Door.
7 So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:7-10
It is like having full access to the White House. It only comes from having intimate connection to the occupant of the White House. Only Jesus can grant such access to His father and ours.
Jesus claimed to be the Way the Truth and the Life without whom no one comes to the Father. (John 14:7)
The Holy Spirit prepares us for life in God’s presence. Previously Gentile access to God was through Judaism. NOW, our access is through Christ and by one Spirit. We have access by reason of the sacrifice of Christ and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.
Paul used three images in a short space to illustrate the difference between then and NOW.
Rather than strangers and aliens, we are…
Fellow citizens with the saints
Members of God’s family
A growing temple
Full Citizenship
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, 2:19
God’s kingdom no longer included only Jewish followers of Christ but all Gentile followers of Jesus as well. The Gentile Ephesian followers of Jesus now enjoy equal status with Jewish believers as well as with all the true believers of the Old Testament. There was some non-Hebrew people groups allowed to dwell among the Hebrews but were not granted citizenship.
Now all who embrace Jesus Christ are granted equal status. We are “together citizens”. This would be like granting citizenship status to every illegal alien equal to natural born citizens.
They would enjoy all of the benefits of American citizenship. Because of Jesus we were brought near and granted all of the benefits of citizens of God’s eternal kingdom.
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:12
Loving Family
Citizenship is great, but Paul introduces an even more intimate image; family. We have been made family. It is one thing to be connected because of common citizenship. It is quite another to be related by blood. We are family through both loving adoption and supernatural new birth. We are God’s dearly loved kids. That makes us all siblings.
How?
12 As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
Receive (embrace) and believe (trust).
What does it mean to be brought into God’s household?
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:15-17
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:28-29
34 Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34
15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15
Paul shifted then to his last image probably triggered by the word for household which could also mean house. It made him think of a special house; God’s house.
Spiritual building (temple)
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22
This new status as citizens and privileged family members is based on the work of the Spirit in constructing a new entity intended to manifest God’s presence. Paul is really talking about a temple. The temple was the place God chose to manifest His presence. God’s presence is everywhere but He chooses to make His presence particularly visible in certain locations.
The temple was one of those. It was a glorious place; a place where His glory or evidence of His presence was so powerful that people were blown away. The temple was also a place where communication and relationship with God was sought. God is no longer interested in a physical building but a faithful people called the church. The church has been likened to a body. Here the church is likened to a continually expanding building; specifically a temple of God. Every building has a foundation. Any good foundation required a perfect cornerstone.
In Roman times, the cornerstone determined the stability of the rest of the structure.
The cornerstone determine the dimensions and squareness and stability of the building.
Jesus is the cornerstone. The apostles and New Testament time prophets accurately passed on the words of Jesus to form the foundation of what would be constructed in the coming ages.
In Christ or by Christ the structure continually grows. It takes place by the careful individual fitting of the individual stones by Jesus. The result? A holy temple in the Lord.
Paul emphasized again that the Ephesians were specifically included in this glorious structure.
“You too” are continually being built together as a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Paul told the sensual Corinthians to be careful how they lived.
18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
7 But we have this treasure (Jesus) in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 2 Corinthians 4:7
There are some common concepts found in each of these images. God does not call people into a private and exclusive relationship with Him. We are called as a people into a group of people who connect both to God and each other. The whole letter is about our corporate blessing in Christ and responsibility to each other.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Each image illustrates unity, diversity, mutuality. All of I Corinthians 12 is dedicated to these concepts.
We are ONE body. (Unity)
Jesus prayed for the unity of the church both then and future generations.
20 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. John 17:20-23
The body consists of many individual members with differing functions. (Diversity)
Each member is interdependent on the other members and intricately connected to each other. (Mutuality)
Each image requires continual connection to each other and a controlling factor i.e. head.
(King, Father, Cornerstone)
Each image is not static but continually expanding. In fact, the growth comes about through the direction of the head and the proper functioning of the individual parts.
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16
Application
• Since it is God who brought us near – offer enthusiastic thanksgiving to God.
• Since we are all related -- be careful how you treat your family.
• Since we are a family – Draw closer to family.
• Since Jesus is our peace – Rest in Him and let His peace rule your heart.
• Since the growth of the body depends on everyone doing their part -- get involved.
• Since Christ is the focal point of the church – keep focused on Him.
• Since we are being built into a holy temple – let’s live like it.
