Ephesians 2:11-22 Common English Bible
The reconciliation of God’s people
11 So remember that once you were Gentiles by physical descent, who were called “uncircumcised” by Jews who are physically circumcised. 12 At that time you were without Christ. You were aliens rather than citizens of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of God’s promise. In this world you had no hope and no God. 13 But now, thanks to Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. 15 He canceled the detailed rules of the Law so that he could create one new person out of the two groups, making peace. 16 He reconciled them both as one body to God by the cross, which ended the hostility to God.
17 When he came, he announced the good news of peace to you who were far away from God and to those who were near. 18 We both have access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit. 19 So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household. 20 As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 The whole building is joined together in him, and it grows up into a temple that is dedicated to the Lord. 22 Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit.
Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about something that I believe touches all of us at some point in our lives: the pursuit of worldly pleasures and success, and the loneliness that often accompanies it. Our scripture today is from Ephesians 2:11-22, but before we dive into the Word, I want to share a personal story that might feel familiar to many of us.
I remember when I received my first appointment to a three-point charge in the United Methodist Church. It had been close to six years from the start of the process to that moment when I was finally going to have my own churches. I had worked so hard, and I was filled with excitement and anticipation. I thought I was about to start living the dream. But as some of you might already know, that wasn't quite how things turned out.
Those churches were not healthy. What I had envisioned as a dream quickly turned into a nightmare. There were conflicts, resistance to change, and moments where I and many in congregation felt utterly defeated when we would start to gather momentum only for it be squashed by a select few. I at times found myself feeling isolated and overwhelmed, questioning whether I had made the right choice. I know I shouldn't say this, but they couldn't hold a candle to you all here at Zion Methodist Church.
And isn't that true for so many of us? We strive and strive, thinking that if we just reach that next milestone, we’ll be happy. But once we’re there, we find that the joy is temporary, and the emptiness remains. We see this not just in our own lives, but in the lives of those around us—friends, family, even celebrities who seem to have it all but struggle with deep loneliness and unhappiness.
Today, as we reflect on Ephesians 2:11-22, let's explore what it means to be truly fulfilled and united in Christ. Let's understand how He breaks down the barriers that separate us from God and each other, offering a deeper, lasting sense of belonging and purpose. Because the truth is, no amount of worldly success or pleasure can fill the void that only God can fill.
Let us open our hearts and minds to God's Word and find the true unity and peace that comes from being part of His household.
Alienation and Loneliness
Paul reminds us of a time when we were separated from Christ, living without hope and without God in our lives. This separation from God is the ultimate source of our loneliness and alienation. We often try to fill this void with temporary fixes—success, possessions, relationships, and various pleasures—but they never truly satisfy.
I want to share a story about one of my best friends growing up. He struggled with addiction for nearly 15 years—almost half of his life. He thought that alcohol and drugs would fill the emptiness he felt inside and help him escape his problems. But instead of finding relief, he found himself more alone and disconnected than ever. Every time he used, he pushed himself further away from the people who loved him, deepening his sense of loneliness. His only child is 7 now I believe and has spent most his life with his dad, locked up in jail.
It took him close to 15 years to break free from this cycle, but I’m grateful to say that he’s been clean and sober for nearly two years now. His journey was long and painful, filled with moments of despair and hopelessness. Some here might have been in the same shoes as him, or a close family member has been. It’s a cold and lonely place. But through it all, he discovered that true healing and connection come from God, not from the temporary highs of this world.
This isn’t just about addiction. We can feel alienated in our everyday pursuits. How many of us have lied or cheated, thinking that we needed to do whatever it takes to get ahead? Maybe we’ve stolen—from others or even from ourselves—the time and energy that should have been invested in meaningful relationships or personal growth. We’ve convinced ourselves that achieving our goals at any cost would bring us happiness, only to find that each step forward left us feeling more alone.
We live in a world that constantly tells us to strive for more, to push ourselves to the top, to achieve and accumulate. But the higher we climb, the lonelier it gets. We realize that worldly success can isolate us, as we become fearful of losing our status or being surpassed by others. We build walls to protect our achievements, but those walls also keep us separated from genuine connections and the love of God.
Paul’s message in Ephesians is a powerful reminder of our state before knowing Christ. We were alienated and without hope. But the beauty of this passage is in the hope it offers: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Christ’s sacrifice bridges the gap of alienation, bringing us near to God and each other, offering a sense of belonging and purpose that the world can never provide.
In our moments of loneliness and alienation, let us remember that Christ is our unifying force. He brings us together, heals our wounds, and fills the void that worldly pursuits can never satisfy. As we continue, let’s explore how Christ transforms our lives and offers true unity and peace.
The Transience of Worldly Success
Paul speaks about the barriers and divisions that existed, and how Christ came to break down those walls. When we chase worldly success, we often build up our own barriers, thinking that achieving our goals will bring us lasting happiness and fulfillment. But as many of us have experienced, this kind of success is fleeting and often leaves us feeling empty.
I remember when I was younger, I believed that success was defined by accolades and achievements. I thought that if I could just reach certain milestones, I would finally feel fulfilled. But each time I reached a goal, the satisfaction was temporary. I quickly found myself setting the next target, thinking that the next achievement would be the one to bring true happiness. But it never did.
We see this cycle all around us. People work tirelessly to climb the corporate ladder, amass wealth, and gain recognition. Yet, how often do we hear stories of those who seemingly have it all, only to confess their deep sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction? Celebrities, business moguls, even those in our own community—they reach the top of their respective mountains only to find that the view is not what they expected. The higher they climb, the lonelier it becomes, as they realize that worldly success cannot fill the void in their hearts.
One striking example is Michael Phelps who is the most decorated Olympian of all time, admitted in an interview that the victory felt hollow. Despite years of hard work and the adulation of millions, he confessed that he still felt an emptiness that no trophy or title could fill. This is a powerful reminder that even the highest achievements in this world cannot provide the deep, lasting satisfaction we crave.
In our own lives, we might see this transience in smaller ways. Perhaps you’ve worked hard for a promotion, only to feel the pressure and stress increase once you’ve attained it. Or maybe you’ve bought that dream house or car, only to find that the joy it brings quickly fades, replaced by the desire for something newer, bigger, or better.
Worldly success is like a vapor—it appears substantial for a moment but quickly dissipates, leaving us grasping for more. The achievements and pleasures of this world are not inherently bad, but they are not meant to be our ultimate source of fulfillment. They cannot provide the deep sense of purpose and belonging that we were created for.
Paul tells us that Christ “himself is our peace” and that he has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. This means that true peace and fulfillment come not from what we achieve, but from who we are in Christ. When we place our identity and worth in Him, the transient nature of worldly success loses its power over us. We find a deeper, lasting joy that is not dependent on our circumstances or achievements.
As we reflect on our own pursuits and ambitions, let us remember that while the world may promise us fulfillment through success and accolades, only Christ can provide the true peace and satisfaction our hearts long for. Let us seek to build our lives not on the shifting sands of worldly success, but on the solid rock of our faith in Christ.
Finding True Unity in Christ
Paul tells us that through Christ, we are reconciled to God and to one another. Christ’s sacrifice brings us peace and breaks down the barriers that separate us. This unity in Christ is what truly fulfills us and gives our lives meaning.
Think about the times when you’ve experienced genuine connection with others—those moments when you felt truly seen, understood, and loved. These moments often come not from shared achievements, but from shared faith, vulnerability, and the love of Christ. It’s in these relationships, rooted in Christ’s love, that we find true unity and purpose.
One of the most profound aspects of being part of a church community is the sense of belonging it provides. We are not alone; we are part of a family. In this family, we support each other, lift each other up, and walk together through life’s challenges. This unity in Christ transforms our loneliness into fellowship and our isolation into community.
Conclusion
As we reflect on Ephesians 2:11-22, let’s remember the emptiness that comes from pursuing worldly success and the loneliness that can follow. But more importantly, let’s embrace the hope and fulfillment found in Christ. He brings us near to God and to each other, offering a deeper, lasting sense of belonging and purpose.
This week, let’s challenge ourselves to seek true unity in Christ, to build our lives on the solid foundation of His love and grace. Let’s reach out to those around us, offering support and fellowship, and embracing the true peace that comes from being part of God’s family.
Thank you, and God bless.
