The Illusion Of Success

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.