NOTE: This message was part of an ongoing sermon series in IRM Marikina on the book of Ephesians. To download the Powerpoint presentation of this sermon, please click here.
TEXT: EPHESIANS 2:11-22
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)- remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
- According to some, Ephesians is the “waterloo of commentators.”
- According to the commentary of John McArthur: “Ephesians has been given such titles as the believer’s bank, the Christian’s checkbook, and the treasure house of the Bible.”
- The book is divided into 2: chapters 1-3 are about theological matters, while chapters 4-6 are about practical Christian living.
A. SEPARATE FROM CHRIST
“Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:12
1. Separate from Christ: Social Separation
“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision…” Ephesians 2:11
a. Jews vs. Gentiles
- Jews are “the people of God”
He said, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me”; and so he became their Savior. Isaiah 63:8
- Gentiles are people who do not belong to the people of God.
- When a Jew entered a Palestine, he would often shake the dust off his sandals and clothings in order not to contaminate the Holy Land with Gentile dust.
- If a young Jewish man or woman married a Gentile, their families would have a funeral service, symbolizing the death of their child as far as religion, race and family were concerned.
b. Circumcision vs. Uncircumcision
- Circumcision is the sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people on the seed of Abraham.
You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. Genesis 17:11
- Those who were circumcised treaded those who weren’t with defamation and reproach.”
- The Jewish people, being the chosen race and knowing that they are the people of God, developed a superior attitude towards other race of people.
- Here is an excerpt from Ephesians by John McArthur: “A Rabbinic writer tells of an incident that explains the common Jewish attitude towards Gentiles. A certain Gentile woman came to Rabbi Eleazar, confessed that she was sinful, and told him that she wanted to become righteous. She wanted to be accepted into the Jewish faith because she had heard that the Jews were near to God. The Rabbi is said to have responded, ‘No, you cannot come near,’ and then shut the door in her face.”
2. Separate from Christ: Spiritual Separation
“Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:12
a. Separate from Christ
- The Gentiles do not have any hope of a savior or deliverer.
b. Excluded from the Citizenship of Israel
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’ So Israel will live in safety alone; Jacob’s spring is secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew. Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places. Deuteronomy 33:27-29
c. Foreigners to the Covenants of Promise
I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you… I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Genesis 12:2-3, 17:7
d. Without Hope and Without God in the World
- The Gentiles have no hope for the afterlife.
- They have no hope of future joy with God.
- Those who are with God have hope.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God. Psalm 146:5
B. NOW IN CHRIST
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
1. Now in Christ: There is Unity.
a. Unity Described
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:14
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. Ephesians 2:19
…with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:20-21
b. Unity Defined and Explained
- Not unity through common enthusiasm, but unity of the Spirit.
…do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives. Ephesians 4:3a
2. Virtues that Bring about Unity
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
a. Humility
- The philosophy of Friedrich Nietzche, a 19th century philosopher and enemy of Christianity, was “might makes right.”
- The Lord Jesus on His Sermon on the Mount said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
b. Meekness
- Meekness is a twin virtue of humility.
- “Prautes” is the Greek word for meekness. It is the attitude and response of the strong and powerful towards the weak and powerless who insulted him or did him wrong.
- The Lord Jesus on His Sermon on the Mount said: “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
2. Now in Christ: There is Peace.
For he himself is our peace… His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace… He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.” Ephesians 2:14-15,17
- In this passage, the word peace is mentioned four times. These four mentions of the word peace covers three theological meanings.
“For he himself is our peace…” v.14
a. He is our peace.
- Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
- Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” (John 14:27)
- Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” (John 16:33)
- It also said: “And the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
“His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of two, thus making peace…” v.15
b. He makes peace.
- Jesus makes “vertical” peace – peace with God.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
- There is enmity between us and God.
“Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.” Romans 8:7
- This enmity is abolished by Jesus.
“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.” Ephesians 2:15
- Jesus also makes “horizontal” peace – peace with fellowmen.
“He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near…” v.17
3. He proclaims peace; He offers peace.
- He offers peace to the Gentiles, or those who are far away.
- He offers peace to the Jews, or those who are near.
- He offers peace to the secular man, or those who are far away.
- He offers peace to the religious man, or those who are near.
Posted by Admin 
