The Cornerstone of Christian Unity (Eph 2:11-22)

The Cornerstone of Christian Unity: Ephesians 2:11-22 Pray & Intro: Get our bearing in Ephesians, understand why Paul discusses this issue of peace btwn Jew and Gentile (in the overall context of God’s word and program of God), trace Paul’s argument, and bridge the horizon between then and now (that’s application of the truth of the text to ourselves). [BTW, that’s the basic method for studying the Bible.] Review (briefly) & Read Text: I. Why Paul makes this point at all – hostility between Jews and Gentiles – and it’s not like that was unique to their time and situation  People have problems with other people. And their peace problem is bigger than they know, b/c it’s rooted in separation from and enmity with God. A. A recurring theme is Peace (four times) and reconciliation/oneness – to God and one another  And Paul is certain to not let us lose sight of the fact that Christ is the cornerstone of Christian unity: he himself is our peace. B. So here’s the outline: We were alienated (from God and each other), but now have been reconciled (to God and one another), and are being unified with Christ and his people. (textual markers – REMEMBER (11&12), BUT NOW (13), SO THEN (19, the result) – If this is the truth about us, why would be behave otherwise? II. Remember that you were alienated [not Men In Black alienated] A. Separated from Christ B. Excluded from God’s chosen people C. Strangers to the covenants of promise D. Having no hope in the world because you lived Godless E. You were separated, alienated, excluded, hopeless, Godless. Peachy right? III. But now you have been reconciled (And you… But God; At one time… but now) A. In Christ Jesus brought near (b/c of his blood, referring to his sacrificial, atoning death) – Through his death on our behalf, the dead are made alive (last section), and the far off (Gentiles, not God’s chosen people of Israel) brought near to the covenants of promise!  The separated are embraced by God, the excluded become included, the strangers become familial members, the hopeless are given hope, the godless are given God himself! B. HOW? – He himself is our peace. He makes peace from enmity (hostility, hatred), making us one.  In his death, burial, and resurrection, he has broken down the dividing wall of hostility to make peace. How? 1. By abolishing the ceremonial law (in commandments and ordinances) given to Israel for them to maintain fellowship with and blessing from God. [Paul isn’t contradicting Jesus’ teaching in the sermon on the mount (Mt. 5 and following, 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.), b/c the context clearly demonstrates that Jesus is referring to the moral aspect of the law and not the ceremonial aspect of it, as Paul is here.] 2. In HIMSELF creating one new man, the church (the Christian community viewed corporately). – unified just as two are made one in marriage 3. Making peace and reconciling both to God in ONE body – so killing the hostility (Armitage Robinson, “the slain was the slayer too.”) – Btwn God and man and btwn man and man.  The law was the barrier btwn Jew and Gentile, and God’s righteousness the barrier btwn us and God (Col. 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.) C. Whether you were far off or near (v.17), he proclaimed the same good news (gospel) of peace. And so it is the case that we both have access to the Father through the same Spirit—by faith. (Gal. 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” AND Eph. 3:11-12)  Just as the law divided us and revealed enmity, so faith in Christ unites us. – And Jesus is still preaching peace, but through us! D. [REVIEW… click] IV. So then live as part of a unified church – no longer strangers and sojourners, but… (three metaphors [third most developed]) A. Fellow citizens with the saints – His kingdom B. Members of God’s household – His family C. His temple 1. The foundation of the apostle and prophets, with Christ himself as the cornerstone, must certainly refer not to them as people or the office they held but their instruction. – And the normative teaching of the apostles and their contemporary prophets became the New Testament scriptures. 2. The whole structure built of living stones (made alive by Christ when they were dead), are also joined/fitted together and made to grow up together into a holy temple… BASED upon the chief cornerstone creating both the stability and alignment for the church. Jesus is the source of unity and growth (coupled together here) b/c He is the peace, and the power (1:19ff), and the chief cornerstone of the living church. V. Implications for us: A. We are a local expression of reconciliation and unity in God’s church. B. Our relationships matter because they correlate directly to this truth and impact true unity. C. We must unify with our brothers on essential doctrine. (3:10a) – If we divide or separate over everything, how can the true church be recognized? How can it be distinguished from those teaching a false gospel if those who have the true gospel do not unite?  Christians setting up new barriers; perpetuating or even tolerating old ones D. 1 Peter 2:4-8 (if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good) As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,     a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected     has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling,     and a rock of offense.”