The Unity of the Church, Part 4
Ephesians • Sermon • Submitted
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Ephesians 2:19-22
Ephesians 2:19-22
One of the prominent themes of Ephesians is the theme of unity—stressed by the frequent use of the word “one” in chs 2 & 4. (2:14,15,16,18; 4:4,5,6). Because of this unity (one which Christ prayed for in Jn 17), believers are admonished
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
This theme of unity in Eph is emphasized to counter the racial and national distinctions that had begun to creep into the church by Jewish & Gentile believers who carried over the hostility of their former lives. But as Paul has been teaching—a result of the blood of Christ all racial, national and even gender distinctions vanish at the cross. Some who were considered “far off” and other who were considered “near” are brought together thru the cross by the blood of Christ. Thus they enjoy peace with God, with one another and within—ultimately placed into a new organism called the “body” referring to the church where there is great unity. “Nothing glorifies God as much as the unity of children, which alone is in harmony with His essential will of love” (Franz Leenhardt).
As ch 2 comes to a close, Paul will continue to illustrate the marvelous unity that exists within the church. The outcome is noted in Eph 2:18.
“thru Him”—Christ; “we both” (speaking of Jew & Gentile believers); “have our access” (b/c there is peace with God); “in 1 Spirit”; “to the Father” (all 3 members of Trinity—have part in this unification)
We have common access to God (who is Father—underscoring an intimacy, nearness, tenderness, mercy and grace). Before they were saved they were Jewish and Gentile—after salvation they are 1 new creation—finding oneness in the body—the church.
The final vv of ch 2 unfolds 3 illustrations that detail the nature of the unity among all who are “in Christ.”
1) One Kingdom
1) One Kingdom
Vs 19—“strangers & aliens” understood as “foreigners & sojourners” those who lived among the Jews but did not receive the rights & privileges of those who were tax-paying citizens.
God has taken those who were non-citizens and made them citizens with all God’s people as He unites them into His kingdom.
So then, does this mean that God is finished with Israel? No
Israel was the nation of God—“chosen people”. But their rejection & disobedience resulted in “riches for Gentiles” Rom 11:12
Summary of Romans 11--
God did not reject His people whom He foreknew (1-2)
Always maintained a remnant of believers in Israel (4-5)
Israel failed to receive righteousness they sought (7)
Rom 11:11-12 Thru the rejection salvation comes to Gen.
Warning to us: do not become arrogant or conceited toward Israel—saved by grace/grafted in/supported by God
Rom 11:23—to Jews who accept J.C. as Lord & Savior will also be grafted in—become part of church
Rom 11:25-27—KEY!
God has momentarily set aside His dealings with the nation Israel to complete His purpose of including the elected Gentiles in His heavenly kingdom.
The kingdom was taken from Israel and given to Gentiles
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.
The people it has been given to is the church, yet God will one day resume His dealings with Israel (following Rapture)—ultimately fulfilling His promises to them in Mil. Kingdom.
Sin separates the people of the earth (all nations derived from Shem, Ham, Japheth)—in Christ, distinctions are torn down and we are given a new citizenship—Phil 3:20-21
Application—We (all Xns) are recipients of all heavenly rights & privileges (access, peace, security, authority/keys to kingdom).
2) One Family
2) One Family
(vs 19b) In drawing near to God thru Christ—He bestows on us the honor of being united into His wonderful family. God’s family includes all those who have identified themselves with God.
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.
For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,
--B/c we have been given membership in God’s family (household stresses intimacy of those part of it)—J.C. actually calls us His brethren.
We are brothers & sisters in Christ—no matter what our background may be. Thru finished work of Christ we are given the same status as other family members in God’s family.
Application—Recipients of God’s Love—He loves us the way He loves His own son—unconditionally.
3) One Temple
3) One Temple
vv 20-22
In OT God chose to dwell with His people in a visible, tangible way—He did so in the tabernacle—Shekinah Glory (Ex 40:34-38). Israel’s sins caused God’s glory to depart (1 Sam 4)—Philistines took ark.
Later He made His dwelling the temple (1 Kings 8:1-11) ark brought into temple
Again Israel sinned, God departed from the temple (Ez 10:18-19).
The next dwelling place of God among men was the person of J.C. (John 1:14)—which men crucified.
Since Pentecost God, thru His H.S. dwells in the church. Those who make up the church, Xns, have become the temple or sanctuary of God.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
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?
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
We are the temple/sanctuary of God. Each of us, having placed our faith in J.C. become the residence of the H.S.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
This building/temple has three unique characteristics:
A. An Uncommon Foundation
The building/temple/church of God was built on “the foundation…”
Paul invokes the imagery of architecture to delineate the foundation upon which the church has been built (Aorist part).
The Foundation consists of apostles & prophets:
It is true there is only one foundation—J.C. (1 Co 3:11) But a look at the offices & functions of both apostles & prophets reveals that the grand subject of the ministry and spring of life was Christ Himself.
The apostles & prophets were uniquely & divinely commissioned & gifted to authoritatively speak the Word of God in the church in the years prior to the completion of the N.T. canon.
The apostles were those with special authority as they were directly commissioned by the risen Lord.
Prophets were those who received the gift of prophecy and became heralds of God’s truth to the church.
The apostles provided that foundational link between the church and the resurrection of J.C. while together with the prophets gave divine interpretation of what God had done in Christ for the building up of the body of Christ.
Not all apostles were prophets (some like Paul were) not all prophets were apostles. God had designed both groups to function together during this pivotal time in the birth and growth of the church.
And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.
Because they were identified as the foundation gives evidence that their functions were limited to that formative period. That gave way to other offices & gifts which continue today
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
The church has an uncommon foundation and it is represented by the teachings of these men contained in the NT. It is for this reason Paul writes to his beloved Timothy that the church is the “pillar and support of the truth.” We have been entrusted to carry on the message that was delivered to us in God’s word by the apostles & prophets.
The foundation of the church has:
B. An Uncommon Cornerstone
Jesus himself…(vs 20)
Now the cornerstone was absolutely vital & most important in the construction of any building.
Some of the cornerstones used in the temple were 19 feet long and 7 ½ feet thick: A.T. Robertson Word Pictures “the primary foundation-stone at the angle of the structure by which the architect fixes a standard for the bearings of the walls and cross-walls throughout”
Everything was fixed according to the placement of the cornerstone. If it was laid improperly the entire structure would be weakened.
This is taken from Is 28:16 “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.”
Jesus applied Ps 118:22 to Himself in Matt 21:42
Peter also describes this truth relating it to the church—1 Peter 2:6-8
With Jesus Christ the Cornerstone—the entire building (the church) finds its support, rigidity, structure, unity—as He is the one who sustains and holds it together.
Church had an uncommon foundation, an uncommon cornerstone:
C. An Uncommon Building
Vv 21-22
Again Paul uses the image of construction to describe this characteristic of the church—whole building is being fitted together.
Unusual compound word—(Lit to join together) refers to the careful joining of every component of a piece of furniture, wall building, or other structure. Each part is cut precisely to fit exactly where it needs to be in order for the whole structure to be sound.
Looking at the building process as a whole—“the entire elaborate process by which stones are fitted together: the preparation of its surfaces, including the cutting, rubbing and testing; the preparation of the dowels and dowel holes, and finally the fitting of the dowels with molten lead.”
In this building—i.e. the church (universal church) nothing is out of place, defective, misshapen—b/c it is designed and built by Christ.
Still growing (present tense)—The church is gradually being built in 2 ways:
Numerically—as people are saved and added to the church
Spiritually—according to sanctification (as we are conformed into the image of God’s Son Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18
Application—we are the temple of God (vs 21-22)—“dwelling” carries idea of permanent home. We are the earthly sanctuary of God’s Spirit (He is not living in a building but in you).
Remarkable truth (the whole church becomes the dwelling place of God) But 1 Cor 6:19-20 indicates the each individual believer is also the home of the H.S. Both are true but the focus is different.
Here—the church becomes this permanent dwelling of God—into which we have been added/made one/growing in/fit together.
Peter reminds of this truth in 1 Pt 2:5 “But you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Isn’t amazing that God can take us—each with our respective differences, each with different strengths & weakness, each with different passions, perceptions, wants, needs and He can continually fit us together and grow us according to His predetermined plan.
I trust you sense that God has been doing that as you yield to the Spirit’s leading & exercising your gift—you are essential to the edification of this local (our) church. Don’t let anyone give you the impression that you are unimportant b/c you don’t have a position of leadership, teaching, or a visible gift. Every place is unique, irreplaceable part in this church.
God has you here at this time to serve and use your gift whatever that might be (discuss later in Eph 4). Without you/your service our church is incomplete (need for fellowship, coming together).
I also believe that God grow this church using us as we share the gospel of Christ to those around us. And by God’s design when sinners are saved these new converts will also use their gifts adding to the building up of the church. Our immediate mission field is right outside.
Let’s go and fulfill our Lord’s command now. B/c we have been united together we can turn this community upside down thru the preaching of the gospel for the glory/honor of God.