WE ARE THE FAMILY OF GODA New Humanity

Lisa Espineli ChinnInterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

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WE ARE THE FAMILY OF GODEphesians 2:11-22

I. Our History (Remember…) vv. 11-12II. The Cross and our Creation vv. 13-18III. Who We Are Now vv. 19-22

I. OUR HISTORY (Remember…) vv. 11-12

Ephesians 2:11-13 New International Version (NIV)

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 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.

I. OUR HISTORY (Remember…) vv. 11-12

A. Your birth, ethnicity and race - You who are GentilesMeaning in general is “peoples” or “nations”Also referred to non-Jews

• Despised, looked down upon• Gentiles, said the Jews, were created by God to be fuel for fires of hell• Not lawful to assist a pregnant woman in labor- means another Gentile

will be born into the world• If a Jew marries a Gentile- a funeral is carried out for that Jew. Contact with Jews is equivalent to death.

B. What did people call or label you – Jews called Gentiles “Uncircumcised”; Gentiles called Jews : “Circumcised”

Circumcision is the outward physical sign God gave to Abraham that signifies His covenant with His people Genesis 17: you will be the father of many nations…Every male among you shall be circumcised…

This set the Jews apart. They ended up with a spiritual pride and snobbery that caused them to be blind to the global plans of God.

C. Where you were in relation to God?

• Separate from Christ• Excluded from citizenship in Israel• Foreigners to the covenants of the promise• Without hope• Without God in the world

The Gentiles in the Ephesian church were “Christless, stateless, friendless, hopeless, and Godless.” (William Hendriksen)

To the Gentiles in the Ephesian church: Remember your history, the physical, emotional, and spiritual bullying you received, the labels put on you, and your bleak spiritual condition.

As God’s Family, we need the discipline of remembering: The intentional, regular, and communal recall of God’s mercy and work in our lives. Through it we gain a humble and grateful posture in life.

II. THE CROSS AND OUR CREATION Ephesians 2: 13-18

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

II. THE CROSS AND OUR CREATION vv. 13- 18

1. Brings change in your spiritual condition- far, now near v. 13

2. Brings reconciliation and peace – 2 have become one; destroyed the barrier, the wall of hostility

3. Brings access to God for both groups by one Spirit

Radical transformation in our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationship with people.

III. WHO WE ARE NOW Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

WHO WE ARE NOW vv. 19-22

1. No longer foreigners and strangersBUT, fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household

2. Build on the foundation of the apostles and prophets3. Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone4. In Jesus the whole building is joined together and rises

to become a holy temple in the Lord5. In Jesus, you too, are being built together to become a

dwelling place in which God lives by his Spirit

Image of a Kingdom, a family, and a building.

This family of diverse people is a powerful witness to the world

1. Comprised of transformed people by the power of the Cross2. Comprised of reconciled people empowered by the Gospel3. Built on eternal and lasting cornerstone and foundation4. We are this temple of formidable construction5. The Spirit of God lives and reigns in this temple

WE ARE THAT COMMUNITY. WE ARE THAT FAMILY.

We are the family of God. We remember our past. We are grateful and rejoice in the reconciling work of Christ on the Cross. We are citizens of His Kingdom, members of His household, and part of His temple.

We are Royalty. Bought by the royal blood of King Jesus. Loved by God the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit who lives and reigns in us.