BIG IDEA:
GENTILES ARE NOW UNITED WITH JEWS IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD ON THE BASIS OF THE RECONCILING WORK OF CHRIST
I. (:11-13) THE INCLUSION OF THE GENTILES IS A BIG DEAL
I am inclined to minimize things … “It’s no big deal” is one of my favorite expressions.
A. Remember the Pain of Exclusion
1. Excluded by Designation
a. “Gentiles in the flesh”
b. “who are called Uncircumcision by the so-called Circumcision”
Limitations of Physical Circumcision: (in contrast to spiritual)
– “which is performed in the flesh”
– ” by human hands”
2. Excluded by Lack of Privilege
a. “separate from Christ”
b. “excluded from the commonwealth of Israel”
c. “strangers to the covenants of promise”
d. “having no hope”
e. “without God in the world”
B. Appreciate the Price of Inclusion
1. Accomplished by virtue of Union with Christ: “But now in Christ Jesus”
2. Former Position: “you who formerly were far off”
3. Present Position: “have been brought near”
4. Price: “by the blood of Christ”
II. (:14-18) THE RECONCILING WORK OF CHRIST MADE IT HAPPEN
Two types of Reconciliation intertwined here:
-
between Jew and Gentile
-
between man and God
A. The Essence of Reconciliation is Peace
“For He Himself is our Peace”
“thus establishing peace”
B. The Result of Reconciliation (between Jew and Gentile) is Union
“who made both groups into one”
“that in Himself He might make the two into one new man”
C. The Obstacle to Reconciliation was the Enmity Associated with the Requirements of the Law
1. Christ Abolished the Enmity — “by abolishing in His flesh the enmity”
2. The Enmity consisted of “the Law of commandments contained in ordinances”
D. The Ultimate Reconciliation for both Jew and Gentile = Free Unlimited Access to the Father
1. Same Mediator = Jesus Christ
“through Him”
2. Same Access for Gentiles as for Jews
“we both have our access”
3. Same Empowerment
“in one Spirit”
4. Same Family Relationship
“to the Father”
III. (:19-22) THE CHURCH (BELIEVING GENTILES UNITED WITH BELIEVING JEWS) CONTINUES TO BE BUILT TOGETHER AND INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. (:19) New Position of Privilege and Inclusion for the Gentiles
1. Old Position — “you are no longer”
“strangers”
“aliens”
2. New Position
“fellow citizens with the saints”
“of God’s household”
B. (:20) New Structure for the Church
different than the OT patriarchs
1. “Cornerstone” = “Christ Jesus”
it all starts with Him and depends upon Him
2. “Foundation”
“apostles”
“prophets”
C. (:21-22) Mutual Growth — Jew and Gentile need one another
1. “in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing”
2. “in whom you also are being built together”
D. (:21-22) Ultimate Goal
the church = God’s holy dwelling place, indwelt by the Holy Spirit
1. “into a holy temple in the Lord”
2. “into a dwelling of God in the Spirit”