He is Building His Household

in Ephesians chapter 2 and our focus this evening is on verse 11 down to the end of the chapter

Ephesians 2 · chapter mention

Ephesians chapter 2 verse 11 down to verse 22 and what we see here is Paul reminding all the

Ephesians 2:11

people of God we see here that there is a division as it were in Ephesus where there's

they're speaking of the circumcised and the uncircumcised the Jews and the Gentiles and

there's this sense of hostility between them but he is reminding them that in Christ Jesus

they are all one and that together they are being built into this dwelling place for God by the

spirit as verse 22 says so we're thinking of this passage under that heading the house of the Lord

being built and this is in light of coming away from a time of communion in our congregation

last Wednesday we were looking at chapter one of this letter of Paul to the church at Ephesus

as we were approaching the communion weekend we were looking at it and the sense of praise as we

were approaching the communion season a sense of expectation as we were approaching it in a sense

of joy in the Lord and seeking that we would know him better over the course of the weekend and we

were reminded of all that we have in Christ Jesus over the weekend so now as we are as we're coming away

from the weekend how do we feel coming away from it do we come away still with that sense of praise to God

that sense of expectation of what God is and can do in our midst and a sense of joy that the Lord is with us

and that the Lord is on our side well this passage reminds us that that is how we should come away

we never come away from the Lord he is always with us and he is always building his house bringing his people in

Paul was writing here to the church at Ephesus and in many ways when you think of what Ephesus was like

in that time during the days of Paul we think of our own place today our own world today our own setting

where we live today very different they would be different in so many ways and yet with many similarities

to different in the ways of life different in the ways of employment different in the ways of language and culture

but similar too in that there were many barriers and boundaries many needs in their midst that we see with ourselves today

as well when you think of barriers and boundaries in our world today we see just how similar it is to the setting of Paul's day

whether it was in Ephesus or Corinth or Galatia wherever he was going with the gospel

there were all kinds of differences among people all kinds of hostilities among people

you think of the way Paul was writing here to masters and slaves as they're called

you see that in our day and age we think of the employers and the employee

and you look at the way many were unfairly treated by their masters in Paul's day

and you think of the day we live in today how people are exploited in the workplace

and you think of barriers financially Paul was very aware of people in his day as almost in every day where

there are the rich and the poor there are boundaries and barriers and families and different needs

in families you see it in families you see it in Paul's day you see it in our day broken down families families

with different needs and especially as you think of families where there are those who are saved and those

who are unsaved as yet

but what we see as we look at Paul's day and his writing this letter to the church at Ephesus and what we see

for our own day as well is that something came into Ephesus here something unexpectedly in many ways in the world's eyes

that brought people together then and something that in our own day and age

we long to see breaking down barriers

breaking down hostility and bringing people together in our day and it is the gospel

it was the gospel that came to Ephesus that was breaking down hostilities and barriers and bringing people together

and bringing people as it is being built together into a dwelling place for God by the spirit

as verse 22 says

that is what we need today as well

I was speaking to a man this morning

from America

and he stays not far from one of the big cities in America

a city

maybe not the biggest but a population of over 3 million people

in this city

and he was saying

as he was speaking about this city

he spoke of it in this way

the city

is in darkness

the city

is godless

the city is morally corrupt

and immediately as he started speaking in this way

I thought

you are coming at this from a perspective of the Christian

and surely enough

he says

I am a follower of Jesus

and he says

in our church

it is not a big church

by American standards

he says

it is just a small church

of a hundred people

he says

well that is not bad

when we think of that in Scotland

we would love to see

many small churches of a hundred throughout Scotland

but he was saying

we are praying

for that city

that was a powerful reminder to me

and to ourselves

I hope this evening

that God has his people all over the world

we can often feel a burden to pray for others

as if we were the only ones able to pray for them

whether it's our own islands

our nation

or many many parts of the world

but it was a powerful reminder that God has his people

so that even when we are unable

or we don't know what to pray for cities in America

that there are those who do

that there are those who have a burden

for all different parts of the world

it's a reminder to us

that God is at work

that even though there is darkness

all over the world

in many different ways

and in many different places

that God has his praying people

this passage

looking at it from the beginning

it reminds us of God's power to transform

the opening verses

in this chapter

speak of the very fact

that the people were dead

in trespasses and sin

and this is what we see

all around us in so many places

but then you have these great words

of verse 4

but God

but God

being rich in mercy

because of his great love

with which he loved us

even when we were dead

in our trespasses

made us alive

together with Christ

by grace

you have been saved

and that's what this man said

about the city

it needs the grace

of God

and that is what

our world needs

that is what we need

for hostility

and barriers

to be broken down

but it's the grace

that is available

it is a grace

that God

still offers

to people

this day

as well

in a day

and age

where the gospel

seems

to so many

as a barrier

to inclusiveness

and equality

these words

that we hear

so often

that people

are seeking after

an inclusive world

a world of equality

we actually see

it in the gospel

and people

don't want

to look there

but the gospel

is seen by so many

as a barrier

and almost

as a means

of division

but we are reminded

again and again

that it is the gospel

that transforms

it's the gospel

that brings

equality

that the gospel

brings

inclusiveness

to the world

in which we live

as people

are brought

to be

in Christ

as Paul speaks

of here

the outworking

of that

is not

an exclusive

group

and we should

never see

ourselves

in that way

that we are

an elite group

an exclusive

group

but an

inclusive

group

for anyone

who believes

in Christ

who is

saved

they are

speaking here

of being

built

together

as one

body

and it was

something

marvellous

about sitting

at the Lord's

table together

to just

look around

and see

the variety

of people

there

and we long

to see

where even

more variety

of people

people from

every walk

of life

people from

different parts

of the world

coming together

delighting

and rejoicing

in the salvation

that there is

through Christ

at the cross

there are three

things I want us

just to think

of this evening

from this passage

as we come away

from the weekend

and as we go ahead

in the days

before us

as well

as we look

to God's

blessing

three things

we see

Paul outlined

here for the

church

at Ephesus

reminders

of God's

power

in their midst

the first thing

is the

remembrance

that they

have

and the second

thing is

the reconciliation

that they see

and the third

thing is

the rebuilding

that is going

on

remembrance

reconciliation

and rebuilding

so we begin

with

remembrance

as Paul

has written

in the

beginning

of this

chapter

the fact

that we

were dead

in our

trespasses

and sins

but made

alive

by the

grace

of God

and we

are made

in this

way

as he

says

in verse

10

for

God's

workmanship

created

in Christ

Jesus

for good

works

which God

prepared

beforehand

that we

should walk

in them

that we

have a

purpose

in life

then he

goes on

in verse

11

he says

therefore

remember

that at

one time

you Gentiles

in the

flesh

called

the

uncircumcision

remember

that you

were at

that time

separated

from

Christ

remembering

isn't

always

easy

for us

in the

sense of

looking

back

in life

and

the

mixed

emotions

that we

can

have

in our

memories

and our

remembrances

of times

in the

past

remembering

is a good

thing at

times when we

recollect

happy things

that from

the past

we remember

and celebrate

different occasions

in our

life

but remembering

is sometimes

a painful

thing

for us

too

but here

Paul is

calling the

people

to remember

in the

sense of

rejoicing

it's

remembering

here

the sense

of

thankfulness

and above

all that the

Lord

has remembered

us

and how

do we

see that

well we

see it

in this

way here

where he's

saying remember

that at

one time

remember

in the

past that

you were

at that

time

separated

from Christ

alienated

from the

commonwealth

of Israel

strangers

to the

covenant

of promise

having no

hope

and without

God

in the

world

it's a

grim

picture in

so many

ways

remember

that there

was a

time

when this

was you

because in

so remembering

we remember

too that

in our

day

that when

this is

the case

we think

well what

can change

what can

make a

difference

just like

that man

from America

was saying

you know

he's saying

how godless

that city

was or is

at this

time

but it's

nothing new

to god

it's

nothing

that god

hasn't

seen

already

in this

world

it's

nothing

that god

hasn't

made a

difference

in this

world

with before

Ephesus

Corinth

you go

back

to the

old

testament

you think

of

Jonah

going

to

Nineveh

it was

a

godless

city

and yet

so quickly

the grace

of god

transformed

it

so how

often do

we remember

what god

has done

for us

we are

told as

we were

told as

we took

communion

at the

weekend

do this

in remembrance

of me

how we

gone on

in this

week

continuing

to remember

and to give

thanks

to god

for what

he has

done

for us

in christ

continuing

to remember

the body

and blood

of our

lord jesus

christ

so much

of what

we read

here in

ephesians

continues

to remember

what has

taken place

by christ

at the

cross

you see

it

here as

he speaks

of the

blood

of christ

in verse

it's verse

13 but

but now

in christ

jesus you

who were

once far

off have

been brought

near by

the blood

of christ

it is

something that

has made

such a

difference

for us

that is

what we

remembered

at the

weekend

what we

have in

christ

it's so

important for

us to

take that

time to

stop and

look back

and we

can look

in our

own lives

and see

how alienated

we were

as well

how we

were strangers

to the

covenant

promise

having no

hope and

without god

it's important

for us

to remember

these things

and as we

do it

still reminds

us of the

faithfulness

of god

we were

reminded of

that on

friday night

in the

service

god's

faithfulness

even the

midst of

our own

unfaithfulness

there's a

man called

frederick marsh

he was a

christian writer

in the

19th and

to the

20th century

and he

spoke of

this way

of how the

christian

should always

look back

in a sense

in life

at times

because as

you look

back he

said you

see the

deliverance

that the

lord has

done for

us

you see

the way

that he

has led

us

you see

the blessings

he has

bestowed on

us

you see

the victories

he has

won for

us

you see

the

encouragements

he has

given

us

it's a

good thing

to look

back and

even remember

many of the

hard times

and yet

still see

god's

faithfulness

he said

he went on

to say

we sometimes

forget god's

past faithfulness

we only

see the

detours

and the

dangerous

paths

but look

back and

you will

see also

the joy

of victory

you will

see the

challenge

of the

climb

you will

see the

presence

of your

traveling

companion

who has

promised

never to

leave you

or forsake

you

would you

be here

tonight

if it

were not

for the

grace of

god

would your

hearts

desire to

be here

tonight

be still

there without

the grace

of god

it's the

grace of

god that

brings us

from death

to life

it's the

grace of

god that

gives us

hope

in this

world

it is

the grace

of god

that makes

all the

difference

for us

and we

thank god

for that

in verse

four of

this chapter

it says

but god

there was the

difference

the grace

of god

you notice

the same

word used

in verse

13

but again

but now

in christ

jesus

you who

were once

far off

have been

brought near

by the

blood of

christ

isn't it a

wonderful thing

to be able to

remember

what god has

done

for us

far off

but brought

near

through

his blood

it's

important

for us

to remember

but then

we see

secondly

the

reconciliation

here

paul's day

as we said

was a day

of much

hostility

and that

hostility

ran deep

especially

between jew

and gentile

speaks here

of the

circumcision

and the

uncircumcision

there was a

tension

among these

people

the jews

in many

ways

saw

themselves

better

than the

gentiles

and the

gentiles

they really

hated

the jews

they didn't

want to

mix

but in

verse 16

of this

passage

we are

told there

and might

reconcile us

both to

god in

one body

through

the cross

thereby

killing

the hostility

it is the

cross that

is central

to breaking

down this

hostility

to restoring

relationships

among people

being reconciled

to god

as one

looking to

jesus

as one

people

wherever you

are from

whatever

whatever

background you

have we

can come

to the

cross and

see that

christ died

for sinners

of all

kinds

paul in

writing to

the

corinthians

he speaks

of it

in this

way as

they were

ambassadors

for christ

he says

we are

therefore

christ's

ambassadors

as though

god were

making his

appeal

through us

we implore

you on

christ's

behalf

be

reconciled

to god

it is

this great

need of

the world

to be

reconciled

to god

because it's

the only

way

and out

of this

hostility

and this

wickedness

that is in

the world

speaks here

of thereby

killing

the hostility

this tension

that existed

between the

gentiles and

the jew

it is put

to death

through the

cross

because it

brings people

together

he says

then in

verse 17

that he

came and

preached

peace

to you

who were

far off

talking to

the gentiles

they seem

to be

far away

from god

but he

also says

that he

was

preaching

peace

to those

who were

near

those who

were near

to god

the jews

they still

needed this

gospel

because they

weren't there

yet

and the

cross

is the

common

thing

for them

both

the cross

where christ

died

for our

sins

and that

is what he

is offering

to the

people of

ephesus

that's what

the world

needs to

hear today

the gospel

of christ

who came

to break

down these

barriers

to bring

people

together

as one

body

what one

thing

could you

offer today

that would

bring peace

to this

world

we don't

have the

answers

in so

many ways

and yet

we do

we have

the gospel

but people

will not

listen

there was

a welsh

missionary

he was

called

robert

jermaine

thomas

he was

the son

of a

minister

and from

a very

young age

he had a

real burden

for mission

he went

to china

and then

from china

he went

to korea

he was

only in

his mid

twenties

and as

he went

to korea

he went

there to

distribute

bibles

to the

people

there

and he

was on

this ship

going up

a river

in korea

and they

were stopping

in different

places

seeking to

to bring

the bible

to different

people

there

but there

was a fear

as they were

on the ship

going up the

river that the

river was

getting shallower

and that the

ship would

ground but they

kept going

and they were

meeting more

and more

hostility

and eventually

the ship

did ground

and on the

shoreline they

could see a

number of

people a

large number

of people

but what

happened was

through the

orders of

the government

people were

ordered to

kill everyone

on that

ship

there was a

fear of

what they were

bringing to

the korean shores

to the people

there they

were afraid

of what they

were hearing

about this

gospel

but it's

said that

robert

thomas he

managed

to swim

to shore

and he

managed to

take with

him a

number of

bibles

and as he

reached the

shore he

was met

with hostility

and he

was on his

knees before

the man who

was just

about to

shoot him

and instead

of pleading

for his

life

what he

did was

he held

out a

copy of

the bible

and he

pleaded

with him

to receive

it

now it's

said that

that is

how the

word of

god came

into that

area of

korea

it wasn't

wanted by

everyone

but one

copy at

least made

it to

people

and people

started to

see this

word and

take an

interest in

the word

of god

and now

many people

who come

from korea

today they'll

want to

visit wales

and the

village where

robert was

born because

they recognized

the sacrifice

that he made

in bringing

the gospel

to them

is that

what we

would do

is that

what we

are willing

to do

when we

live in a

hostile

world

when we

see all

that's

going on

around us

it doesn't

have to

be a

big city

of millions

in america

that's godless

and needs

the grace

of god

our own

town our

villages

need the

grace of

god

they need

the gospel

they need

this hope

of reconciliation

and that is

what we have

to offer

the reconciliation

that is

found in

christ he

has come

to be

our peace

and destroy

the barrier

the dividing

wall of

hostility

we pray

for

reconciliation

in our

town in our

villages

that the

power of

god and

his word

would bear

fruit

third and

final thing

we see

here though

is the

sense of

rebuilding

that is

going on

in verse

19 and

say so

then you

are no

longer

strangers

and aliens

but you

are fellow

citizens

with the

saints

and members

of the

household

of god

built on

the foundation

of the

apostles and

prophets

christ jesus

himself

being the

cornerstone

we are no

longer

foreigners

and aliens

but fellow

citizens

this breaking

down of

hostility

it brings

people

together

the kingdom

of god

is coming

and the

rebuilding

work is

ongoing

and as

his kingdom

comes in

our midst

we see

it little

by little

bit by

bit the

house is

being built

god is

calling his

people to

himself

not just

here but

all over

the world

god is

the gospel

of god

is bearing

fruit

the lord's

people

there is a

blessing in

belonging as

we see

here and

it's such an

encouragement

and it's

wonderful to

see and to

hear as we've

rejoiced in a

new member

ourselves this

week we

rejoice as we

hear that there

are people who

are longing and

deciding after

christ

rejoice that god

is working

in our midst

and we pray

that the

rebuilding would

go on

that god

would continue

to come

in power

that we

would see

the gospel

bearing so

much fruit

in her

midst

we are

reminded here

of the power

of the gospel

in him

you are also

being built

together

we are all

part of

this

whenever a

major

building work

is going to

be done

it'll go out

to tender

so that

people

or companies

can bid

on it

but it's

interesting when

you look at

the tenders

and the

bids that

come in

which one

is accepted

do they

look at

the quality

do they

look at

how long

it may

last

or do

they look

at the

price

so often

it's a

sense of

the cheapest

offer

wins

no matter

the risks

that there

are

no matter

that it

may be

done

cheaply

that shortcuts

may be

had

it's just

the short

term view

that is

in mind

what is

the cheapest

way for

us to

get the

job done

but we've

heard the

saying so

often

buy cheap

pay dear

but when

you look at

the way the

household of

God is

being built

you recognise

no shortcuts

have been

taken

it's not

about the

cheapest

option

it's not

about a

short term

fix

the greatest

price of

all has

been paid

and the

Lord

himself

is at

the heart

of it

it is

he

that is

the

cornerstone

Christ

himself

being

the

cornerstone

and what

we remembered

at the

weekend

was

the price

that has

been paid

for your

salvation

and mine

the greatest

price of

all has

been paid

Christ

has given

his life

for sinners

the greatest

sacrifice

of love

ever given

no short

term

in mind

but eternity

in mind

for his

kingdom

is one

that will

last

forever

and that

is what

we have

in Christ

that is

our

security

that is

what our

salvation

is built

on

not us

not our

works

but what

Christ

has done

for us

we

were

far

off

we

were

strangers

to the

covenant

of promise

we were

ones

with no

hope

and without

God

in the

world

but now

in Christ

Jesus

you who

were once

far off

have been

brought near

by the

blood

of Christ

he has

paid

the price

for us

that is

what

we rejoice

in

and as

we rejoice

in that

as we

see our

security

in that

our

desire

should be

with Paul

as he

wrote to

the

Corinthians

to making

his

appeal

through us

we implore

you

in Christ

on Christ's

behalf

be

reconciled

to God

the day

in which

we live

is a day

that seems

so dark

and godless

in so

many places

and in

so many

ways

but we

have God

on our

side

and he

is building

his kingdom

we praise

him it's not

just one

here and

there

but he has

many people

many people

who are coming

to salvation

in him

and trusting

in him

and we

pray that

cities

huge cities

throughout the

world

will know

the grace

of God

we pray

that towns

and villages

will know

the grace

of God

we pray

that people

near and

far

will know

the saving

grace

of God

and rejoice

in him

we have

much

to be

thankful

for

we look

back

and we

give thanks

for his

goodness

to us

in so

many ways

but let

us keep

looking forward

with a

sense of

praise

and expectation

and joy

that he is

building

his house

that he is

bringing

people in

and that

Christ

is the

cornerstone

of it

all

may God

bless

his word

to us

we'll sing

to God's

praise