Jay Grant’s sermon on Ephesians 2:11-22

Ephesians – The Most Beautiful Book in the New Testament

It’s a book of God’s majesty (it reveals the wonder of God)
It’s a book of immense revelation (God shining light in what He has done for us)
It’s a book of our glorious position in Christ (seated positionally in heavenly places)
It’s a book of God’s purposes in your life (redemption/sanctification/glorification)
It’s a book of how to live the Christian life ( thru suffering, ministry, alertness, by the power of the Spirit, in your attitudes, thru love and forgiveness, in purity, in marriage, and in spiritual warfare).

The Background to Ephesians

(a)   Paul visited Ephesus on his second (briefly) and third journeys
(b)   Ephesus is located on the west coast of Asia(my visit)
(c)    Extended stay on 3^rd trip – 3 years (see Acts chapter 19)
(d)   Founded the School of Tyrannus (discipling leaders)
(e)   Paul trained New Testament notables – Timothy, Titus, Gaius, Secundus, Aristarchus, Sopater, Epaphras, Trophimus, Tychicus, Priscilla and Aquila, and probably Philemon
(f)     The Ephesian Church was almost entirely Gentile
(g)   Paul wrote Ephesians from Rome; the letter carried by Tychicus

Ephesians 2:11-22

The Gentiles State before Christ – vs 11-12

11 Therefore remember that formerly you, who are Gentiles by birth, called the “uncircumcised” by the circumcised (Jews), done by human hands, 12 remember, that you were separate from Christ, excluded from the rights of Israel and strangers to the covenants of God, having no hope and without God in the world.

The Great Transformation/Connection – vs 13-18

13 BUT NOW in Christ Jesus, you who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both into one, and has destroyed the hostile wall dividing us, 15 by abolishing through the cross, the enmity caused by the Law with its decrees and ordinances, that He would make the TWO into ONE, establishing peace 16 and reconciling them BOTH in ONE body to God through the cross, by bringing the division to an end. 17 And He preached peace to you who were far away and peace to you who were near, 18 for through Him we BOTH have access in one Spirit to the Father.

You Now are the Dwelling of God – vs 19-22

19 Therefore, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but are fellow-citizens with God’s people, and are members of God’s household, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built TOGETHER to become a dwelling of God in the Spirit.