Sermons on Ephesians 2:11-13
The various sermons below converge on the central idea that Ephesians 2:11-13 calls believers to a profound redefinition of identity and community grounded in faith rather than ethnicity or external markers. They collectively emphasize that Gentiles are not merely included but fully integrated into the spiritual Israel through faith in Christ, highlighting the covenantal continuity that unites all believers. A recurring nuance is the strategic role of memory: it is not simply a recollection of past alienation but a spiritual discipline designed to intensify joy in grace and foster humility by eliminating boasting. Several sermons explore the tension between remembering and forgetting, suggesting that memory should be selectively employed to magnify grace and encourage faith, while forgetting serves to remove obstacles such as guilt, pride, or complacency. This dynamic use of memory is portrayed as essential for maintaining a vibrant, obedient faith that appreciates the depth of God’s mercy.
In contrast, the sermons differ in their theological emphasis and interpretive focus. One sermon frames the passage primarily as a response to questions about Israel’s identity, insisting that the church is not a replacement but a spiritual fulfillment of Israel, thereby stressing covenantal inclusion over ethnic distinction. Another sermon highlights the logical and pastoral function of memory as a means to joy and humility, diagramming Paul’s argument to show how remembering past alienation supports these ends. A third sermon wrestles with the apparent tension between Paul’s commands to remember and to forget, proposing that these are complementary tools for spiritual growth rather than contradictory injunctions. Meanwhile, a fourth sermon extends the principle of forgetting beyond pre-Christian life to include Christian achievements that might hinder faith, emphasizing the ongoing discernment required in managing memory for the sake of obedience. These differences reveal varied pastoral priorities—whether covenantal identity, logical structure, spiritual psychology, or practical obedience—each offering a distinct lens through which to preach this passage.
Ephesians 2:11-13 Interpretation:
Faith and Inclusion: The Spiritual Israel Revealed (Desiring God) offers a distinctive interpretation of Ephesians 2:11-13 by framing the passage as an answer to the question: “Do you have to be part of the commonwealth of Israel to be saved?” The sermon asserts that Paul’s answer is “yes,” but redefines “Israel” not as an ethnic or physical category, but as a spiritual one. The preacher uses the analogy of grafting from Romans 11, describing Gentiles as wild olive branches grafted into the nourishing root of the Abrahamic covenant, thus becoming true Israelites by faith rather than by birth or circumcision. This interpretation is further enriched by a close reading of the Greek, particularly the phrase “called uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands,” emphasizing the externality of physical circumcision versus the internal reality of faith. The sermon’s unique contribution is its insistence that Ephesians 2:11-13 is not merely about Gentile inclusion, but about the redefinition of Israel itself as a community of faith, not flesh, and that Gentiles are “brought near” not by becoming ethnic Jews but by sharing in the faith of Abraham through Christ.
From Alienation to Belonging: The Power of Grace (Desiring God) interprets Ephesians 2:11-13 as a logical and theological continuation of Paul’s argument about salvation by grace, emphasizing that the command to “remember” is not merely a call to recall past alienation, but a means to intensify joy in grace and eliminate boasting. The sermon uniquely diagrams the logical flow of Paul’s thought, showing how the “therefore” in verse 11 connects the memory of alienation to the purposes of eternal joy and humility. The act of remembering is not an end in itself but is strategically placed to support the larger aims of joy in God’s grace and the eradication of self-exaltation. The sermon’s unique insight is that memory serves as a “means” to these ends, and it visually maps the argument’s structure, distinguishing between the “levels” of Paul’s logic.
Remembering Grace: The Balance of Past and Progress (Desiring God) offers a nuanced interpretation by juxtaposing the imperative to “remember” in Ephesians 2:11-13 with Paul’s exhortation to “forget what lies behind” in Philippians 3. The sermon explores the apparent tension between remembering past alienation and forgetting the past, suggesting that the memory Paul commands is not for the sake of regret or discouragement, but to “throw into starkest relief” the transformation brought by Christ. The unique insight here is the distinction between memories that hinder spiritual progress (which should be forgotten) and memories that magnify grace and intensify joy (which should be remembered). The sermon frames memory as a tool for magnifying the newness of life in Christ, rather than as a source of shame.
Embracing Faith: The Balance of Forgetting and Remembering (Desiring God) interprets Ephesians 2:11-13 by focusing on the strategic use of memory and forgetfulness in the Christian life. The sermon draws a direct analogy between remembering past alienation and the parable of the debtors in Luke 7, arguing that the depth of one’s love for Christ is proportional to the memory of what one has been forgiven. The unique perspective is that memory of misery is essential for appreciating the “glory” of grace, while forgetfulness is necessary when memories (positive or negative) hinder faith and obedience. The sermon also extends the principle of forgetting to include not only pre-Christian achievements but also Christian accomplishments that could lead to complacency or pride.
Ephesians 2:11-13 Theological Themes:
Faith and Inclusion: The Spiritual Israel Revealed (Desiring God) introduces the nuanced theological theme that salvation is inseparable from Israel, but that “Israel” is reconstituted in Christ as a people defined by faith rather than ethnicity or ritual. The sermon highlights that the covenants, hope, and God himself are accessed only through union with this redefined Israel, and that Gentiles are not second-class citizens but full participants by virtue of faith. This theme is developed through a careful tracing of Paul’s logic: separation from Christ means alienation from Israel, the covenants, hope, and God; but in Christ, Gentiles are made “fellow citizens” and “members of the household of God.” The preacher’s fresh angle is the insistence that the church is not a replacement of Israel, but its spiritual fulfillment, and that the Abrahamic promise always anticipated the inclusion of the nations by faith, not by law or lineage.
From Alienation to Belonging: The Power of Grace (Desiring God) introduces the theme that memory is a divinely intended means to two specific ends: the intensification of joy in God’s grace and the elimination of all human boasting. The sermon’s fresh angle is its assertion that remembering one’s alienation is not about self-condemnation but about fueling humility and joy, thus reframing memory as a spiritual discipline with a positive, future-oriented purpose.
Remembering Grace: The Balance of Past and Progress (Desiring God) presents the distinct theological theme that the Christian’s relationship to memory is dynamic and purpose-driven: believers are to remember only what magnifies grace and intensifies joy, and to forget what would hinder their pursuit of Christ. The sermon’s new facet is its application of this principle to the tension between Ephesians 2 and Philippians 3, arguing that both remembering and forgetting serve the same ultimate goal—greater love for Christ and perseverance in faith.
Embracing Faith: The Balance of Forgetting and Remembering (Desiring God) adds the nuanced theme that memory and forgetfulness must be evaluated by their effect on faith and obedience. The sermon’s unique contribution is its assertion that believers should “forget everything that hinders faith and obedience” (whether guilt or pride) and “remember everything that serves faith and obedience,” making the management of memory a matter of spiritual discernment rather than rigid rule.
Ephesians 2:11-13 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Faith and Inclusion: The Spiritual Israel Revealed (Desiring God) provides historical context by explaining the deep division between Jews and Gentiles in the ancient world, particularly the significance of circumcision as a boundary marker. The sermon notes that “called uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands” reflects the Jewish view of Gentiles as outsiders, and that Paul is addressing a context where Gentiles were considered “far off” from the promises and covenants. The preacher also references the cultural reality that, in the first-century Mediterranean world, religious and ethnic identity were tightly bound, making Paul’s redefinition of Israel as a faith community radically countercultural.
From Alienation to Belonging: The Power of Grace (Desiring God) provides historical context by explaining the significance of the terms “Gentiles in the flesh” and “uncircumcision” versus “circumcision,” highlighting the deep social and religious divide between Jews and Gentiles in Paul’s time. The sermon notes that circumcision was “made in the flesh by hands,” emphasizing its human, external nature, and contrasts this with the spiritual nearness brought by Christ’s blood, thus situating the passage within the first-century context of ethnic and covenantal exclusion.
Ephesians 2:11-13 Cross-References in the Bible:
Faith and Inclusion: The Spiritual Israel Revealed (Desiring God) draws on several key biblical cross-references to illuminate Ephesians 2:11-13. The sermon cites John 4 (Jesus and the Samaritan woman: “salvation is from the Jews”) to establish the Jewish roots of salvation. Romans 9:3-8 is used to show that not all physical descendants of Israel are true Israel, but rather the “children of promise.” Galatians 3:6-9 is referenced to argue that “those of faith are the sons of Abraham,” and that the Abrahamic promise always included the Gentiles by faith. Romans 11 is extensively used, especially the olive tree metaphor, to illustrate how Gentiles are grafted into the Abrahamic covenant and become part of the nourishing root. Ephesians 2:19 and Ephesians 3 are also referenced to show that Gentiles are now “fellow citizens with the saints” and “members of the household of God,” reinforcing the theme of spiritual inclusion and redefinition of Israel.
Remembering Grace: The Balance of Past and Progress (Desiring God) references Philippians 3:12-14 to explore the tension between remembering and forgetting, using Paul’s metaphor of running a race to illustrate the need to forget what hinders spiritual progress. The sermon also cites Jesus’ words in Luke 9:62 (“no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”) and the story of Lot’s wife in Genesis (via Jesus’ command to “remember Lot’s wife” in Luke 17), to distinguish between memories that foster longing for the old life and those that magnify grace. Ephesians 2:6-7 is also referenced to show that God’s ultimate purpose is to display the “immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness,” not to perpetuate regret.
Embracing Faith: The Balance of Forgetting and Remembering (Desiring God) cross-references Luke 7:41-47 (the parable of the two debtors) to illustrate that the memory of forgiveness fuels love for Christ, and John 9:25 (the healing of the blind man) to show that remembering past misery leads to ongoing praise. The sermon also references Luke 9:61-62 and Luke 17:32 (“remember Lot’s wife”) to warn against memories that lure believers back to the world, and Philippians 3:13-14 to reinforce the metaphor of running a race with eyes fixed on the goal, not the past.
Ephesians 2:11-13 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing Faith: The Balance of Forgetting and Remembering (Desiring God) uses the 1989 Tour de France as a detailed secular analogy for Paul’s exhortation to “forget what lies behind.” The sermon recounts how Greg LeMond, trailing by fifty seconds in the final time trial, chose not to use a radio to monitor his competitor’s progress, instead focusing solely on the finish line. LeMond’s victory by eight seconds, achieved by ignoring distractions and not looking back, is used as a vivid metaphor for the Christian’s single-minded pursuit of the “prize” in Christ, illustrating the practical outworking of Paul’s teaching in both Ephesians 2:11-13 and Philippians 3.