Sermons on Ephesians 2:13

Ephesians 2:13 Interpretation:

Reconciliation Through Christ: Unity, Peace, and Love (St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School Westland) interprets Ephesians 2:13 by emphasizing the threefold reconciliation that Christ's blood brings: reconciliation with the Father, with each other, and with the Holy Spirit. The sermon uses the metaphor of Christ drawing us near and giving us a hug, illustrating the intimacy and personal nature of this reconciliation. The sermon also highlights the breaking down of the wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, using the historical context of the temple's dividing lines to emphasize the radical inclusivity of Christ's reconciliation.

God's Holiness and Our Call to Holiness (Bridge Church) interprets Ephesians 2:13 by contrasting the Old Testament experience of God's holiness at Mount Sinai with the New Testament reality of being brought near to God through Christ. The sermon uses the analogy of a storm to describe the awe and fear of God's presence, and contrasts this with the peace and confidence believers have in approaching God through Christ. The sermon emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice allows believers to draw near without fear, highlighting the transformative power of Christ's blood in bridging the gap between humanity and God's holiness.

Drawn Near: The Power of Christ's Blood (Spurgeon Sermon Series) interprets Ephesians 2:13 by emphasizing the dual pivots of being "in Christ Jesus" and "by the blood of Christ." Spurgeon uses the analogy of a gate of pearl leading to glory, with the hinges being the union with Christ and cleansing by His blood. He explains that being "in Christ" involves a federal and vital union, likening it to a branch in a vine or a limb in a body, which signifies nearness to God. The sermon also highlights the blood of Christ as a symbol of the covenant and the removal of sin, which brings believers near to God. Spurgeon uses the imagery of the temple and the tabernacle to illustrate the nearness to God, comparing it to the high priest entering the Holy of Holies.

From Alienation to Access: The Power of Salvation (MLJTrust) interprets Ephesians 2:13 by focusing on the contrast between being far off and being made nigh. The sermon emphasizes the absolute difference between being a non-Christian and a Christian, using the analogy of marriage to illustrate the change in relationship. The sermon highlights that being made nigh is about having access to God, knowing God, and being in a covenant relationship with Him. The preacher stresses that this nearness is not about moral improvement but about a change in relationship, where believers are now able to enter the presence of God with boldness and assurance.

Transformed by Christ: The Power of His Sacrifice (MLJTrust) interprets Ephesians 2:13 by emphasizing the absolute transformation from being "far off" to being "made nigh" through the blood of Christ. The sermon highlights the stark contrast between the non-Christian and the Christian, emphasizing that this transformation is not due to personal merit or morality but solely through Christ's sacrifice. The sermon delves into the Greek understanding of being "made nigh" as an action done to us, not by us, underscoring the passive reception of grace through Christ's blood.

Ephesians 2:13 Theological Themes:

Reconciliation Through Christ: Unity, Peace, and Love (St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School Westland) presents the theme of Christ as the ultimate peacemaker, breaking down barriers of hostility not only between Jew and Gentile but also within families and communities. The sermon emphasizes that true peace and reconciliation can only be achieved through Christ, who draws us near to God and each other.

God's Holiness and Our Call to Holiness (Bridge Church) introduces the theme of holiness as both a gift and a calling. The sermon emphasizes that while believers are brought near to God through Christ's sacrifice, they are also called to pursue holiness in their lives. This dual aspect of holiness as both a status and a pursuit is highlighted as central to the Christian life.

Drawn Near: The Power of Christ's Blood (Spurgeon Sermon Series) presents the theme of covenantal relationship through the blood of Christ, emphasizing that the blood is the ground of approach between God and believers. The sermon also highlights the theme of substitutionary atonement, where Christ's death satisfies divine justice and brings believers near to God.

From Alienation to Access: The Power of Salvation (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of relational transformation, where the focus is on the change in relationship with God rather than moral behavior. The sermon emphasizes the theme of assurance and boldness in approaching God, highlighting the believer's new status as a child of God with access to the Father.

Transformed by Christ: The Power of His Sacrifice (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the indispensability of Christ's blood for salvation. The sermon argues against the notion that morality, good deeds, or religious practices can bring one near to God, emphasizing that it is only through the blood of Christ that reconciliation with God is possible. This theme is distinct in its focus on the inadequacy of human efforts and the necessity of Christ's sacrificial death as the sole means of drawing near to God.

Ephesians 2:13 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Reconciliation Through Christ: Unity, Peace, and Love (St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School Westland) provides historical context about the division between Jews and Gentiles in the temple, explaining the physical and cultural barriers that existed. The sermon references an inscription from the first century warning Gentiles against entering the temple's inner courts, illustrating the radical nature of Christ's reconciliation in breaking down these barriers.

Drawn Near: The Power of Christ's Blood (Spurgeon Sermon Series) provides historical context by explaining the temple and tabernacle structure, where the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. This context is used to illustrate the nearness to God that believers now have through Christ.

From Alienation to Access: The Power of Salvation (MLJTrust) offers insights into the Jewish temple system, explaining the different courts and the exclusion of Gentiles from the inner courts. This context is used to highlight the radical inclusion of Gentiles in the new covenant through Christ.

Transformed by Christ: The Power of His Sacrifice (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the Old Testament practice of covenant ratification through blood. The sermon details how covenants were sealed with the blood of animals, and it draws a parallel to the New Covenant being ratified by the blood of Christ. This insight helps to understand the cultural and religious significance of blood in covenantal relationships during Biblical times.

Ephesians 2:13 Cross-References in the Bible:

Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes: Embracing Our Identity (Shiloh Baptist Church Camden) references several passages, including Romans 8 and 1 Corinthians 6, to expand on the theme of being brought near to God. Romans 8 is described as a "feast" that emphasizes believers' right standing with God, while 1 Corinthians 6 highlights the transformation from past sins to a new identity in Christ. These references are used to reinforce the message of Ephesians 2:13, emphasizing the believer's new position and identity in Christ.

God's Holiness and Our Call to Holiness (Bridge Church) references Hebrews 12 to draw a parallel between the fearsome presence of God at Mount Sinai and the confidence believers have in approaching God through Christ. The sermon also references Leviticus 19 to emphasize the call to holiness, connecting the Old Testament call to be holy with the New Testament reality of being made holy through Christ.

Drawn Near: The Power of Christ's Blood (Spurgeon Sermon Series) references Hebrews 10:19-22, which speaks of having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus. This passage is used to support the idea of believers having access to God through Christ's sacrifice.

From Alienation to Access: The Power of Salvation (MLJTrust) references Romans 8, which speaks of the spirit of adoption and crying "Abba, Father." This passage is used to emphasize the believer's new relationship with God as a child with access to the Father.

Transformed by Christ: The Power of His Sacrifice (MLJTrust) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Ephesians 2:13. It cites Hebrews 10:19-22 to illustrate the privilege of entering God's presence through Christ's blood. The sermon also references 2 Corinthians 5:21 to explain the concept of Christ bearing our sins, and John 14:6 to emphasize that no one comes to the Father except through Christ. These references collectively reinforce the centrality of Christ's sacrifice in bridging the gap between humanity and God.

Ephesians 2:13 Christian References outside the Bible:

Seeing Ourselves Through God's Eyes: Embracing Our Identity (Shiloh Baptist Church Camden) explicitly references Neil T. Anderson, quoting him to emphasize that being a Christian is about being someone, not just receiving something. This reference is used to support the sermon's message about embracing one's identity in Christ and seeing oneself as God sees them.

Drawn Near: The Power of Christ's Blood (Spurgeon Sermon Series) explicitly references the teachings of the Apostle Paul, particularly his emphasis on glorying in the cross of Christ and knowing nothing but Christ crucified. Spurgeon aligns his interpretation with Paul's focus on the crucifixion as the central element of the gospel.

Transformed by Christ: The Power of His Sacrifice (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Ephesians 2:13.

Ephesians 2:13 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Reconciliation Through Christ: Unity, Peace, and Love (St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School Westland) uses several secular illustrations to highlight the theme of reconciliation. The sermon references a photo of Russian, Chinese, and Iranian warships in the Gulf of Oman, the conflict in Ukraine, gang violence in Haiti, and the struggles in Sudan to illustrate the pervasive hostility in the world. It also mentions a Jerusalem choir composed of Palestinian and Israeli youth singing a song of peace on "America's Got Talent," using this as an example of human efforts at reconciliation that ultimately fall short without Christ.

Drawn Near: The Power of Christ's Blood (Spurgeon Sermon Series) uses the analogy of a gate of pearl and hinges of diamond to illustrate the preciousness and strength of the union with Christ and cleansing by His blood. This metaphor is used to convey the beauty and security of the believer's access to God.

Transformed by Christ: The Power of His Sacrifice (MLJTrust) does not use any secular illustrations or examples to illustrate Ephesians 2:13.