Breaking Down Walls: Embracing Unity in Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that Jesus Christ has broken down the walls of division and granted us access to the presence of God. Reflecting on Luke 4, we acknowledged the mission of Jesus to bring good news, release captives, and open blind eyes. We celebrated the work God is doing in our lives, stirring hope and joy within us. As we gathered, we were reminded of the importance of community and the power of connection, encouraging one another to embrace the transformative work of Jesus in our lives.

We delved into Ephesians 2, where Paul speaks of the unity brought by Christ, breaking down the walls of hostility between Jews and Gentiles. This radical inclusivity invites us all, regardless of our backgrounds, into the family of God. We are no longer strangers but citizens and members of God's household. This unity challenges us to examine our hearts for any lingering hostilities and to invite Jesus to break down those walls, allowing His peace to reign.

The sermon emphasized that access to God is granted to all through the Holy Spirit, thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus. We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, settling relationships with one another as God has settled His relationship with us. This access is not just about entering God's presence but about becoming His dwelling place. We are being built into a holy temple, a living house where God resides, transforming us from the inside out.

As we grow in Christ, we are challenged to embrace the discomfort of transformation, allowing God to rebuild us into something greater than we imagined. This process of sanctification is about becoming new creations, redeemed and whole, reflecting the image of Christ. We are the Holy of Holies, the place where God's presence dwells, and we are called to live as such, bringing His love and grace into every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- Radical Inclusivity: Jesus has broken down the walls of division, inviting all people into the family of God. This inclusivity challenges us to examine our hearts for any hostilities and to embrace the peace that Christ offers, uniting us as one body. [47:43]

- Access Granted: Through Jesus, we have been granted access to the presence of God. This access is not just about entering His presence but about becoming His dwelling place, where His Spirit resides and transforms us. [01:00:43]

- Ministry of Reconciliation: As followers of Christ, we are called to settle relationships with one another, reflecting the reconciliation God has accomplished through Jesus. This ministry challenges us to drop our differences and embrace unity in Christ. [01:03:02]

- Transformation and Growth: The process of sanctification involves allowing God to rebuild us from the inside out, transforming us into new creations. This growth can be uncomfortable, but it is essential for becoming the people God has called us to be. [01:06:06]

- Living as the Holy of Holies: We are the temple of God, the place where His presence dwells. This identity calls us to live as conduits of His love and grace, bringing His presence into every area of our lives and the world around us. [01:09:54]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:59] - Praise and Thanksgiving
[37:42] - Reflections on Community
[40:27] - Hope in Jesus
[44:24] - Prayer for the Pearl Church
[45:50] - Ephesians 2:11-22 Reading
[46:53] - Living Apart from Christ
[47:43] - Breaking Down Walls
[48:28] - Ending Hostility
[50:43] - Remembering Our Past
[51:51] - Strengthening Conviction
[52:48] - Radical Inclusivity
[54:28] - Jewish Temple History
[56:21] - Sensing God's Presence
[58:46] - Walls of Division
[01:00:43] - Access Granted
[01:03:02] - Ministry of Reconciliation
[01:06:06] - Transformation and Growth
[01:09:54] - Living as the Holy of Holies
[01:14:53] - Breaking Down Walls in Us
[01:16:07] - Embracing Our Role as the Temple
[01:19:38] - Invitation to Surrender
[01:21:02] - Prayer of Surrender
[01:22:43] - Closing Worship

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:11-22
- Luke 4:18-19

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Observation Questions:

1. In Ephesians 2:11-22, what does Paul say about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles before and after Christ's sacrifice? How does this relate to the concept of "radical inclusivity"? [47:43]

2. According to Luke 4:18-19, what are the key elements of Jesus' mission as described in the sermon? How do these elements reflect the transformative work of Jesus in our lives? [34:59]

3. What historical context about the Jewish temple is provided in the sermon, and how does it illustrate the breaking down of walls between different groups? [54:28]

4. How does the sermon describe the process of becoming a "holy temple" for the Lord, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this transformation? [01:07:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the breaking down of walls between Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians 2 challenge modern believers to address divisions within their own communities? [47:43]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Jesus granting us access to God's presence, and how does this access transform our identity as believers? [01:00:43]

3. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to participate in the ministry of reconciliation, and how does this reflect the reconciliation God has accomplished through Jesus? [01:03:02]

4. How does the concept of being built into a "holy temple" challenge believers to embrace the discomfort of transformation and growth in their spiritual lives? [01:06:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on any personal "walls" of division or hostility you may have. How can you invite Jesus to break down these walls and embrace unity with others in your community? [47:43]

2. Consider the access to God's presence that Jesus has granted you. How can you live more consciously as a dwelling place for His Spirit in your daily life? [01:00:43]

3. Identify a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. What steps can you take this week to reflect the reconciliation God has accomplished through Jesus? [01:03:02]

4. Transformation can be uncomfortable. What specific area of your life is God challenging you to grow in, and how can you embrace this process of sanctification? [01:06:06]

5. As a member of God's household, how can you actively participate in building a community that reflects the radical inclusivity and love of Christ? [47:43]

6. Think about a time when you felt excluded or distant from God. How did you overcome that feeling, and how can you help others who might be experiencing the same? [46:53]

7. How can you live as the "Holy of Holies" in your workplace or community, bringing God's love and grace into every interaction? [01:09:54]

Devotional

Day 1: Radical Inclusivity in Christ
Jesus Christ has broken down the walls of division, inviting all people into the family of God. This radical inclusivity challenges us to examine our hearts for any lingering hostilities and to embrace the peace that Christ offers, uniting us as one body. In Ephesians 2, Paul speaks of the unity brought by Christ, breaking down the walls of hostility between Jews and Gentiles. This unity invites us all, regardless of our backgrounds, into the family of God. We are no longer strangers but citizens and members of God's household. This unity challenges us to examine our hearts for any lingering hostilities and to invite Jesus to break down those walls, allowing His peace to reign. [47:43]

"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a person or group you find difficult to accept? How can you invite Jesus to help you break down those walls and embrace them with His love today?


Day 2: Access to God's Presence
Through Jesus, we have been granted access to the presence of God. This access is not just about entering His presence but about becoming His dwelling place, where His Spirit resides and transforms us. The sacrifice of Jesus has opened the way for us to enter into a relationship with God, and through the Holy Spirit, we are being built into a holy temple, a living house where God resides. This transformation is an ongoing process, inviting us to allow God to rebuild us from the inside out, making us new creations in Christ. [01:00:43]

"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22, ESV)

Reflection: What does it mean for you to be a dwelling place for God? How can you make room in your life for His Spirit to transform you today?


Day 3: Ministry of Reconciliation
As followers of Christ, we are called to settle relationships with one another, reflecting the reconciliation God has accomplished through Jesus. This ministry challenges us to drop our differences and embrace unity in Christ. We are called to be ministers of reconciliation, settling relationships with one another as God has settled His relationship with us. This involves examining our hearts for any lingering hostilities and inviting Jesus to break down those walls, allowing His peace to reign. [01:03:02]

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation? How can you take a step towards healing and unity today?


Day 4: Embracing Transformation and Growth
The process of sanctification involves allowing God to rebuild us from the inside out, transforming us into new creations. This growth can be uncomfortable, but it is essential for becoming the people God has called us to be. As we grow in Christ, we are challenged to embrace the discomfort of transformation, allowing God to rebuild us into something greater than we imagined. This process of sanctification is about becoming new creations, redeemed and whole, reflecting the image of Christ. [01:06:06]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What area of your life is God calling you to transform? How can you embrace the discomfort of growth and allow Him to work in you today?


Day 5: Living as the Holy of Holies
We are the temple of God, the place where His presence dwells. This identity calls us to live as conduits of His love and grace, bringing His presence into every area of our lives and the world around us. As the Holy of Holies, we are called to reflect the image of Christ, bringing His love and grace into every aspect of our lives. This involves allowing God to transform us from the inside out, making us new creations in Christ. [01:09:54]

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live as a conduit of God's love and grace today? What practical steps can you take to bring His presence into your daily interactions and relationships?

Quotes



"Paul's talking about radical inclusivity. In Ephesians, he's speaking to God's people. And what's wild is he's literally in prison because as a Jew, he's been contending for the Gentile. As a Jewish man, he's been fighting that you would encounter Christ, that you would know Jesus. And that's why he's in prison. He's not in prison because Rome was mad at him. He's in prison because Jewish religious people were like, how dare you give this away to everybody?" [00:52:48] (31 seconds)


"He breaks down all kinds of walls to touch those with leprosy and other kinds of uncleanness. Jesus is always jumping over and breaking down walls to seek and save sinners, to draw near those who are in need. He breaks down all kinds of walls to are far off. The actual dividing wall would stand until 70 AD, but it was broken down in 33 AD by Jesus on the cross. There's no more wall." [00:58:46] (26 seconds)


"God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. And God's given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them." [01:03:02] (26 seconds)


"Because of what Christ has done through the Holy Spirit to the Father, all of us, access has been granted. Bloop. Come on in. And number three, he's building his temple. To quote C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand. You can understand what he's doing. He's getting the drains right, stopping the leaks in the roof, and so on." [01:06:06] (36 seconds)


"This is the work of sanctification. This is why we talk about let's grow. Grow every week. Wouldn't you know growing is hard and uncomfortable and can often be painful and can challenge us on not just a surface level, but on an identity level. From the inside out, Jesus wants to make everything brand new, which is why in Ephesians 2, Paul says, together we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. The cornerstone is Christ Jesus." [01:07:31] (33 seconds)


"Because you're being challenged to grow, he's building his temple. You and I, bit by steady bit, with Jesus as our firm foundation, our cornerstone, are being built. Built as his dwelling place, his Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is no longer a sacred spot where one person has access once a year. The Holy of Holies is your life and mine on display for the world to encounter the presence of God. It's you and me when we choose the access granted in Christ." [01:09:54] (37 seconds)


"That means the broken pieces of my past that caused me to show up as broken, Jesus wants to make whole and allow me to walk in freedom. That means the sin that's gripped my identity for so long. Wants to be recreated in Christ Jesus so that I'm given a new identity, a new name, a brand new nature. We, broken, sinful, being redeemed, becoming new creations." [01:10:29] (26 seconds)


"That's why we say we don't go to church we are his church we are his temple we are his holy of don't forget remember don't take it for granted that the walls are broken down and access is granted and he's building his temple and wouldn't you know he's doing that in you." [01:12:31] (24 seconds)


"There's nothing holding us back from the fullness of walking in the joy of being your kids, sons and daughters, joint heirs with Christ, set apart for your name's sake. Why? Because you're building your temple and you're building it in us. A holy of holies. A palatial estate where you long to take up residence and make yourself at home. Would you make yourself at home in us today? Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus." [01:19:38] (30 seconds)


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Transcript
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