From Alienation to Unity: The Power of Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Christ Overcomes Barriers

The distinction between Jew and Gentile was significant in biblical times, representing a deep cultural and religious divide. However, through the transformative power of God's grace, these barriers have been overcome, uniting all believers in Christ. This unity is not based on external signs or rituals but on a profound spiritual transformation of the heart. True circumcision, as Paul explains, is of the heart—a spiritual renewal that brings individuals into a genuine relationship with God. This transformation is a testament to the power of God's love and the inclusivity of His kingdom, where all are welcome regardless of their background. [06:07]

Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."

Reflection: Consider a relationship in your life where there is division or misunderstanding. How can you actively seek unity and reconciliation in this relationship, reflecting the unity that Christ brings to all believers?

Day 2: The Law as a Guide to Christ

The Old Testament, with its laws and covenants, was always pointing towards Christ. The laws given to the Jews were not an end in themselves but a guide to lead people to the Messiah. Everything God did for the Jews was in preparation for the coming of Christ, who would fulfill the law and bring salvation to all. Understanding this helps believers appreciate the continuity of God's plan and the fulfillment of His promises in Christ. The law served as a tutor, highlighting humanity's need for a Savior and preparing the way for the grace and truth that came through Jesus. [12:19]

Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you might be relying on rules or rituals rather than a relationship with Christ. How can you shift your focus to embrace the grace and truth found in Him?

Day 3: The Consequences of Being Without Christ

Being without Christ means being outside the community of God's people, without the promises and hope that come from a relationship with Him. It is a state of spiritual alienation and hopelessness. In contrast, being in Christ means being part of God's family, having hope, and knowing God personally. This transformation from alienation to belonging is a cause for rejoicing and gratitude. Understanding our past state of separation from God helps us appreciate the depth of our salvation and the joy of being in Christ. [29:41]

Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt spiritually distant or alienated. What steps can you take today to draw closer to Christ and experience the fullness of life and hope He offers?

Day 4: Rejoicing in the Depth of Salvation

Understanding our past state of separation from God helps us appreciate the depth of our salvation and the joy of being in Christ. This transformation is a cause for rejoicing and gratitude. The greatness of salvation is not just in the promise of eternal life but in the present reality of being in a relationship with God, experiencing His love, peace, and guidance daily. Recognizing the magnitude of what it means to be saved should fill believers with awe and thankfulness, motivating them to live lives that reflect the grace they have received. [16:54]

1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV): "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can express gratitude for your salvation today? How can this gratitude influence your interactions with others?

Day 5: Embracing the Fullness of Life in Christ

The call is to recognize our need for Christ, to come to Him, and to experience the fullness of life and hope that He offers. In Christ, believers find a new life, a new hope, and the assurance that God will never leave them nor forsake them. This invitation to come to Christ is an invitation to experience a life transformed by His love and grace, where believers are empowered to live with purpose and joy. Embracing this fullness of life means trusting in God's promises and allowing His Spirit to guide and shape every aspect of one's life. [43:50]

John 10:10 (ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel you are not experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. What practical steps can you take to invite Christ into this area and embrace the abundant life He offers?

Sermon Summary

In Ephesians 2:12, Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians of their previous state before knowing Christ. They were once without Christ, alienated from the Commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God in the world. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God's grace and mercy. The distinction between Jew and Gentile was significant, but Paul emphasizes that God's power has overcome these barriers, uniting all believers in Christ. The Jews misunderstood the purpose of circumcision, focusing on the external sign rather than the spiritual significance. Paul clarifies that true circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual transformation that brings one into a relationship with God.

The Old Testament, with its laws and covenants, was always pointing towards Christ. Everything God did for the Jews was in preparation for the coming of Christ. The law was a guide to lead people to Christ, not an end in itself. The Ephesians, once Gentiles and outsiders, have now been brought near by the blood of Christ. This is a testament to the greatness of God's power and love. Understanding our past state of separation from God helps us appreciate the depth of our salvation and the joy of being in Christ.

Being without Christ means being outside the community of God's people, without the promises and hope that come from a relationship with Him. It is a state of spiritual alienation and hopelessness. In contrast, being in Christ means being part of God's family, having hope, and knowing God personally. This transformation is a cause for rejoicing and gratitude. The call is to recognize our need for Christ, to come to Him, and to experience the fullness of life and hope that He offers.

Key Takeaways

1. The distinction between Jew and Gentile was significant, but God's power has overcome these barriers, uniting all believers in Christ. This unity is not based on external signs but on a spiritual transformation of the heart. True circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual transformation that brings one into a relationship with God. [06:07]
2. The Old Testament, with its laws and covenants, was always pointing towards Christ. Everything God did for the Jews was in preparation for the coming of Christ. The law was a guide to lead people to Christ, not an end in itself. [12:19]
3. Being without Christ means being outside the community of God's people, without the promises and hope that come from a relationship with Him. It is a state of spiritual alienation and hopelessness. In contrast, being in Christ means being part of God's family, having hope, and knowing God personally. [29:41]
4. Understanding our past state of separation from God helps us appreciate the depth of our salvation and the joy of being in Christ. This transformation is a cause for rejoicing and gratitude. [16:54]
5. The call is to recognize our need for Christ, to come to Him, and to experience the fullness of life and hope that He offers. In Christ, we find a new life, a new hope, and the assurance that God will never leave us nor forsake us. [43:50]
** [43:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:12
[01:05] - The Power of God's Grace
[02:14] - Overcoming Barriers Between Jew and Gentile
[04:22] - The True Meaning of Circumcision
[06:07] - Spiritual Transformation of the Heart
[09:00] - Being Without Christ
[11:40] - Old Testament's Preparation for Christ
[16:09] - The Greatness of Salvation
[19:15] - In Christ vs. Outside Christ
[21:36] - Relationship to God Without Christ
[29:41] - Consequences of Being Without Christ
[36:34] - Without God in the World
[42:25] - The Call to Come to Christ
[44:27] - Rejoicing in Christ

Sermon Clips

"Now the Apostle Paul as you know deals with this question in many of his Epistles uh he puts it for instance in a particularly clear manner in his epistle to the Romans in the second chapter in verses 28 and 29 where he puts it like this he says he is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the spirit not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God." [06:09]

"Everything that God did to and for the Jews under the old dispensation was done with an eye to Christ everything in the Old Testament looks forward to Christ we must never look at any of these things in and of themselves everything that God did to those Jews those Israelites he did in preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ now the Apostle of course puts that you remember in a in a phrase in Galatians 3:23 like this he says that the purpose of all that was to shut us up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed the law was a school Master to bring us to Christ it was never meant to be anything in of itself." [11:36]

"No man will ever rejoice as he ought to In Christ unless he realizes his position before he became a Christian, the trouble with everybody who is not rejoicing in Christ this morning is that they've never realized what they were in sin it's no use talking about only being positive you must start with your negative if you don't realize what you were before God took hold of you you'll never praise him as you ought so Paul goes into it in great detail there are so many people have never seen any need of Christ why well because they're self-satisfied they think they're all right as they are that's the trouble." [16:51]

"The one thing that matters in this life and in this world is to be related to God in Christ, there is nothing more terrible that can be said about anybody than this without Christ living apart from Christ you see when the Apostle looks for a term in which he can show these people the distance they wear away and the utter hopelessness of their position this is the term he chooses without Christ living apart from Christ in no living relationship to Christ there's nothing worse than that but on the other hand therefore there is nothing more wonderful than to be in Christ." [19:02]

"Without hope I don't know what you feel I think that that's the most terrible statement in the whole of scripture without hope there's nothing worse than that while there's life There's Hope yes but when hope goes there's nothing hope is the last thing that goes and when hope is gone chaos is come again as MC Beth put it but a man who's without Christ is with without hope what's he mean well I think he means this he has no hope in this life and had you realized that without Christ there is no hope in this life in this world none at all." [29:50]

"Without God what's he mean by this well this by this he means obviously without a subjective experience of God he's referring to a subjective absence of God God is still there of course but these people don't know that they're not aware of that and therefore they're not enjoying God shall I summarize it like this they don't know God and they're not in fellowship with God therefore they are without all the help and all the peace and all the joy that comes through the knowledge of God and faith in God their world is collapsing everything is going wrong they're left alone and they in their utter isolation they have nothing they don't know God." [36:40]

"Fly to Christ the Ephesians were there but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ you needn't remain an outsider you needn't feel these things don't belong to you they do God speaking to you believe him listen to him act upon it go to him confess that all that has been true of you and cast yourself upon his love and grace and mercy and compassion and he will receive you and he will tell you that he sent his son to die into to shed his blood for you that you might be reconciled to him and might become his child and might become a fellow citizen with the Saints and of the household of God and you'll have a new life and A New Hope and you'll know God and you'll know that he'll never leave you nor forsake you fly to him and if you're already there rejoice in him to be in Christ there is nothing Beyond it it is heaven on Earth it is the forest of Eternal Bliss." [43:50]

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