A New Way to be Human - Solomon's House Session 4 - Ephesians 2:11

Devotional

Day 1: United in Christ: One New Humanity

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God has broken down every barrier that once divided people, creating a new humanity where all are reconciled and united in Him. This unity is not just a spiritual idea but a lived reality, as Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled the law and destroyed the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, making peace and granting everyone access to the Father by one Spirit. In Christ, we are no longer defined by what separates us—our backgrounds, our failures, or our attempts to earn God’s favor—but by the peace and unity He has accomplished. As members of this new humanity, we are called to live out this unity, letting go of the things that divide and embracing the oneness Jesus has made possible. [10:46]

Ephesians 2:13-18 (ESV)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 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. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Reflection: What is one barrier—whether of attitude, background, or past hurt—that you can surrender to Jesus today, asking Him to help you live out the unity He has created in His body?

Day 2: God’s Grace: From Death to Life and Purpose

God’s grace reaches us even when we are spiritually dead, making us alive in Christ and giving us a new purpose as His handiwork, created to do good works He prepared for us. We are not saved by our own efforts, religious observance, or moral achievements, but by God’s initiative—He comes to us in our deadness, forgives us, fills us with His Spirit, and calls us into a life of meaning and service. This new life is not just about personal salvation but about being part of God’s ongoing work in the world, as we walk in the good works He has set before us, empowered by His presence. [08:17]

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: Where do you still find yourself striving to earn God’s approval, and how can you rest today in the truth that you are God’s handiwork, created for His good purposes?

Day 3: The Church: God’s Dwelling and New Creation

The church is not a building or an institution, but a new humanity—God’s people, joined together in Christ as a living temple where His Spirit dwells and through whom He fills the world with His presence. Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, we are being shaped together into a holy temple, reflecting God’s image and carrying His presence into every sphere of life. This vision calls us to see ourselves as part of something much bigger than ourselves: a people through whom God intends to renew all things, not just in religious spaces but in every area of society. [19:42]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Reflection: In what area of your daily life—work, family, community—do you sense God inviting you to be His presence, bringing His love and renewal as part of His living temple?

Day 4: Living by Dependence, Not Self-Effort

We cannot do anything for God in our own strength; true Christian living flows from opening ourselves to God’s presence and allowing Him to work through us, rather than striving to achieve for Him. Even the apostle Paul recognized that his ministry was only possible through God’s power at work in him, not by his own ability. This dependence is not weakness but the very foundation of our calling, as we surrender our plans, ambitions, and efforts, and invite God to fill us and use us in ways we could never accomplish on our own. [16:53]

John 15:4-5 (ESV)
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Reflection: What is one area where you have been relying on your own strength or ability? How can you intentionally invite God to work through you in that area today?

Day 5: Embracing the Mystery: The Gospel for All

God’s eternal purpose is to bring all people together in Christ, making the riches of His grace and wisdom known through the church—a mystery now revealed and offered to everyone, regardless of background. This gospel is not limited to a select group but is for all, and as members of Christ’s body, we are called to share in this mission, making plain the boundless riches of Christ and living with the confidence and freedom that comes from belonging to Him. Even when facing misunderstanding or opposition, we are encouraged not to lose heart, but to remember that God’s plan is unfolding through us as we live surrendered to Him. [22:37]

Ephesians 3:6-12 (ESV)
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Reflection: Who in your life or community might feel far from God or excluded from His promises? How can you reach out to them this week, embodying the welcome and grace of Christ?

Sermon Summary

In Ephesians 2 and 3, we see the breathtaking sweep of God’s plan to restore humanity—not just as individuals, but as a new, united people. Once, we were spiritually dead, living outside the boundaries God set, often unaware of our trespasses. God’s law, given through Moses, helped us recognize our need, but it could not heal the root of sin. In his grace, God sent Jesus, who fulfilled the law and became the ultimate sacrifice, making atonement so we could be reconciled to the Father and filled with the Spirit. This is not just a personal rescue; it is the creation of a new humanity, a people brought near by the blood of Christ, no longer defined by division but by unity in him.

The old barriers—between Jew and Gentile, between those near and those far—are destroyed in Christ. He is our peace, making one new humanity out of the two, reconciling all to God through the cross. Our unity is not based on law, doctrine, or tradition, but on the historical reality of Jesus: his life, death, and resurrection. We are not just followers of a set of rules or members of an institution; we are living stones, built together into a dwelling place for God’s Spirit, called to fill every sphere of life with his presence.

This new identity means we are fellow citizens with God’s people, members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. The church is not a building or a club, but a new creation—God’s plan to fill all things with his fullness. Our calling is to live out this unity, not by striving in our own strength, but by opening ourselves to God’s presence and power. As we do, we will sometimes find ourselves at odds with the world, but we are not discouraged. Our confidence is in Christ, who has accomplished all, and who calls us to live as his new humanity, bringing his wisdom and presence into every part of creation.

Key Takeaways

1. Sin is not merely a list of wrong actions, but a pervasive power that separates us from God and distorts all of creation. The law reveals our need, but only Christ’s sacrifice can truly heal and reconcile us to the Father, restoring us to life and purpose. [05:46]
2. God’s plan has always been to create a distinct people, marked not by external boundaries or rituals, but by the indwelling presence of his Spirit. In Christ, the old divisions are abolished, and we are invited into a new humanity where our primary identity is found in him, not in our differences. [10:46]
3. The unity we share is rooted in the historical reality of Jesus—his life, death, and resurrection—not in doctrines, traditions, or personal achievements. Our faith is anchored in what Christ has done, and our belonging is found in being united with him and with one another through the Spirit. [15:30]
4. The church is called to be a living temple, a new creation that fills every sphere of life with God’s presence. This means our faith is not confined to religious spaces, but is meant to transform politics, business, education, and every aspect of society as we live out our identity in Christ. [21:02]
5. Living as God’s new humanity will sometimes bring misunderstanding or even opposition, but our confidence is in Christ’s finished work. We are called to depend wholly on God, allowing him to work through us, knowing that true fruitfulness comes not from our own efforts, but from his presence filling us and the world around us. [24:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:32] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
[05:13] - Suffering and Glory
[05:46] - The Power of Sin and the Law
[06:24] - God’s Covenant and Boundaries
[07:43] - Jesus Fulfills the Law
[08:17] - Made Alive and God’s Handiwork
[09:01] - Gentiles Brought Near
[10:10] - The Dividing Wall Destroyed
[11:23] - Temptation to Division
[12:47] - The Cosmic Work of Christ
[14:46] - The Historical Reality of Jesus
[16:19] - Our Dependence on God
[18:33] - The Church as New Humanity
[19:42] - The Temple and Fullness of God
[21:02] - Filling Every Sphere of Life
[22:06] - The Mystery Revealed
[23:47] - Living in the Now and Not Yet
[24:23] - Dependence and Opposition
[26:44] - Living Out the Calling

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Ephesians 2–3 – God’s New Humanity

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:11–22 (ESV)
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 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, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Ephesians 3:1–13 (ESV)
[Read aloud in your group]

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 2:13–14, what has Jesus done for those who were “far off” and “near”? What is the “dividing wall of hostility” that Paul talks about? [10:10]
In verses 19–22, what new identity and role does Paul say believers now have? What images does he use to describe the church? [19:11]
In Ephesians 3:6, what is the “mystery” that Paul says has now been revealed? Who is included in God’s promises? [22:06]
According to the sermon, what was the purpose of the Old Testament law, and what could it not do? [07:00]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that sin is not just a list of wrong actions, but a power that separates us from God and distorts creation. How does this understanding of sin change the way someone might view their need for Jesus? [05:46]
Paul says that Jesus “has made the two groups one” and “destroyed the barrier.” What kinds of divisions exist in the church or society today that this truth challenges? [10:46]
The sermon emphasizes that our unity is rooted in the historical reality of Jesus, not in law, doctrine, or tradition. Why is it important to anchor our faith and unity in what Christ has done, rather than in our own achievements or religious practices? [15:30]
The church is described as a “living temple” and a “new creation” meant to fill every sphere of life with God’s presence. What might it look like for the church to live out this calling in practical ways? [21:02]

Application Questions

The sermon says that God’s plan is to create a people marked not by external boundaries, but by the indwelling presence of his Spirit. Are there ways you still define yourself or others by external things (background, tradition, achievements)? How can you shift your identity to be rooted in Christ? [10:46]
Think about a division or barrier you’ve experienced—either in church, family, or society. What would it look like for Jesus to “destroy the dividing wall” in that situation? Is there a step you could take this week toward reconciliation or unity? [11:23]
The sermon says our faith is not just personal rescue, but being built together as a new humanity. How does this challenge the way you think about church? What is one way you can invest in deeper relationships with others in the church this month? [12:47]
The church is called to fill every sphere of life with God’s presence—not just religious spaces. Where do you spend most of your time during the week (work, school, home, community)? What is one practical way you can invite God’s presence into that space? [21:02]
The sermon warns that living as God’s new humanity may bring misunderstanding or opposition. Have you ever felt out of step with the world because of your faith? How did you respond, and what would it look like to depend on God’s presence and power in those moments? [24:23]
Paul says we are “fellow citizens with God’s people, members of his household.” Is there someone in your church or community who feels like an outsider? What is one thing you could do to help them feel included and valued this week? [19:11]
The sermon says true fruitfulness comes not from our own efforts, but from God’s presence filling us. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been striving in your own strength? What would it look like to open yourself to God’s presence and let him work through you? [24:23]