Unity and Reconciliation in Christ: Breaking Barriers
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound message of unity and reconciliation found in Ephesians 2:11-22. This passage speaks to the heart of the gospel, which is the breaking down of barriers and the creation of a new, unified people in Christ. We began by reflecting on personal experiences of feeling like an outsider, a sentiment that resonates with many of us. This feeling of exclusion is not new; it was prevalent in the early church, particularly between Jews and Gentiles. Paul addresses this division by reminding the Gentiles that they were once outsiders, but through Christ, they have been brought near and made part of God's family.
The world today is rife with divisions—political, racial, economic, and more. These divisions echo the ancient divides, yet the gospel offers a radical alternative: true peace and unity. The peace Christ offers is not merely a ceasefire but a deep reconciliation that transforms enemies into family. This is the essence of the gospel, which dismantles the "us versus them" mentality and creates a new community where there is just "us."
We also examined the physical and symbolic barriers that existed in the temple, which communicated exclusion. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, tore down these walls of hostility, making it possible for all to come near to God. This act of tearing down walls is not just historical but continues today as Jesus breaks down the barriers we erect in our hearts and communities.
As we partake in Communion, we remember that the table is a place of equality and unity. It is a powerful symbol of the gospel's work in our lives, reminding us that we all come empty-handed, yet are welcomed and filled by Christ. The challenge for us is to live out this unity, to identify and reach out to those who feel like outsiders, and to embody the love and acceptance that Jesus extends to all.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unity in Diversity: The gospel calls us to move beyond societal divisions and embrace a unity that transcends cultural, racial, and economic barriers. In Christ, there is no longer "us and them," but a new family united by His love and sacrifice. [34:44]
2. Breaking Down Walls: Jesus' work on the cross dismantles the walls of hostility that separate us. This is not just a historical event but an ongoing reality as He continues to break down barriers in our lives and communities today. [40:21]
3. The Level Ground of Communion: The Communion table is a powerful reminder that in Christ, all are equal. It is a place where societal hierarchies are dismantled, and everyone is welcome to partake in the grace and mercy of Jesus. [50:51]
4. Living Out Reconciliation: We are called to actively participate in the ministry of reconciliation, reaching out to those who feel like outsiders and building bridges of love and acceptance. This is a tangible expression of the gospel in action. [56:35]
5. Embracing Our Identity in Christ: Our identity is not defined by societal labels or past mistakes but by our relationship with Jesus. In Him, we are beloved children of God, welcomed and embraced into His family. [01:03:18]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Opening Remarks and Pastor Joke
- [03:30] - Introduction to Ephesians Series
- [05:15] - Personal Story of Feeling Like an Outsider
- [10:00] - Historical Context of Ephesians
- [15:30] - Reading of Ephesians 2:11-22
- [20:00] - The Divisions in Society and the Church
- [25:00] - The Peace Offered by Christ
- [30:00] - The Temple's Barriers and Their Significance
- [35:00] - Jesus Breaking Down Walls
- [40:00] - Communion as a Symbol of Unity
- [45:00] - The Challenge to Live Out Reconciliation
- [50:00] - Invitation to Communion
- [55:00] - Closing Remarks and Prayer
- [01:00:00] - Final Song and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:11-22
Observation Questions:
1. What were the specific barriers mentioned in Ephesians 2:11-22 that separated Jews and Gentiles? How did Christ address these barriers? [34:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the divisions present in today's society, and how do they compare to the divisions in the early church? [40:21]
3. What is the significance of the temple's physical layout in illustrating the concept of exclusion and inclusion? [44:09]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the peace offered by Christ is different from the peace offered by the world? [40:21]
2. How does the concept of "us versus them" manifest in modern church settings, according to the sermon? [50:51]
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of Communion in promoting unity and equality among believers? [56:35]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How can this experience help you empathize with others who feel excluded? [34:44]
2. Identify a division in your community or church. What steps can you take to bridge this divide and promote unity? [40:21]
3. The sermon challenges us to live out reconciliation. What practical actions can you take this week to reach out to someone who feels like an outsider? [56:35]
4. How can you personally contribute to making your church a place where everyone feels welcome and included, regardless of their background? [50:51]
5. Consider the barriers you might have erected in your own heart. What steps can you take to allow Christ to break them down? [44:09]
6. How can the practice of Communion remind you of the equality and unity we have in Christ? What changes can you make to embody this in your daily life? [56:35]
7. Think of someone who might feel like a "them" in your church or community. What specific action can you take to show them they are part of "us"? [01:03:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity Beyond Barriers
In a world filled with divisions, the gospel calls us to embrace a unity that transcends cultural, racial, and economic barriers. Ephesians 2:11-22 reminds us that in Christ, there is no longer "us and them," but a new family united by His love and sacrifice. This unity is not just a theoretical concept but a lived reality that challenges us to see beyond our differences and recognize the image of God in each person. As we reflect on this, we are invited to consider how we can actively participate in creating a community that reflects this divine unity. [34:44]
"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life do you struggle to see as part of God's family? How can you take a step towards embracing them as a brother or sister in Christ today?
Day 2: The Ongoing Work of Breaking Down Walls
Jesus' work on the cross dismantles the walls of hostility that separate us. This is not just a historical event but an ongoing reality as He continues to break down barriers in our lives and communities today. The divisions that once seemed insurmountable are rendered powerless in the light of Christ's reconciling love. We are called to be agents of this reconciliation, actively participating in the breaking down of walls that divide us from one another. This involves both personal introspection and communal action, as we seek to embody the peace that Christ offers. [40:21]
"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: What is one barrier in your heart or community that you feel called to address? How can you begin to take steps towards breaking it down with Christ's help?
Day 3: Communion as a Level Ground
The Communion table is a powerful reminder that in Christ, all are equal. It is a place where societal hierarchies are dismantled, and everyone is welcome to partake in the grace and mercy of Jesus. This sacred act invites us to remember that we all come empty-handed, yet are welcomed and filled by Christ. As we gather around the table, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the unifying power of the gospel. This challenges us to live out this equality in our daily interactions, treating each person with the dignity and respect they deserve as a child of God. [50:51]
"So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another." (1 Corinthians 11:33, ESV)
Reflection: How can you embody the equality of the Communion table in your daily life? Is there someone you need to treat with more dignity and respect today?
Day 4: Living Out Reconciliation
We are called to actively participate in the ministry of reconciliation, reaching out to those who feel like outsiders and building bridges of love and acceptance. This is a tangible expression of the gospel in action, as we seek to embody the love and acceptance that Jesus extends to all. It requires intentionality and courage, as we step out of our comfort zones to engage with those who are different from us. By doing so, we become living testimonies of the transformative power of the gospel, demonstrating that true peace and unity are possible in Christ. [56:35]
"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: Who in your life feels like an outsider? How can you reach out to them today and begin to build a bridge of love and acceptance?
Day 5: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
Our identity is not defined by societal labels or past mistakes but by our relationship with Jesus. In Him, we are beloved children of God, welcomed and embraced into His family. This truth liberates us from the constraints of worldly definitions and empowers us to live out our true identity in Christ. As we embrace this identity, we are freed to love others without fear or reservation, knowing that our worth is secure in Him. This calls us to a life of authenticity and vulnerability, as we seek to reflect the love of Christ in all that we do. [01:03:18]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: What societal labels or past mistakes are you allowing to define you? How can you embrace your true identity in Christ today and live out of that truth?
Quotes
"But now, if you remember last week, there was this big, but God, this is basically the same thing. But now, you have been united with Christ. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross. And our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this good news of peace to the Gentiles who were far away from him and peace to the Jews who were near. Now, you know, all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us." [00:35:01] (57 seconds)
"So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him, you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his spirit." [00:35:57] (30 seconds)
"Now, into that world and into our world, if you go back to our Christmas series, the Prince of Peace enters and he offers something different, something bigger, something better to all of us. It's not just a ceasefire, but it's reconciliation. I mean, it's heartbreaking what's going on right now in Gaza and that whole area, and like, if you read the news, it's the ceasefire is being broken. Like, imagine if we could actually see peace there, not just to put the guns away and still hate each other but stop shooting, but actual peace." [00:38:24] (33 seconds)
"And we hope we can get to a ceasefire. That would be progress. And yet the Prince of Peace offers something bigger, something better. He offers not just a ceasefire, not just a putting away of the weapons, but an actual reconciliation, an actual redemption, something where it's built and it's new and it's better. True peace. The removal of this idea of us and them. Everywhere you look in society, there's us and them. And removing that, and instead there's just us." [00:39:27] (28 seconds)
"If we've actually bought into the gospel, if we understood what Paul is writing about what Jesus is offering, there wouldn't be us and them in the church, outside of the church. There wouldn't be, if Jesus was truly king over this whole world, if the world lived under the subjection of this king, there wouldn't be the need for ceasefires because there wouldn't be us and them and the hatred. There would be just us. And that is what we are looking for." [00:40:20] (22 seconds)
"Because the gospel doesn't just remove us and them. It creates something new. It creates one family. It creates one body. It creates one people. In Christ, there is no more them. There is just us. Now, it wasn't always that way. This is what is revolutionary about the gospel and about Jesus." [00:40:35] (22 seconds)
"Christ breaks down the wall. The two become one. We have peace with God and peace with each other because of God's grace. And he actually showed us what this looked like. Jesus showed us what this peace looked like. He did it by eating without cats. He did it by challenging the Pharisees. He did it by healing Gentiles. He did it through all these ways, including extending salvation and the invitation for internal renovation to you and to me, to those who are far away, and to those who were near. Jesus didn't just open a door. He tore down the whole wall." [00:50:51] (32 seconds)
"There's no more us and them. There's no more Jew and Gentile, no more better or worse, male or female, rich or poor, good enough and not good enough. There is just us. Now, this is where it gets interesting and starts to transfer from the first century to the 21st century. You ask the average Christian, the average non-Christian, the average non-religious person what a Christian is, and you're going to get some version of the answer that says someone who is against things. They are against Democrats. They're against abortion. They're against, like you can just start naming it." [00:51:47] (37 seconds)
"Jesus actually broke down the wall of hostility in the temple, and he's still breaking down the wall of hostility between people and at churches. He's doing it today. He's removing the hostility, he's removing the hierarchy, and he's removing the us and them. He's making the two groups one. You belong. You are not too far gone from grace or from mercy, and anyone who says otherwise is not speaking for Jesus. They're protecting their own personal interests." [00:54:49] (25 seconds)
"He's making the two groups one. You belong. You are not too far gone from grace or from mercy, and anyone who says otherwise is not speaking for Jesus. They're protecting their own personal interests. So if that has been your story, I want you to hear that that is, like, people like me, we've messed up. That's not Jesus speaking. He welcomes everybody to himself, and he's tearing down walls. We have a bad habit of building walls. He tears them down. He doesn't just put a doorway, he tears down the wall." [00:55:49] (31 seconds)
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