Unity in Christ: Building God's Dwelling Together

 

Summary

In Ephesians 2:11-22, we uncover a profound truth that has often been overlooked in our individualistic culture. While Ephesians 2:1-10 is well-known for its emphasis on personal salvation by grace through faith, the subsequent verses reveal God's grand design for unity among believers. This passage highlights the breaking down of the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity in Christ. This unity is not just a theological concept but a divine mandate that reflects God's heart for His people.

The historical context of the Tower of Babel and the nation of Israel serves as a backdrop to understand God's plan. At Babel, humanity's attempt to make a name for themselves led to division, but through Christ's sacrifice, God is reversing this division. He is drawing people from every nation to form a unified temple, a dwelling place for His Spirit. This is not about individual stones but a collective body where God resides.

The challenge for us today is to move beyond our personal spiritual experiences and embrace the communal aspect of our faith. We are called to be part of a larger body, transcending cultural and ethnic barriers, to create a space where God's presence dwells. This unity is not just a nice idea but a reflection of God's ultimate purpose for His church. As we gather, we are not just individuals seeking personal encounters with God but a community building a temple for His glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity in Christ: Ephesians 2:11-22 emphasizes the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity. This unity is central to God's plan and reflects His desire for a diverse yet unified body of believers. It challenges us to move beyond individualism and embrace our collective identity in Christ. [10:01]

2. Reversing Babel: The story of the Tower of Babel illustrates humanity's division due to pride. Through Christ, God is reversing this division, drawing people from all nations to form a unified temple. This unity is a testament to God's redemptive work and His desire for a dwelling place among His people. [34:03]

3. The Temple of God: The church is not just a collection of individuals but a temple where God dwells. This communal aspect of faith is crucial, as God's presence is experienced in the unity of believers. We are called to build this temple together, transcending cultural and ethnic differences. [33:43]

4. Beyond Personal Worship: Our faith journey is not just about personal experiences with God but about being part of a larger community. This communal worship reflects God's heart and His desire for a unified body where His presence dwells. It challenges us to prioritize unity and collective worship. [29:49]

5. A Call to Unity: The church is called to be a place of unity, where believers from all backgrounds come together to worship God. This unity is a powerful witness to the world and a reflection of God's ultimate purpose for His people. It invites us to lay aside personal ambitions and build a dwelling place for God's presence. [40:55]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction and Prayer
- [02:12] - Familiarity with Ephesians 2:1-10
- [03:20] - Individualism vs. Community
- [05:02] - Reading Ephesians 2:11-22
- [07:25] - The Purpose of Christ's Sacrifice
- [10:01] - God's Plan for Unity
- [11:04] - Historical Context: Creation and Sin
- [13:15] - The Flood and Tower of Babel
- [15:07] - God's Covenant with Israel
- [17:12] - Breaking Down Hostility
- [19:22] - The Wall of Hostility in the Temple
- [22:24] - One New Humanity in Christ
- [25:45] - Building a Dwelling Place for God
- [34:03] - Reversing the Tower of Babel
- [40:55] - The Call to Unity and Communion

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:11-22

Observation Questions:
1. What does Ephesians 2:11-22 say about the relationship between Jews and Gentiles before and after Christ's sacrifice? ([06:08])
2. How does the sermon describe the historical context of the Tower of Babel and its significance in understanding Ephesians 2:11-22? ([13:52])
3. What is the significance of the "dividing wall of hostility" mentioned in Ephesians 2:14, and how was it addressed through Christ? ([18:34])
4. According to the sermon, what is the purpose of the church as described in Ephesians 2:19-22? ([07:06])

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of unity in Ephesians 2:11-22 challenge the individualistic mindset prevalent in today's culture? ([03:20])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should reflect God's desire for a unified body of believers? ([10:26])
3. How does the sermon interpret the breaking down of the "dividing wall of hostility" as a reversal of the Tower of Babel? ([34:03])
4. What does the sermon imply about the communal aspect of faith and its importance in experiencing God's presence? ([27:52])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. How have you prioritized personal experiences with God over communal worship, and how might you shift this focus? ([29:49])
2. Consider the cultural and ethnic barriers that exist within your own church community. What steps can you take to help break down these barriers and promote unity? ([24:29])
3. How can you contribute to building a "dwelling place for God" within your church community, as described in Ephesians 2:19-22? ([25:45])
4. Think about a time when you felt disconnected from your church community. What actions can you take to foster a sense of belonging and unity? ([30:06])
5. How does understanding the historical context of the Tower of Babel and the nation of Israel change your perspective on God's plan for unity among believers? ([13:52])
6. Identify one practical way you can engage with someone from a different cultural or ethnic background within your church. How can this interaction reflect the unity described in Ephesians 2:11-22? ([22:24])
7. What specific changes can you make in your daily life to prioritize the communal aspect of your faith over individualism? ([03:20])

Devotional

Day 1: Unity in Christ
In Ephesians 2:11-22, the Apostle Paul reveals the profound truth of unity in Christ, emphasizing the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles to create one new humanity. This unity is central to God's plan and reflects His desire for a diverse yet unified body of believers. It challenges us to move beyond individualism and embrace our collective identity in Christ. The passage calls us to recognize that our faith is not just a personal journey but a communal one, where we are part of a larger body that transcends cultural and ethnic differences. This unity is not merely a theological concept but a divine mandate that reflects God's heart for His people. [10:01]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where division exists. How can you actively work towards unity in that relationship today, reflecting the unity we have in Christ?


Day 2: Reversing Babel
The story of the Tower of Babel illustrates humanity's division due to pride and self-centeredness. In contrast, through Christ, God is reversing this division, drawing people from all nations to form a unified temple. This unity is a testament to God's redemptive work and His desire for a dwelling place among His people. The historical context of Babel serves as a backdrop to understand God's plan to bring together what was once scattered. As believers, we are called to participate in this divine reversal by embracing diversity and unity within the body of Christ. [34:03]

Genesis 11:8-9 (ESV): "So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth."

Reflection: Consider a cultural or ethnic barrier you encounter in your community. How can you take a step today to bridge that gap and promote unity?


Day 3: The Temple of God
The church is not just a collection of individuals but a temple where God dwells. This communal aspect of faith is crucial, as God's presence is experienced in the unity of believers. We are called to build this temple together, transcending cultural and ethnic differences. The imagery of the church as a temple highlights the importance of community and collective worship, where each believer is a vital part of the whole. This understanding challenges us to prioritize our communal identity in Christ and work together to create a space where God's presence is manifest. [33:43]

1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on your role in your local church community. How can you contribute to building a stronger, more unified body of believers?


Day 4: Beyond Personal Worship
Our faith journey is not just about personal experiences with God but about being part of a larger community. This communal worship reflects God's heart and His desire for a unified body where His presence dwells. It challenges us to prioritize unity and collective worship, moving beyond our individual spiritual experiences. As we gather, we are not just individuals seeking personal encounters with God but a community building a temple for His glory. This perspective invites us to engage more deeply with our church community and seek ways to foster unity and collective worship. [29:49]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church's communal worship this week, and what steps can you take to encourage others to join in?


Day 5: A Call to Unity
The church is called to be a place of unity, where believers from all backgrounds come together to worship God. This unity is a powerful witness to the world and a reflection of God's ultimate purpose for His people. It invites us to lay aside personal ambitions and build a dwelling place for God's presence. As we embrace this call to unity, we become a testament to God's redemptive work and His desire for a diverse yet unified body of believers. This call challenges us to actively pursue unity within our church and community, recognizing that it is central to God's plan for His people. [40:55]

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Reflection: Identify a personal ambition or preference that may hinder unity in your church. How can you surrender this to God and work towards building a more unified community?

Quotes


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 remember that at that time you were separated from Christ alienated from the common wealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of Promise having no hope and without God in the world 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. [00:05:30]

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the father 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. [00:06:47]

Jesus died on that cross so that Gentiles can share in the Commonwealth of Israel. Was that in some of your minds like a friend called you go oh it's so that the Gentiles could share in the Commonwealth of Israel and you wouldn't say well he died on the cross to break down that wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles so that he could create one new man in himself. [00:09:57]

I want the Jews the Arabs all the Gentiles that's anyone who's not Jewish I want them to form one new person they'll be fighting out there but through Christ in Christ that hostility can be broken that's why I was so fascinated last year when we went to Israel and you saw the B we saw the body of Christ Jews and Palestinians in one room worshiping Jesus in Hebrew and Arabic at the same time. [00:22:29]

Now so God wanted to create one new man that means break down the hostility so that if there's Jews in this room if there's Arabs in this room if there's Chinese black Mexican what hey we don't care in Christ it doesn't matter my my lineage okay like my Chinese Heritage my blood matters so little to me the blood of Christ matters so much to me that's what cleanses me. [00:24:22]

He doesn't dwell with individual Stones he dwells inside of the Temple and so this picture is of the Jews and the Gentiles all joining themselves to One Foundation that was already built so here's uh here's what I did for many years if I'm honest okay okay so this is um this is a little Lego piece so this is um this is what I did I even as a pastor. [00:31:05]

I don't care if you're Jewish I don't care if you're Arab I don't care you know who whoever you are the idea is he came he died so that people people from every single nation would form one Temple and then he says you're creating a place where I can dwell a dwelling place for God this is what God wants a dwelling place for himself. [00:33:16]

What he was doing on the cross was he was reversing the Tower of Babel see at the Tower of Babel they were trying to make a name for themselves with this Tower and so God says I'm going to split you all up then I'm going to divide you everywhere so you can't do it but I'm going to use Abraham and then I'm going to use this nation and and he's going to draw everyone back. [00:33:59]

I want to build the body of Christ I want to be a part of drawing people of different nationalities and creating this dwelling place because I don't care about a name for myself I care about the presence of God I want to build the temple and I really believe this is the future it has to be the future of the church enough of these Ministries and making a name for yourself. [00:37:05]

I didn't come to just have you have personal relationships with me I'm building something different I'm building a temple and that's you guys this is the heart behind our church for us to understand that church is not a place you come and visit and have this personal time with the Lord the church was supposed to be like this family this body. [00:39:41]

We Are One in them and we are taking one bread and one cup to remember the one lamb and I thought wow that's so good because again in my old church the old refrigerator box me I had communion up front I'm like hey you just just go on your own and take it by yourself when you feel like it's time for you you know you do you even with communion and I'm like I totally missed it. [00:43:37]

The point of the Lord's Supper is that we would commune together and commune with the angels in heaven and the Saints before us and the Believers around us of every nationality because that's where Christ dwells is when we unite together. [00:46:21]

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Transcript
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