Unity in Christ: Embracing Our Spiritual Family

On this Labor Day weekend, we gathered to reflect on what truly unites us as followers of Jesus. While the world finds connection in things like sports, music, or shared interests, nothing compares to the unity we have in Christ. Ephesians 2:11-22 reminds us that our faith is the single greatest unifying factor, surpassing all other bonds. Paul urges the church in Ephesus to remember their former separation from God and from each other—Jews and Gentiles divided by history, culture, and even physical barriers. Yet, through Christ’s humility and sacrifice, those walls have been torn down. We are no longer strangers or outsiders, but fellow citizens and members of God’s household.

Paul’s words challenge us to see that our identity is not rooted in our background, nationality, or even our family of origin, but in Christ alone. The cross is the bridge that brings those who were far off near, reconciling us not only to God but to one another. The peace Christ offers is not superficial or based on human effort; it is a deep, lasting peace that kills hostility and creates a new humanity—a family where all are welcome, regardless of their past.

This new identity means we are part of a spiritual family, with God as our perfect Father. Our citizenship is now in God’s kingdom, and our lives are built on the foundation of His Word, with Christ as the cornerstone. The church is not a building or a social club, but a living temple where God dwells by His Spirit, made up of people from every background, united in love and purpose.

We are called to live out this unity in practical ways. It’s easy to stay in our comfort zones, gravitating toward those who are like us, but the gospel compels us to reach out, welcome, and serve others—especially those who feel isolated or different. True community is not just about being friendly on Sundays, but about sharing life, bearing burdens, and loving one another as brothers and sisters. As we leave, let’s be a church that embodies this radical welcome, serving and caring for each other, and growing together into the fullness of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Christ’s Humility Is the Foundation of Our Unity The humility of Jesus—displayed in His willingness to lay down His rights and endure the cross—sets the pattern for our relationships. True unity in the church is not achieved by minimizing differences or ignoring conflict, but by embracing humility, repentance, and sacrificial love. When we remember that we have nothing to boast in except Christ, pride and division lose their grip on us. [28:04]
• 2. The Cross Destroys Every Dividing Wall Paul’s imagery of the “dividing wall of hostility” is not just historical; it speaks to every barrier we erect—racial, cultural, social, or personal. In Christ, these walls are abolished, and we are called to actively pursue reconciliation, not just with God but with each other. The church is meant to be a living demonstration that the gospel creates a new humanity where former enemies become family. [33:02]
• 3. Our Identity Is Rooted in God’s Family, Not Our Background No matter our past, our failures, or even our family wounds, God invites us into His household. In this family, the headship is perfect, and the love is unending. Our worth and belonging are not determined by our earthly families or achievements, but by our adoption as sons and daughters through Christ. [47:00]
• 4. The Church Is a Living Temple, Built on Christ and the Word The foundation of our community is not tradition, personality, or programs, but the unchanging Word of God and the person of Jesus. As the cornerstone, Christ aligns and unifies us, making us a dwelling place for God’s Spirit. Our unity and growth depend on keeping Him at the center, allowing His Word to shape every aspect of our life together. [50:19]
• 5. Radical Welcome and Engagement Are Marks of Gospel Community It’s not enough to be friendly or polite; the gospel calls us to genuine engagement, hospitality, and care for one another. We must be self-aware, stepping out of our comfort zones to include those who feel isolated, and also willing to step off our own “islands” to participate in the life of the body. The unity Christ purchased compels us to serve, listen, and love in ways that reflect His heart for all people. [53:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:30] - College Football and Human Connection
• [04:45] - Our Greatest Unifier: Faith in Christ
• [07:10] - Ephesians Overview and Context
• [10:20] - Humility and the Cross
• [13:30] - The Theme of Separation
• [17:00] - Gentiles and Jews: Barriers and Prejudice
• [20:45] - The “But Now” of the Gospel
• [24:00] - Christ as Our Peace and Reconciler
• [28:30] - A New Identity and Spiritual Family
• [32:00] - Citizenship in God’s Kingdom
• [35:00] - The Household of God
• [39:00] - The Church as God’s Temple
• [43:30] - The “So What”: Living Out Unity
• [47:00] - Welcoming and Engaging Others
• [51:00] - Responding in Worship, Communion, and Giving

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV) —
> 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 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. 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. 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 2:11-12, what was the spiritual condition of the Gentiles before Christ? What specific words or phrases does Paul use to describe their separation?
2. In verses 14-16, what does Paul say Jesus accomplished regarding the “dividing wall of hostility”? How did He do this?
3. What three images does Paul use in verses 19-22 to describe the new identity and unity of believers in Christ?
4. The sermon mentioned a literal wall in the Jewish temple that kept Gentiles out. How does Paul use this image to talk about what Jesus has done for us? [20:45]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul wants the church to remember their former separation from God and from each other? How might forgetting this affect the way we treat others? [13:30]
2. The sermon says, “Christ’s humility is the foundation of our unity.” What does it look like for humility, repentance, and sacrificial love to shape our relationships in the church? [28:04]
3. Paul says we are now “fellow citizens” and “members of God’s household.” What does it mean for our sense of belonging and identity that our primary family is now God’s family, not our background or achievements? [47:00]
4. The church is described as a “living temple” built on Christ and the Word. How does this challenge the way we think about church—not as a building or club, but as a spiritual family where God lives? [50:19]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to move beyond our comfort zones and reach out to those who feel isolated or different. Who in your church or community might feel like an “outsider”? What is one practical step you could take this week to welcome or include them? [53:37]
2. Think about your own background, family, or past. Are there ways you still let those things define your worth or belonging more than your identity in Christ? What would it look like to let your adoption into God’s family shape your self-understanding? [47:00]
3. The “dividing wall of hostility” can show up in many forms—race, culture, politics, personality, or even church preferences. Are there any “walls” in your heart or in your relationships that need to be torn down? What would repentance and reconciliation look like in those areas? [33:02]
4. The sermon said, “True community is not just about being friendly on Sundays, but about sharing life, bearing burdens, and loving one another as brothers and sisters.” What is one way you can move toward deeper, more intentional relationships in your small group or church family this month? [51:44]
5. The foundation of our unity is Christ and His Word—not tradition, personality, or programs. Are there ways you’ve let other things become the “cornerstone” in your life or in your view of church? How can you re-center on Jesus this week? [50:19]
6. The pastor shared a story about friendship that crossed cultural and personal differences because of Christ. Is there someone in your life who is very different from you, but with whom you could build a deeper relationship because of your shared faith? What’s one step you could take? [40:32]
7. The sermon ended with a call to be a church that “embodies radical welcome, serving and caring for each other, and growing together into the fullness of Christ.” What is one area where you want to grow in being more welcoming, serving, or caring? What’s a first step you can take this week? [56:10]