Unity in Christ: Overcoming Barriers and Division
Summary
In Ephesians 2:11, Paul urges the Ephesians to remember their past as Gentiles, highlighting the division between Jews and Gentiles. This division was marked by the Jews' emphasis on circumcision, a physical sign that had been misunderstood and exaggerated into a barrier. Paul explains that God's purpose through Christ is to unite all things, both in heaven and on earth, under Christ's headship. This unity is already being demonstrated in the church, where Jews and Gentiles worship together, illustrating God's power to overcome obstacles.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for the Ephesians to understand the greatness of God's power, which is evident in their transformation from being dead in sin to becoming members of the Christian Church. This transformation is not only a testament to God's power but also a demonstration of His purpose to unite all things in Christ. The division between Jews and Gentiles, once insurmountable, has been overcome by Christ's work, which reconciles both groups to God and to each other.
Paul's message is relevant today as the world remains divided by various barriers, whether national, cultural, or religious. True unity, he argues, can only be achieved through Christ, who changes hearts and removes the barriers of pride and prejudice. The Apostle warns against focusing on external differences and human traditions, which only serve to divide. Instead, he calls for a focus on the spiritual transformation that Christ brings, which unites believers in worship and service to God.
Key Takeaways:
- The division between Jews and Gentiles was a significant barrier in the ancient world, but God's power through Christ has overcome it, demonstrating His purpose to unite all things in Christ. This unity is a testament to the greatness of God's power. [06:15]
- True unity is only possible through Christ, who changes hearts and removes barriers of pride and prejudice. External differences and human traditions should not divide believers, as they are united in Christ's Spirit. [22:26]
- Pride and self-centeredness are the root causes of division and barriers. They blind individuals to the truth and lead to exaggerated views of oneself and diminished views of others. Humility in Christ is essential for true unity. [27:26]
- The emphasis on external signs and human traditions, such as circumcision, can lead to division. True spiritual transformation, which is available to all through Christ, is what truly matters. [33:46]
- Christ alone can bring about true unity by changing hearts and reconciling individuals to God and each other. This transformation leads to a shared worship and service to God, breaking down all barriers. [41:14]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:11
[01:14] - New Section in Ephesians
[02:11] - God's Purpose in Christ
[03:19] - The Church as an Illustration
[04:15] - The Need for Understanding
[05:19] - The Exceeding Greatness of God's Power
[06:35] - Obstacles to Unity
[07:56] - The Second Obstacle: Status
[09:11] - Relevance of the Message Today
[10:27] - The Problem of Ignorance
[11:34] - Division in the Ancient World
[12:53] - The Astounding Unity in Christ
[14:11] - Gentiles in the Flesh
[15:25] - The Misunderstanding of Circumcision
[17:23] - True Circumcision in the Spirit
[19:29] - Overcoming Barriers Through Christ
[22:26] - The Only Path to True Unity
[24:08] - The Cause of Division
[27:26] - Pride as the Root of Division
[33:46] - The Wrong Sense of Values
[41:14] - Christ as the Cure for Division
[45:01] - The Only Hope for Unity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:11-12
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the division between Jews and Gentiles that Paul highlights in Ephesians 2:11? How did this division manifest in their practices and beliefs? [00:10]
2. According to the sermon, what are the two main obstacles that stood between the Ephesians and becoming Christians? [06:35]
3. How does Paul describe the transformation of the Ephesians from being "dead in sin" to becoming members of the Christian Church? [05:55]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the church as an illustration of God's purpose to unite all things in Christ? [03:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the significance of remembering one's past, as Paul urges the Ephesians to do? What impact does this have on understanding God's power? [10:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that pride and self-centeredness contribute to division among people? How does this relate to the historical context of Jews and Gentiles? [27:26]
3. The sermon mentions that true unity is only possible through Christ. What does this mean in practical terms for believers today? [22:26]
4. How does the sermon interpret the emphasis on external signs and human traditions, such as circumcision, in relation to true spiritual transformation? [33:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you allowed external differences or human traditions to create a barrier between you and others. How can you work towards overcoming these barriers in your life? [20:50]
2. The sermon highlights pride as a root cause of division. Identify an area in your life where pride might be causing division. What steps can you take to cultivate humility in that area? [27:26]
3. Consider the ways in which your church community demonstrates unity in Christ. Are there areas where this unity could be strengthened? How can you contribute to this effort? [22:26]
4. How can you focus more on spiritual transformation rather than external signs in your personal faith journey? What practical changes can you make to prioritize this transformation? [33:46]
5. Think about a relationship in your life that is strained due to differences. How can you apply the message of reconciliation through Christ to improve this relationship? [41:14]
6. The sermon suggests that true unity comes from shared worship and service to God. How can you engage more deeply in communal worship and service within your church? [41:14]
7. Identify a tradition or practice in your life that may have become a barrier to unity with others. How can you re-evaluate its importance in light of the sermon’s message? [33:46]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Power Unites All in Christ
The division between Jews and Gentiles was a significant barrier in the ancient world, but God's power through Christ has overcome it, demonstrating His purpose to unite all things in Christ. This unity is a testament to the greatness of God's power. The Apostle Paul reminds the Ephesians of their past as Gentiles, emphasizing the division that once existed. However, through Christ's work, this division has been reconciled, and both groups are now united in worship and service to God. This transformation from division to unity is a powerful demonstration of God's ability to overcome obstacles and fulfill His purpose of uniting all things under Christ's headship. [06:15]
Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV): "making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Reflection: Consider a division or barrier in your life that seems insurmountable. How can you invite God's power to work through Christ to bring unity and reconciliation in this situation today?
Day 2: True Unity Through Christ's Transformation
True unity is only possible through Christ, who changes hearts and removes barriers of pride and prejudice. External differences and human traditions should not divide believers, as they are united in Christ's Spirit. Paul warns against focusing on external differences and human traditions, which only serve to divide. Instead, he calls for a focus on the spiritual transformation that Christ brings, which unites believers in worship and service to God. This transformation is a testament to the power of Christ to change hearts and create true unity among believers. [22:26]
Colossians 3:11 (ESV): "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."
Reflection: Identify a tradition or external difference that has caused division in your community. How can you focus on the spiritual transformation in Christ to promote unity instead?
Day 3: Humility in Christ Overcomes Pride
Pride and self-centeredness are the root causes of division and barriers. They blind individuals to the truth and lead to exaggerated views of oneself and diminished views of others. Humility in Christ is essential for true unity. Paul emphasizes the need for humility, as pride creates barriers and divisions among people. By embracing humility in Christ, believers can overcome these barriers and work towards true unity. This humility allows individuals to see others as equals and to work together in service to God. [27:26]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where pride may have influenced your actions. How can you practice humility in Christ to foster unity in your relationships?
Day 4: Spiritual Transformation Overcomes External Traditions
The emphasis on external signs and human traditions, such as circumcision, can lead to division. True spiritual transformation, which is available to all through Christ, is what truly matters. Paul highlights the misunderstanding of circumcision as a barrier between Jews and Gentiles. He calls for a focus on the spiritual transformation that Christ brings, which unites believers in worship and service to God. This transformation is a testament to the power of Christ to change hearts and create true unity among believers. [33:46]
Galatians 5:6 (ESV): "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love."
Reflection: Think of a tradition or external sign that you have placed too much importance on. How can you shift your focus to the spiritual transformation that Christ offers?
Day 5: Christ as the Cure for Division
Christ alone can bring about true unity by changing hearts and reconciling individuals to God and each other. This transformation leads to a shared worship and service to God, breaking down all barriers. Paul emphasizes that true unity can only be achieved through Christ, who changes hearts and removes barriers of pride and prejudice. By focusing on the spiritual transformation that Christ brings, believers can overcome divisions and work together in service to God. This unity is a testament to the power of Christ to change hearts and create true unity among believers. [41:14]
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."
Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. How can you invite Christ to work in your heart and the heart of the other person to bring about true unity?
Quotes
The great object of this epistle to the Ephesians is to explain and to expand God's great purpose during this present age. It's put in summary form in the tenth verse of the first chapter: this, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He, God, might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in Him. [00:02:08]
The Apostle goes on at once to say this: he says this great ultimate purpose of God is already being put into operation. He says the church is a symphony illustration of this, and it's a very wonderful thing. He goes on to say, you remember there in that first chapter, that the Ephesians, the Gentiles also, have been brought into the church. [00:03:24]
The most important thing for you is to have the eyes of your understanding enlightened. Your greatest need, he says, is knowledge and understanding. Here they were, not many in number, and surrounded by a pagan atmosphere, suffering persecution. What do they need above everything? What they need, he says, is to realize this great thing and to realize therefore the exceeding greatness of God's power to all who believe. [00:04:15]
There were two main obstacles standing between these Ephesians and coming to God and being Christians. What were they? Well, the first was their state and condition in sin, and the Apostle deals with that in the first eleven verses, first ten verses of this second chapter. We've already been dealing with it, but there it is, let's not forget it. [00:06:29]
The world in those ancient times, you remember, was divided into two main groups: the Jews, the Gentiles. And the division seemed absent, and any talk about reconciliation seemed quite monstrous and ridiculous. Jew and Gentile, Jew and Gentile. But on the other hand, the Gentiles had their classification, and particularly the Greeks. [00:11:20]
The astounding thing is that it's true. You Ephesians have been brought in. You are likewise in the membership. This is the astounding thing that nothing less than the exceeding greatness of God's power could ever have brought to pass. Now that's his message. Now the way in which the Apostle puts it is extremely interesting. [00:12:42]
The trouble was that the Jews had taken hold of this, which really was a fact, and they turned that fact into a problem. And it had happened in this way: the Jews, through misunderstanding the teaching of their own scriptures, had come to think that the only thing that really mattered was the sign in the flesh. [00:15:32]
The division in the ancient world was due to one thing, and that was the differences had been turned into barriers. I've already been explaining to you differences have become middle walls of partition. Now the principle is this, you see, that there are differences, and it's folly to minimize differences. Differences are facts. [00:25:10]
Pride is blinding. Pride is a powerful spirit that controls us and Dragoon's us and dominates us. And under the influence of pride, a man can't think straight. He becomes prejudiced, and he cannot see anything truly as it is. Prejudice is the greatest curse in life, and it generally is grounded and rooted in pride. [00:27:41]
The whole tragedy of the Jew at that time was that he'd missed the real point. He had missed the real sense of values. He thought that it was circumcision in the flesh that mattered. What Paul and others at the teaching was that it was circumcision in the spirit that really matters. [00:33:46]
Christ alone can cure, nothing else at all. Why? Well, for this reason: that if that is the cause, obviously what is needed is a change of heart. It isn't enough just to appeal for goodwill and for kindness and friendliness and brotherliness. It simply does not work, and it will not work. [00:41:14]
There is only one hope: that men and women be born again, that they be reconciled by the blood of Christ, that God should forgive them, that God should give them a new nature and a new heart and implant a new spirit within them. And all sharing this spirit together will worship Him and praise Him. [00:45:01]
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