March 11, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for March 24
The new covenant makes a way for all people
___Ephesians 2:11-22
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___People who lived through the uncertain days of the civil rights struggle in America have a special appreciation for the freedom today in our land. Things are not perfect, but as the saying goes, "We have all come a long way, baby!"
___Before arriving at the point we are today, many pioneers, black and white, had to put their lives and creature comforts on the line to begin the process of racial reconciliation. Thank God for reconcilers who blazed the trails in blood, sweat and tears. They went against the grain of culture and modeled the two greatest commandments.
___Paul addressed the issue of reconciliation to the Ephesians. In his day, hostility between the Jews and the Gentiles was similar to the discrimination of the segregated South.
___This series in Ephesians has shown the creation of God's new people in Christ. Throughout the series, it has been emphasized that in Christ our atonement was accomplished once and for all for our salvation. Through his love demonstrated by his ultimate sacrifice, we now have access to the throne of God.
___The previous lesson addressed how people who were dead in sin received God's wondrous gift of grace. Salvation is God's completed work in Christ Jesus. We cannot add to it. It is certain we cannot take anything away from it. Since it is a free gift (not a cheap gift) our only response is to receive or accept it. Dallas minister David Kuykendall suggests, "We trusted--God saved. Being 'under grace' means, 'We trust; God provides.'"
___The second part of chapter 2, verses 11-22, emphasizes God's actions through Jesus to bring about reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, thus demonstrating reconciliation with God and the church, the new Israel. The suggested LifeWay four-part outline is: "On the outside," "Brought near," "On good terms" and "Togetherness."
___On the outside
___The second part begins with the word "therefore." I have often heard that whenever we see "therefore" we should find out what it is "there for." The previous verse states, "We are God's workmanship" (v. 10). The literal meaning is "God's poem." Last week's lesson suggested we ought to "show off God's masterpiece." "Therefore" reminds us of our former separation as Gentiles.?
___The people of Israel considered the Gentiles (all nations outside of the Hebrew people) uncircumcised and unclean. Gentiles were thought to be outside the promises of God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Circumcision of the flesh did not bring about righteousness. God desires his people to have the circumcision of the heart (Ezekiel 36:25-26, Romans 2:29).
___Even the early church had issues with the Gentiles becoming Christians. There was an "us against them" attitude among some of the apostles and elders (Acts 11:1-18).
___"Us against them" can be a normal line of demarcation in many games of friendly competition. The same is normal in sports, warfare, politics and more. We must be cautious of any spirit of competition in the church. The reality is that it can spiral downward from innocence to explosive divisions. Competition can breed jealousy, superiority and perhaps a holier-than-thou attitude. A change in attitude is needed to realize that without Christ all persons (Jews and Gentiles alike) are on the outside, without hope and without God (v. 12).
___Brought near
___The contrast is in the word "but" (v. 13). This is the good news for people on the outside. Compare verses 4 and 13. The emphasis is on the phrase "but now in Christ Jesus" (v. 13). Our former state is no longer the defining issue. No matter how we were shut out of the old covenant, we have been brought near by the loving initiative of Christ Jesus.
___On good terms
___The Old Testament gives explicit instructions on the construction of the temple (1 Kings 6-7, 2 Chronicles 3-4). There were at least five levels of courts in the temple, and there was a dividing wall between the court of the Gentiles and the court of Israel.
___Thank God that in the new covenant in the blood of Jesus, the dividing wall comes down. The veil in the temple was torn in two by the crucifixion of Jesus. "He is our peace" (v. 14). Our peace comes at a great price. The price of reconciliation was paid at Calvary (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
___Togetherness
___Reconciliation between God and humanity is a vertical relationship. Reconciliation between God's people is horizontal. We must be reconciled one with another. Since the dividing wall has been abolished, we are a new building (the church). Christ is the "cornerstone" (v. 21). Reconciliation literally means, "Change from a state of enmity between persons to one of friendship."
___In Christ, we are no longer strangers, aliens or outsiders. We are all one (together) in Christ. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). "In Christ there is no East or West, in him no South or North, but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth."
___Question for discussion
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