Sermon Notes
Sermon: Unity in Christ by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: June 22, 2018
Scripture Passages:
Key Points:
The Ephesians are Gentiles, and, up until Christ died on the cross, there were many barriers between the Jews and the Gentiles. These barriers were physical, sociological, and religious. These barriers impacted every area of their lives. Christianity, at that time, was still somewhat considered a sect in the Jewish religion, and the Gentiles were wondering what their status as new believers were in the Church. Where did they fit in?
The Jews had 5 religious privileges that the Gentiles did not have before Christ died on the cross. First, the Gentiles were separate from Christ and did not have the hope of a Messiah to rescue them. Second, they were excluded from citizenship to the nation of Israel, so they were not and never could be a part of God’s chosen people. There were some Gentile proselytes, but Gentiles as a whole were alienated. Third, because the Gentiles were not citizens of Israel, the Old Testament covenants and the promises and blessings of those covenants did not apply to them. Fourth, the Gentiles were a people without hope. Fifth, the Gentiles were a people without God. They had many gods and goddesses, but they did not have the one True God. Without Him, they had no meaning, hope, purpose, or direction in life. They had no means of salvation.
However, Christ changed all of that. Through His life, ministry, death, and resurrection, the situation of the Gentiles radically changed! They were a transformed people and admitted into full citizenship privileges in the kingdom of God if they followed Him. Now, while this was true, it was slow to come into full realization.
In Christ, there were no Jews, no Gentiles…no divisions. Rather, there was one body. In the Church, there was a new humanity united in Christ. This is not yet fully realized, but it was and still is occurring. Church is just the beginning of this new creation of a new humanity in a new society where the Jews and Gentiles are one body. F. F. Bruce states, “No longer did circumcision or uncircumcision have any religious relevance: such matters as the observance of special days or abstention from certain kinds of food belonged henceforth to the realm of personal conscience; with regard to them everyone should be ‘fully convinced in his own mind,’ without being condemned or despised by anyone else for his decision.” Now, Paul and F.F. Bruce are not talking about situational ethics or “to each their own” kind of lifestyle and attitude. Rather, they are specifically talking about spiritual practices and life within the church.
Bonhoeffer writes of Christ as the mediator. Christ not only brings reconciliation between God and us, but He also brings reconciliation between us and other people. Bonhoeffer is echoing Paul’s message here to the church in Ephesus. And it was a common theme throughout Paul’s preaching that there is another way, a better way, a united way. In verses 19-22, Paul tells the Ephesians (and us) that the foundation of this unity and of the Church is Christ. The Church is a sanctuary for the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. This applies to both local church and the universal church as well as individuals. In verse 18, through Christ and by the Holy Spirit, we have access to God. This access is to ALL who believe, not just the Jews or one select group of believers.
Some want to refer to Christ as the keystone here, but that is a fallacy. While everything in the arch rests on a keystone, the keystone is placed last in contrast to the cornerstone which is placed first. The analogy of the keystone falsely implies that Christ has no role until the very end. Jesus is the cornerstone or foundation stone. This means that everything is being built upon, supported by, and shaped by Christ. Jesus is our cornerstone. Believers of Jesus are the stones with which the church is being built. Every stone is important, and every stone is needed to complete the construction of the Church.
Future Suggested Study:
Sermon: Unity in Christ by Rev. Jessica Johnson
Date: June 22, 2018
Scripture Passages:
- Ephesians 2:11-22
Key Points:
The Ephesians are Gentiles, and, up until Christ died on the cross, there were many barriers between the Jews and the Gentiles. These barriers were physical, sociological, and religious. These barriers impacted every area of their lives. Christianity, at that time, was still somewhat considered a sect in the Jewish religion, and the Gentiles were wondering what their status as new believers were in the Church. Where did they fit in?
The Jews had 5 religious privileges that the Gentiles did not have before Christ died on the cross. First, the Gentiles were separate from Christ and did not have the hope of a Messiah to rescue them. Second, they were excluded from citizenship to the nation of Israel, so they were not and never could be a part of God’s chosen people. There were some Gentile proselytes, but Gentiles as a whole were alienated. Third, because the Gentiles were not citizens of Israel, the Old Testament covenants and the promises and blessings of those covenants did not apply to them. Fourth, the Gentiles were a people without hope. Fifth, the Gentiles were a people without God. They had many gods and goddesses, but they did not have the one True God. Without Him, they had no meaning, hope, purpose, or direction in life. They had no means of salvation.
However, Christ changed all of that. Through His life, ministry, death, and resurrection, the situation of the Gentiles radically changed! They were a transformed people and admitted into full citizenship privileges in the kingdom of God if they followed Him. Now, while this was true, it was slow to come into full realization.
In Christ, there were no Jews, no Gentiles…no divisions. Rather, there was one body. In the Church, there was a new humanity united in Christ. This is not yet fully realized, but it was and still is occurring. Church is just the beginning of this new creation of a new humanity in a new society where the Jews and Gentiles are one body. F. F. Bruce states, “No longer did circumcision or uncircumcision have any religious relevance: such matters as the observance of special days or abstention from certain kinds of food belonged henceforth to the realm of personal conscience; with regard to them everyone should be ‘fully convinced in his own mind,’ without being condemned or despised by anyone else for his decision.” Now, Paul and F.F. Bruce are not talking about situational ethics or “to each their own” kind of lifestyle and attitude. Rather, they are specifically talking about spiritual practices and life within the church.
Bonhoeffer writes of Christ as the mediator. Christ not only brings reconciliation between God and us, but He also brings reconciliation between us and other people. Bonhoeffer is echoing Paul’s message here to the church in Ephesus. And it was a common theme throughout Paul’s preaching that there is another way, a better way, a united way. In verses 19-22, Paul tells the Ephesians (and us) that the foundation of this unity and of the Church is Christ. The Church is a sanctuary for the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. This applies to both local church and the universal church as well as individuals. In verse 18, through Christ and by the Holy Spirit, we have access to God. This access is to ALL who believe, not just the Jews or one select group of believers.
Some want to refer to Christ as the keystone here, but that is a fallacy. While everything in the arch rests on a keystone, the keystone is placed last in contrast to the cornerstone which is placed first. The analogy of the keystone falsely implies that Christ has no role until the very end. Jesus is the cornerstone or foundation stone. This means that everything is being built upon, supported by, and shaped by Christ. Jesus is our cornerstone. Believers of Jesus are the stones with which the church is being built. Every stone is important, and every stone is needed to complete the construction of the Church.
Future Suggested Study:
- Ephesians 1-2
- Acts 21:27-36
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