Ephesians 2:11-22: We Are One

MANY OF US have sung, "We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord." But we also continue to find ourselves at odds with Christians who believe or live differently than we do. Such problems were just as common in Paul's day as in ours.

Warming Up to God

Consider what groups of Christians you disagree with or have trouble getting along with. Reflect on what causes these tensions. Ask God to open your mind and heart so that you can develop understanding.

The 'objective truth' ppl, fundamentalist, the conservative -> the holier than thou effect, modern day pharisee

The lukewarm ppl -> they can drag u down.... talk a lot, very little action...

The scholar ppl -> too scholarly for their own good... have the mind, not the heart... i call them the ineffective christians...

Read Ephesians 2:11-22. »

One in Christ

11Therefore 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-- 12remember 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. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,^[c] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by^[d] the Spirit.

Discovering the Word

• Paul uses vivid imagery in this passage. What are some of these images?
• separation, circumcision, blood of christ , foundation, commonwealth of israel.
  
• making peace, killing hostility,commonwealth of Israel,circumcision
• What divided Gentiles from Jews (vv. 11-13)?
• not recipients of the covenant relationship, need to circumcise in order to convert to the faith...
  
• How are the two reconciliations Christ achieves related (vv. 14-18)?
• all thru christ ... both for 'sinnerman' and for those 'far off' ,christ has come to save sinners (#1) and to save those 'far off'? (#2)
  
• How do the images Paul uses in verses 19-22 emphasize the unity Christians have with one another?
• fellow citizens of the saints! members of household of God. built on foundation of Christ! whole structure.
  

Applying the Word

• What kinds of name-calling (perhaps even using biblical terms) do Christians in your church engage in?
  
• backslight christians, lukewarm, serious ppl, the yuppie ppl
  
• What rules and requirements would you be inclined to enforce (like the law in verse 15) that might hinder people from coming into the kingdom?
• education/professional status, the slang we speak, the attitude towards one another.... (friendly or unfriendly)
  
• What practical first step toward unity with another Christian can you take in the next week?
• talk to all with a genuine heart!
  

Responding in Prayer

Pray for unity in the church, that people would not be turned away from Christ by Christians who don't get along with each other.

For Further Study

One Faith by J. I. Packer & Thomas C. Oden