WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640 Starting in verse 11, we read, 00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:07.020 Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, 00:00:07.480 --> 00:00:10.700 called the uncircumcision, by what is called the circumcision, 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:13.160 which is made in the flesh by hands. 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:17.059 Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:19.940 alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, 00:00:20.460 --> 00:00:22.620 and strangers to the covenants of promise, 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:25.820 having no hope and without God in the world. 00:00:25.820 --> 00:00:30.640 But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:32.899 have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 00:00:33.539 --> 00:00:35.259 For he himself is our peace, 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:38.719 who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh 00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:40.460 this dividing wall of hostility 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:44.299 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:48.900 that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:50.480 so making peace, 00:00:51.060 --> 00:00:54.939 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, 00:00:54.939 --> 00:00:57.159 thereby killing the hostility. 00:00:58.079 --> 00:01:01.479 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off, 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:03.259 and peace to those who were near. 00:01:04.039 --> 00:01:07.019 For through him we both have access in one, 00:01:07.420 --> 00:01:08.560 spirit to the Father. 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:12.120 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, 00:01:12.700 --> 00:01:14.879 but you are fellow citizens with the saints 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:16.900 and members of the household of God, 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:20.280 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 00:01:21.019 --> 00:01:23.519 Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:27.099 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:29.819 grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 00:01:30.640 --> 00:01:33.519 In him you also are being built together 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:36.019 into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:38.159 This is the word of God. 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:39.979 Great. 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:42.819 Annalise, thank you so much for reading. 00:01:43.179 --> 00:01:45.399 If you are new to Watermark and you don't know me, 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:47.599 my name is Kevin, one of the leaders here. 00:01:47.859 --> 00:01:48.640 Great to have you. 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:51.420 Why don't we pray together as we come to this passage 00:01:51.420 --> 00:01:52.899 and ask God to speak to us. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:54.819 So, Father God, once again, 00:01:54.939 --> 00:01:56.699 we come to your word this morning. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:01:58.959 As we do weekly, God, 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:01.000 we come because we want to hear you speaking. 00:02:02.459 --> 00:02:03.819 Lord, I pray by your Spirit, 00:02:03.900 --> 00:02:06.319 won't you come and speak to our hearts, 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:08.539 Lord, won't you help me to make this passage clear. 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:12.519 Lord, we haven't come just to find out interesting ideas 00:02:12.519 --> 00:02:13.340 or new ideas. 00:02:13.459 --> 00:02:16.599 We've come to hear the living God speak to us, 00:02:16.659 --> 00:02:18.400 to encounter you in your word. 00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:19.939 And Lord, I pray, 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:22.879 won't you both challenge us but also encourage us. 00:02:22.959 --> 00:02:26.340 Won't you flood our hearts with the good news of Jesus. 00:02:27.620 --> 00:02:30.199 Lord, we pray this in your wonderful and your gracious name. 00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:31.359 Amen. 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:31.540 Amen. 00:02:33.100 --> 00:02:35.860 Well, 28th of August, 1963, 00:02:36.220 --> 00:02:37.340 very famous day, 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:40.260 a man by the name of Martin Luther King Jr. 00:02:40.660 --> 00:02:44.900 delivered one of the most famous speeches of the last century, 00:02:45.720 --> 00:02:48.080 his famous I Have a Dream speech. 00:02:49.040 --> 00:02:51.160 And at the speech in Washington, 00:02:51.540 --> 00:02:58.020 he declares his desire for unity across the United States, 00:02:58.140 --> 00:02:59.180 across the races. 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:02.080 And he famously says at the end of his speech, 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:04.180 I have a dream that one day, 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:08.080 my four children will be able to sit together 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:09.560 at the table of humanity, 00:03:09.700 --> 00:03:11.580 little black girls and little black boys, 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:13.599 little white boys and little white girls, 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:17.240 sitting together at the table of humanity. 00:03:18.300 --> 00:03:19.580 It was a very famous speech 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:22.180 that caused a whole uproar. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:25.939 And 50 years later, 60 years later, 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:28.020 he's still reverberating around the world. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:30.340 But Martin Luther King Jr., 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:32.280 where did he get that conviction from? 00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:34.860 Well, if you know his story, 00:03:34.980 --> 00:03:35.960 he was a Christian. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:37.060 He was a flawed man. 00:03:37.100 --> 00:03:38.560 He wasn't a perfect man at all. 00:03:38.980 --> 00:03:41.719 But he was a Christian that was committed to the gospel, 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:43.560 and it was his gospel conviction 00:03:43.560 --> 00:03:45.980 that drove his desire 00:03:45.980 --> 00:03:49.040 and drove his conviction for unity 00:03:49.040 --> 00:03:51.080 across a very broken nation. 00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:55.460 Well, that's the same thing that Paul wants to say to us this morning 00:03:55.460 --> 00:03:56.920 in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:03:57.140 --> 00:03:58.400 Paul is going to tell us 00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:02.720 that the gospel has the power to destroy division 00:04:02.720 --> 00:04:06.540 and to unite diverse people together 00:04:06.540 --> 00:04:08.520 for God's glory. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:10.620 Over the last couple of weeks, 00:04:10.660 --> 00:04:12.240 we've been working through Ephesians, 00:04:12.320 --> 00:04:15.360 and we've seen how the gospel is not just individualistic, 00:04:15.480 --> 00:04:16.060 me and Jesus. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:16.899 It's cosmic. 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:19.040 God has this amazing plan 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:22.439 to unite all things together under Christ. 00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:24.800 And it's been wonderful. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:28.280 And the implications of that are amazing. 00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:30.540 The implications are all eternity, 00:04:30.780 --> 00:04:32.759 we are seated with Christ, 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:34.540 safe and secure. 00:04:35.220 --> 00:04:36.920 Nobody can take that from us. 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:38.500 For all eternity, 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:41.379 we are co-heirs with Christ. 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:42.439 Amazing. 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:42.639 Amazing. 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:45.019 But what does that actually mean 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:46.660 for our day-to-day lives? 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:48.819 What does that mean for a city like Hong Kong? 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:51.699 What does that mean for a church like Watermark? 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:54.459 You know, one of the things I love about Watermark 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:56.500 is the diversity of people here. 00:04:56.579 --> 00:04:58.019 I mean, I would be fascinated to know 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:01.420 how many countries we've got represented in this church. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:03.740 People from all over the world. 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:06.560 Well, what does that gospel message mean 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:08.120 for a diversity of people 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:10.079 with different backgrounds and cultures 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:13.039 and styles and lifestyles? 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:15.399 How does the gospel actually speak to that? 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:17.659 Or what implications does it have? 00:05:18.719 --> 00:05:20.560 Well, one of the things we're going to continue to see 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:21.439 throughout Ephesians 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:25.519 is that Paul is going to spell out in very clear terms, 00:05:25.639 --> 00:05:27.099 but today he lays the foundation 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:30.159 for the fact that the gospel has the power 00:05:30.159 --> 00:05:31.939 to destroy division 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:34.959 and to unite diverse people together 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:36.279 for God's glory. 00:05:36.919 --> 00:05:38.279 And we're going to see three things 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:39.139 in our passage today. 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:41.079 Firstly, what you were. 00:05:41.659 --> 00:05:43.479 Secondly, what Christ has done. 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:46.759 And thirdly, what God is doing in the world. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:49.120 What you were, what Christ has done, 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:51.319 what God is doing actually in the church. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:52.919 So firstly, what you were. 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:53.800 Let's dive in. 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:58.000 So the world is a very broken and hostile place, 00:05:58.039 --> 00:05:59.579 full of division, right? 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:01.039 Sometimes I wonder 00:06:01.039 --> 00:06:03.719 whether the world could possibly become 00:06:03.719 --> 00:06:07.000 any more diverse or conflicted 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:08.379 than it is at the moment. 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:11.839 I mean, we've got geopolitical conflict 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:13.139 and national conflict. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:16.000 We've got political divisions in every country 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:18.159 on a more micro level. 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:20.000 We've got family division and conflict. 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:21.860 There's ethnic division and conflict. 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:25.159 There's conflict between races and genders 00:06:25.159 --> 00:06:27.079 and all sorts of conflict. 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:29.180 And sometimes I look at the world 00:06:29.180 --> 00:06:29.639 and I think, 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:31.819 could things ever be more conflicted 00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:32.719 than they were at the moment? 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:35.019 Well, we may think that the world 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:36.399 has never been this divided, 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:38.039 but actually in the ancient world, 00:06:38.159 --> 00:06:39.259 things weren't that different. 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:41.739 Thousands of years ago, 00:06:41.859 --> 00:06:43.819 you had the Babylonians and the Persians 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:44.839 that were at each other. 00:06:45.179 --> 00:06:47.079 The Egyptians wore all the time. 00:06:47.539 --> 00:06:48.539 At the time of Jesus, 00:06:48.679 --> 00:06:49.939 you had the Greeks and the Romans 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:51.599 and they didn't quite see eye to eye. 00:06:52.339 --> 00:06:54.000 But one of the greatest conflicts 00:06:54.000 --> 00:06:55.120 in the time of the Bible 00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:57.539 is between the Jews and the Gentiles. 00:06:58.060 --> 00:06:59.439 The Jews are God's people. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:01.579 The Gentiles are non-Jews. 00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:05.759 And these two just could not see eye to eye. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:10.480 The Jews looked down at the Gentiles 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:13.699 as these defiled, unclean people. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:15.139 They saw them as a threat 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:16.360 for everything they believed in, 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:17.459 everything they stood for. 00:07:17.920 --> 00:07:19.639 And the Gentiles considered the Jews 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:23.279 as these stack-up, elitist kind of people, right? 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:25.659 And we see that in our passage today. 00:07:25.720 --> 00:07:26.680 Look at verse 11. 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:27.720 He says, 00:07:28.100 --> 00:07:28.860 You Gentiles, 00:07:28.900 --> 00:07:29.720 and then he breaks off, 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:29.980 says, 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:33.500 You who are called those dirty and circumcised 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:37.000 by those who consider themselves the circumcised. 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:40.060 Now, circumcision isn't a very big deal in our day. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:41.180 But in those days, 00:07:41.259 --> 00:07:41.780 for the Jews, 00:07:41.900 --> 00:07:43.360 that was the sign 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:45.639 that you were part of the people of God. 00:07:45.740 --> 00:07:48.639 It was like those that were committed and faithful 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:49.660 were the circumcised 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:51.460 and everyone else was unclean, 00:07:51.660 --> 00:07:52.100 dirty, 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:53.199 rejected, 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:54.780 outsiders. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:56.560 The insiders, 00:07:56.680 --> 00:07:57.660 and the outsiders. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.759 Jews would talk about non-Jews 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:02.980 as those uncircumcised pagans, 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:04.660 those filthy Gentiles. 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:05.400 In fact, 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:07.300 they would even call them those dogs. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.100 And the Gentiles felt much the same 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:11.060 towards the Jews. 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:12.439 William Barclay, 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.319 a biblical scholar, 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:14.780 says, 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:17.840 The Jews had immense contempt for the Gentiles. 00:08:18.460 --> 00:08:19.980 The Jews said that the Gentiles, 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:21.899 their only job in the world 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:24.259 was to be fuel for the fires of hell 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.120 that awaited them. 00:08:25.840 --> 00:08:26.139 In fact, 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:27.019 some people said 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:29.300 it was morally and ethically 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:30.800 unacceptable 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:33.799 to help a Gentile lady in labor 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:35.240 because all you're doing 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:37.139 is bringing another Gentile into the world. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:38.860 And in fact, 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:40.159 in some cultures, 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:40.899 some villages, 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:44.299 if your child married a Gentile, 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:45.019 if you were a Jew 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:45.960 and married a Gentile, 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:47.820 rather than throwing you a wedding, 00:08:47.940 --> 00:08:49.039 they'd throw a funeral 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:50.379 because to them, 00:08:50.459 --> 00:08:51.379 you were dead to them. 00:08:51.599 --> 00:08:52.839 That is the end of the relationship. 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:55.259 Such is the hostility, 00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:57.139 the immensity of the hostility 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:59.459 between these two groups of people. 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:01.459 Now, 00:09:01.599 --> 00:09:02.639 on the one hand, 00:09:03.939 --> 00:09:05.779 there actually was a legitimate distinction 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.399 between the Jews and the Gentiles. 00:09:08.059 --> 00:09:10.519 The Jews really were God's chosen people. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:10.779 I mean, 00:09:10.819 --> 00:09:11.719 look at verse 12. 00:09:12.099 --> 00:09:12.719 Paul writes it here. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:13.120 He says, 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:13.680 Remember, 00:09:14.180 --> 00:09:15.180 you Gentiles, 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:16.320 he's writing to Gentiles, 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:18.759 were separated at that time from Christ, 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:21.060 alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:23.460 strangers to the covenant of promise, 00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:24.920 having no hope 00:09:24.920 --> 00:09:26.740 and without God in the world. 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:28.500 So the Jews knew 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:30.399 that they are God's chosen people. 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:32.580 God has got something special for them. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.759 He's got a plan for them. 00:09:34.180 --> 00:09:35.879 There is something distinct for them. 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:37.860 His blessing rests upon them. 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:39.159 But the Gentiles, 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:40.300 they had none of it. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:41.019 Okay? 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:42.080 They had none of it. 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:45.080 And the reason why God did this 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:47.200 was He chose this group of people 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:48.019 called the Jews 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:51.060 to be like a billboard of His grace, 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:54.200 to be an invitation to the nations around them 00:09:54.200 --> 00:09:54.600 to say, 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:56.460 Look at this group of people. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:58.720 Look at what it looks like 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:00.899 when my favor is on a group of people. 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:01.980 When I blessed them. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.879 Look at what it looks like 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:05.580 to walk with God, 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:06.039 Yahweh, 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:06.940 the one true God. 00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:08.480 So the Jews, 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.180 in some way, 00:10:09.280 --> 00:10:10.400 were an invitation 00:10:10.400 --> 00:10:11.740 to the nations around them 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:12.140 to say, 00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:13.820 If you come and serve 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:14.800 the one true God, 00:10:14.880 --> 00:10:15.980 look at all the blessings 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:17.520 that are poured out on us. 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:18.180 Okay? 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:18.800 There we go. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:21.220 Israel was a billboard, 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:22.100 an invitation, 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:23.640 to come and experience 00:10:23.640 --> 00:10:25.180 the favor and the blessing of God. 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:28.940 You could think of it like this way. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:30.120 Imagine the Hong Kong government 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.160 has this plan. 00:10:31.780 --> 00:10:32.820 We want everyone 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.640 to switch to electric vehicles. 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:34.920 Okay? 00:10:34.920 --> 00:10:36.080 No more fossil fuels. 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:36.759 Everyone, 00:10:37.020 --> 00:10:38.420 we want to switch to electric vehicles. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:39.420 Now, 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.259 one way they could do it 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:40.860 is just say, 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:41.700 Next year, 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:43.960 all fossil vehicles 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:44.680 are outlawed. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:44.900 Okay? 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:46.340 They could do it that way. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:47.980 Or they could come up 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:48.940 with an innovative plan. 00:10:49.040 --> 00:10:49.680 They could say, 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:51.060 We're going to give 00:10:51.060 --> 00:10:52.320 100,000 people 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.940 the top of the range 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:54.860 electric vehicles. 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:56.300 And we're going to give them 00:10:56.300 --> 00:10:57.200 free charging. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:10:58.440 And we're going to give them 00:10:58.440 --> 00:10:59.300 free parking. 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.519 And there's going to be 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.779 all sorts of perks 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:03.579 that they are going 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:04.039 to be given. 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:05.819 And everyone 00:11:05.819 --> 00:11:06.219 at Hong Kong 00:11:06.219 --> 00:11:07.240 is going to see 00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:08.459 how amazing it is 00:11:08.459 --> 00:11:09.139 to do that 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:09.819 and they're going to make 00:11:09.819 --> 00:11:10.659 the switch themselves. 00:11:11.219 --> 00:11:11.479 Okay? 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:12.819 And so, 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:14.159 they set aside 00:11:14.159 --> 00:11:15.279 this group of people 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:17.299 almost as an invitation, 00:11:17.459 --> 00:11:17.859 a billboard, 00:11:17.939 --> 00:11:18.179 to say, 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:18.979 Come and see 00:11:18.979 --> 00:11:19.899 what it looks like. 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:21.219 Enjoy the benefits 00:11:21.219 --> 00:11:22.699 of making the switch. 00:11:23.339 --> 00:11:23.639 Well, 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:24.059 in some way, 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:24.639 that's what God 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:25.459 was doing with Israel. 00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:26.740 He chose them. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:27.600 He loved them. 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:28.500 He lavished them 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.139 with His favor 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:30.580 so that they would be 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:32.159 a billboard of His grace, 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:32.899 an invitation 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:34.120 to come and follow 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:34.860 this God, 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.860 the one true God. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:37.379 Leave your gods. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.259 Leave your idols. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.340 Leave Baal aside 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:40.680 and come and worship Yahweh. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.180 Well, 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:42.700 the problem, 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:43.139 of course, 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:43.620 is this, 00:11:43.680 --> 00:11:44.879 that rather than 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.060 being an invitation 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:47.740 to come be part 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.560 of God's plan, 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.060 it led to 00:11:50.060 --> 00:11:51.419 self-righteousness, 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.620 to a sense of superiority, 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.500 a sense of division. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.120 You see, 00:11:58.180 --> 00:11:59.180 Israel had forgotten 00:11:59.180 --> 00:12:00.019 what we spoke about 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.460 last week, 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.060 that they were saved 00:12:01.060 --> 00:12:02.139 by grace, 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.480 through faith. 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:05.519 This is not of yourselves. 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.060 It is a gift of God, 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.120 not by your own works 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:10.519 so that no one can boast. 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:12.240 They forgot about that 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:12.820 and they thought, 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:13.519 yeah, 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.220 we're pretty good. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:15.360 Actually, 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:15.740 we are, 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:16.960 we may be better 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.039 than everybody else. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:19.820 It wasn't that 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:20.799 they were more special 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.500 or holy 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.399 in and of themselves. 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.519 They were pretty rotten. 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.799 Israel needed God's grace 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.459 just as much 00:12:26.459 --> 00:12:27.299 as anyone else. 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:28.859 They were still sinners 00:12:28.859 --> 00:12:29.779 in need of forgiveness. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.959 But God's grace to them 00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:33.299 should have humbled them. 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.399 It should have brought them 00:12:34.399 --> 00:12:35.279 to their knees. 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:36.740 But rather, 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:37.639 it led to 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:39.019 self-righteousness 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.939 and superiority. 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:42.459 You know, 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.259 in Jerusalem, 00:12:43.459 --> 00:12:44.659 at the time of the Bible, 00:12:45.159 --> 00:12:45.939 the way the temple 00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:46.500 was structured, 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:48.039 it was up on a hill. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:48.500 It was called 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.359 the Temple Mount. 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.039 And you had the sanctuary 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.799 where worship 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:53.639 was taking place. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.639 And outside the sanctuary, 00:12:54.779 --> 00:12:55.379 you had the court 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.039 of the priests 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.620 where the priests 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:59.379 would do their worship 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.220 and altars 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:00.860 and that kind of stuff. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:01.819 Outside of that, 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.340 you had the court 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.179 of Israel 00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:04.539 where only men could go. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.620 Outside of that, 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:06.419 you had the court 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:06.960 of the women 00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.080 where Jewish women 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:08.559 could go. 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:10.179 But then beyond that, 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.500 there was a stone wall, 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.019 1.5 meters high, 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.519 a stone wall 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.819 around the temple. 00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:17.500 And beyond that 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.620 was the limits 00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.700 to which the Gentiles 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:20.059 could go. 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.220 So Gentiles 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:22.279 could come to the area, 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.620 but they couldn't 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.079 go beyond the stone wall 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:26.720 anywhere near the temple. 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:28.399 They could look up the hill 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.379 and see the worship. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:30.539 They could see 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:31.539 the community life. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.000 They could see 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.799 the sense of community there. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.419 But they could not go 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:37.079 beyond the stone wall 00:13:37.079 --> 00:13:39.279 into anywhere near the temple. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.240 Gentiles were 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.620 outsiders excluded. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:42.879 In fact, 00:13:42.939 --> 00:13:44.799 there was a stone, 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.399 there were signs 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.919 all along the stone wall. 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:49.179 I think we got a picture 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.419 of one that said, 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:51.620 no foreigner 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.439 is allowed 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.439 beyond the wall 00:13:53.439 --> 00:13:54.479 surrounding the temple. 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:56.000 Whoever enters 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.099 invites death 00:13:57.099 --> 00:13:57.879 upon himself. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:13:59.819 Enter beyond 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:00.659 this stone wall 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:02.039 at your own risk. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.519 You will die. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.279 And so Paul says, 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.279 these Gentiles 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.039 and believers 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:08.620 in Ephesus, 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:10.159 remember what you were. 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:11.860 Last week he says, 00:14:11.939 --> 00:14:12.519 remember you were 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.339 dead in your sins. 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.199 This week he says 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:14.860 the same thing. 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:16.379 Remember you were 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:17.019 outsiders, 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.459 excluded, 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:19.539 foreigners. 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.360 Verse 12, 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:21.399 remember you were 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:21.939 at that time 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:23.279 separated from Christ, 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.339 alienated from 00:14:24.339 --> 00:14:25.059 the commonwealth 00:14:25.059 --> 00:14:25.500 of Israel, 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:26.799 strangers to the 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.959 covenants of God's promise, 00:14:28.459 --> 00:14:29.480 without God 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.459 and without hope 00:14:30.459 --> 00:14:31.139 in the world. 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.980 Excluded from God's grace, 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.819 excluded from his blessings, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.679 his word, 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:38.259 excluded from his 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.059 covenant people. 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:40.779 What you were, 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:43.179 you were outsiders. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.240 But then, 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.539 something happened. 00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:48.959 Something changed. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.960 Look at verse 13. 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:50.960 He says, 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.600 now, 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.620 but now, 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:53.900 in Christ Jesus, 00:14:54.560 --> 00:14:55.379 you Gentiles 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:55.900 who were once 00:14:55.900 --> 00:14:56.780 far off, 00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:57.860 alienated, 00:14:58.160 --> 00:14:59.160 have been brought near. 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.759 Last week we saw, 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:01.920 you were once dead, 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.660 but now you've been 00:15:02.660 --> 00:15:03.879 made alive in Christ. 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:04.780 He says, 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:05.960 now you once 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:06.680 were far off, 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.600 but now you've been 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.240 brought near. 00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:09.639 At that time, 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:10.540 you were far off, 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:11.519 you've been brought in, 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.960 you were once alienated, 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:14.080 you've been brought home. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.780 Once you were outsiders, 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.200 now you're insiders. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.120 verse 14, 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:20.540 once there was a dividing wall 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:22.640 of hostility that kept you out, 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:25.300 but now that wall has been broken down, 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.580 there is peace. 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:28.700 Paul's saying, 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.400 something's happened. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.020 What's happened? 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:32.640 Reconciliation has happened. 00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.020 Now, 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:36.200 here's the question I've been wrestling with all week. 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:38.060 You're going to look at your Bibles with me. 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:40.060 Is Paul talking here, 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.200 when he talks about this reconciliation, 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:41.800 reconciliation, 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.700 this once alienation, 00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:44.900 and now there's a reconciliation. 00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:47.259 Is Paul talking vertically 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:49.340 between humanity and God, 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:51.220 or is he talking horizontally 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.940 between Jews and Gentiles? 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.020 Because sometimes it looks like 00:15:55.020 --> 00:15:56.020 he's talking vertically, 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.500 verse 12, 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:57.740 right, 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.040 he says, 00:15:58.140 --> 00:16:00.140 you were excluded without God, 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.379 without hope in the world, 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:03.700 you were cut off from God's promises, 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.480 but in verse 11, 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:07.540 it looks like he's talking about horizontally 00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:09.040 between Jews and Gentiles. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.879 He says, 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:11.659 there's this division that took place. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:12.639 So, 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:14.179 so which one is he talking about? 00:16:15.079 --> 00:16:16.039 When Paul says, 00:16:16.120 --> 00:16:17.299 God has brought peace, 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:18.759 is he saying peace with God, 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.819 or peace with one another? 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:22.219 And the answer is, 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.500 both. 00:16:24.599 --> 00:16:25.079 Both. 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.679 The answer is, 00:16:26.719 --> 00:16:28.539 part of the complexity of this passage, 00:16:28.719 --> 00:16:30.599 is that these two relationships 00:16:30.599 --> 00:16:32.439 are so interconnected, 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.219 it's like a, 00:16:33.219 --> 00:16:35.199 it's like a piece of twine, 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.639 or rope, 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.879 that's been interconnected. 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:38.000 It's like DNA, 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.519 right? 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:40.299 The vertical relationship, 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.980 and the horizontal relationship, 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.759 the divine, 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.460 and the human, 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.340 are so interconnected, 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:46.840 that the one, 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:48.159 affects the other. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.899 In the gospel, 00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:51.639 God is taking this group of people, 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:52.360 called Jews, 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.579 who are lost, 00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:54.439 and sinners, 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.360 and need grace, 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:57.220 and he's taking another group of people, 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.039 called Gentiles, 00:16:58.199 --> 00:16:59.039 who are lost, 00:16:59.179 --> 00:16:59.579 and sinners, 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:00.659 and need God's grace, 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.799 and he's bringing them together, 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:04.759 reconciling them to God, 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:06.500 but also to one another. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:08.759 And as he brings them together, 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.160 he makes a new humanity, 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.359 one new people, 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.359 under Christ, 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:15.220 which both bridges the gap between us and God, 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:17.519 but also bridges the gap between one another. 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:20.140 Look at how he says it in verse 14. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.559 For Christ himself is our peace, 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:24.480 who has made us both, 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.579 Jews and Gentiles, 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.119 one, 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:29.660 breaking down this wall of division between us. 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.420 Verse 15. 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:33.300 He created himself one new man, 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.460 in place of the two, 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:36.000 thus making peace. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.080 Verse 16. 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:39.560 He has reconciled us both to God, 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:41.100 in one new body, 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.940 thereby killing the hostility. 00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:47.279 You following the logic here? 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:52.440 Paul is saying that as God in the gospel reconciles people to him, 00:17:52.860 --> 00:17:54.860 he's reconciling us one to another. 00:17:55.860 --> 00:17:57.519 And that actually makes complete sense, 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.360 doesn't it, right? 00:17:58.359 --> 00:18:00.719 If you've got two people that are bashing heads, 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:02.240 they're kind of at odds with one another, 00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:04.819 but suddenly they find a common goal, 00:18:04.959 --> 00:18:05.879 a common interest, 00:18:05.979 --> 00:18:06.899 a common purpose, 00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:08.859 rather than clashing heads, 00:18:08.919 --> 00:18:11.579 they can stand shoulder to shoulder and pursue that goal. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:14.740 We actually see a funny example of this in the gospels. 00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:16.039 I don't know if you remember this. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.899 When Jesus is on trial to be crucified, 00:18:19.719 --> 00:18:20.079 it says, 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:23.479 Herod and Pontius Pilate became friends that day, 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.519 where previously they had been enemies. 00:18:26.179 --> 00:18:27.000 Here are two people, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.059 they don't like each other, 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:29.319 they're power hungry, 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:31.920 they both want each other's territory and the throne, 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.200 but suddenly they've got a common opponent, 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:34.759 Jesus. 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:37.359 And so they've become friends that day, 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:40.099 in their pursuit of persecuting Jesus. 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:43.240 But the same thing happens in a positive sense. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.339 Here are Jew and Gentile, 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:47.619 who previously had nothing in common. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:48.940 Outsiders, 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:49.680 outcasts, 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.460 you dogs, 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:52.619 you uptight elitists. 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.819 And suddenly, 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.739 in Christ, 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.719 a common love, 00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:58.039 that brings them together. 00:18:59.439 --> 00:18:59.839 Friends, 00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.899 what Paul is saying is, 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:03.479 Jesus isn't just establishing equality, 00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:05.719 he's establishing unity. 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.219 And that's a very important difference. 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:10.000 You're going to have Jews who say, 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:10.699 Okay, fine, 00:19:10.739 --> 00:19:12.199 I recognize that you're equal. 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.479 You're my equal, 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.819 but I still don't like you. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:15.279 Right? 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:17.039 You do your equality over there, 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.899 and I'm going to do my equality over here. 00:19:19.860 --> 00:19:20.300 But Paul says, 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:20.500 actually, 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:21.640 he's bringing these two, 00:19:21.780 --> 00:19:23.100 and not only making them equal, 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.660 he's making them one. 00:19:25.560 --> 00:19:26.280 There's a unity. 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.240 And how does, 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.780 how does Jesus do this? 00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:30.040 I mean, 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.160 does Jesus say, 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.440 Okay, 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.280 let's just, 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:32.820 you know, 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:34.259 let's bring peace on earth, 00:19:34.320 --> 00:19:35.700 or let's flick a switch, 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.320 and suddenly people that have been enemies, 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.480 will like each other. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.620 Or maybe, 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.180 maybe he, 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:42.200 he sends a prophet, 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.200 to come and say, 00:19:43.280 --> 00:19:43.440 Okay, 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.000 listen, 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.460 it didn't work in the Old Testament, 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:46.940 let's try something new. 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:49.400 Or maybe a re-education program, 00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:51.140 the problem in the world is education, 00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:53.840 so let's establish re-education. 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:56.539 How is Jesus going to bring unity, 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.980 between these two groups of people, 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.460 that haven't got along at all? 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:00.580 Well, 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:02.000 look at what he says in verse 13. 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.279 It says, 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.720 Now in Christ Jesus, 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:06.059 you who are once far off, 00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:06.960 have been brought near. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.559 How? 00:20:08.080 --> 00:20:09.720 By the blood of Christ. 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:10.900 Verse 14. 00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:12.559 He himself is our peace, 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:15.000 having broken down the wall of hostility, 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:16.559 in his flesh. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.119 That means, 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.500 when he died on the cross. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:19.700 Verse 16. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:21.700 He has reconciled us to God, 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.460 through the cross. 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:24.839 Friends, 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:26.039 you see what Paul is saying here? 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:28.119 The answer to the division, 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.159 and the animosity, 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.679 in our world, 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.379 and the bitterness, 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.859 and the brokenness in our world, 00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:34.899 is not just greater education. 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:37.460 And it's not just political action. 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:40.139 And it's not just social justice, 00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:41.679 and becoming woke. 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:44.640 And it's not just Gentiles' lives matter, 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:46.519 even though Gentiles' lives do matter. 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.480 That's not the answer. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.980 The answer is what he says, 00:20:51.100 --> 00:20:52.640 the cross of Christ. 00:20:53.100 --> 00:20:54.640 In his death on the cross, 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:56.380 Jesus did something, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.580 accomplished something, 00:20:57.940 --> 00:21:00.560 which dismantled and broke down 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:03.240 the barriers that separated people. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:06.500 The answer is in the power of the cross. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.859 The answer is the power of Jesus' death, 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.940 and Christ crucified. 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:14.319 The answer is that old rugged cross, 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.980 that we sang about this morning. 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:19.019 Look at verse 14 and 15. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.920 He himself is at peace, 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.059 making us both one, 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.759 and broken down in his flesh, 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:25.660 this dividing wall of hostility. 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:26.859 Verse 15. 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:39.299 I know that sounds very wordy. 00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:39.539 Okay? 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.659 So let's try and understand 00:21:40.659 --> 00:21:41.740 what he's saying there. 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:44.179 So here's the question. 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:47.879 How does Jesus' death on the cross 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:50.219 accomplish this unity? 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:52.039 I mean, what does that actually do 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:54.299 to bring enemies together? 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:58.399 How does he bring Jew and Gentiles together? 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.379 Well, he tells us. 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:00.740 He says, 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:04.259 by abolishing the law and the commandments. 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.579 So think about this. 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:08.579 Israel has, in the Old Testament, 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.039 the first five books of the Bible, 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.839 has like 600 laws, okay? 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:16.139 Rules that Israelites, good Jews, 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.839 need to obey. 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:20.720 600 rules that for you to obey, 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.919 for you to be an insider, 00:22:22.180 --> 00:22:23.259 for you to be accepted, 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.259 for you to be clean, 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.039 and welcomed, 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.980 and able to worship, right? 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:29.779 And the problem, of course, 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.919 is that this law, 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.680 these rules, 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.299 became a measuring stick 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:35.619 by which to compare one with another. 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.759 And so the Jews were pretty good 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.680 at keeping the rules, 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.879 but the Gentiles didn't know the rules, 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.480 and so they didn't keep any of the rules, 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.099 and so they were considered outsiders. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:49.220 And so if this physical 1.5 meter stone wall 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:51.419 around the temple wasn't enough of a barrier, 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:55.700 here are 600 rules that are in an invisible wall, 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:58.420 a barrier separating insiders and outsiders. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:01.519 And so let's say you want to come worship God. 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:02.100 You've heard, 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.440 you've seen the billboard, 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.940 you've heard that God, 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:06.360 Yahweh is the one true God, 00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:08.319 you've heard of His amazing grace, 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:08.839 and you say, 00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:09.339 here I am, 00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.359 I want to come worship Him, 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.139 I want to know Him. 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.719 And so someone says, 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.959 oh, okay, well, that's great. 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:15.619 Oh, you're not circumcised. 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.899 I'm so sorry, you're out. 00:23:17.679 --> 00:23:20.159 Oh, your dad wasn't an Israelite? 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.379 Oh, I'm so sorry, 00:23:21.479 --> 00:23:22.419 you can't worship here. 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:25.120 Oh, you cut your beard this week? 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.779 Sorry, you're out. 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:29.519 Oh, you ate pork for dinner last night? 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.740 Sorry, you can't worship with us. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.779 Oh, you're a foreigner? 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.060 You weren't born here? 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.800 Oh, I'm sorry, 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:37.140 you can't worship with us. 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:40.519 And so he has this long list of rules, 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:44.700 600 ways to be excluded from the people of God 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.840 in the covenant of grace. 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:50.240 But what happens if those rules were torn in two? 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:54.000 What happens if someone destroyed the rules? 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:56.639 What happens if somebody took those rules 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:58.299 and laid it aside? 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.720 And so those rules don't apply anymore. 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.720 You see, the whole legal system 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:05.379 was a temporary arrangement 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:07.119 meant to help Israel 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:09.399 until such time as the Messiah came. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:11.459 And then the Messiah did come 00:24:11.459 --> 00:24:13.659 and He perfectly obeyed all the rules. 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:15.819 The one person that obeyed them all. 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:18.779 And He said that anybody who trusts me 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.759 or follows me, 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.740 I will credit to them 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:23.480 my perfect track record. 00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:25.859 So it's as if you've kept all the rules. 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.980 And so now the question is not 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:29.519 have you kept the rules, 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:31.099 is are you in Jesus? 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:33.319 That's the one equation. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:35.000 Are you in Christ? 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.959 Because if you're in Christ, 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.980 then His perfect track record 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.839 is your perfect track record. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.859 And so the only thing that is, 00:24:42.939 --> 00:24:44.059 is are you in Jesus, 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.279 saved by grace, 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.079 through faith, 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.299 not by works. 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:49.299 Are you putting all your hope 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:51.099 in Jesus' finished work on the cross? 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.399 And so friends, 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.519 are you a Jew today? 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.700 Well, that doesn't matter. 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.379 The question is, 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.139 are you in Christ? 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.720 Are you a Gentile? 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.079 Well, that doesn't matter. 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.319 Are you in Christ? 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.500 Friends, 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:03.180 are you a billionaire here today? 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.519 Well, that doesn't matter. 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.180 The question is, 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.920 are you in Christ? 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.059 Friends, 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:08.660 are you a street sweeper today? 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.240 That doesn't matter. 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.460 Are you in Christ? 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.599 Friends, 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.620 have you grown up in the church 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.640 and know all the answers 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.720 and know how to say 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.900 all the right Christian things? 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:18.940 That doesn't matter. 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:20.160 Are you in Jesus? 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:21.620 Friends, 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.640 maybe it's your first time 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:24.319 you've ever stepped inside a church 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.900 and you don't know what's going on. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.940 And who's this crazy guy talking 00:25:27.940 --> 00:25:29.099 and I don't know what he's saying. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.200 That doesn't matter. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.180 The question is, 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.900 are you in Jesus? 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.240 Friends, 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.339 are you a mainlander 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.319 or Hong Konger? 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:37.639 Are you from Ethiopia 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.799 or Canada? 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.700 It doesn't matter. 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.759 The question is, 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:43.639 are you in Christ? 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:47.240 The ground is level 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:49.359 at the foot of the cross. 00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:51.839 And because the gospel is true, 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:53.559 what is also true 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:55.319 is that all people, 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.980 both the preacher in the front 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.819 and the person that works 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:00.179 in the red light district 00:26:00.179 --> 00:26:00.960 at the back, 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.299 the billionaire 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:04.539 and the foreign domestic worker, 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:06.559 all of us are equally 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:08.559 sinners in need of God's grace, 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.899 men and women 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:11.259 for whom Jesus Christ 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.460 died on the cross 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.259 saying, 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:16.019 it is finished. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:19.339 The ground at the foot of the cross 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.680 is level. 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:24.639 And so look at verse 17. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:25.619 It says, 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.819 Jesus came and preached peace 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:29.740 to you who are far away 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:32.139 and peace to those who are near. 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:34.059 Well, the question is this, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:36.059 how did Jesus go and preach 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.179 to the Ephesians? 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:39.039 I mean, Jesus never left Israel 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.460 other than when he was a baby 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.339 and they fled to Egypt. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.279 Jesus never stepped outside 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.319 of Israel in his ministry. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:47.019 Ephesus is thousands of miles away. 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:49.339 So how did Jesus go and preach 00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:50.839 this good news of acceptance 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.839 to the Ephesians? 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.960 Jesus never went there, right? 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.379 And the answer is this, 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.940 as the gospel message 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.960 rang out through those first Christians, 00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:02.559 as it penetrated their hearts 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.559 and changed them, 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:05.559 as they were born again and saved, 00:27:05.899 --> 00:27:07.980 they were given peace with God, 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:10.339 but also peace with one another. 00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:12.599 It wasn't that Paul was saying, 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:14.019 come on, you Christians now, 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:14.799 act better, 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.079 pull your socks up, 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:17.079 be nicer people. 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.179 The word Christian 00:27:18.179 --> 00:27:19.240 hadn't even been invented. 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:22.079 As the gospel message went out, 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:23.619 it penetrated their hearts 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.700 and it brought peace. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:29.279 Friends, the question is this, 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:30.220 who might you, 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.980 who might we as a church 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:34.120 want to treat as outsiders? 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.819 Who might we be tempted 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:38.380 to look at and secretly think, 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:40.120 do they really belong here? 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.120 I think I've told you 00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:42.900 this story before, 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.559 quick story. 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.980 One of my very best friends 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.640 in Cape Town, 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.860 he was a heroin addict, 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.480 he became a Christian 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:52.460 and he comes to church with us. 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.920 He'd been a Christian 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.720 about 10 days, 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.819 brand new Christian, 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.380 didn't know a single thing, 00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.640 right? 00:27:59.059 --> 00:28:00.240 He couldn't put four words 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.180 together without swearing. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.240 He comes to church 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.480 and he says to me, 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.200 he pulls me aside, 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:05.500 he says, 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.740 yo, Kevin, 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.440 there's some people here 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.099 that I knew, 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.839 I didn't think I'd ever see 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.920 them inside a church. 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.019 And I said, 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.519 hey, Gordy, 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.240 I think they might be thinking 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.299 the same thing about you. 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.500 All right? 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.339 Friends, 00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:20.980 who might we think 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:23.359 that they don't belong here? 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:24.659 No, no, 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.940 the ground is level 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.859 at the foot of the cross. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.180 And so, 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.000 Paul writes, 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:29.639 Christ himself is our peace, 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.039 who has broken down 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.720 in his flesh 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.799 the dividing wall 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.500 of hostility 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:35.379 by abolishing the law 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:36.339 and his commandments 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:38.399 expressed in the ordinances 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.980 that he might create 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.720 in himself 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.899 one new man 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:43.099 in place of the two, 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.339 thus making peace 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.639 and might reconcile 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:47.120 both of us to God 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.200 in one body 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.200 through the cross, 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.120 thereby destroying 00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:52.180 the humility. 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.060 What has Christ done? 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.340 He's created 00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:56.360 a new humanity, 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:57.900 a new people of God. 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.560 Well, very quickly, 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.460 let's go to the third thing. 00:29:00.520 --> 00:29:01.720 What is God doing? 00:29:02.280 --> 00:29:03.140 Verse 11 said, 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.000 at one time 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.759 you were strangers 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.420 and aliens. 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.480 Verse 13, 00:29:06.620 --> 00:29:07.580 but now Christ 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.140 has created 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.900 a new humanity. 00:29:09.520 --> 00:29:10.620 We'll look at verse 19. 00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:11.840 So then, 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.259 so then, 00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:14.000 brothers and sisters, 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.920 you are no longer 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.920 strangers and aliens, 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:17.440 but you are fellow citizens 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.519 with the saints 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.600 and members 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.940 of the household of God. 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.539 The word household there 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.080 could also mean 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:23.840 the family. 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:24.640 I mean, 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.560 that is astounding, 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:25.900 right? 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.360 Just think about this. 00:29:27.560 --> 00:29:28.700 Jews and Gentiles, 00:29:28.840 --> 00:29:29.700 these two people 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.600 who previously 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:32.240 hated each other, 00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.380 they wouldn't have 00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:34.240 a meal together, 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:35.560 right? 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.480 Your son marries 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.019 a Gentile, 00:29:37.080 --> 00:29:37.800 you have a funeral 00:29:37.800 --> 00:29:38.200 for them 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:39.180 because they're dead to you. 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.000 He says, 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:41.740 now you are combined 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:43.380 family members 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.560 in the household of God. 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:45.740 I mean, 00:29:45.780 --> 00:29:46.680 that's incredible. 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.880 Think Ukrainian soldier, 00:29:49.060 --> 00:29:50.240 Russian soldier, 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.980 you now are brothers 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.880 and sisters 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:54.360 in the family of God. 00:29:55.540 --> 00:29:56.380 Remember that old 00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.260 Christmas carol? 00:29:58.120 --> 00:29:59.480 The slave is no longer, 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.240 how's it going? 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:00.480 Neil, 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:00.940 I'm going to need 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.340 your help here. 00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:02.600 Something about 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:03.320 the slave 00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:04.100 has now become 00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.740 your brother. 00:30:05.780 --> 00:30:06.060 Man, 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.100 that's amazing. 00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:08.160 But then, 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.420 verse 20 says, 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:11.380 built on the foundation 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.080 of the apostles 00:30:12.080 --> 00:30:12.660 and the prophets 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:14.360 with Christ Jesus himself 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:15.700 as being the cornerstone 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:18.240 in whom the whole structure 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.960 being joined together 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.820 grows into a holy temple 00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:22.440 in the Lord. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.340 In him, 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.220 you also are being 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.920 built together 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:26.000 into a dwelling place 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.600 for God 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:28.000 by his spirit. 00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.720 It's a bit confusing here 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.800 because Paul is mixing 00:30:30.800 --> 00:30:31.580 his metaphors, 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:31.800 right? 00:30:31.820 --> 00:30:32.800 Somebody should have taught him 00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:33.440 not to do this 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:33.980 in high school. 00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:34.460 But anyway, 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.600 he's talking about 00:30:35.600 --> 00:30:37.300 you're citizens of a country, 00:30:37.820 --> 00:30:39.279 you're also family members 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.160 of a new household. 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.639 But the one metaphor 00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.899 he really wants us to get 00:30:42.899 --> 00:30:43.379 is this, 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.920 you are members 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.879 or stones 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.700 of a temple. 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:49.039 What is God doing now? 00:30:50.139 --> 00:30:51.039 He's building 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.819 a new temple. 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:52.819 Well, 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.559 what was the temple? 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.680 The temple was the place 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:56.079 where God's glory dwelt. 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:58.420 It was the holy of holies. 00:30:58.819 --> 00:31:00.059 It was the centerpiece 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:01.259 amongst the people of God. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.039 It was the place 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.759 where people brought 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.299 their worship 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.420 and encountered God 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:05.099 and his grace. 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:07.059 It was the closest thing 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:08.779 to heaven on earth. 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.879 It was the display 00:31:10.879 --> 00:31:11.839 of God's glory. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:14.200 But look what Paul says. 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:15.079 God is building 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:16.259 a new kind of temple, 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.799 not made of bricks 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.899 and gold 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.819 and silver 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.720 and wood. 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:22.180 It's made of a new 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.019 kind of material. 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.079 What kind of material? 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:26.099 It's made up of sinners 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:27.399 who have been reconciled 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:27.839 to God 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.599 and reconciled 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.139 to one another. 00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:30.579 God is making 00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:31.460 a new temple 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.960 and in that temple 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.559 he's going to put 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.139 his glory 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:35.279 and he's going to put 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.019 his Holy Spirit 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.200 and it's going to be 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.759 a display 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:38.960 of his majesty. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.059 It's going to be 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.940 the place where people 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.879 encounter God 00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:43.019 and can worship God. 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.180 It's going to be 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:45.339 the place where 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.579 people encounter 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.359 God's grace. 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.720 But it's going to 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.660 consist of people, 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.359 reconciled sinners, 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:53.000 of every nationality 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.079 and ethnicity 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.099 and people group. 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.180 It's not going to be 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.359 located in one place 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:57.960 in Jerusalem 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:58.579 or Israel 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.339 or the Holy Land. 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.619 It's going to be found 00:32:00.619 --> 00:32:01.539 in some tree 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:03.480 in the Sahara Desert 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.000 in Africa. 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.539 It's going to be found 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.619 in some school hall 00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.720 in Poc Paloma 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.319 in Hong Kong. 00:32:09.019 --> 00:32:09.839 It's going to be found 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:11.240 in some majestic 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.420 cathedral in Europe. 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.019 It's going to be found 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.500 wherever God's people 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.859 gather together. 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.559 There I will put 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.259 my spirit 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:20.379 and I'll build 00:32:20.379 --> 00:32:21.039 a new temple. 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.680 What once, 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.460 and amazingly, 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.799 the Gentiles 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:26.019 are going to be included. 00:32:26.659 --> 00:32:27.659 Once there was a sign 00:32:27.659 --> 00:32:28.700 saying stay out 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:30.180 on the threat of death. 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:32.140 Now these very people 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:33.420 that were once outsiders 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:33.980 are going to be 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.880 the materials, 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:35.960 the building blocks 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.160 of this new temple. 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.380 Amazing. 00:32:39.360 --> 00:32:40.600 What once was rejected 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:42.539 and regarded as outcasts 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.980 are now the very stones 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:45.240 that God is going to use 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.900 to build His temple. 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.680 The place where God 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:50.279 causes His glory to dwell. 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:51.960 Friends, 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:53.120 as Paul's writing 00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:53.640 this letter 00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:54.640 to the Ephesians, 00:32:55.320 --> 00:32:56.120 right outside 00:32:56.120 --> 00:32:57.060 the city of Ephesus 00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:58.460 is another temple. 00:32:59.060 --> 00:32:59.420 It's called 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.539 the temple of Artemis. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.220 It is one of the seven wonders 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:03.180 of the ancient world. 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:04.259 It is this majestic, 00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.360 beautiful temple. 00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:06.700 Well friends, 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.759 today that temple 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.600 lies in ruins 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.860 and all that stands 00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:11.000 is one single 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.960 solitary column 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.500 as a testimony 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.160 to its futility 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:16.519 and the fact 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:17.360 that it couldn't stand. 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:19.120 And as Paul writes 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:19.539 this letter, 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.600 there in Jerusalem 00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:22.400 is this majestic temple 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.380 full of gold 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:25.840 and lavish materials. 00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.000 Friends, 00:33:27.060 --> 00:33:27.880 today the temple 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:29.000 is nothing. 00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:31.260 But 2,000 years later 00:33:31.260 --> 00:33:32.660 all across the world 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.800 this temple 00:33:33.800 --> 00:33:35.040 that God is still building 00:33:35.040 --> 00:33:36.340 is growing 00:33:36.340 --> 00:33:37.380 and expanding. 00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.800 One by one, 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:39.840 one life at a time 00:33:39.840 --> 00:33:41.560 as people like you 00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:41.840 and I, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.860 broken sinners 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:43.640 that encounter 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.420 God's grace 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.800 are being included 00:33:45.800 --> 00:33:47.260 into God's plan 00:33:47.260 --> 00:33:49.080 to display 00:33:49.080 --> 00:33:49.680 His glory 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.500 in our world. 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.480 And what is the basis 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.180 of this temple? 00:33:53.280 --> 00:33:53.560 He says, 00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.220 the foundation 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.960 of the apostles 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.600 and the prophets. 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.420 What did the apostles 00:33:56.420 --> 00:33:57.160 and prophets do? 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.860 They told us the gospel. 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.340 And he says, 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:00.900 the foundation, 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.819 the chief cornerstone 00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:02.539 is Jesus, 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.100 Christ Himself. 00:34:04.840 --> 00:34:05.079 And so, 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:05.500 Watermark, 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.460 if we are to become 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.299 the kind of church 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:08.559 that Paul envisages 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.980 here in Ephesians, 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.039 a church which exists 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.619 to the praise 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.320 of His glory, 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:14.159 a church which displays 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:15.019 His majesty, 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.760 a church which pursues 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.860 peace and reconciliation, 00:34:18.220 --> 00:34:19.559 we must be a church 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.760 which is built 00:34:20.760 --> 00:34:21.380 on the gospel 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.740 and centered 00:34:22.740 --> 00:34:23.760 on Jesus Christ. 00:34:24.519 --> 00:34:26.519 Because as John Stott 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:26.740 says, 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.380 the unity 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:28.160 and the strength 00:34:28.160 --> 00:34:28.640 of the church 00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:29.579 go hand in hand 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.500 and both of them 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.860 are based on Jesus. 00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:33.079 Friends, 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:33.660 this passage 00:34:33.660 --> 00:34:34.720 is greatly challenging 00:34:34.720 --> 00:34:35.880 but also encouraging. 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:37.519 It challenges us 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.140 because it says, 00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:39.059 who might we want 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:40.059 to consider outsiders? 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.980 Let's bring them in. 00:34:42.700 --> 00:34:44.200 But it also encourages us 00:34:44.200 --> 00:34:44.619 because it says, 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.860 once we were outsiders, 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.740 but Jesus went to the cross 00:34:47.740 --> 00:34:48.780 for people like you, 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:50.200 people like me, 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:51.659 to bring us in. 00:34:52.359 --> 00:34:53.659 This is what God 00:34:53.659 --> 00:34:55.299 is doing with this church. 00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.599 Let's pray together. 00:34:58.399 --> 00:34:59.500 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.699 we praise you 00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:02.339 for your amazing, 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:03.179 amazing grace. 00:35:04.439 --> 00:35:04.719 God, 00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:06.159 as we sang this morning, 00:35:06.279 --> 00:35:07.659 how majestic is your name. 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:07.879 God, 00:35:07.919 --> 00:35:08.879 we want to just fall 00:35:08.879 --> 00:35:09.480 on our knees 00:35:09.480 --> 00:35:10.000 and say, 00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:11.919 unbelievable, 00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:13.699 astounding, 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:14.299 that God, 00:35:14.419 --> 00:35:16.099 you would reconcile 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:16.879 sinners like me. 00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.119 God, 00:35:17.359 --> 00:35:18.939 broken people like us 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:20.119 and bring us 00:35:20.119 --> 00:35:20.700 into your family 00:35:20.700 --> 00:35:21.300 and not just 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.599 wipe away our debt 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:22.960 and say, 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:23.380 it's done, 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:23.900 you've forgiven, 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:25.260 but include us 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:25.960 in your plans. 00:35:26.940 --> 00:35:28.679 Use people like us 00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:30.019 as your stones 00:35:30.019 --> 00:35:30.800 to build a new temple. 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:31.280 God, 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.539 thank you for what you've done. 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:33.980 God, 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:34.900 I pray for us 00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.480 as a church, 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:35.720 Lord, 00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:37.679 may what we read 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.240 in Ephesians 00:35:38.240 --> 00:35:39.159 be true of us. 00:35:39.960 --> 00:35:40.119 God, 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:41.000 may we be a church 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.940 that pursues 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:42.700 reconciliation 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.679 and unity. 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:45.000 May we be, 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.220 God, 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:46.800 a billboard of grace 00:35:46.800 --> 00:35:47.480 to our city. 00:35:48.140 --> 00:35:49.180 May we declare 00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:49.880 to our city, 00:35:50.140 --> 00:35:51.620 this is what God 00:35:51.620 --> 00:35:52.440 is doing 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.500 and is able to do. 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:54.900 May we, 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:55.160 God, 00:35:55.220 --> 00:35:55.840 be a picture 00:35:55.840 --> 00:35:56.860 of heaven on earth 00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:57.880 as people 00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:58.980 from every tribe 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.700 and ethnicity 00:35:59.700 --> 00:36:00.560 and language 00:36:00.560 --> 00:36:01.260 and culture 00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:02.039 and background 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:03.760 come together, 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:05.060 unified and united 00:36:05.060 --> 00:36:06.720 as we worship you, 00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:07.600 Christ our King. 00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:09.160 Jesus, 00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:10.300 thank you for your grace. 00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:12.460 Thank you for your mercy. 00:36:13.580 --> 00:36:15.180 Come and work in us, 00:36:15.179 --> 00:36:15.559 God. 00:36:16.399 --> 00:36:17.059 In our church, 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:17.619 we pray. 00:36:18.839 --> 00:36:19.239 Amen.