The Strength of the House
Text: Ephesians 2:17-22 “And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Ephesians 2:17,18 “And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
• It does not matter where we start, there is only One way to the Father = Jesus!
• John 14:6 (New Living Translation) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
Ephesians 2:19 (a) “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints”
• Paul is trying to educate us on now, who we are as a result of the cross
• When Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he addressed Gentiles who were now Christians. …..He wanted them to remember their previous condition, to provoke gratitude to God who brought them near “by the blood of Christ.” In that context he said: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” (Eph. 2:19).
• The words “now” and “no longer” bring attention to their new, changed status as “members of the household of God.”
• Because of the blood of Christ, their active faith in obedience to the gospel changed their status. (With status comes privilege and with privilege comes responsibility)
• This was a reason to celebrate – to be filled with gratitude and great joy! They were now citizens in the Kingdom, and identified with others who enjoyed the same relationship with God.
Paul is educating us on our new identity and Purpose”
THE TWO GREATEST ‘HEART NEEDS’ OF HUMANITY ARE:
1. IDENTITY
2. PURPOSE
- It is in these scriptures that we find the Strength of the HOUSEHOLD of God – what He has built HE will support and it will endure
- Here we find our reason to be alive… and why we are here: the two greatest days of your life are the day you were born and the day you discover why.
- Eph 2:19 (LB) “Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian”
This is the first of three illustrations:
#1. Citizenship – Ephesians 2:19 (a) “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints”
- could be translated, “aliens and outsiders” = made and from different
Cit·i·zen·ship (n)
1. The state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.
2. The character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen:
• The early church was referred to by locals as the “third race” = usually there is always us and them, like Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and Barbarians, but Jesus has destroyed the wall separating people and brought us together as one – eg. Of Hutu and Tutsi’s? In Rwanda after the genocide but together as one in Church
• Like being a Canadian citizen – under authority but also protected by that authority; history is important; knowledge of your benefits and responsibilities are important
• Eg. Traveling with Canadian Passport
•
#2 Family
:19 (b) “and members of the household of God”
• This is Paul’s second metaphor – we are members of God’s own Family privileges trump staff, secretary of state, dignitaries, etc.
• Story of Abraham Lincoln putting chief of staff’s mtg on hold for his son
#3. Temple ( The church)
:20-22 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
• This metaphor illustrates intimacy between us and God and with each other
• The chief cornerstone is the key to the whole building – He is the supporting, integral part of both walls (all God and all man), all measurements start and end with Him
• The household of God was built on, and stands today on the truth of Jesus Christ (who He is, and what He did). “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” (1 Cor. 3:11).
• The household of God is well built, unlike the nations and institutions of men.
• There is no reason for any member of the household of God to fear the collapse of the structure – individual members may walk out. We must guard against any attitudes or actions that would lead us out of God’s house. But there is no justification to fear that the “building” will be destroyed. If God is building it – it will stand!
• Structural integrity is assured by the builder.
• As a Christian, you are not just a guest or occasional visitor – but a permanent member of the family, in a house upheld by divine power! And in this place; as a member of this house, we are “being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” God has made it possible for us to enter this building and dwell in Him!
• Verse 22 is about fellowship with God. The impact of this passage for Christians is, this is the strength of the house we live in! Whatever may happen to us on earth, as long as we stay in the household of God, we are secure.
• We can be part of a family and yet never see the (they live far away), but in a building where we each are the living stones built together, we are so close we touch
• We are the temple of the Holy Spirit – operative word is WE
• “A failure of unity among Gods people is a refusal to be part of the mission that God is doing in the world.” MBaterson
The bottom line is WE BELONG!
THE TWO GREATEST ‘HEART NEEDS’ OF HUMANITY ARE:
1. IDENTITY = WHO YOU ARE
2. PURPOSE = WHY YOU ARE
- It is in these scriptures that we find the Strength of the HOUSEHOLD of God – what He has built HE will support and it will endure
- Here we find our reason to be alive… and why we are here: the two greatest days of your life are the day you were born and the day you discover why.
- Eph 2:19 (LB) “Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian”
- The strength of the HOUSE is depending on YOU….together we are building something way beyond us…IT REQUIRES UNITY!
- A failure of unity among God’s people is a refusal to be part of the mission that God is doing in the world. (Mark Batterson)
Questions: what are the forces trying to pull you out of God’s identity and purpose?