Moving Walls in the House of God

  • Jul 15, 2007
  • Series: This Is So You

 July 15th, 2007

Ephesians 2:11-22

Dwain Tissell

 

HOW TO FLOURISH IN YOUR TOUGHEST RELATIONSHIPS


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. Ephesians 2:11-18 (ESV) 

 

1. CUT SOME SLACK – v. 11-15

 

13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

 

2. KILL THE HOSTILITY – v. 14-16


1Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world…Ephesians 2:1-2 (NLT)

 

 

3. SEE OTHERS WITH GOD’S EYES – v. 17-18

 

4    My soul is in the midst of lions;

    I lie down amid fiery beasts—

    the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

    whose tongues are sharp swords. Psalm 57:4 (ESV)

 

WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO IN US

 

19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, 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 the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)