Ephesians 2:11-22

1. Last week, I took a course on Alliance history and theology. While the course was a mandatory step towards ordination at the Alliance Church Canada, and even as an already ordained pastor within the EMC, I should take the ordination process again. Anyway, I found myself deeply enriched by the teachings of A.B. Simpson who is the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. One key takeaway was the Alliance Church's foundation in the Holy Spirit's work. After his own transformative experience by Jesus Christ, A.B. Simpson dedicated his life to following Jesus and His mission. He prioritized serving God over personal aspirations. This zeal for mission and evangelism significantly impacted 19th-century American churches, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Alliance Church. And his theological perspective nameed Four-fold Gospel also impacted on the 20th century Pentecostalism. Anyhow, the course served as a powerful reminder of my own calling. My decision to follow Jesus wasn't driven by personal ambition. I didn't become a pastor to fulfill my own dreams, but to serve the church, the body of Christ. It was through Jesus Christ that I was able to make the decision to follow and serve Him. I believe this decision which I made before God through Jesus holds immense importance for all Christians. In fact, we don't believe in Jesus for personal gain, but because He loved us first, entering our lives and transforming us.

2. Today, we deal with on the second chapter of the book of Ephesians. This letter holds immense value for our Christian walk, revealing our identity and purpose in Christ. Paul, in his confession of faith in the letter of Ephesians, offers encouragement to the believers in Ephesus facing intense persecution from both Rome and the Jewish community. Though penned in the 1st century, its message remains relevant for 21st-century Christians. Through Ephesians, we can rediscover what it means to be a true follower of Christ and embrace our newfound identity within Him. Let's turn to Ephesians 2:11-22 and delve deeper into these profound truths.

Ephesians 2:11–13 NRSV

So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14–16 NRSV

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it.

Ephesians 2:17–19 NRSV

So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,

Ephesians 2:20–22 NRSV

built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

3. When reading Ephesians 2:11-22, we can divide three distinct parts in its structure. However, it's important to recognize that Ephesians is a letter meant to be read in its entirety, rather than parsed verse by verse. Nonetheless, breaking it down can aid comprehension, especially considering language barriers and cultural differences. The initial section, spanning from verse 11 to 13, delves into the identity of the followers of Christ at Ephesus church and their previous estrangement from God. Following this, verses 14 through 18 unveil the redemptive work of Christ through his reconciling work. Finally, verses 19 to 22 illuminate the believers' newfound identity in Christ. Let's delve into the first part, which addresses their past identity and separation from God.

4. In discussing their previous identity, Paul employs specific terminology like "uncircumcision" and "circumcision," alongside notions of separation from Christ and being considered foreigners and aliens. When we think of the word “circumcision,” what does circumcision signify for the Jewish people? It represents inclusion in the covenantal community of God. When a Jewish male underwent circumcision eight days after birth, it symbolized his status as chosen one, poised to inherit blessings from God.

Genesis 17:9–11 NIV

Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.

Genesis 17:12–14 NRSV

Throughout your generations every male among you shall be circumcised when he is eight days old, including the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring. Both the slave born in your house and the one bought with your money must be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

5. Indeed, God made it clear to Abraham that circumcision signified the covenant with Him. Consequently, the term "uncircumcision" implies exclusion from God's chosen people or those lacking in the covenant relationship with Him. Being unable to enter into this covenant signifies separation from God, which in turn suggests the status out of salvation. Thus, those identified as "uncircumcised" are effectively excluded from God, rendering them foreigners to the covenant. What defines a foreigner? In my understanding, the foreigner is someone who lacks intricate knowledge of a nation's laws, customs, and culture including their semblance. 

6. During my ten-year as an international student and foreign worker in Canada, particularly in Toronto for 4 years, I encountered challenges accessing adequate healthcare from the Ontario Government due to my status as a foreigner. This period left me feeling adrift, made me feel unable to discern my next steps—a sentiment often associated with a lack of hope. In this point, hope lies in the ability to envision our forthcoming paths. Similarly, when the Israelites resided in Egypt, estranged from God, they found themselves unable to discern their next moves, bound instead by adherence to Egyptian laws. Despite their fervent cries to God, divine intervention seemed elusive until the appointed time. This state epitomized their former identity and relationship with God: separated from Him, distant from the love embodied in Jesus Christ. However, in accordance with His divine timing, God dispatched His only Son, ushering in a new era.

Romans 5:6–8 NASB 2020

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

7. Following the discussion of their former identity, Paul transitions to expound on the transformative work of Jesus Christ in verses 14-18. In my previous sermons on the introduction to the Ephesians, particularly Chapter 1, I emphasized how our spirits are awakened through the actions of Jesus. While the Bible doesn't explicitly state that our spirits are awakened, it strongly implies it. Consider the concept of "death": it signifies a state where one is unable to perceive, hear, smell, or even feel when they died. When Paul asserts that we were once far off (verse 13), he's essentially saying we were (spiritually) dead in sin. In this state of (spiritual) death, we lacked the ability to perceive God and His presence. But what does it mean to be "alive"? Being alive entails the capacity to perceive, sense, work, and awaken to reality. When we were spiritually dead, we were incapable of recognizing God. However, upon being spiritually awakened and being alive, we gain the ability to perceive God's presence. Consequently, our will aligns with God's, prompting us to choose to dwell in Jesus, love God, and love our neighbors. 

John 15:1–4 ESV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

8. With the help of the Spirit, our Spirit starts realizing God and His work, so that our will decide to follow Jesus and remain in Him. We can abide in Jesus because He has become the bridge and peace between God and us. Through Him, the barriers between God and us have been shattered, and a new identity has been given to us. He grants us unity of mind, hope, and identity in Christ. In discussing Christ's reconciling work from verse 14 to 18, Paul's central theme is the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles through His work. Once individuals embrace Jesus and adopt His ways, their previous distinctions as Jews or Gentiles fade away, and they are united as the people of God. They are no more Jews or Gentiles. They are no more Canadian or Korean. All are the new humanity in God. All become a part of the body of Christ. In this unity, they emerge as the new humanity of God called the disciples of Jesus. 

John 13:34–35 NKJV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

9. It's undeniably true that there exists only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one unified body of Christ—the church. Therefore, the reconciling work of Jesus is essentially about uniting us in Him, fostering unity within God. Divisions within the church often stem not from the love of Jesus, but from human interpretations of of the Bible which we call “doctrine.” Calvinism, Wesleyanism, or Pentecostalism are not in the Bible. These are the human understanding of the work of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Historically, the churches were divided when they followed not Jesus but the doctrines. They made different church following predestination. They made churches following accepting “free will.” We are not followers of Calvin, Luther, or Wesley. We are not followers of A.B. Simpson. We are followers of Christ. We are here because we believe in Jesus and the love of God covers us. Thus, the love of Jesus remains the sole pathway to reconciliation between God and humanity.

Romans 5:9–11 NLT

And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

10. Lastly, Paul delves into the concept of the new identity in Christ from verse 19 to 22. Formerly regarded as strangers without Jesus, they have now transitioned into fellow citizens of the kingdom of God. Their status has shifted to members of the household of God, with Christ serving as the cornerstone. With Christ as their foundation, they can now build their lives upon a solid footing, ensuring stability and coherence. In Jesus Christ, they find the common ground to construct their futures together.

Ephesians 2:19–22 (LBP)

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. What a foundation you stand on now: the apostles and the prophets; and the cornerstone of the building is Jesus Christ himself ! We who believe are carefully joined together with Christ as parts of a beautiful, constantly growing temple for God. And you also are joined with him and with each other by the Spirit and are part of this dwelling place of God.

11. People often inquire about how we can experience and realize the reality of our salvation, particularly concepts like justification and sanctification, which may seem abstract when viewed through the lens of daily life. In response, I emphasize the fundamental question: Are we genuinely interested in knowing God? My own journey began when I enrolled in Bible college, sparked by a newfound curiosity about God. Prior to 1999, my focus was not on knowing God personally, but rather on acquiring knowledge about Him through doctrine like the doctrine of the Predestination and Free will, Salvation, and so on. While I was doing my assignment for the course which I took last week, I found an A.B. Simpson word. In his sermon "Himself,” he said that 

My head was in my way, but at last when I was brought to attend “the funeral of my dogmatics (Doctrines),” the Lord whispered to me the little secret, “Christ in you”; and from that hour I received Him for my body as I had done for my soul. (Simpson, 2007:21)

Similarly, upon encountering Christ, my desire shifted from studying doctrine to truly knowing God. Ironically, though, my time at Bible college focused on doctrines again because the assignments were related to the doctrines. Anyway, when someone asks me about God and how to know Him, I stress that this inquiry marks the starting point of experiencing the saving life. Through justification (making us stand before God) and sanctification (making us being with God and walking with Jesus and being like Jesus with the help of the Spirit)—being brought into communion with God—individuals begin to delve deeper into the knowledge of God. Once spiritually dead, now awakened and alive through Jesus Christ, we can embark on a journey of intimate connection with God.

12. As the church, we embody the very essence of Christ's body and the community of God. In light of this truth, it is incumbent upon us to deepen our knowledge of God through Christ. Let us strive to live lives that reflect the example set by Christ himself. May the love of God permeate every aspect of our existence, shining forth for all to see. Let our lives be a testament to the love of God incarnate in Jesus Christ. Empowered by our newfound identity in Christ, let us boldly share this transformative life with the world around us.