We often live with barriers, walls, and division.
Whether its denominational distinctive, an issue of race or nationality, or just protection from past hurt, we are to allow Jesus to be peace and remove every barrier and division in our lives, churches, and communities.
The solution to the division and segregation of today is not meetings, legislation, or new training – but Christ Himself.
In this expositional message from Ephesians 2:14-17, Nathan Johnson talks about the effect of Jesus by being our Prince of Peace.
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Key Passage: Ephesians 2:14-17
Ephesians 2:14-17 – For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
A Simple Bible Study Resource
He Made Both Groups One – IN HIMSELF
- V14: made (poieo) us both one (in His flesh)
- V15: create (ktizō) in Himself one new man
- ktizo – idea is … to found a people or place (to found a city); to create; to completely change or transform; to make habitable
- V16: reconcile both to God into one body through the Cross
- Galatians 3.14: that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
- Galatians 3.28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Galatians 5.6: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
- Galatians 6.15: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
- Ephesians 3.6: . . . that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel . . .
- Romans 12.4-5: For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
- 2 Corinthians 5.17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
- In Himself / Through the Cross – twofold:
- It is because of Jesus (death) that such a creation can be made
- The new location (founding a city) is IN Him
- Romans 11:36 – For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Breaking Down the Dividing Wall of Hostility (Enmity)
- Jesus has broken down the dividing wall of hostility
- Broken down: destroy, do away with
- Double Emphasis on Wall:
- The Separating Wall: a wall in the middle of an area with the intention to divide parties or groups
- Temple wall in the court of the Gentiles
- Other ideas: The “fence” of the Law or the Veil in the Temple
- (That is) The Fence: fence that serves to enclose an area for protective purposes
- Enmity: hostility or opposition to someone or something; being an enemy of; a deep-seated ill-will
- The Separating Wall: a wall in the middle of an area with the intention to divide parties or groups
- Why do we create walls and barriers?
- To keep the good separated from the bad
- A lack of trust
- Because of past experience of hurt and pain
- A removal of walls means we are vulnerable and unprotected
- What if God wanted to break down the dividing walls of hostility in your life?
- Relationships
- Racial
- Religious denominations
Old Testament Picture: Exodus 15 (Bitter Waters Turned Sweat)
- A tree thrown into bitter waters turns sweet
- God is Jehovah Rapha (physically, emotionally, spiritually)
- Would you allow Him to heal and break down dividing walls in your life?
- What if God destroyed the hostility and enmity in your life?
- Only by planting a cross in the middle of it
In Our Next Study Together …
I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your
- The focus of our next study: Ephesians 2:15-16
- We will examine what Jesus did with the Old Testament Law as found in Ephesians 2:15-16.
- I encourage you to read through Ephesians a couple of times this week and focus specifically on Ephesians 2:11-22.
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About The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series
The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is a Christ-centered practical in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Join NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) as he expositionally preaches from this incredible book – which will help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, and understand how to study God’s Word.
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. Deeper Christian equips Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
About NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson)
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the
Read more about him here.
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