UNITY – Part 5 – Invited to the Table
Passage:
“Therefore, 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–remember 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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who 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. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Prayer:
Opening:
We as humans have always had a tendency to separate into groups don’t we?
- Ever since the tower of Babel where the languages were confused we have just clustered in groups comprised of other people like ourselves.
- we separate by language
- we separate by politics
- we separate by common interests
- we separate by social class
- some separate by race
- some separate by ideology
- We have this tendency – to welcome some people – usually people are like us or make us feel comfortable and we exclude other people.
- We invite some to the table – and we exclude others from the table.
- What this passage is talking about is how through Christ – Jesus invites everyone to the table. those who have been excluded in Christ – can be included.
We were separated – V. 11-12
“Therefore, 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–remember 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.
- Because of sin – we naturally drift towards disunity.
- Paul uses the example of the Jews and the Gentiles to show that
What the Jewish people did – was they took their status as God’s chosen people – and they used not as a call to live as people who are humble and walked with their creator – because God could have chosen any people group – but they used it as a license to hate everyone else that was different. – and push them away from the table.
What Paul is seeking to do here is share the natural state of man – He is saying – that we may feel better than other groups – we may feel more in the right – but nobody is born holy – or a believer. we are born separated from God – and just as in the wrong as everyone else.
We are reconciled – V. 13-18
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who 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. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
he says – you used to be far away from God and each other – but now – because of Christ – he has brought you near – he has brought you to the table.
- This is important – you didn’t bring yourself to God – God brought you to him
- and when he brought you to the table – he fixed your vertical relationship with God – but he also – gave us the ability to be reconciled to each other.
Through the power of Christ he has broken down the dividing wall of hostility –
In fact, he goes so far to say – that in tearing it down – he breaks down designations between Jew and Gentile – and makes one new people called the redeemed.
- In Colossians, Paul says it another way – he says in Christ – there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Sythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. (Col. 3:11)
- In our text above we see – Jesus and peace used three ways
- He is our peace – meaning we have peace with God
- he gives peace – meaning he imparts peace in our difficult situations
- and makes peace – meaning he mends broken things
- Unity without Christ is just a temporary truce.
United – V. 19-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, and in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Paul uses three words to describe what the church’s identity is
– Citizen – family – temple.