Step by Step in Unity

Ephesians 2:11-22

That was then: (vs. 11-12)

• Remember:
• Gentile by birth
• called the uncircumcision
• separated from Christ
• excluded from citizenship
• foreigners to the covenants
• without hope
• without God

This is now: (vs. 13-22)

1. Near - vs. 13

• 1 Peter 3:18
• John 14:6
• 1 Timothy 2:5-6
• Acts 4:12
• James 4:8

2. Reconciled - vs. 14-16

• Galatians 3:28
• Revelation 7:9

3. Peace - vs. 17

• Isaiah 9:6
• John 14:27

Three kind of peace:

• Peace with God
• Romans 5:1-2

• Peace with each other
• Matthew 5:9
• Romans 12:18
• Matthew 5:23-24

• Peace with ourself
• Philippians 4:6-7
• Matthew 11:28

• Far away - like the woman at the well
• Near - like Nicodemus

4. Access - vs. 18

• access = right to approach
• It is finished = τετέλεσται = paid in full
• Hebrews 4:16

5. Family - vs. 19

• Ephesians 1:5

6. Growth - vs. 20-22

Three ideas:

• Jesus is the chief cornerstone
• In Jesus, the church is joined together
• In Jesus, believers grow together

Our response:

• Live in unity - step by step
• Ephesians 4:32