Sermon on the Work of Christ | What Christ Brings
Categories: Expository Sermon Outlines, Sermon OutlinesSermon on the Work of Christ
Ephesians 2:11-18
INTRODUCTION:
A. It is important for Christian to remember and reflect
1. 1 Corinthians 4:17
2. 2 Peter 3:1
B. In Ephesians 2:11-18, Paul is reminding the Ephesian Christians where they WERE and where they are NOW
1. We need this today as Christians, that is, to be reminded of where we were and where we are now, lest we become lackadaisical in our Christian walk.
2. When a Christian thinks of his life as a non-Christian, he should be even more thankful for his life as a Christian
C. Ephesians 2:11-12
1. Before they had become Christians they were:
a. Held in contempt by the Jews
1) The Jews by their corruption of truth were keeping many Gentiles from the Lord
2) Today many are corrupting truth…
b. “Separate from Christ” (“without Christ” — KJV)
c. “Alienated” from spiritual Israel
d. “Strangers from the covenants of the promise”
e. “Having no hope”
f. “Without God”
2. What did these Gentiles do about their terrible situation? or what could they do?
a. They had to rely on Christ!
b. Notice what Christ brings!!!
DISCUSSION:
A. CHRIST BRINGS US NEAR TO GOD (v. 13)
1. Paul says, “but now”
a. But now the gospel has come into force
b. Those who were once “far off” are brought near unto God
2. They were “made nigh”
a. There was a removal of the barrier between Jew and Gentile
b. There was a removal of the barrier between them and Christ
3. This was all accomplished “in the blood of Christ”
a. Hebrews 9:13-14
b. 1 Peter 1:18-19
4. Thus, we see Christ’s true love for us … John 15:13
a. Notice what kind of friends we were:
1) Romans 5:6-8
2) We were “enemies” of God! (Rom. 5:10)
b. Could there be any greater love than that of Christ’s?
B. CHRIST BRINGS US PEACE (vs. 14-15)
1. Christ brings peace by bringing men together as “one” (v.14)
a. In times past they were two parties, Jew and Gentile, but this dualistic separation has ceased
b. Now there is a unity between all obedient believers
c. Galatians 3:27-28
d. Notice how we keep this unity … 1 John 1:7
2. Christ brings peace by breaking down all barriers (v. 14)
a. The “middle wall of partition” is a picture take from the temple.
1) The temple had many courts and barriers separating each; .e.g. the court of the Gentiles, the court of women, etc.
2) Christ broke down all these barriers
b. All now have access to the Holy of Holies (heaven)
c. Thus there are to be no barriers of race, wealth, dress, ability, etc.
3. Christ brings peace by wiping out the “enmity” of the law against us (v. 15)
a. By being crucified on the cross, Christ abolished the law of Moses
b. The law of Moses brought enmity because no one could keep it perfectly, therefore, no one could be justified by the law of Moses
c. Christ removed this enmity
4. Christ brings peace by creating a “new man” (v. 15)
a. It is through the new law, the law of Christ, that a man can be created anew
1) As opposed to the enmity that prevailed between Jew and Gentile
2) As opposed to the old man of sin
b. John 3:3-5
c. 2 Corinthians 5:17
C. CHRIST BRINGS US RECONCILIATION (vs. 16-17)
1. The word “reconcile” comes from a Greek word that means to change, to change thoroughly, to bring together, to restore, to turn hostility to friendship
2. Reconciliation came by means of the cross
a. When we sin we need to be reconciled (Isa. 59:1-2)
b. The cross of Jesus made this possible
1) 2 Corinthians 5:18
2) Colossians 1:19-20
3. We learn about this reconciliation through the preaching of the gospel
a. We have been given the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18)
b. Romans 1:16
c. That’s why the gospel is “good news”
D. CHRIST BRINGS US ACCESS TO GOD (v. 18)
1. This does not mean that all men will be saved, but all men will have opportunity to be saved
2. We gain access to the Father “through His Son”
a. John 14:6
b. Hebrews 10:19-20
c. But, we must travel the right way
1) Proverbs 14:12
2) Matthew 7:13-14
3. We also have access to the Father “in one Spirit”
a. This occurs when we obeys the words of the Spirit revealed in the New Testament
b. When we obey the Bible we are led by the Spirit unto the Father
4. Because of the Son and the Holy Spirit, we have a very special relationship with the Father
a. Galatians 4:6-7
b. Our relationship with the Father, if we are a Christian, is both personal and paternal
CONCLUSION:
A. It is important for us to remember that:
1. We were separated from God
2. Christ brought us near to God
3. Christ brings us peace
4. Christ brings us reconciliation
5. Christ brings us access to God
B. When we forget these things we lose sight of them, and then we lose sight of God and become lukewarm and unfaithful.