THE NEW HUMANITY

Main Idea: Christ has made us the new humanity – the Church.

Theme: Unity of the Church

A. Past: “Therefore” (v. 11)

1. Gentiles (v. 11)

2. Far away from God (v. 13)

3. Separated from Christ/God (v. 12)

4. Excluded from citizenship in Israel (v. 12)

5. Foreigners to the covenants (v. 12)

6. Without hope (v. 12)

7. Without God (v. 12)

Picture: Outside of God’s purpose and mission

B. Present: “But now” (v. 13)

1. Made one with the Jews (v. 14)

2. Brought near to God (v. 13)

3. Reconciled to God (v. 16)

4. Fellow citizens with God’s people (v. 19)

5. Members of God’s household (v. 19)

6. Created one new humanity (v. 15)

7. Have access to the Father with the Jews (v. 18)

Picture: Inside of God’s purpose and mission

C. Future: “Consequently” (v. 19)

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (vv. 19-22)

Temple → New Humanity → Church

Picture: Agent of God’s purpose and mission

Life Group Discussion Questions

1. What does this mean? No Jesus, No Hope. Know Jesus, Know Hope. (Ephesians 2:11-12)

2. What is it like for you to experience nearness to God? (Ephesians 2:13)

3. When have you seen Jesus destroy relational barriers and hostility? (Ephesians 2:14-18)

4. How can we have more unity at Grace and in the Sound? (Ephesians 2:19-22)

5. How often do you have people of other ethnicities over to your house? (Galatians 3:26-28)

6. What steps can you take to guard and strengthen unity with your family and friends? (1 Corinthians 1:10)

7. In what ways does attitude determine the depth of unity in your relationships? (Colossians 3:13-14