Tear down the wall

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Tear Down the WallEPHESIANS 2:11-16

June 12, 1987: Berlin’s 750th Birthday•Since 1961, the wall stood as an icon of separation; physical, ideological, political•Separated the world into two minds: Communism and Freedom•2 years Later, Gorbachev accepted the challenge•Jesus accomplished more!!

“11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel,

and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity,

which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”

Ephesians 2:11-16,NASB

Separated– What Gentiles were•Vv 11-12, Circumcision was a Jewish mark of “faith”•Yet no proof of actual faith

“… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.”

Galatians 6:15, NASB

Separated– What Gentiles were•Vv 11-12, Circumcision was a Jewish mark of “faith”•Yet no proof of actual faith•Believers in Christ received a “spiritual” circumcision in the heart– made w/o hands

“… In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ...”

Colossians 2:11, NASB

Without Christ…•Paul first characterized the Gentiles as separate from Christ•The Jews had always a hope of Messiah, the Christ– even their Scriptures revealed this from the beginning

“And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15, NASB“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, NASB

Without Christ…•Paul first characterized the Gentiles as separate from Christ•The Jews had always a hope of Messiah, the Christ– even their Scriptures revealed this from the beginning•God promised them salvation, conquered enemies, Heaven•Gentiles got no such promises

Also being aliens…•Paul added that the Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel: No Spiritual Home•This wall of exclusion stronger than the Berlin Wall kept them apart from Israel’s privileged relationship with God•It took literal form in Herod’s temple

Strangers from the Covenants of Promise •The Gentiles hadn’t received any of the promises God made to the Jews: Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, & the New Covenant •They all pointed to Messiah and the blessing thru Him: (Nation, Land, King, Spiritual inheritance) they had no claim to any of them

No Hope…•Without Christ, being aliens, and no covenants of promises, the Gentiles had no hope•Since the promise of a future rested with the Messiah, they couldn't expect things to get any better – in this life or the next

Without God…•They had gods on every corner•But these so -called deities werepowerless to save them from their hopeless and God-less situation•Keep in mind that every “not born-again” person, Jew or Gentile, is without God andthat means eternal condemnation

The Difference Christ made…•Their lives were absolutely bleak before God: but He tore down the wall that separated Gentiles from Him•V13, Christ brought the far-off up close!•How? The Cross!

“… And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission…”

Hebrews 9:22 , NASB

The Difference Christ made…•Their lives were absolutely bleak before God: but He tore down the wall that separated Gentiles from Him•V13, Christ brought the far-off up close!•How? The Cross! Now anyone can believe and be Saved!

Christ brought peace to the divided•Vv 14-16, Jesus not only created Peace between God and Man, He bridged the gap of Racism•How? Anew group of Believers who were Jew AND Gentile, now Siblings in Christ! •Access to God and unity in the Church (Bible say that?)

“… And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top tobottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split …”

Matthew 27:50-51, NASB

Take Home!

•Don’t build any walls within the Body of Christ Jesus