Bible Study - Cultyre (1) - When Races Collide - Ephesians 2:11-22 - January 13, 2019

Bible Study – Culture (1) – When Races Collide – January 13, 2019

This is lesson one (1) in our new series entitled, “Engaging Culture in an Ever-Changing World.”

Our focus scripture is Ephesians 2:11-22.

Our relationship with CHRIST should be reflected in our unity with one another.

For the next seven (7) weeks, we will be considering – how we:

-         View each other

-         Treat others

-         Deal with life’s circumstances

-         Handle addictions

-         Define marriage

-         Use our possessions

-         Define truth.

America has become a mixing pot of religious ideologies. Many religions believe they are following truth. But according to our Christian faith, GOD has reconciled all beliefs into one through the Promised Messiah, JESUS.

The Apostle Paul deals with this issue in our study.

How do we, as Christians, stand for truth and righteousness in the world in which we live? Our culture is ever changing, yet, the Bible has not changed its message to the peoples of the world. What are Christians to do in today’s world? Should we change our message? NO! Why? Once truth is revealed, truth stands the test of time.

One of the issues facing the religious community during Apostle Paul’s time period was circumcision versus non-circumcision. The Jews prided themselves in having been circumcised. Circumcision identified them as being in right relationship with GOD. Paul stated that circumcision was done by the hands of men. It was a ritual. It was a step of obedience, which may or may not reflect the attitude of a person’s heart toward GOD. Certainly, when Jewish male babies were circumcised on the eighth day after their birth it was a ritual.

The Jewish way of thinking was that non-Jews or the Gentiles had to first become a convert to Judaism, which included circumcision, before they could be in right relationship with GOD. How could this dilemma be resolved? The Apostle Paul deals with this issue in our focus scripture.

What issues does our Christian community face today?

In today’s world, Christians may face an issue of screens versus no screens in their worship services or the type of music sung. Also, is JESUS the True SON of GOD or a son of god or a prophet or what place does the homosexual community have in the Christian church and the list goes on. These can be divisive issues which must be put into the proper perspective according to the Bible and confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. What is the truth regarding such issues? Where do we go to find the answer? Let’s explore!

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians from prison. It was likely written around 61 AD. It has been estimated that the population of the city of Ephesus was between 250,000 and 300,000 people. Paul had spent about 3 years in Ephesus. He knew that Ephesus was a city where many worshipped the Greek goddess Artemis/Roman goddess Diana. It was a port city and was a cultural melting pot. It was ripe for spreading the Gospel or Good News of JESUS.

Diversity is both a strength and an area that can breed social and religious barriers resulting in islands of isolation. The Gospel is for all peoples and fosters unity. The indwelling Holy Spirit unifies those in CHRIST through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. Through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth, all Christians are brothers and sisters through faith in JESUS.

So why was the Apostle Paul writing this letter to the Christians in Ephesus?

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus was shared with other Christian churches in the area and is considered a circular letter. Paul’s letter has been preserved for us today.

Let’s read Ephesians 2:1-10: (Background)

We need to keep in mind that the Bible is the revelation of GOD on an ever-ascending scale. We get to read about the issues that faced the world in an effort to discover GOD and build the right relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS, HIS only SON.

In Paul’s day there were issues between the Gentiles/non-Jews/the uncircumcised and the Jews/the circumcised. The Jews touted that they were more spiritual than the non-Jews. The Jews bore the marks of circumcision and were in covenant relationship with GOD. The non-Jews could not point to such a mark to show that they had a relationship with GOD.

Paul’s message to the religious community was JESUS gave HIS sinless life to pay in full for the sins of all people – Jews and Gentiles. Paul was addressing the Gentile community and reminding them to remember who they were before they had accepted JESUS as their Savior.

From Death to Life

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins

2 in which you previously walked according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain, the spirit now working in the disobedient. (The spirit world, Satan.)

Satan’s desire is for us NOT to discover truth. The truth is that JESUS has already defeated Satan. JESUS has won the victory and Christians are to live triumphally in the victory JESUS has already won.

3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and by nature we were children under wrath, as the others were also.

All people are born sinners and alienated from GOD because of sin.

4 But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,

The love of GOD for the human race compelled GOD to send HIS only Son to earth to live a sinless life so that HE would be the perfect sacrifice to pay the debt for sin in full for all who would place their faith in HIM.

5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved!

When any person places his or her faith in JESUS he or she is forgiven and experiences the miracle of rebirth in his or her spirit. The instant a person places his or her faith in JESUS, he or she receives eternal life and becomes a Child of GOD and so much more -----

6 He also raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus,

7 so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace in [His] kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift-

9 not from works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are His creation-created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

What is GOD’S Grace? Grace is a gift from GOD through faith in JESUS. Grace cannot be earned through human effort. Grace is unmerited favor. JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for all of the sins of the person coming to HIM in faith seeking forgiveness and believing that HE is GOD’S Son. The shedding of the blood of JESUS completely and for eternity washes away all of the sins of the person coming to HIM by faith. GOD shrouds every person, who comes to JESUS by faith, with the righteousness of JESUS. How do we know that? The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (All who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Thus, all who place their faith in JESUS are Spiritually born-again into GOD’S Family. All Christians are either Brothers or Sisters through faith in CHRIST and are in unity with GOD, JESUS and each other as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Unity is Paul’s message to the Christians in Ephesus and to all Christians today.

Let’s take another look at verses 4 and 5 – As a Christian, do you realize that when JESUS was crucified and gave HIS physical life that you died with HIM? When HE was buried you were buried with HIM? When HE was resurrected, you were resurrected with HIM? JESUS walked upon earth for 40 days and then HE ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD. All who place his or her faith in JESUS also ascended with JESUS and took his or her seat at the right hand of GOD. As a Christian, in essence, you are already in Heaven but GOD has left you upon earth to represent HIM to those who are seeking truth. As a Christian you have found truth. Truth will always be truth.

In Ephesus, there were two distinct groups trying to claim that they had the answer to being in unity and harmony with GOD as we read on ----

Let’s read Ephesians 2:11-12:

Unity in Christ

11 So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh-called "the uncircumcised" by those called "the circumcised," done by hand in the flesh.

12 At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, with no hope and without God in the world.

“So then” refers back to all that Paul had written in verses 1-10.

Paul was writing to his Gentile readers that the Jews once considered them incapable of being spiritual. The Jews had a relationship with GOD because they had been circumcised. But they needed to keep in mind that circumcision was done by hand. Circumcision was a ritual done on a male child when he was 8 days old.

The Gentiles were without JESUS. They were excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, with no hope and without GOD in the world. But GOD had a plan to break the walls that separated the Gentiles and the Jews. GOD sent HIS only Son to earth to reconcile all people to HIM through faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Ephesians 2:13-18:

13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

14 For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In His flesh,

15 He did away with the law of the commandments in regulations, so that He might create in Himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace.

16 [He did this so] that He might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross and put the hostility to death by it.

17 When [Christ] came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

The shed blood of JESUS is the reconciler for all people regardless of their religious or non-religious backgrounds. JESUS shed HIS blood for all who will place their faith in HIM. JESUS tore down the wall that separates people. Faith in JESUS unites. Since JESUS unites then ---

Let’s read Ephesians 2:19-22:

19 So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household,

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

21 The whole building is being fitted together in Him and is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord,

22 in whom you also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit.

Born-again believers are living stones being used to build a Holy Sanctuary. GOD’S desire is for every born-again believer to be obedient to HIS call. GOD is building a Holy sanctuary and born-again believers are the living stones. JESUS is the chief cornerstone. The cornerstone is the stone which sets the line for the walls of the structure being built.

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart? GOD has a place just for you in the Holy Sanctuary HE is building. Blessings!!!