I. Before becoming followers of Christ, the Ephesian Christians were not united (vv. 11-13)
1. Divided over race—Jews and Gentiles
2. Jews looked down upon the Gentiles as inferior
3. Racially, the Gentiles did not enjoy what the Jews claimed to be enjoying
(a) Separated from Christ
(b) Excluded from commonwealth of Israel
(c) Foreigners to the covenants of the promise
(d) Without hope
(e) Without God
II. The Ephesian Christians must not bring their disunity to the church, because (vv. 13-18)
1. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection has removed the gap between them (verse 13)
(a) Jesus has broken down the dividing wall (verse 14) [metaphorically “the Law”]
(b) Jesus has abolished the law of separation that promoted exclusivism and separation (verse 14-15a)
(c) Jesus has made two groups in to one (verse 14)
2. Jesus has made a new humanity which comprised of everyone without racial discrimination (verse 15b-16)
3. Jesus provides everyone access to the Father by removing the hostility and (by) bringing reconciliation between God and humanity (verse 17-18)
4. Gentile and Jewish Christians become members of God’s family/household (verse 18-22)
5. No longer strangers and aliens (verse 19)
5. Fellow citizens and saints (verse 19)
6. Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone of the household (verse 20)
7. With Jesus as the Corner Stone, the Gentile and Jewish Christians put together form God’s Household (the holy Temple) (verse 21)
8. This is the place where God dwells through His Spirit (verse 22)
III. Theology of Ephesians 2:11-22
1. A local church is a community of Christ followers
(a) Who do not discriminate each other based on caste, color, and race but live in unity as a new humanity because Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection have destroyed their exclusive claims
(b) Who have become God’s family where no one is alienated and considered strangers
(c) Who become the Temple where God dwells through the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus is the most important person (or, the first person)
2. Christ followers must not be divided over caste, class, and race
3. Every local church must intentionally break down the barriers because barriers work against what Jesus has done for the believers
4. Corporate identity and belongingness is an absolute necessity for believers Cornerstone.
IV. Take Away
Be a covenant member of a local church
