The Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10) leads to the fundamental unity of the church as one new humanity (Ephesians 2:11-20). We are one because of Jesus. This is woven into the doctrinal realities of our faith (Ephesians 4:1-6) and the lived experience of the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).
Ephesians 2:11-20; 4:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12
SERMON OUTLINE
“His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:15-16)
The Saving Work of the One God (Ephesians 2:1-10)
- The barrier between God and humanity
- The barrier broken down
- The movement from death to life in Christ
The Unifying Work of the One God (Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:4-6)
- The barrier between humanity one with another
- The barrier broken down
- One new humanity in Christ
The Oneness of God’s People as the Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:15; Romans 12:3-8)
- One Body in Christ
- Unity within Diversity
- Diversity within Unity
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you seen a group of people truly operate with unity or display oneness?
- We continue our series on unity, “One: The Being of God in the Life of the Church,” by looking at how God makes us one through Jesus Christ. We will begin by looking at Ephesians 2:1-22. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through His Word, and then read that passage aloud.
- Ephesians 2:1-10 is an essential summary of the Gospel. According to verses 1-3 what have we been saved from?
- Now look at verses 4-9 and discuss what it means to be saved by God through Jesus Christ?
- According to verse 10 what are we saved to?
- Have you experienced this saving work of Christ? If so, what helped you take that step? If not, what holds you back from taking that step?
- Ephesians 2:11-22 addresses how the saving work of God in Christ impacts human relationships. What do verses 11-13 say about what has changed in Jesus Christ? (Note that “Gentiles” literally means “nations” and refers to all those who were non-Jewish and, therefore, outside God’s covenant promises.)
- What has Jesus done in the midst of this Jew/Gentile divide as seen in verses 14-18?
- According to verses 19-22 what does Jesus’ activity mean for us as the body of Christ, whether Jew or Gentile?
- Why do you think this message would have been a big deal in Paul’s day, given the Jew/Gentile distinction? What do you think this might mean for us today?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of the unity God brings through Jesus Christ? If you are on your own, write that down. If you are in a small group, discuss your answers with one another. Close in prayer. Choose one person in your life with whom you will share something you learned through this study.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Ephesians 2:4-5 and/or 2:14.
- Read 1 Corinthians 12 and respond to what God is speaking to you through the imagery of the body by journaling, drawing, painting, or speaking prayers back to God.
- Dive deeper into themes of unity in Christ by reading The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best by Irwyn L. Ince, Jr.