Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Speaker: Rev. Lito Villoria

Topics: Ephesians

Date: December 4, 2011

After declaring that salvation is obtained by grace through faith in Christ, Paul explained how God broke the invincible wall of hostility between the Jews and the Gentiles. These two seeming irreconcilable groups of people have been reconciled through Christ. The gospel breaks down cultural barriers to reach the ends of the earth (cf. Acts 1:8). The challenge for the church is to build up itself by growing deep in its foundation while breaking down walls to take part in bringing the gospel to the whole world (cf. Matt 24:14).

I. Barriers Broken Down by the Cross. (vv. 11-18)

          A. The Gentiles were "uncircumcised" and underprivileged, alienated from Israel. (vv. 11-12)

          B. The Cross of Christ made possible the reconciliation of Jewish and Gentile believers. (vv. 13-18)

II.      Barriers Broken Down to Build the Church. (vv. 19-22)

          A. The Gentiles were given the privilege to be citizens and members of God's family (v. 19)

          B. The Chief Cornerstone makes possible the building up of the church. (vv. 20-22)

III.     Tear Down Barriers and Go Beyond the Borders.

          A. The Holy Spirit empowers the church to be witnesses in "Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the

                earth" (Acts 1:8).

          B. The gospel must be proclaimed "to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt 24:14).

          C. In the end, "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language" will worship God

                forever (Rev 7:9).