No Longer Strangers

Eph. 2:11-22

Looked at the old building. Ded. in 1872.

During Paul's first Roman imprisonment he wrote to the Colossians and Ephesians. Wuest says Ephesians is a circular letter. Writing to people not considered suitable construction materials. Jesus said, "I will build my Church." He wanted to see the fruition of the mystery. Had nothing to work with but 11 dedicated followers. More important than WHEN, HOW did Christ construct this Church?

1. 11-12 By searching for raw material

a. Remember--because we forget; OT Feasts: Memorials erected; preceding chapter

b. Uncircumcised--were told they had nothing to do with God

-separated from Christ--cristoV; referring to Mess.; they had no covenant connection with Him as the Jews did (Wuest)

-alienated from commonwealth of Israel--not only different in language, culture, religious practice, but hated each others; The Eph. had no part in the Theocracy

-Strangers to covenant of promise--xenoV: one not a member of the state or city; covenant--Abe and the Patriarchs (mess., not Mosaic); many promises in the scriptures, but not for the lost

-No hope, w/o God: no promised messiah, no cov., no promise; not only w/o Christ, but with no true God

2. 13-18 By creating something new

a. Used "Jesus" for He has now come

b. Brought near in the blood--only one could accomplish this and through His death

c. He made us one--Jews and Gentiles; not hybrid, but new; Jews and Gentiles had been separated; now joined

d. Broke down the wall: lusaV--aorist; Berlin Brigade; symbol of Temple; Gentiles not allowed in Jewish Temple (Acts 21:28)

e. Abolished law to create one in place of two: abolish--render inoperative; create, 2 Cor. 5:17; The mosaic economy separated; now peace J&G

f. Reconciled thru the cross--apo: restoration to a condition once lost (Wuest)--before God chose the Jews

g. Preached peace to those far (Gentiles) and near (Jews)

-came: APtc.--having com--1st advent

-access: prosagw--those sho secure for one the privilige of an interview with a sovereign (Wuest)

-Son provides the way

-Spirits presents us

-Father--into Whose presence we come

3. By fitting together the structure

a. no longer strangers: xenoV--diff. quality or nature than something else; sojourners: from another country, and not a citizen--did not enjoy all legal protection of a citizen.

b. Fellow citizens: Like materials; avalanche; equal to Jews, not second.

c. built on foundation of ap. and proph.; remain true to the roots of our faith

d. Christ=cornerstone; 1871 on Church cornerstone; ties it all together

e. Structure is joined together--grows (pres. tense)

-joined--closely

-1 Cor. 12 (name names of the church and what they do)

-The whole process

-prep. of surface

-cutting

-rubbing

-testing

-prep. dowells

-fill dowells

-Into a naon--inner sanctuary, not ieroV: temple with porches and outbuildings

f. You are built into it for a dwelling place of God; that God may have access to the world thru us. In OT, God dwells with men. In NT, God dwells in men.

Eph. 6:10-18

Subject: Protection

Theme: The Believer's Protection

Proposition: Believers can protect themselves from wickedness

T.S.: Believers can protect themselves from wickedness by heeding directives a set forth in Ephesians 6:10-18.

"Stand By"

Introduction: Stock car crash. Driver survives because of special suit. Believers need to protect themselves from wickedness.

Main Divisions

1A Be strong v. 10

1B In the Lord (not philosophy, science, yourself; Lucifer can beat you in all these)

2B In the Power of His might

Illustration:

2A Put on the Armour vv. 11-17

-stand v. 11-watchpost or hold out on battlefield (Marcus Barth, The Anchor Bible)

-wiles v. 11-scheming, craftiness, meqodeiV

-take v. 13-"take up"; military term describing the last preparation and final step necesssary before the actual battle begins (Barth); the A Imp. demands immediate action; the relaxation of discipline and disuse of exercise made soldiers less willing to carry and wear their armor

1B Truth--around the loins v. 14 (keeps from tripping up with deceitfulness; wrestling on video tapes)

-girt about v. 14-to bind around; Roman soldiers wore one of three wide belts: The apron worn to protect the lower abdomen or the sword belt buckled together with the sword as the decisive step in preparation for battle (Barth)

2B Righteousness--breastplate v. 14 (protects the heart from doing things despleasing to God)

-breastplate v. 14-the average soldier wore a piece of metal, but others used the best: A scale or chain mail that covered chest and hips.

3B Gospel--footwear v. 15 (Rom. 10:13-15)

-shod v. 15-to strap on

4B Faith v. 16

1C Shield-large door shaped shield; several layers of leather soaked in water to put out the incendiary missiles of the enemy (Barth)

2C Quenches the fiery darts of the wicked--dipped in pitch and set on fire burning

5B Salvation--helmet v. 17 (protects the mind from thinking natural)

-helmet v. 17-bronze helmet with cheek pieces; had inside lining of felt or sponge; only an axe or hammer could pierce it (Barth)

6B Word of God--Sword of the Spirit v. 17 (Heb. 4) (Jesus used the Word to fight the Devil-Mt. 4)

-sword v. 17-short straight sword used by the soldier (TDNT)

7B To wrestle against v. 12

-wrestle-hand-to-hand; wrestling was characterized by trickery, cunningness, and strategy (Marcus Barth); the loser in a wrestling contest had his eyes gouged out (Wuest)

1C Principalities

2C Powers

3C Rulers of Darkness

4C Spiritual Wickedness

Illustration:

3A Pray v. 18a

-pray--a petition for a particular need (TDNT); God is the ultimate hedonist

1B With Supplication

2B In the Spirit (Samson did great things only with the Spirit)

Illustration:

4A Watch v. 18b

-watch--to stay awake; to be sleepless; to suffer from insomnia; to be vigilant (Barth); Benedict brought pillow and alarm clock to guard duty

1B With perseverance (diligently remaining at one's work)

2B With Supplication

3B For all Saints

Conclusion: The race care driver knew to protect himself for danger. Therefore, we should protect ourselves from wickedness.