Grace: Together

Date
April 2, 2017
Speaker
Pastor Ryan Flunker
Series
Grace: Together
Book
Ephesians

There is no shortage of differences between individuals today. Unfortunately, these differences too often get controlled by our insecurities and selfish desires to morph them from differences to divisions. The great weapon of the evil one is bringing dissension and division to the body of Christ. We are in an all out war on the battlefront of the image of God’s church from both outside influences and from within.

The love of God, as shown in the giving of His Son Jesus, is a continual reminder of what Grace looks like. If we are ever, as His body on earth – a dwelling place for God, going to advance His Kingdom, we must refocus and submit our differences to a common center of God’s grace in Jesus Christ; that we might become a House of God that is united and not divided.

Ephesians 2:11-13 (NIV)

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

#1 – The Reminder of Grace

Separated from Christ
Excluded from citizenship in Israel
Foreigners to the covenants of the promise
Without hope
Without God in the world

Ephesians 2:14-19

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

#2 – The Actions of Grace

Grace throws away the offense
Grace calls for self-sacrifice in order to bring unifying peace
Grace removes the offense without cost to the offender
“There is no cost left to pay because Jesus died on the cross for me”
Grace goes to the offended one
Grace is sourced in Jesus
Grace is sourced in love

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

#3 – The Consequences of Grace