Spiritual Community
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Joined Together, Growing Together
Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV)
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Sermon Outline
We grow with others (v21) in a community where God’s Spirit is present (v22).
1. Joined Together
v12 “remember… you were… separated… alienated… strangers… having no hope and without God in the world.”
v14 “dividing wall of hostility”
v16 “reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”
v18 “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. “
2. Growing Together
v19 “no longer strangers and aliens, but… fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God”
vv20-21 “in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord… built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
Prayer of Confession
Our Father, we draw near because Jesus made access possible. We confess our sins. We who were once far off, still try to keep our distance. We who were strangers, still try to hide so that we will not be fully known. We have not killed the hostility in us. Forgive us. We marvel that Jesus bore the hostility, being killed for us. May the peace he has brought make its way deep into us. May the love with which you have loved us grow in us so that your love between us evidences the peace of Christ and power of your Spirit. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What makes connecting deeply or meaningfully with people challenging?
Have you formed bad relational habits? Is there anything you can change simply with a commitment to try things differently that could facilitate better connections with people?
How does spiritual immaturity make people vulnerable to conflict? Why are we prone to hostility?
What is different about how Jesus lived in our fallen world, and with how he faced hostility?
How does God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit create new possibilities for how we relate to God?
What are some implications of the church being a dwelling place for God by the Holy Spirit?
How does a church grow together? What do we do, and how do we do it, so that everyone participating matures?
In what ways do healthy churches become a chief means for God’s work in the world?