Therefore, remember that formerly you who are

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October 29, 2017 Part 3: This Is Oneness

Dan McEvoy

Opening Q—Can God be powerfully at work in your life apart from you being a part of Christ’s body, the church? Sermon in a Sentence: The win is in our Oneness.

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)— 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. Ephesians 2:11–12 (NIV)  Outsiders become

.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, Ephesians 2:13-14 (NIV)  Becoming a

people.

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, 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 (NIV)  Having full and equal access to the

.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:17–18 (NIV)

 Becoming a dwells in.

, not building a place, that God

Ephesians 2:19–20 (NIV) Ephesians 2:21–22 (NIV)  The mystery has been revealed and the now ours to share.

is

Ephesians 3:1–6 (NIV) Closing Q—Can God be powerfully at work in your life apart from you being a part of Christ’s body, the church?

ANSWER KEY: insiders, brand new, Father, people, mission

Doing Life Together Discussion - A Launching Point for Your Small Group Theme: Wall breaking to bridge building Warm Up: When has there been a time you felt like an outsider and someone went out of their way to include you? Read Together: Ephesians 2:11-22 & 3:1-6 Discuss:  What does Paul mean when he says that Gentiles (us included) were outsiders, separated from God’s promises? What is the primary reason Paul points out that out?  What does Paul mean by the “dividing wall of hostility” (vs. 14)? Where are those dividing walls in our world today, and why? Where do these walls become personal?  How did the work of Christ on the cross and His blood tear down those walls and bring us peace?  Looking at verse 15, what does Paul mean by saying that Jesus created in Himself “one new humanity out of the two?” and what is Christ’s role in our reconciliation to God and unity with one another?  What is the benefit of being reconciled to God, according to verse 18? Why is that so amazing?  How is the new temple built, according to 2:19–22? What is it made of? What is it built on?  How is being unified co-builders of the new temple key to what God is wanting to do in and through us as His church, to impact those we influence?  How can God use our unity as a church to help tear down the walls of division and hostility and build a bridge for people to cross over, to find reconciliation with Christ and one another? Prayer: Take time share to updates of how God is answering prayer and pray for specific needs in your group/family.