BIBLICAL INCLUSION
Read Ephesians 2:19-22
This morning our focus is upon Ephesians 2:19-22, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
This is a powerful section of Ephesians that speaks about inclusion. It is about Gentiles being included with other saints on equal ground. This is true of you also if you have trusted Christ as your Savior.
vs. 19 - Paul’s comments continue to be directed to the believing Gentiles in the church at Ephesus. Because of Jesus Christ, we as Gentile believers are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, of the household of God. The word saints in this context likely refer to the covenant relationship Israel had with God. They were the Old Testament saints. But we are all now of the household of God. The latter literally refers to one’s house, in this case, God’s house.
vs. 20 - "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." We, both Jew and Gentile believers have been built together (as a spiritual house) “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” The spiritual house alluded to here is the church. Its basic foundation is the apostles and prophets. The latter is likely a metaphor referring to the Word of God in both the New and Old Testaments. The most important stone in ancient stone masonry was the cornerstone, for it determined the surety of the building in all dimensions. The “chief cornerstone” of the church is none other than Jesus Christ. Thus, the foundation of the New Testament church is Jesus Christ as its head. The remainder of its foundation is the Word of God as given through the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New.
vs. 21 - "In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord." The metaphor of a building continues. This household (house) of God, whose foundation is Jesus Christ and the Word of God, is fitly framed together. The word “fitly” is of interest. It has the sense of being masterfully designed and crafted together. It speaks of a master architect and builder. This divinely designed building, a household of God, was being erected as a holy temple in the Lord. There may be a veiled allusion to the then recently finished Temple at Jerusalem, which was considered one of the world’s architectural masterpieces. It may have been the basis of the metaphor Paul had constructed.
vs. 22 - The metaphor concludes with Paul describing how both these believing Gentiles in the church, as well as their Jewish brethren, had been built “together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” The church, as a spiritual body, has become the house of God; not its physical meeting place, but the body of believers itself. This is the mystery that both Jew and Gentile would be melded together as one in Christ as the new temple of God in this age.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Share in one sentence what your citizenship in God's Kingdom means to you.
2. Should we offer to serve or wait to be asked to serve in our church family; in the household of God?
3. Scripture says that we are God's building. What things can you do to be sure you’re staying 'in line’ with Christ and His church?
4. What do you think builds a better foundation: a church that grows by adding church members only or a church that grows because of new converts to Christ?
5. Are you comfortable with the fact that people from every nation, tribe, and tongue will be in heaven with you? Why or why not?
6. Why is it important for you to be involved in your local church?
7. What can you personally do to improve the spiritual life in your church?