“What CHRIST makes us to be”

Ephesians 2:11-22

Officer Peter O'Hanlon was patrolling on night duty in northern England some years ago when he heard a quivering sob. Turning in the direction that it came from, he saw in the shadows a little boy sitting on a doorstep. With tears rolling down his cheeks, the child whimpered, "I'm lost. Take me home." The policeman began naming street after street, trying to help him remember where he lived. When that failed, he repeated the names of the shops and hotels in the area, but all without success. Then he remembered that in the center of the city was a well-known church with a large white cross towering high above the surrounding landscape. He pointed to it and said, "Do you live anywhere near that?" The boy's face immediately brightened. "Yes, take me to the cross. I can find my way home from there!"

Here is a message about the POWER of the cross and the resurrection of Christ Jesus our Lord. Note the word - “made” (KJV) and the message of what God makes us to be!

I. Christ made us nigh 2:13

(egguV egenhqhte)

- Through the Blood of Jesus (1:7)

- From afar off …

o W/o Christ (2:12)

o Aliens

o Strangers --- Paul “made” a Minister of grace

o Hopeless (3:7-8)

o Godless (aqeoi)

Wesley And The Robber

As John Wesley rode across Hounslow Heath late one night, singing a favorite hymn, he was startled by a fierce voice shouting, “Halt,” while a firm hand seized the horse’s bridle. Then the man demanded, “Your money or your life.”

Wesley obediently emptied his pockets of the few coins they contained and invited the robber to examine his saddlebags which were filled with books. Disappointed at the result, the robber was turning away when Mr. Wesley cried, “Stop! I have something more to give you.”

The robber, wondering at this strange call, turned back. Then Mr. Wesley, bending down toward him, said in solemn tones, “My friend, you may live to regret this sort of a life in which you are engaged. If you ever do, I beseech you to remember this, “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”

The robber hurried silently away, and the man of God rode along, praying in his heart that the word spoken might be fixed in the robber’s conscience.

Years later, at the close of a Sunday evening service, the people streamed from the large building with many lingering around the doors to see the aged preacher, who was John Wesley.

A stranger stepped forward and earnestly begged to speak with Mr. Wesley. What a surprise to find that this was the robber of Hounslow Heath, now a well-to-do tradesman in the city, but better still, a child of God! The words spoken that night long ago had been used of God in his conversion.

Raising the hand of Mr. Wesley to his lips, he affectionately kissed it and said in tones of deep emotion, “To you, dear sir, I owe it all.”

“Nay, nay, my friend,” replied Mr. Wesley softly, “not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ which cleanseth us from all sin.”

II. Christ made us one in God 2:14

(o poihsaV ta amfotera en)

No walls ...

A. Between Jews and Gentiles (2:16-18)

B. Between God and man (2:19-22)

Years ago in a Western city a husband and wife became estranged, and finally separated. They left the city and resided in different parts of the country. The husband one day chanced to return to this city on a matter of business. He went out to the cemetery to the grave of their only son. He was standing by the grave in fond reminiscence when he heard a step behind him. Turning, he saw his estranged wife. The first inclination of both was to turn away. But they had a common, binding interest in that grave; and instead of turning away they clasped hands over that grave of their son, and were reconciled one to another. It took nothing less than death to reconcile them! It takes nothing less than death, the precious blood of Christ, to reconcile man to God.

C. Between other believers (2:19)

1. “members of the household of God”

2. “fellow citizens with the saint”

3. “holy temple in the Lord”

III. Christ made us a new man 2:15

(ktizw = create)

No the law or ordinances of man, but His grace makes us a new creature. “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” (Gal 6:14-15 NKJV)

A. In position (2:15, 1Co 1:30)

“In Christ” we are created one new man!

“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God——and righteousness and sanctification and redemption——” (1Co 1:30 NKJV)

B. In Purpose (2:10)

“Created” as a “poem” for good works!

“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” (Eph 2:10 NRSV)

C. In Power (4:24) – call unto holiness to put off the carnal and put on the new man.

“and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph 4:24 NKJV)

* POEM – “Help me, Holy Spirit”