Sermon One Body Ephesians 2:19-22 Introduction

[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. (Ephesians 2:13-22 ESV)

The Dwelling of God Character of it The Intensity of it The Key To It

CHARACTER – the person and character of Christ All the other stones must adjust themselves to this cornerstone. So also with Christ. Christ gives the house its needed direction. The end product is determined by the cornerstone. (Hendriksen)

Schaeffer – True Spirituality: The real unity of this temple, this body of Christ is not a unity of one part with another, but is a unity in which each part is under the control of the Head and therefore functioning together.

If we aren’t rightly under the direction of the head, then we can’t function together

THE INTENSITY God’s nation God’s family / brotherhood God’s temple of human “stones”

All religions say “To relate to God you must build a temple.” The gospel says “There is a place to experience God, but it is not brick on brick, but Christian on Christian. You find God through Christian community, which is the temple”.

God’s message to us is, “If you want a typical church experience where God works apart from deep Christian community, then go get your own ‘God’ because I don’t work that way.”

Don’t be a S.C.U.B.A. Christian There is no healthy biblical growth apart from community!!

KEY : A new Identity- NO LONGER STRANGERS AND ALIENS “God dwells here”

Olive Garden Christianity – “When you’re here, you’re family”