I’m Comfortable in My Own Skin (Color) Thy Kingdom Come – p.7 Ephesians 2:11-18

Leviticus 19:32-34 (ESV) "You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:32-34 (ESV) "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Jeremiah 22:3 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Ethnic and Other Separations of the Early Church

A curtain separates the high priest from the rest of the priests.A curtain separates the high priest from the rest of the priests.

Ethnic and Other Separations of the Early Church There is a room for the priests and a wall separates them from the Jewish men.There is a room for the priests and a wall separates them from the Jewish men.

Ethnic and Other Separations of the Early Church There is a place for the Jewish men to gather and a wall separates them from Jewish women.There is a place for the Jewish men to gather and a wall separates them from Jewish women.

Ethnic and Other Separations of the Early Church There is a place for Jewish women to gather and a wall separates them from the Gentiles.There is a place for Jewish women to gather and a wall separates them from the Gentiles.

Ethnic and Other Separations of the Early Church

What it means to be an “outsider” 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—

What it means to be an “outsider” 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. (Eph 2:11-12 ESV) (Eph 2:11-12 ESV)

The reality of an outsider Christless – just like many of us they used to live without ChristChristless – just like many of us they used to live without Christ Stateless – they could not gain citizenshipStateless – they could not gain citizenship Friendless – foreignersFriendless – foreigners

The reality of an outsider HopelessHopeless Godless – they worshipped their gods – but they did not know about Jehovah God – their creator.Godless – they worshipped their gods – but they did not know about Jehovah God – their creator.

The reality of an outsider now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13 ESV)now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13 ESV) God has intervened – God desires to bring outsiders inside. – vv.13God has intervened – God desires to bring outsiders inside. – vv.13

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower We make much of Jesus when we acknowledge His death on the cross as all that is necessary for our peace with God.We make much of Jesus when we acknowledge His death on the cross as all that is necessary for our peace with God.

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances,

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (Eph 2:14-16 ESV)

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14 ESV)

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower Major purpose of God’s law is to show us how sinful and incapable we are.Major purpose of God’s law is to show us how sinful and incapable we are. The cross compels us to live in unity with other ethnic groupsThe cross compels us to live in unity with other ethnic groups

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:26-28 ESV)

We fight racism because it is the DNA of a Christ follower He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. (Eph. 2:17 ESV)He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. (Eph. 2:17 ESV) “…through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18 ESV)“…through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18 ESV)

Bottom Line: Making God famous means I welcome people into my life regardless of their ethnic background.Making God famous means I welcome people into my life regardless of their ethnic background. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28 ESV)There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28 ESV)

A word of hope for those who see themselves as “outsiders” All the divisions and prejudices that matter so much in the world are abolished in Christ.All the divisions and prejudices that matter so much in the world are abolished in Christ. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. (Gal. 4:1-2 ESV)

Know what you have in Christ Jesus: You have the freedom to live with a different status – v.25You have the freedom to live with a different status – v.25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. (Gal. 3:25 ESV)

Know what you have in Christ Jesus: You have the same heritageYou have the same heritage You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, (Gal.3:26 ESV)

Know what you have in Christ Jesus: You have the same family robeYou have the same family robe for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal. 3:37 ESV)

Know what you have in Christ Jesus: You have the same opportunity – to live as servants to one another.You have the same opportunity – to live as servants to one another. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29 ESV)

Know what you have in Christ Jesus: There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28 ESV)There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28 ESV)

Three cautions for “insiders” Guard your heart against prideGuard your heart against pride There is neither Jew nor Greek… (Gal. 3:28 ESV)

Three cautions for “insiders” Don’t abuse powerDon’t abuse power There is neither…slave nor free… (Gal. 3:28 ESV)

Three cautions for “insiders” See people without labelsSee people without labels There is neither…male nor female… (Gal. 3:28 ESV)