In Ephesians 2:11-18, Paul highlights the history of division and hostility between Jew and Gentile, while pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of peace between the two groups. As Josh Thames demonstrates, horizontal reconciliation with one another is made possible through our vertical reconciliation with God through Christ.

Josh’s Main Points

• Remember the separation that defined us (vv. 11-13).
• Remember what Jesus accomplished (vv. 14-16).
• Remain in intimacy (vv. 17-18).

Key Takeaways

• In our flesh, we naturally draw dividing lines between ourselves and others based upon our differences.
  
  
• The whole world is crying for peace and we, as Christians, have the solution– the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  
  
• The Bible teaches that we were all created equally valuable, equally guilty of sin, equally deserving of punishment, and equally saved by grace through faith in Jesus.
  
  
• The supernatural unity available in Jesus Christ is one of the Church’s most powerful apologetics.
  
  
• In Jesus, our differences are not ignored but reconciled and celebrated.
  
  
• The world tries to accomplish unity by uniformity. In Jesus, unity is possible for every tribe, tongue, and nation.
  
  
• In Christ, all people have equal access to God because Jesus fulfilled the Law, thereby, abolishing it and establishing the New Covenant.
  
  
• The Gospel compels us to move towards each other. Our reconciliation to each other is inseparable from our reconciliation to God.

• We cannot create unity by our strength. Salvation brings people near to God and all believers have access to God through the Holy Spirit (intimacy).
  
  
• As preached by Josh, within the Church we must lay the “us versus them” mentality at the foot of the cross.
  
  
• The enemy of peace is sin.
  
  

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal reflection:

• Is there any unrepentant sin affecting your vertical relationship with God? Confess, repent, and return to a right relationship with God.
  
  
• Is there any unreconciled sin or conflict affecting your horizontal relationships with others? Remind yourself of the Gospel and seek restoration where it is appropriate.
  
  

Discuss with your community group:

• Is your community group marked by supernatural unity? What have discussions looked   like amidst differences?
  
  
• Spend some time encouraging one another and celebrating each member– how you’ve seen God work in and through them, their growth, their gifts, and contributions to the group.

Passages Referenced for Further Study

Ephesians 2:11-18; John 17:20-23; 1 John 4:20.