Living Hope Church
8 Feb Sunday Service
  • Give Me Jesus
  • In the Name of Jesus
  • The Solid Rock
  • Firm Foundation (He Won't)
  • Holy Spirit

  • I. Remember Who You Were

    Ephesians 2:11–12 NKJV
    11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
    A. Strangers and outsiders
    Paul calls the Gentiles to remember their separation—no hope, no covenant, no belonging.
    Pride comes when we forget that we were once in darkness and on our way to hell.
    You and I still deserve hell, but Praise God for the hope we have in Jesus Christ!
    B. Illustration: The “No Badge” Moment
    Imagine walking up to a secured building—everyone else scans a badge, doors click open, but when you try, the system denies access. You stand there awkwardly, clearly an outsider.
    Paul says: That was us—outside God’s household, unable to enter.
    Our sin caused us to be rejected from God’s presence
    C. Application
    We remember our “outsider story” not to shame ourselves, but to deepen gratitude for grace.

    II. What Christ Has Done

    Ephesians 2:13–18 NKJV
    13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
    A. Christ brought us near
    The blood of Christ serves as the “bridge” spanning the distance between us and God.
    The Jews, God’s chosen people, rejected the Messiah so Jesus proclaimed Salvation would also be to the Gentiles (everyone else) as well.
    Jesus brought unity between the Jews and Gentiles that through His work, He would bring us together and present us to God as One Body.
    The Church of Ephesus was a great example of this as there were Greeks, Romans, and Jews all living in the city and who were brothers and sisters in Christ together.
    B. Christ our peace
    He destroys dividing walls of hostility—ethnic, cultural, personal, relational.
    C. Illustration: Putting Down the Bricks
    A family feud often begins with small offenses—each one like a brick. Over time a literal wall of resentment exists. Jesus not only stops us from adding bricks; He tears down the wall entirely.
    E. Application
    Because Christ is our peace, we don’t just coexist—we belong to each other.

    III. Who We Are Now

    Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV
    19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
    A. No longer strangers
    We are now citizens of heaven and members of God’s household.
    B. Illustration: Adoption Ceremony
    In adoption court, the judge signs the document and says, “This child now has a forever family.” Paul says God did that for us. We aren’t guests—we’re children in the home.
    We are one in Christ as Christians
    I love the Christian flag!
    It is a banner that does not see denomination or organization, but only Christ and His work on the Cross.
    Someday, we will have one here as well.
    It is a symbol of the family of believers who are united in Christ.
    I love the Church of God of Prophecy, but that is just one part of the family.
    For the community of Abilene, we are just one part of the Family of God. It should not be a point of division, but a point of unity.
    C. Built together on a foundation
    The apostles and prophets provide the teaching; Christ is the cornerstone.
    D. Illustration: The Cornerstone in Masonry
    Builders place a cornerstone first. Every other stone aligns with it. When Christ is the cornerstone, the family stays straight, stable, unified.
    E. A dwelling place for God
    We are being built into a spiritual house where God chooses to dwell.

    IV. Living as God’s Family

    A. Practice intentional unity
    Families stay united through forgiveness, humility, and sacrificial love.
    Get to know one another in this place. Go to lunch together.
    B. Illustration: The Dinner Table Rule
    Some households practice the rule: No phones at the table. Why? Because relationship requires presence. Likewise, unity in Christ requires intentional attention to one another.
    C. Living Hope Church
    Our Church family must function as a family. God is calling us to a mighty work in Abilene, but it will take all of us coming together in Unity to see it happen.
    D. Expanding the Family
    Charlie Kirk said his goal was to make Heaven crowded. He wanted to live life in such a way that many would join the family.
    So how can we make the family bigger. Not specifically Living Hope Church, but the family of God.
    When you see someone who claims to have a relationship with God, treat them as your brother or sister in Christ, even if they are misled.
    E. Illustration: The Badge
    You may not be able to open the door and let everyone into the Kingdom, but you can how them where to get a badge - Through Jesus Christ!
    Christ in you is all the badge you need. He unites us together to do what He has called us to do.
    Who is someone you don’t get along with?
    Are they like the Jews - who saw themselves as better than non-Jews?
    Are you treating others like the Jews treated the Gentiles?
    How can they know we are Christians if we do not love one another?
    John 13:35 NKJV
    35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
    I love each and every one of you. You are my family in the Lord. I pray for you. Please pray for me too.
    Let’s pray together.

      • Ephesians 2:11–22NKJV

      • John 13:35NKJV

Living Hope Church
pastor@livinghopecogop.org
325-500-4763
http://livinghopecogop.org
4 members