The Resurrection Life is a Peace Life
September 22, 2015
Is there more to church than meets the eye? Have you ever wondered why there are so many different kinds of Churches that do things so many different ways? We are living through an age of increasing diversity and change when it comes to the Church. Just think of all kinds of church models offered us: Liturgical Church, Program Centered Church, Seeker Sensitive Church, Seeker Targeted Church, Purpose Driven Church, Healthy Church, Cell Church, Organic Church, Servant Church, Missional Church, Bible Study Church, Disciplemaking Church and Gospel Centered Church. We have so many different flavors and methods and philosophies of doing church, that I would not be surprised if many of you are left wondering just what is the church supposed to be? Is there more to church than meets the eye?
What did God have in mind when He created the Church?
What Jesus does to make us His Church:
1) Jesus brings us home (Ephesians 2:11-13)
We were once far away from God. We were complete outsiders to God in every way. We lived a life apart from Christ. A life apart from Christ meant no relief from guilt and shame, no purpose for living, no certainty of the future, and no Savior who could restore your relationship with God. We were left to go it alone without God in the world.
But now, through Jesus Christ, He brought us near – Jesus pursued us. He initiated relationship with us to bring us to God. He brought us home!
2) Jesus brings us together (Ephesians 2:14)
Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. His work on the cross didn’t just give us peace with God, didn’t just bring us near God, but made it possible for both Jews and Gentiles to come together as one. He makes the two groups one. This is why the Resurrection life we now share in Christ is a Peace Life.
3) Jesus breaks our barriers (Ephesians 2:14-15)
Jesus became our peace by destroying the barriers that divide us.
4) Jesus creates a new humanity (Ephesians 2:15-16)
His purpose was to create a new community of people. This new unified humanity is His Church: a new society of people who are no longer Jews or Gentiles, but a people who share the same experience of peace with God.
5) Jesus reconciles us all to God (Ephesians 2:17-18)
Jesus is our peace. There is now nothing separating us from God. He removed every barrier. He took away our sin and shame. Jesus brought us home. We now have free access into the very presence of God. We, who were once enemies of God, have been made friends of God.