Part 1 | Life Without Walls
Ephesians 2:11-22 | September 28, 2025
Dr. Mark S. Hartman, Lead Pastor – SCBC
Ephesians 2:13-14 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two, one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…
1. SIN BUILT THE WALL. JESUS TORE IT DOWN.
A. None of us deserve to be a part of God’s family.
B. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
C. Ephesians 2:13-14 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
D. Hebrews 10:19,22 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…
2. JESUS DIDN’T JUST GIVE US PEACE WITH GOD — HE GAVE US PEACE WITH EACH OTHER.
A. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?
B. Ephesians 2:16-18 …and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away (Gentiles) and peace to those who were near. (Jews) 18 For through Christ we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
C. The ground around the cross is level.
D. Ephesians 2:19-21 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In Christ the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
E. Everyone who knows Christ as Savior is a part of God’s family and there is not one Christian better than another.
1. He has made us to be a part of the same family.
2. He has made us to be equal in importance to God.
3. WE CAN’T FOLLOW JESUS WHILE BUILDING WALLS BETWEEN US.
Revelation 7:9-12 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”