Ephesians
“Building the Church”
Having talked about how Christ removes the walls of hostility, and makes one humanity in Him, Ephesians now begins to describe what happens next.
The church is described as a building.
It is a metaphor.
A word picture to help us understand the colour, shape and purpose of the church.
In order to help us understand this word picture – this image of a building; it might help to compare the building of Eph 2 with another building earlier in Scripture.
The Tower of Babel (Gen 11)
[Read Gen 11:1-9]
At first glance – the Tower of Babel seems to have good beginnings.
It seemed to be based on unity. There was common speech and a united purpose.
Together those in Genesis 11 decide that they will build a tower.
Its construction attracts comment from the writer of Genesis.
They used brick, not stone (Gen 11:3). This was an inferior technology – less robust and sturdy.
It is generally agreed that it was no ordinary tower – it was a temple.
A ziggurat. A temple designed to assault the heavens and in the process, for its builders to make a name for themselves.
To gain glory; to harness God/god-like qualities.
This is important to appreciate.
This structure, this unified enterprise, was opposed to God.
Its spirit attracts our attention (Gen 11:4).
“Genesis 11:4
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
The spirit with which they build is opposed to God. They are the centre of all they are doing.
The result is that they encounter God Who comes and judges them and scatters them throughout the earth.
Hold this image in your mind – as we now consider another image of a spiritual building.
The one of Eph 2:19-22.
The contrast is startling, inspiring, challenging, demanding.
The pressing question in it all is - “Are we a Gen 11 church or an Eph 2 church?”
The building Paul speaks of has majestic differences to Gen 11.
In one sense – it picks up where Gen 11 left off.
A scattered and judged people – who were foreigners and aliens to the love of God are now fellow-citizens with God’s people.
Part of the household of God (Eph 2:19).
And the foundation.
Oh the foundation!!!
Not the man-made inferior brick of the Tower of Babel; but the divinely created stone of the prophets and apostles.
That is - the message of the Old Testament fulfilled in Christ and witnessed and experienced by the apostles which Jesus Himself chose.
And this foundation, this building, has as its cornerstone – Christ Himself.
So whereas Gen 11 is about attaining heights and personal glory – Eph 2 is about the foundation.
Whereas Gen 11 has us thinking about our ambitions and advancement; Eph 2 has us humbled by those who we are indebted to.
By whom our faith is inspired by and rests upon.
To be sure Eph 2 still speaks about the building rising (Eph 2:21); but it is on this celebrated foundation.
But most extraordinarily - this structure described in Eph 2 has an incredible difference in quality in contrast to Gen 11.
Whereas Gen 11 was about “we/ourselves/us” (Gen 11:4) – Eph 2 is about “in Him” (Eph 2:21-22).
In Gen 11 – the builders of the tower get their wish in a manner of speaking.
They encounter God.
He visits them and confuses and judges their endeavour.
In Eph 2 – there is also a visitation of God.
Wholly different though.
We are not the builders – we are the building materials!
As living stones…
"Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5)
I suppose we could say – that in Eph 2 it is less a visitation of God as much as the abiding presence of God.
Less a visitation of God as much as a visitation of people who were once foreigners and aliens to the household of God.
The “we/ourselves/our” of Gen 11 is the stuff of sin; the “we/ourselves/our” of Eph 2 is found and defined in Christ and is the stuff of God.
The “we/ourselves/our” of Eph 2 is the place where God dwells by His Spirit.
What does your heart tell you about us as a church?
Does it say – “This church stands in the tradition of Genesis 11 and is about making a name for itself?”
Or does it say – “This church stands in the tradition of Eph 2 and is about the Name of Jesus Christ?”
It is a tough question.
Unnerving.
But we must be courageous and ask it.
Because Rev 2 stands as a warning.
There the church of Ephesus has begun to become like Genesis 11.
We know that because the kind of visitation described in Rev 2.
God visiting His church. It has the sense of increasing distance between the people and their God.
The church is known for this and that (Rev 2:2-3) – and it is to be commended – but its heart is dying.
The love is gone.
And Christ is there warning of judgement.
A church going the way of Genesis 11…
How are we doing?
What do we do?
I think the crowning verse is of such deep importance and significance…
“And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.” (Eph 2:22).
This is not an individual exercise.
It is a community one.
Yes – each must assume individual commitment and responsibility in the process – but that commitment and responsibility is expressed within the relationships within this congregation.
And in that – the mortar between the stones – is the Spirit Himself.
…housing God!!!
Presented By: Rev G New