God’s Church serves as the intersection where heaven meets earth. In Christ, unity means celebrating our differences and glorifying God together.
In the book of Ephesians, it reveals how broken the world is, but in the unity of the Church, God offers hope that changes everything! Once spiritually dead in sin, now renewed by Christ’s unifying power.
This article is a summary of John Hayne’s sermon on April 28, 2024. Watch the original sermon below.
Face the Truth Head-on
This scripture sheds light on the divisive forces that permeate our societies, leading nations astray and causing major conflicts that seem irreversible.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
EPHESIANS 2:1-2
Reflecting on the diagnosis of a non-cancerous tumor in his ear, the speaker shares a personal anecdote to illustrate the value of receiving a diagnosis, no matter how challenging it may be. It is better to confront the truth than to remain blind to our condition.
There is Hope Beyond the Pain
However, Ephesians doesn’t leave us in despair. It offers hope in Ephesians 2:6-10, reminding us that God, through Christ, has raised us up and seated us with Him in heavenly realms.
We are not saved by our own efforts but by God’s grace, created anew in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance for us to do.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
EPHESIANS 2:6-10
In a world consumed by social media, where division and conflict abound, the speaker urges Christians to resist the temptation to take sides and engage in fruitless debates.
Drawing inspiration from nature, where sunflowers track the sun for survival, we are encouraged to fix our gaze on the King. We are no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with God’s people, built on the foundation of Christ, and united by His Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22
The Church, as the dwelling place of God, is where heaven and earth come together. Unity in Christ does not mean uniformity; it celebrates our diversity and brings glory to God.
Even in the face of seemingly irreconcilable conflicts, God restores the broken and has defeated the powers and authorities of this world.
Together, as the body of Christ, we have the power to defeat the powers and authorities of this world and usher in God’s kingdom of unity and peace.
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