Without Him Ephesians 2:11-22
ILL> I once heard of how some boys were playing football in a barnyard. One of the boys kicked the ball and it came to a stop right next to the fence that surrounded the chicken coup. The rooster saw the football and called all the hens together. He said, "Girls I don't want to be too critical, but just look at the size eggs their putting out on the other side of the fence!"

The other side of the fence can look very appealing and glamorous at times.

Believers at times are tempted for what lies on the "other side of the fence" as well.

The lifestyle and philosophy of the world constantly communicate to the Christian that they are "with it" and we are missing out on the pleasures that this world can offer.

Before we give in to the temptation to climb the fence, I think it would do us good to take a good look at what the apostle Paul has to say in this passage.

Please notice that in verses 11-12, Paul reminds of....

I. THE BURDEN OF BEING IN THE WORLD ( vs. 11-12 )

Notice that verse 11 begins with Paul calling the Ephesian believers to "remember".

Paul was wanting them to think back to what it was like before they were saved.

Paul was wanting them to remember what it was like to be lost.

Every now and then we need to be reminded of the blessings of knowing Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
So, Paul says remember where you were when you were in the world, before knowing Jesus.

Look at verse 12. Paul tells us that those who are in the world are not "with it", they are "without" some very important things.

For example, they are ....

1. WITHOUT CHRIST ( v. 12 )

I don't know how many times over the years after I have been with a family as they faced the death of a loved one that I had someone tell me, "I just couldn't make it without Jesus."

The person in the world has to do just that.

They have to face living this life without Jesus !

Without Jesus to share their burdens.

They are without Jesus to forgive their sins.

They are without Jesus to lead them,. guide them, direct them, speak to them.

They are without a Savior that can protect them and rescue them from the consequences of sin and death.

Then note that those who are in the world are ...

2. WITHOUT CITIZENSHIP ( v. 12 )

The Ephesians believers are describes as being, "Gentiles" and "aliens from the commonwealth of Isreal".

In the first century a huge racial, cultural, and religious wall stood between the Jews and the Gentiles.

However, a saved Jew and a saved Gentile would share a common citizenship.

Look at verse 14 and notice that it says that Jesus broke down the wall of seperation.

In verse 15, in Jesus, Jew and Gentile are "one new man."

The Jews and Gentile would share a heavenly citizenship.

3. WITHOUT COVENANTS ( v. 12 )

Paul describes the person in the world as being.. "strangers from the covenants of promise

A covenant is an agreement.

The Bible is a book of promises.

Someone has said that there are some 7000 plus specific promises in the word of God.

I do know that as a child of God, they are mine to claim.

2Pe 3:9a The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,>

(We can claim His promises.)

4. WITHOUT CONFIDENCE ( V. 12 )

Paul says here that they have.. "..no hope", because they live "without God in the world."

ILL>Ephesus was a pagan city of where there were statues and temples everywhere. The problem with their religion and their gods was that they were false. They failed to provide their worshipers with any true hope.

We may put our trust in something other than the Lord,

Any hope that it produces is false. Such hope has no foundation.

The hope the believer has is the solid rock of Jesus. (v. 20 )

Paul's description of the other side of the fence does not appeal to me.

ILL>Someone has said that the grass might look greener on the other side of the fence, but it still has to be mowed !

II. THE BLESSINGS OF BEING IN CHRIST ( v. 13 - 22 )

There are many blessings of being in Christ. For example we have the blessing of...

1. KNOWING GOD'S PEACE ( v. 14-17 )

In Christ there is a twofold peace.

1. First there is peace with men. The Jews and Gentiles were enemies.

2. The other peace is our peace with God.

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

At night when I lay down my head to sleep, I have peace in my heart.

Peace that comes because I am in Christ.

Do you have that peace? Do you know as that wonderful hymn says, that it is well with your soul?

2. ENJOYING GOD'S PRESENCE ( v. 18 )

Because of Jesus, we have access to the Father through the Holy Spirit.

We can enjoy the presence of God.

Not just congregationally, but individually and personally.

3. FULFILLING GOD'S PURPOSE ( v.19-22 )

According to Peter, the believer is a lively stone that makes up this building of God.

In the Old Testament the temple was built as a testimony to the glory of God.

As the Lord's building... habitation, we are to reflect his glory. That is our greatest purpose.

The other side of the fence will always be there.

The world will tempt us. Mark it down if we cross the fence there will be a price to pay.