Building a Home Together (Ephesians 2.19-22)

Sermon by: Robert Austell; August 19, 2018 - Ephesians 2:19-22

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::: Music ::
Cornerstone (Bethel Music)
In Christ Alone/Solid Rock (arr. Cottrell)
All to Us - worship team (Tomlin, Reeves, Maher, Redman)
The Church's One Foundation (AURELIA)

:: Sermon Manuscript (pdf) :: This manuscript represents an early draft of the sermon. Some weeks the spoken version varies more than others from the early manuscript. Nevertheless, if you'd prefer to read than to listen, this is provided  for that purpose.

About two or three years ago I stepped into the restroom just outside the sanctuary and had a big scare. I’m glad I happened to look up when I first walked in because when I turned the lights on I saw that the drop ceiling was… not right. It was bowed and buckled down and there was at least one piece on the floor. What in the world?! We had just had the big air conditioning unit replaced above that part of the roof and the process of installation had caused that part of the roof to sink a bit. As it turns out, it was probably the fault of the original construction rather than anything the AC installers did wrong. You can also probably imagine the blame game between those folks, the original construction company, and the insurance company. But that part is beyond the scope of this sermon. I’ll just say a huge THANK YOU to John Wright and the facilities ministry team for chasing all that down and making sure it was quickly fixed, safe, and secure for our bathroom needs.

My point in all that is that many of us probably take for granted that buildings are well-constructed. Unless you are in the construction or design business or have had a major failure because it wasn’t done right, the best sign of a well-built car or structure is that it doesn’t attract that kind of attention! This morning’s text is talking about something the Lord has made that we get to live in and enjoy. This is the Master-Builder and Architect, the Creator of the world, so you can count on it being well-made and solid! It fits perfectly into our “open house” series because it is talking about the house God has made for His people.

So, in recent weeks we have been looking at Ephesians 2 and the broad reach of God’s love, gathering people from far off to be part of God’s family and Kingdom. Today the news to all those God has gathered, far and near, is that God has a home together for us. And it is one God has made, perfectly and with purpose.

No Longer Strangers (v.19)

In verse 19 we have the connection with what has gone before. Those who once were “far off” or wandering or lost are now, in Christ, no longer strangers and aliens. Those who were strangers to God’s covenant promises have now been brought near, recipients of God’s wide mercy and great love. So, no longer strangers, but now fellow citizens with the saints. Our citizenship is in Heaven, in God’s Kingdom, with God all at once as King, Lawgiver, and Merciful Father. Talk about open house – this is the Good News, that God’s Kingdom and people are not a closed group, but one that welcomes people from every nation, background, education, status, class, and race. All are welcome through Christ, who is the embodiment of God’s promises to bless the whole earth.

And it’s not just citizenship in a Kingdom, but verse 19 also says you belong to God’s family: you are of God’s household. Remember the speech the prodigal prepared for his father? He would just ask to be taken on to the household as a hired hand. But the Father did not just hire him on, but welcomed him home as his son. It’s a double-belonging: you are citizens in God’s Kingdom and beloved members of God’s family.

I often say that though humanity rebelled against and turned away from God, God did not turn away from us, but has pursued us. That’s the story of the Bible: God’s pursuit of the humanity He made in His image. And like the compassionate father in the Prodigal Son story, God is not waiting to cluck His tongue or say “I told you so” or make us pay for our wandering; God welcomes us home with joy and celebration. So hear the Good News: no matter who you are, what you’ve done, or where you find yourself in relation to God, in Jesus Christ God welcomes you home. And it is not just a reluctant welcome, but a joyful one because you are, indeed, no longer a stranger to God, but a beloved son or daughter.

What comes next is like a tour of the house that God has prepared for you. In case you might miss it or take it for granted, this is like the architect or builder walking you through to explain just what a great home you have!

Well-Built (vv.20-21)

In verses 20-21 we get some of the detail about how well-built this house of the Lord is. If you were talking to an architect or contractor you might hear details about plans, materials, quality of craftsmanship, and the like. We get the theological version of that here in this metaphor about the home God has prepared for us. There are three details given:

FOUNDATION:  The foundation of any structure is critical to the stability and soundness of the building. In the building metaphor here in Ephesians God’s house is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. That is short-hand for saying on the Word of God. The Prophets are the preachers of old who reminded God’s people of God’s Law and promises, calling them again and again to repentance and faithfulness. The Apostles are the New Testament leaders of the church who also proclaimed the Good News of God’s mercy and grace in Jesus. All this is to say that God’s faithful Word and promises are the foundation of the house.

CORNERSTONE: Jesus Himself is the cornerstone, a critical part of ancient building that ensured a stone building was square and stable. Jesus is at once the fulfillment and the measure of God’s Word and promises. It is because of him and through him that the structure is sound and our place in it is secured.

FITTED AND BUILT TOGETHER: In order to be a house, something has to be built on top of the foundation and cornerstone and we read here that the whole building is “fitted and built together” in Christ. In 2 Peter we read that we are “living stones” making up the house of God. What a lovely picture that we are who God uses to create the home in which we also live. If we read ahead a bit we also see that the building is not ‘done’ as such, but is growing still, as more and more living stones are built into it.

All this really comes together to describe what we’ve been talking about as an “open house church.” We don’t just have an open house; we ARE the open house.

House of the Lord (vv.21b-22)

Finally, in the second half of verse 21 and in verse 22, we read about two purposes of our being fitted and built together on the foundation and cornerstone: growing into a holy temple and dwelling of God in the Spirit. Did you catch that? God is not just preparing a home for YOU; it is a home for us together with God! It is a temple – a place of worship, prayer, and service; it is also a dwelling – a home together.

In the language of the Prodigal Son, you are not only welcome back from far off, but you are home and there’s a celebration together with the father and family. And it’s not home because the Prodigal returned to 220 Prophet’s Way; it’s home because he is there. It’s home because you are there.

I’ve often reminded you that Good Shepherd – this church – is not the building or the property; it’s you, the people God has called together here. You are God’s building; you are God’s workmanship. You are the house of the Lord that is both the temple of worship, service, and prayer and the dwelling of God together with us.

That’s why I say things like “we don’t just have an open house, we ARE an open house.” It’s because YOU are the home God is building in this place. So how do we put all this together with what has come before? Remember that God welcomes those who are far off. The home and the doors are never closed just for those within. Rather, God invites in those who are yet far off, those who are still wandering, those who are struggling.  We will be the ones who embody that welcome as we share the amazing warmth and love in this place. We will be the ones who don’t just answer a knock on the door, but who go out with eyes and hearts open to see those God puts on our path. We are the ones who will meet a stranger and think, “I, too, was once a stranger and Jesus welcomed me in.” So go and do likewise. God has and is growing us into a living building with purpose.

May God give us ears to hear and hearts that will join in with God’s celebration. Amen!