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In this week’s sermon on Ephesians 2:19-22, we explored Paul’s powerful message about our identity in Christ and what it means to be part of His church. Paul gives us three images to describe who we are as believers: fellow citizens, members of God’s household, and stones in a temple built for God’s Spirit. Each image illustrates the deep unity we have with one another in Christ.

What We Were

Paul begins by reminding us that we were once spiritual “foreigners and aliens”—separated from God and without hope. Like a stranger in a foreign land, we were cut off from the true home our souls long for. Without God, the human heart is spiritually homeless, a concept that resonates through both Scripture and even modern philosophy. But through Christ, we have been brought into God’s family, no longer alone or disconnected.

What We Are Now

Now, Paul explains, we are something new. We are citizens of God’s kingdom, members of His family, and stones in His holy temple. These images illustrate our growing closeness to God and to each other. We’re not just part of the same country; we’re family under one roof, and even closer than family, we are stones cemented together as God’s dwelling place. This unity isn’t something we create—it’s already given to us by the Spirit. But we’re called to nurture it through deep relationships marked by accountability, hospitality, and shared spiritual life.

How We Can Become What We Are

Finally, Paul urges us to live out our identity. To “become what we are,” we must place Jesus at the very center of our lives. Just as a cornerstone holds a building together, Jesus must be the foundation of our thoughts, decisions, and relationships. When we meditate on Christ’s sacrifice—His willingness to be cast out so we could be brought in—our lives become shaped by His love, binding us to other believers who share this same foundation. In this, we find the true, lasting community we were created for.

Paul’s message challenges us to take a fresh look at our involvement in the church. It calls us to more than occasional attendance; it’s an invitation into a deep, transformative community built on the love of Christ. When we live with Jesus at our center, we become a united body—a true reflection of God’s kingdom on earth.

Questions for Application:

1. Recognizing Our New Identity

• How does knowing that you were once “a foreigner and alien” without hope impact your view of your relationship with God now?
• What difference does it make in your daily life to think of yourself as a citizen of God’s kingdom, a member of His family, and a stone in His holy temple?

2. Strengthening Unity in Christ

• Are there steps you can take to “maintain the unity of the Spirit” within our church community?
• Think about your current connections within the church. Are there ways you could deepen these relationships to reflect the closeness described by Paul?
• How might you practice transparency and accountability in your relationships with fellow believers? Who could you invite to walk with you in this way?

3. Placing Jesus at the Center

• Where is Jesus in your life right now? Is He truly the cornerstone, or more in the “suburbs” of your heart?
• What areas of your life might need to be re-centered around Jesus—your decisions, your relationships, your thought patterns?
• When you face discouragement or anger, how might you invite the Gospel into these moments to reshape your response?

4. Embracing Radical Hospitality

• How does reflecting on the hospitality God has shown us through Christ challenge you to welcome others in your own life?
• What are some practical ways you could show hospitality to people within your church family or to those who feel like “foreigners” to the church?

5. Committing to Shared Spiritual Life

• How comfortable are you sharing your spiritual journey with others? Are there steps you can take to grow in this area?
• How could you be more intentional about praying and sharing what God is doing in your life with others in the church?
• Who could you reach out to for deeper spiritual encouragement, prayer, or fellowship?

Reflecting on these questions can help us deepen our relationships with each other and grow in our identity as God’s people, bound together by the love and grace of Jesus Christ.