Spiritual Migration – From Strangers and Aliens to

Sanctified Abodes
(Ephesians 2:19 – 22)

Introduction

I’d like to see a show of hands. How many amongst you were born
and bred in New Zealand.

How did you feel when you first arrived in another country? Though I
had a family and some friends, it still took a while for me to really get
settled. There are some adjustments. Language, culture, climate, the
works. Driving is another issue. I am used to driving on the right side
of the road.

I had a slightly different experience in Saudi Arabia. It was really a

feel of alienation. The language, culture and climate really worked
against me. Alienation is a powerful emotion. I have heard of accounts
of some Filipinos in Saudi Arabia who were so homesick that their
minds gave way. They never really felt at home in that hot and hostile
place.

Paul reminded the Ephesian believers that they were once strangers
and foreigners spiritual. They were in a wilderness of spiritual
insecurity, isolated from God’s love and sanctuary. It was a dreary
reminder that they were once spiritually homeless and their souls were
destined for damnation.

Ephesians 2:19 – 22 is an encouragement that the dark days of

spiritual limbo is over. There is acceptance, inclusion, and
transformation amongst the believers. Their spiritual destiny is more
than secure as they have become integral to the homes in heaven.
They are no longer spectators but are now participants in God’s
programme.

They are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with God’s people.
That is what I call progress

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Foreigners (v. 19)

Paul is encouraging the Ephesians that they are no longer foreigners

but are now fellow citizens of God’s people.
As a missionary, Paul is aware of what is it like to be a foreigner. His
constant travels to gave him the feel of alienation. At times it is more
than a feel. In Ephesus they caused a riot after being accused of
disrespecting the Greek goddess Artemis. The local silversmith,
Demetrius, instigated this riot and was directed to Paul.
Castaways
Verse 19 opens up with the words foreigners and aliens. The
Ephesians are treated as castaways and alienated from the Jewish
religion. In fact, the Jews treat the Gentiles as inferior. They were not
even permitted beyond the Soreg , a perimeter wall surrounding the
temple. In Acts 21:27 – 29 27When the seven days were
nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw
Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and
seized him, 28shouting, "Men of Israel, help us! This is
the man who teaches all men everywhere against our
people and our law and this place. And besides, he has
brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this
holy place." 29(They had previously seen Trophimus the
Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul
had brought him into the temple area.), Paul was accused of
defiling the temple area by bringing an Ephesian, Trophimus.
The Jews still believed that God’s glory still resides in the temple.
What they do not know is the temple is now an empty shell, devoid of
God’s presence. What they have not realized is that Christ swept away
all the barriers between God and penitent man. It happened when
Jesus died on the cross as stated in Mt 27:51 when the thick veil was
torn from top to bottom

Paul was encouraging the Ephesian believers that the accusation

against him and Trophimus are no longer valid because there was
nothing to be defiled. God’s glory was no longer present in the temple.
It was just a building, a structure that lost its significance when Christ
brought down all the barriers.

This verse is a reproach to the Jews who still believe that as God’s
chosen people, they lay exclusive claim to salvation. What they have
not realized is the world has entered a new dispensation, a new age. It
is now the age of Grace where both Jews and Gentiles have equal

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access to Christ through faith. The age of Grace ended the sacrificial
requirements to cover the sins because these sins are more than
covered up. They are now totally cleansed through the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ.

We are no longer castaways nor foreigners nor strangers because

Christ has bridged the chasm between God and the faithful.
Citizenship
When I received my New Zealand passport six years ago, it made
international travel a lot easier. As a full-fledged Kiwi, I can enter
countries without a visa just on the rights and privileges granted to
that passport. I need not say that my previous passport required all sort
of visas just to transit through certain countries. There is not much
advantage there to say the least.

Paul stressed the contrast between the castaways and the citizens. He
pointed out as believers, the Christians of Ephesus have arrived. They
are now in a position of privilege as fellow citizens of God’s people.
What are the advantages of a heavenly citizenship?
• Source of Real Joy (Luke 10:20 20However, do not rejoice that the
spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in
heaven.")
• Assures Future Exaltation (Luke 22:29 - 30 29And I confer on you a
kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30so that you may
eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel.)
• Promises a Permanent Residence (John 14:2 2In my Father's house
are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going
there to prepare a place for you.)
• Furnishes an Undying Hope (Philippians 3:20 - 21 20But our
citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior
from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power
that enables him to bring everything under his control,
will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like
his glorious body. )
• Provides a Glorious Inheritance (1 Peter 1:3 – 4 3Praise be to the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has
given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never
perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,)

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 Application
The transformation from an alienated foreigner and stranger to a
privileged citizen of heaven is grace from God. It is a priceless
privilege gifted to the faithful. It is a right which we inherited as we
are one with Christ. Isn’t it wonderful and awesome to be granted the
status of heavenly citizenship. It’s passport is not a document nor
encoded in an electronic chip but it is sealed in your heart with the
likeness of Christ. It is an eternal seal that cannot be revoked nor taken
away from you. It is forever.

Foundation (v 20)
The desirability of a country’s citizenship rests on its foundation. The
economic, political, and social stability are the bases of a nation’s
foundation. In verse 20, God’s household is based on solid
foundations, the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the
cornerstone.
Cohort
A cohort is a group of followers. The foundation of God’s household
is based on a cohort of apostles and prophets. Now the question is, so
what. What makes them special? What makes them a credible
foundations.
• Apostles – (The Easton’s Bible Dictionary) generally used as
designating the body of disciples to whom he entrusted the
organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel. Mk 3:14
He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might
be with him and that he might send them out to preach. Necessary
characteristics of an apostle
1. Personal Contact and Testimony - They should have
seen the Lord, and been able to testify of him and of his
resurrection from personal knowledge (John 15:27 And
you also must testify, for you have been with
me from the beginning.)
2. Called Personally - They must have been immediately
called to that office by Christ (Luke 6:13 When morning
came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of
them, whom he also designated apostles:; Gal. 1:1 Paul,
an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus
Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the
dead)

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 3. Infallible Inspiration - It was essential that they should
be infallibly inspired, and thus secured against all error
and mistake in their public teaching, whether by word or
by writing (John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach
you all things and will remind you of everything I have
said to you.)
4. Miracle Workers - Another qualification was the power
of working miracles (Mark 16:20 Then the disciples
went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked
with them and confirmed his word by the signs that
accompanied it).

Prophets – (The Easton’s Bible Dictionary) – a prophet was a

spokesman for God; he spoke in God's name and by his
authority ( Exodus 7: 1 1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "See,
I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron
will be your prophet)
He is the mouth by which God speaks to men), and hence what the
prophet says is not of man but of God (Jeremiah. 1:9 Then the
LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me,
"Now, I have put my words in your mouth.)

God’s household is good company. These men are impeccable and

you will be one amongst them.

Cornerstone
A cornerstone is a stone representing the nominal starting place in the
construction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date
and laid with appropriate ceremonies. It determines two things,
location and orientation of the building. This metaphor accurately
applies to Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone and foundation of this
institution, the Church. He is the cornerstone of:
• Salvation – without Jesus Christ, salvation is impossible. Without
Him, salvation will not commence. It will never happen.
• Faith – our faith rests on Him. As the object of faith, it will be
misplaced and misdirected without faith. Other religions exercise
faith but their faith rests on false beliefs and is useless in the sight of
God.

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 • Growth – Jesus Christ underpins our spiritual growth. He is our
inspiration Ephesians 4: 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we
will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Application
You can never go wrong with heavenly citizenship. The price of
admission is faith in Jesus Christ. The foundation of this faith is solid,
stable, and eternal. You are in good company. You will be amongst
apostles and prophets. Recently, several strong earthquakes rocked the
Pacific. Buildings and structures toppled. Tsunamis swept away well-
built structures. Earth shifted. The ensuing disasters demonstrated the
fragility of the man-made foundations. Christ’s spiritual foundation is
beyond earthquakes and tsunamis. No power in the universe can
overcome the foundation of His Church . Matthew 16: 8 And I say
also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Fitted (v 21 - 22)
Christ removed the barriers and made God accessible to Jews and
Gentiles. Jews and Gentiles are fitted together to become the building
blocks of the new covenant, the Church.

Church
As Jesus Christ lay dying on the cross the veil at the temple in
Jerusalem was supernaturally ripped. It was no easy feat. That veil
was 60 feet high and 4 inches thick. This event also marked the
unveiling of a new dispensation, the Age of Grace. It also meant that
God’s promise of the Messiah is now fulfilled. His Throne of Grace is
now open for the faithful to approach. The collective body of the
faithful is the church. The church is not the building, it is not the club
or association but it is the spiritual body of believers who congregate
to worship Him and spread the Gospel. Believers of like faith who
share the same conviction to obey Him and grow in the spirit. The
church is the metaphorical building in verse 21. He is the foundation
of this church because its very existence rests on faith in Him.
This church is holy. It has been cleansed of sin by the very blood of
Jesus Christ. Each and every soul in the church has been cleansed by
the redemptive blood of Christ. Again, the price of admission is faith
in Him. In Him who is the foundation of grace, forgiveness and
righteousness.

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 Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock
of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be
shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with
his own blood. tells us the preciousness of the Church
Chamber
Each soul is a building block of Christ’s church. In verse 22, Paul’s
discourse focuses on the individual soul as a place where the Lord
dwells in His Spirit. Every believer is a sacred and holy chamber
where the Lord lives. When Christ died on the cross and God’s glory
left the Holy of Holies, God’s resting place in the temple, it marked
the end of the Old Covenant. The Temple in Jerusalem is now useless
as it has lost its significance. The heart of the believer, whether Jew or
Gentile, is now God’s resting place through the Holy Spirit. 1
Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple
and that God's Spirit lives in you?
The transformation from an outcast to a complete insider is now
complete. In the Old Covenant, Gentiles were treated us low-life by
the Jews. The Jews, specially the men, treat themselves as privileged
because they can offer sacrifices and approach the holy place of the
One True God. In the New Covenant, all men are now privileged not
only to approach God’s Holy Place but the true believer has the Holy
Place in himself. A true believer and follower of Christ is a sanctified
vessel worthy of being in-dwelt by God’s holiness. The temple has
shifted from one huge structure in Jerusalem to God’s chamber in the
heart of every believer.
Application
The days of isolation is over. God fulfilled the promise of eternal and
universal redemption through His Son. The Old Covenant with Jews is
now over and the redemption through Jesus Christ is manifested
through the unity of believers, whether Jew or Gentile. This is the time
when we must be confident that God has come to us through His Son
and we are no longer outcasts from the Jews but united in faith in-
dwelt by God’s presence through the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion –Do you have a valid spiritual passport?

Passports are marked with a seal of the nation that issued it. The NZ
passport is marked with the official seal of New Zealand. It has the
branding that identifies the passport came from NZ and the passport
holder is a New Zealand citizen.

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Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard
the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you
were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. The
believers spiritual passport is marked with a seal, the seal of the Holy
Spirit. That seal identifies the believer to be of Christ and a citizen of
heaven.

Outcast to God’s Dwelling Place

It is quite a journey from being an outcast to becoming the dwelling
place of God through the Holy Spirit. Under the Old Covenant,
Gentiles like you and I, were spiritually hopeless. Gentiles were
without God, had no hope for salvation in the old covenant era, and
were alienated from the nation of Israel. But Christ broke down the
barriers. The outcast, together with Jews, are now fitted to become
building blocks and dwelling place of the most High God. What stage
of journey are you? Though the barriers were broken, it does not mean
automatic redemption. You have to cross the line where the barrier
once stood. You have to come to Christ. You have to be sealed by the
Holy Spirit

Death to Eternal Life

From being an outcast to heavenly citizen means that you have
escaped the penalty of eternal death and suffering. The seal of the
Holy Spirit is a seal of redemption and eternal life. A life with Christ
forever and ever and ever