Ephesians: Barriers | Rev. Nathan Bell

19 July 2026In this message, Pastor Nathan continues our Ephesians series by exploring how Jesus breaks down barriers and brings outsiders into the family of God. Ephesians 2 reminds us that the Church is called to be a place of peace, unity, grace, and welcome, where people from every background can draw near to God through Christ.Notes:In this message, Pastor Nathan continues our Ephesians series by looking at Ephesians 2:11-18 and God’s vision for a united Church.Paul reminds the Gentile believers that they were once outsiders. They lived apart from Christ, separated from God’s promises and without hope. But through the blood of Jesus, those who were once far away have been brought near.Jesus brings outsiders in.Pastor Nathan explains that the early Church faced deep divisions between Jewish and Gentile believers. Some Jewish Christians placed barriers in front of Gentiles by expecting them to follow Jewish laws, customs, and traditions before they could fully belong.Paul strongly rejects this idea. Our way to God is through Christ alone.There is no hierarchy of believers under Jesus. It does not matter whether someone is male or female, rich or poor, Jewish or Gentile. We are brought together through one cross, one Spirit, and one body.Christ brings peace to our differences.Through His death on the cross, Jesus broke down the wall of hostility between people. He did not simply bring two divided groups into the same room. He created one new people from them.The Church should therefore be a place where people with significant differences can find peace and unity under Christ.Pastor Nathan challenges the Church to consider the barriers we may unintentionally place in front of others. These barriers may relate to:• Social or economic background• Culture or ethnicity• Political views• Age or generation• Disability or ability• Lifestyle, addiction, or past mistakes• Harsh attitudes, judgement, shame, or unhealthy leadershipThe Church must never become a place where people feel they need to clean themselves up before they are welcome.Pastor Nathan uses the image of a shower outside a swimming pool. Sometimes Christians can unintentionally communicate that people must become clean before entering the Church. But the Church is where people come to encounter Jesus, and it is Jesus who cleans, saves, and transforms.We do not clean people. The blood of Jesus does.This does not mean watering down the truth of Scripture or ignoring holiness. The Holy Spirit transforms people and calls us into a new life. But people must first be welcomed close enough to experience the love, grace, truth, and transforming power of Christ.Pastor Nathan also distinguishes between healthy boundaries and harmful barriers. Healthy churches need boundaries, but we should never create barriers that Jesus would not create.The challenge is to look honestly at our own attitudes and actions.Do people experience the love of Jesus when they encounter us?Do our words and behaviour draw people towards Christ, or make it harder for them to come near?The Church is precious to God. As His body, we are called to reflect His heart, welcome outsiders, embrace people who are different from us, and become a place where hostility is replaced by peace.Key Scriptures:Ephesians 2:11-18Galatians 2Galatians 3:28John 2:13-17Key Thought:Jesus breaks down barriers and brings outsiders in. The Church should be a place where people from every background can draw near to God through Christ.#hillschurch #beencouraged #nathanbell #evertonhills #brisbanechurch #brisbane #wesleyanmethodistchurch #hillschurchsermon