In today’s world, some organized women’s groups voice extreme concern over the way women are treated in Muslim countries that see women in an inferior light based on their culture and religious beliefs. And we don’t even have to change religions or countries to stir up controversy regarding equality. Christians, for years and years, have been called chauvinists, viscous toward people who choose to live an alternative lifestyle, and even prejudice. The issue of equality is a slippery slope because if you give the slightest impression that you do not support it, then you are not conforming to rules of society.

In the first ten verses of Ephesians chapter 2, Paul speaks the most beautiful message ever heard, the Gospel. He makes no distinction between Jews and Gentiles, because both groups were in the same spiritual boat, dead. Both groups came to believe in the same way, by grace. There is only one way to be saved, by God’s grace in Christ Jesus. That applies to all, both Jews and Gentiles. That is the one thing that all believers have in common. The Gospel is equal to all nations.

Jesus Christ Himself breaks down the barriers of distinction. The old order has passed away, done away with totally; a new order has appeared. Before, the Gentiles were excluded, foreigners, without hope. Now they have been “brought near.” A new hope for all people has emerged with the same old message from Christ the Lord to both Gentiles and Jews. The old is made new, and the separate is made united. All by the Son, all by His blood. The old reeked of separatism, but the new would expound on how absolutely united we are.

Are you one of those who holds to the principle that, “Older is better.” Older values are better than the newer “so called” values that seem to have become today’s standard. For instance, divorce was rare, living together before marriage was unheard of and mothers use to stay at home. But even beyond moralisms and values there is an appreciation of what is older. My father use to look at the cars of today and say, “They don’t build them like they use to. They use to build these cars big as boats and with steel rather than plastic. I’m afraid to lean up next to these new cars of today.” And what about houses and, for that matter, churches? Do they build them like they use to? Older is better.

Are you one of those who hold to the principle that newer is always better. Personal computers, hand held devices, high speed internet. The learning tools created by technology for children, the space program and scientific advances in medicine and research. People tend to experience more today than they ever did before and education for all ages has flourished. And I even remember my father saying, “I love the way they build these new cars. Look, I push this button and all my doors lock. And I can push this other button and my seat goes back.” And what about houses and, for that matter churches? Newer is better.

Older is better? Newer is better? Both have been brought together. I have heard people make disturbing comments, slandering the Christian religion because it is an old, outdated religion that doesn’t apply to life anymore. That a more modern religion might be better suited for them. And I have heard people say in a slanderous, hurtful way that the way we worship, even the way we are worshipping today, is no longer useful, and is not uplifting enough. There is a danger when we say older is better, or when we say newer is better, because it can lead to unwarranted prejudices that promotes hate, grudges, and slander towards others. And it goes beyond religion and religious practices and into our homes as well. “I can’t figure out these kids today.” “My parents just don’t understand. They are too old fashion”. Guard against simple statements like these. They can be hurtful and harmful.

Rather, keep in mind what was said earlier: “The old order has passed away; a new order has appeared.” For us this does not mean that what is old is bad. Rather what it does mean is that both have now been brought together in unity. Both still exist and both are important. Both have new meaning when we understand what brings all things together. Christ Jesus brought the old into the new. He brought the character of a chosen people given to Israel in the Old Testament and now calls all of us His chosen people. By His blood, the new and the old are brought together as one.

There is a unity that we have with each other through Christ. But that doesn’t stop some from saying that separate is still better. Are you one of those who always says, “Separate is better?” There are many who actively promote segregation in our neighborhoods and schools. There are many pastors and teachers of the Christian faith who believe that in all matters of the Gospel, denominations need to be separated and undefiled without exception. And as Missouri Synod Lutherans, we will only share our altar and pulpits with those members and clergy that are “In Fellowship” with us. Separate is always better.

Are you one of those who says, “United is always better?” Has the overwhelming assumption that there is power in numbers convinced you that being united in a cause is always better? Many think that no matter what you believe or what stance you take, united, in whatever that may be, is always better.

Separate is better? United is better? Both have been brought together. Brought together by God, because man had broke it part. In our sin we attempt to separate ourselves from what God has willed for us. And when that same hate, and hostility that was spoken of before takes precedence over our love and compassion for our fellow man, attempts at separation become sinful. We hurt others and we hurt ourselves. Whether being untied for a cause, or separated by a cultural dividing line, when either is done for human gain, and for selfish reasons, it is sinful. Either separation or unification are dangerous when regard for others is ignored and personal gratification at the expense of others is attempted. Our Lord would not stand for that. And for that reason, abolished the dividing lines and brought us together.

At one time the Gentiles were “separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel, foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.” Now based on all he wrote in our text for today, Paul can say, “No longer.” No longer are we foreigners. No longer separated for the wrong reasons. We have the rights and privileges of being God’s people. And what a wonderful blessing that is for us. Jesus Christ, who has broken down the barriers that separate us from Him, has done so at His own expense. That brings us together, never to be separated again. What joy it is to celebrate together this kind of love in unity.

Think for a moment. What brings you here? Is it your family? Is it your fellow believers? Is it a desire to Worship the Lord? Is it for the forgiveness of sins? Is it because you desire to hear and receive something you can’t find anywhere else? Is it because mom and/or dad made you come here? Honestly, I hope that it is for all of these reasons you are here today. It is a privilege to gather in this place. I am personally honored to be able to utter the Word of God to you. What a responsibility I have. What an honor it is to hear it and make it apart of ourselves. What an honor it is to gather in His presence, to live a Godly life, to be called one of His own. What a responsibility that we all have.

Give me the old and give me the new, Because Christ has made them one. Give me the separate and give me the united, because Christ has made them one. By His Blood, He made them one in Him. And so it is that By His Blood, He has made us one with Him. No matter what race, what gender, or what age, God gathers us as His one and only. All of us. We are all included. We are one in Christ. “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and raised to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.” Amen

The Peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen