More about Our Strange Past

Introduction: Difference between Jew and Gentile

It is important for us to understand the difference between Jew and Gentile in God’s dealing with mankind through the centuries. There was a separation and a distinct difference.

Why was there a difference?

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: The Great Peace Mission (Ephesians 2:11–22)

But since the hour that God called Abraham, God made a difference between Jews and Gentiles. He made this difference, not that the Jews might boast, but that they might be a blessing and a help to the Gentiles. God set them apart that He might use them to be a channel of His revelation and goodness to the heathen nations. Sad to say, Israel kept this difference nationally and ritually, but not morally. Israel became like the lost nations around her. For this reason, God often had to discipline the Jews because they would not maintain their spiritual separation and minister to the nations in the name of the true God.

The one word that best describes the Gentiles is without. They were “outside” in several respects.

In Paul’s description of the Gentiles at Ephesus he uses a term I want us to notice, he says “without”

Most of the believers in Ephesus were Gentiles. In the early church there was much disagreement about what role gentiles would play in the work of God. At first there was separation until the situation that involved Peter in Acts 10.

Pentecost consisted mainly of Jewish believers

In Acts chapter 10 Cornelius is told to send men to Joppa to find Peter

Peter is praying on a housetop and receives a vision from God that he does not quite understand

Peter goes with the men to meet Cornelius in Caesarea

Peter preaches and the Holy Ghost falls on these Gentiles

Acts 10:44–48 KJV 1900

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

There is then some disagreement so Peter rehearsed what happened emphasizing what God had showed to him in prayer. Then the Jewish Christians had to accept what Peter was teaching.

Acts 11:18 KJV 1900

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

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I. Before we were Without

Now Paul reminds these Ephesian Christians about another aspect of where they stood before getting saved

Ephesians 2:11–12 KJV 1900

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

A. Without Christ

“without Christ”

The Messiah was prophesied to come out of the earthly lineage of David. The Lion of the tribe of Judah. Gentiles played no part in this!

B. Without Citizenship

“aliens from the commonwealth of Israel”

Citizenship is what identifies where we belong. Gentiles were not part of the citizenship of the nation of Israel.

ILLUSTRATION: Illegal Aliens- We have had a fair amount of debate in our own country over the issue of illegal aliens. People who choose to come to our country without going through the proper procedures. They are not a part and don't have legal access to the benefits afforded to the citizenship of our nation. Think of the pride you and I have in our citizenship in such a great nation. Isreal had cause to be even more prideful, due to their standing as God’s chosen people.

C. Without Covenant

“strangers from the covenants”

Another aspect of being a part of Israel were the special promises that God has made to them.

Noah- God made a covenant with Noah - depended on his obedience to build the ark and after the the flood God promised to never again flood the earth

Abraham - God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a place God had prepared - he would make a great Nation

Genesis 12:1–2 KJV 1900

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Moses - God, after delivering his chosen people from bondage in Egypt instituted a formal covenant with them on Mt. Sinai. Isreal had been born as a nation yet they were without a governing constitution, so this covenant given through Moses established Isreal as a nation under a theocracy with God as their ruler.

David- The covenant with David was given by the prophet Nathaniel. It was to be an everlasting covenant with David’s lineage - through which Christ would be born!

2 Samuel 23:5 KJV 1900

Although my house be not so with God; Yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things, and sure: For this is all my salvation, and all my desire, Although he make it not to grow.

Of course we know that Davids earthly lineage failed to rule Isreal for very long as it was under his lineage that the nation was divided and eventually dispersed. But the Davidic covenant was what we refer to as a Messianic covenant.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible The Covenant with David

The everlasting nature of the covenant with David was brought out, however, not in the pages of ancient history but in the expectation of a Messiah who would be born of David’s descendants. Matthew and Luke both pointed to Jesus’ Davidic descent (Mt 1:1; Lk 3:31). The NT thus extends the covenant acts of God into the new age in the person of Jesus.

Paul tells us that before we were saved we were not a part of these covenants. We were left outside!

D. Without Hope

“having no hope”

Another aspect of our lacking was a lack of true hope. How sad it is to be in a position of hopelessness.

Both Jews and Gentiles are without hope, if they are without Christ!

E. Without God

“without God in the world”

The final aspect of our destitute condition was summed up in 2 words “without God”.

How many people are living in the world with hope and without God? Its not because a way has not been made! Follow what Paul says next:

II. But Now we are Within

“but now…broken down the middle wall”

A. The Price of our Entrance

i. The Blood Of Jesus

vs 13 “by the blood of Christ”

Now we are united with God through the blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Ephesians 2:13–14 KJV 1900

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Illustration: The temple court of the gentiles - separated by a wall

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Gentiles, Court of The

A warning was posted on a partition wall instructing Gentiles not to stray into the temple’s inner courts. Jesus’ “cleansing of the temple” probably occurred in the Court of the Gentiles

ii. The Cross of Christ

vs 16 “by the cross”

I hope we never forget what it cost to redeem our souls and to make this acceptance possible!

B. The Peace of our Entrance

The preaching was the same to both Jew & Gentile (The message was the same)

Ephesians 2:17 KJV 1900

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

True peace comes only through the message of the Gospel- nothing else will bring eternal peace!

C. The Product of our Entrance

1. Access to the Father

Ephesians 2:18 KJV 1900

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Illustration: When I was in the Army our Batter commander always had an “open door policy”. He would say that anyone, no matter your rank could approach his door at any time and get his ear on a matter. This was only a public policy not a practical one. It was a liberty that was never exercised!

Hebrews 4:16 KJV 1900

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Are you taking advantage of the access you have to God’s throne?

2. Acceptance with all believers

Ephesians 2:19-22

i. One Nation

vs 19a “no more strangers and foreigners”

Genesis 10 Shows us that the people of earth are all recognized by their decent from Shem, Ham or Japeth but not any longer!

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Illustration: We are flag waiving Americans but we have a higher citizenship now that we are Christians

Philippians 3:20–21 KJV 1900

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Conversation- literally our citizenship

ii. One Family

vs 19b “and of the household of God”

What a privilege it is to be a part of the Family of God

iii. One Temple

vs 19-22 “…built upon the foundations....fitly framed together....builded together”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Five: The Great Peace Mission (Ephesians 2:11–22)

The Holy Spirit builds this temple by taking dead stones out of the pit of sin (Ps. 40:2), giving them life, and setting them lovingly into the temple of God (1 Peter 2:5). This temple is “fitly framed together” as the body of Christ (Eph. 2:21; 4:16), so that every part accomplishes the purpose God has in mind.

Conclusion

We are again reminded of the before and after picture that was our life before Christ!

Are you sharing this message of reconciliation with others?

Quote: Christ made reconciliation possible we must make reconciliation personal.