Brought Near By the Blood

Introduction

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Openning Illustration

Openning Illustration:

Review of 1-10

Review of 1-10

Past: Dead in our trespasses and sins

Present: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Future: In the coming ages God will show you and me the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus

Main Point and Structure

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

This morning’s text reminds us of where we were in the past and who where we are now in Christ. This is seen in the following structure:

Once Alientated - vs 11-12

Now United - vs 13

Once Seperated - vs 11-12

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

OT background - God chose Israel from amongst the nations, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth ().

Chosen to be a royal priesthood

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Alienation apart from Christ

God chose the Jews not only to receive His special blessings but also to be a channel of those blessings to others. From the beginning it was God’s plan that through Abraham and his descendants, the Jews, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed”

You only have I known

Dead in our sins just like the Jews. However, us gentiles were not chosen by God and did not know what it meant to be God’s people.

This was a fact that made Jews prideful, hateful and discriminatory

of all the families of the earth

Jonah, the Samaritans

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

But there were real differences which Paul brings up here

Paul highlights 5 disadvantages that us gentiles once had

1. at that time separated from Christ

Christ was an Israelite - He was born in Israel, He taught and performed miracles in Israel, He died, was buried and ascended into heaven in Israel

alienated from the commonwealth of Israel

2. alienated from the commonwealth of Israel

In the Old Covenant, in order to have a relationship with God you had to be a citizen of His Kingdom. He was Israel’s true King, they had His divine law, they had His holy priesthood, He was their protector, and their shepherd.

3. strangers to the covenants of promises

Not only were we not citizens of God’s people, we were not direct recipients of the promises that God made in His covenants with Israel. God was their covenant God and He made promises to their forefather Abraham.

freedoms provided by the Constitution - people in other countries are strangers to these freedoms.

4. having no hope and without God in the world.

4. having no hope

Apart from Christ their is no hope. Before Christ, we had no promise from God to cling to. There was no future salvation for us. There was no hope that the pain and sorrow and brokenness of this world would end. There was no hope of life after death.

5. without God in the world.

There is only one true God in the universe. All other gods are false and powerless. Before Christ, us gentiles were without God. We did not know Him, in fact as we read earlier we were dead to Him.

Transition: This was who we all were before Christ. This was our dark and sad past. We were once seperated But now in verse 13 we will learn about our glorious present reality: united in Christ

Now Brought Near - vs 13

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

We were far off - we were a long ways away - past tense

We have been brought near - this is our current and continual state

How did this change take place? By the blood of Christ

We have been reconciled to God. The sin that ultimately separated us from Him is washed away by the blood of Christ and in turn we receive His perfect righteousness.

Once Separated…now united in Christ

Once alienated from the Kingdom of God…now we are fellow citizens

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God

Once strangers to the covenants of promise

Now partakers with the Jews in the New Covenant in Christ and the promise of eternal life in His Kingdom

Once without hope…now filled with eternal hope

In Christ we have the hope of life after death…no more sorrow, sickness, sin, shame and suffering. Eternal pleasure joy and rest in the presence of God.

Once without God…now brought near to Him

He has adopted us as His children. He has drawn us close to Him. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

Conclusion

In this section Paul gives the first command in the entire book of Ephesians. He tells us to remember. We must not take for granted what has been given to us who are in Christ. This act of remembering must be our constant and present action.

Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary But Now

If we forget how God drew us near to him, we can become insensitive to the lost and despairing of God’s ability to bring others to himself.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Alienation apart from Christ

Nothing more inspires gratitude in a saved sinner than a look back to the pit from which he has come.