Preexisting Condition
Notes
Transcript
11 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;
12 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:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
A call to remember
A call to remember
This passage was A call to remember as directly stated in the first two words.
He is speaking to
++The Believers
++Those that were not born into faith
++You and me
11 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;
These two words provide
++Connection
"Wherefore" connects this passage with a foundation that had been lay in previous verses
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
God
++Has quickened us
++Has made us alive
Living things don't need to be made alive, so Paul explains that he was not speaking of physical life and death. He was speaking of the effect of trespasses and sin.
God
Has quickened us
Has made us alive
++Recognized our condition
We were dead
++Trespasses
++Sin
Trespasses
++A violation of a legal indebtedness
++When you fail to pay what you owe
A New Relationship brought
++A new perspective on debt
Paul say that this new relationship in Christ gives us a different perspective on handling debt obligations. See
2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
A New Relationship brought
A new perspective on debt
++A new realization on sin
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Life before Christ
Life before Christ
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Without Christ there was
++Common Condition (All Dead)
They were dead to the life God had for them. 2 Cor 5:14.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Without Christ there was
Common Condition (All Dead)
++Common Belief
They lived like the world around them
++They were subject to the wind.
4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
They lived like the world around them
They were subject to the wind.
++The didn't select a path the submitted to one.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Without Christ there was
Common Condition (All Dead)
Common Belief
++Common way of Life
Their conversation or way of life
++Mirrored the world around them
++Has no influence.
They were like the world around them.
++Good was called evil
++Right had been called wrong
God expected more
++God had a plan
++That his children would be different.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
These two words provide
Connection
++Direction
11 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;
Time to Remember
++God is trying to show us something
++You haven’t always been this way
It implies that there is something significant or important about a matter. It notes a truth that is worth recalling.
These two words provide
Connection
Direction
++Reflection
Typically a call to remember is connected with an expected activity or attitude. In this case it suggest that there is a value in understanding a general preexisting condition that applies to every believer.
12 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:
We all came to Christ with a preexisting condition.
We all came to Christ with a preexisting condition.
We were labeled
++Strangers
++Aliens
++Without hope
++Without God
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Because of Christ
++We now have Hope
++We now have purpose
++The label has been remove
The Sinful nature had labeled us lost, But through the blood of Christ we have been brought into the family of God. The labels has been removed.
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Because of Christ
We now have Hope
We now have purpose
The label has been remove
++We are fully covered
Fully Covered
Fully Covered
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: