From the Far Country to the Table

Introduction

Ephesians 2:11–17 ESV

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— 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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

As a pastor, one of the things that causes me to mourn the state of our society more than anything is the general charitable outlook that we give one another in conversation.

It seems as though, for every issue under the sun, there is a side that shouts from one extreme and another side that shouts from the other extreme.

In this text, the Jews and the Gentiles were no different. Each side had such large differences, that at times they seemed irreconcilable.

One group (the gentiles) were far from God and lived in open and rebellious sin. The other group (the Jews) were near to the law and commandments of God, but rebelled in their self righteousness.

Paul is discussing the discord that these differences cause.

His basic message is, “Look. Jesus gave both of us invitations to the table. It doesn’t matter where we were or what we did. What matters is that we are now His.”

CIT: Jesus saves those who are near and far from Him, and in His love, He brings the nations to His table.

Explanation

Ephesians 2:11-13 “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— 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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

POINT #1: Christ brought the gentiles - who were far away from God - to God by His blood.

God gave circumcision to Abraham as a sigh of His covenant with Him. As a result, Jews distinguished themselves as God’s covenant people in this way.

However, gentiles, who were formerly far from God and had no covenant with Him, have been brought near by the new covenant of Christ’s blood.

Whereas they were once strangers to God’s love and grace, God has now brought them near.

What does it mean to be far from God. Verse 12 gives us the answer. Five things…

Without Christ - Being without Christ means that we have none of the rest of these benefits.

Alienated from the citizenship of Israel

Israel was a theocracy, meaning that they were ruled by God.

Gentiles were cut off from their nation. However, God, in Christ, made them a part of God’s people.

They belonged. We belong in Him.

Strangers to the covenants of promise

The promises of God are for God’s people.

The promises of God are not for those who aren’t saved.

The moment Christ bought us, He gave us rights to all of what God had promised.

Having no hope

In the world that we live, hope is a scarce commodity.

When you share hope, people listen.

Without God in the world

Ultimately, they are separated from God.

Notice in this verse, that the consequences are sandwiched between two primary points: (1) without Christ and (2) without God.

APPLICATION: There is on privilege in the Kingdom of God except the blood of Christ.

POINT #2: While God came firstly to save the Israelites (thus the Jews), He also saves the Gentiles.

Matthew 15:21-28 “And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.”

This woman, knowing the God had first come to the Jews, had faith that Christ had also come for her.

Before you get mad at what Jesus said to the woman, know three things:

Jesus was speaking to her to expose her heart. He exposed a heart of faith.

The woman was content with what Jesus gave her.

Look at the state of Christianity and MARVEL at what God can do with the crumbs.

APPLICATION

2. God is still saving those who are far from Him.

There is not a single person who is too far gone to experience the grace of God.

You are not too far gone to experience God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:14-16 “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”

Charles Hodge // “It is because we are at enmity with God - that is the true meaning of sin - that we are also inevitably at enmity with ourselves, one another, and in a certain sense, with all the world.”

Christ breaks down the walls around us. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, people have been at war with one another. The story that directly follows the their fall is on coincidence. Cain’s murder of Abel shows that man has been at odds with one another since the fall.

Humanity is really good at building walls between one another. (1) Black and white, (2) rich or poor, male or female, (3) popular and unpopular, (4) offended and offender

When Christ reconciles us to God, He reconciles us to each other.

D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, when he preached upon this passage, taught that “reconciliation” has five parts.

Reconciliation is a change from a hostile to a friendly relationship.

Reconciliation is not just a transition from enemy to friend, but a reuniting and reconnecting.

True reconciliation is not a compromise where both sides are somewhat unhappy, but it is a complete action.

The Greek word for reconciliation here indicates an “action from above.” Instead of two parties equally sharing in the reconciliation, one does the work both both benefit.

Reconciliation is a restoration of what once was. If you are reconciled with your estranged family member, it is a change that restores the relationship to what it once was.

Jesus breaks the dividing wall between all peoples.

Ephesians 2:17 “And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.”

Contemplating God’s saving us - those who were far off - should lead us to worship.

We see how far God had to come.

We contemplate where we would be.

We see how far we were from the Lord.

We notice how many people had to be faithful for the message to ring clear for us.

We are not beyond the call of missions.

Just as Christ went to those who were far away, so we also go.

There are people who need to lose sleep in this church until they become obedient to the great commission.

Invitation

Gospel

Missions

Called to Ministry