GOD'S GRACE TO THE GENTILES

The Christian is not saved in isolation or in a vacuum. He is part of a new creation. He belongs to the People of God. He is a part of the church (which essentially means a "congregation," implying a "togetherness" and "fellowship").

This was not true of the unconverted Gentile world. Only the Jews were formerly the people of God. Only they had His presence among them. Only they could be joined by a covenant to Him in a People-God relationship.

God's grace makes the Christian community of today (Jew or Gentile) share in the blessings and benefits of His Old Testament People of promise. This lesson explores this idea, primarily from Ephesians 2:11-22.

Body

I. THE CONDITION OF THE GENTILE WORLD BEFORE CONVERSION (2:11, 12).

   A. Gentiles (lit. "the nations" as contrasted with The Nation), uncircumcised = not in a covenant with God.

   B. Without (outside of) Christ.

   C. Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.

   D. Strangers from the covenants of promise.

   E. Having no hope.

   F. Without God (lit. "atheists") in the world.

II. THEIR STATE IN CHRIST (2:13-20).

   A. Made nigh.

   B. Have access to the Father by the Spirit.

   C. Fellow-citizens with the saints.

   D. Of the household of God.

   E. A holy temple in the Lord; a habitation of God through the Spirit.

III. CHRIST'S WORK OF RECONCILIATION (2:11-22).

   A. Suggestions of the thought of reconciliation:

        1. We are made nigh by the blood of Christ (man with God).

        2. He is our peace (man with man).

   B. Christ made peace with God on behalf of man, in His blood, by the cross.

        1. The blood represented His perfect life (see Lev. 17:11).

        2. The cross represented a sacrifice.

   C. He made peace between Jew and Gentile, after making their common peace with God.

        1. Broke down the middle wall of partition.

        2. Abolished in his flesh the enmity - law of command ments contained in ordinances.

        3. Created (KJV "make") in Himself of the two one new man.

        4. Came [in the gospel] and preached peace to those far off (Gentiles) and those nigh (Jews).

Conclusion

Because Christ kept the perfect will of God as a human being in a human body, God accepted that perfect life as sacrifice sufficient for the sins of the whole world. Jew and Gentile now are on the same plane with God - Christ died for them all. There is no basis of distinction between them with God. Christ united them into the one new man. This is the New Humanity. In Christ, formerly alienated men can be made one with each other, as well as with God.
The Gentile world can share in all the blessings God has as never before. Those who formerly were strangers and aliens are now family-members and citizens. God's grace made possible the salvation of most of those who will be in our audiences - Gentiles.

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