For many long ages, the nations lived apart from God’s covenant promises and the hope of salvation. All that changed with the coming of Christ. From his sermon series in the book of Ephesians, today R.C. Sproul marvels at God’s grace to unite believing Jews and gentiles in the church. Get R.C. Sproul’s commentary on the book of Ephesians for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3616/ephesians-commentary Meet Today’s Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God’s Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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Paul's saying, remember where you were. You're separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
That's a bleak picture. Outside of Christ, we are a hopeless people. Remembering who we were outside of Christ should fill us with gratitude and produce humility. It should also lead us to praise as we remember the greatness of what is ours in Christ. This is the Sunday edition of Renewing Your Mind, as each week we feature the preaching and teaching ministry of R.C. Sproul.
We're currently in a short series beginning in Ephesians chapter 2. You can own Dr. Sproul's complete study of Ephesians when you request his hardcover expositional commentary with your donation of any amount at renewingyourmind.org. And know that your generosity today is helping take the truth of God's Word to the nations.
Paul had bad news to share with us last week, and as Dr. Sproul begins at verse 11 of chapter 2, Paul again reminds us of who we once were. Here's Dr. Sproul.
We're going to continue our study of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and we are in chapter 2, and I will be reading beginning at verse 11 through the end of the chapter. 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. For through him we both have access in one spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure being joined together grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
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