Coming home to hope

Traumatic memories are not pleasant, but they can be useful, they can remind us of God’s grace in rescuing us. Ephesians 2:11-13 challenges us to remember what we were before Jesus rescued us, it’s not pleasant but it’s valuable. The truth can be hard, even offensive, but it’s powerful. This Scripture calls us to acknowledge the truth and to speak it boldly and lovingly, it may cost us the rejection from the world, but it draws us home to God and fills us with His precious hope.

Scripture

Ephesians 2:11-13 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— 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.

Bible Study Questions

Circumcision of the heart

Ephesians 2:11-16 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—

Having explored at depth, the Gospel of grace through the first chapters, the Holy Spirit now challenges the non-Jewish Christians at Ephesus to remember what it was like before they heard and believed. They are reminded of the painful rejection they experienced from the Jews who were circumcised “in the flesh by hands”. What does this tell us about the Jews who had rejected them?

Romans 2:28-29 ESV For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. [29] But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

The truth may offend, but it sets us free

Ephesians 2:12 ESV 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.

The Jews who’s hearts were not circumcised were not loving in what they said, but the truth remained that the Gentiles had no saviour, no spiritual home and no promises of God to place their hope in. What does this tell you about the religions that they may have followed before hearing and responding to the Gospel of Jesus?

John 3:13-18 ESV No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Believing in the Name of the Only Son of God

According to Jesus Christ, we remain condemned by our sin until we believe in the Name of the Only Son of God. That means we need to believe who Jesus says He is and believe what He says that He has done. Who does Jesus claim to be?

Mark 14:61-64 ESV But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.

Daniel 7:13-14 ESV “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. [14] And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Who is the The Son of God

When Jesus claims to be the Son of Man, He claims to be the One in Daniels vision, but He also claims to be the Son of God. Who does that identify Jesus as?

John 5:18 ESV This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Our Lord and our God

The resurrection of Jesus proves that Jesus is Lord over life and death, what did Thomas believe about Jesus when He saw Him raised from the dead?

John 20:27-29 ESV Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Worship the Lord your God and Him Only

What does the angel of the Lord teach John about worshipping God?

Revelation 22:8-9 ESV I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Jesus changes everything

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

It is only by Jesus that we can be brought home to God. It may mean rejection of the world but who we say that Jesus is changes everything. Who do you say that He is?

Matthew 16:13-16 ESV Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”