Ephesians 2:11

 

Ephesians 2:11

Once You Were Not a Part of the Inner Circle

 

Eph 2:11  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; 

          1.      Once Upon a Time You Were Outsiders Because of Your Flesh

a.       Those that are Gentiles are not descendants of Abraham

                                                              i.      Genesis 12:1-2 

b.      Yet Jesus demonstrates to Jews that being a child of Abraham is more that being a mere descendent

                                                              i.      John 8:39-42 

            2.      Because You Were Outsiders You Were Mocked by the Inner Circle

a.       What is circumcision?

                                                              i.      Genesis 17:9-11 

b.      There were those in the early church who taught that it was a requirement to salvation

                                                              i.      Acts 15:1-2 

c.       Paul destroys such legalism in his epistle to the Romans when he make the point that Abraham is the father of all who have faith

                                                              i.      Romans 4:11-12 

            3.      Yet Their Pride in the Flesh is Utterly Meaningless

a.       The work of salvation is a work that is done in the heart not by human methods

                                                              i.      Colossians 2:11 

b.      The outward man never mattered

                                                              i.      Romans 2:28-29 

c.       Paul did not invent this teaching he got it from the Old Testament

                                                              i.      Deuteronomy 30:6 

d.      Which meant that anyone who was glorying in their circumcision were not glorying in Christ but themselves

                                                              i.      Philippians 3:2-8