Ephesians 4:1 - 16 - “Unity for Productivity“

 

From our text we learn that a united church will be a productive church.

The unity we are commanded to maintain will lead to equipping, building, and maturing of the saints for the work of ministry, working properly, making the church grow and built up in love (4:1-16).

As we survey the history of the church, we recognize that church unity has always been a challenge.  Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church in Acts 20:29,30 that fierce wolves would come in among them, speaking twisted things. Satan, the sworn enemy of the church is behind all this, causing division, and therefore we must fight Him in the full armour of God and with the only offensive weapon in our armoury - the Word of God (Eph. 6:10-18 cf. Lk. 4:1-13).

 Context

Ephesians 1-3 contain the doctrinal foundations of the letter to the Ephesians.

In Ephesians 1 we are taught how we become Christians.

In Ephesians 2&3 we learn that Christians are saved to belong to the church. The NT church consists of both, Jew and Gentile, and they are molded into one people. The church is built upon one foundation of which Jesus is the cornerstone - one Lord, who the Head of the church, which is His body (2:20).  

The unity of the church is undergirded by the unity of the Trinity – the three are one!

Ephesians 4-6 follow by way of by practical application. In Chapters 1-3 God says, “I have made you a Christian”, and in Chapters 4-6 he says, “Live like a Christian!” 

We learn much from Paul’s way of thinking and writing. He always lays down doctrinal foundations before he proceeds with practical application.  We cannot be practical unless we know how to be practical. The Bible helps us to be practical.  The Bible is to the church what the skeleton is to the human body.

Doctrine is fundamental. All of life illustrates this. You cannot be a doctor/nurse, a mechanic, a teacher etc. without the relevant doctrine or training which underlies each discipline. Pastors cannot be truly helpful in their preaching and counseling and pastoring without a solid knowledge of Scripture. Likewise, being an effective Christian requires a practical understanding of the Word of God, as it reforms and transforms our mind, leading to fruitful living.  Biblical doctrine does not divide; it unites.

 Chapter 4 begins with an appeal to unity.  

Here we find four important foundations for unity  which lead to productive Christianity:

1. The Grace of Unity (4:1-3)
2. The Ground of Unity (4:4-6)
3. The Gifts for Unity (4:7 -11)
4. The Goal of Unity (4:12-16)

1. THE GRACE OF UNITY (4:1-3)

Here we learn that unity is both, a gift (a grace) from God and a duty (a grace) to be maintained.

Ø  It is a gift from God. We do not create unity. By the grace of God our unity has been provided through the shed blood of Christ (2:13). It is the unity of the Spirit (4:3).  This is a genitive of source or origin—the unity produced or given by the Holy Spirit. It is not something manufactured by human organizational effort.   

Ø  It is a duty to be upheld: “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called “(4:1). From this follows the call “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace “(4:3).  How do we do that?   4:2 provides the answer: “..with all humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love”. These are some of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Gal. 5:22,23.

This is the productive soil in which unity can flourish.

 2.  THE GROUND OF UNITY (4:4-6)

“There is one body and one Spirit -just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

The key word, “one” (implying unity), is used 7 times in 4:4-6. 

Church unity is  GROUNDED  in the work of the Tri-unity [the Holy Spirit (4:4); the Lord Jesus (4:5) and God our Father (4:6)]. The Trinity is foundational to the church’s existence and spiritual health.  The true church proceeds from God.  No true church exists apart  from the Trinity.

 Four  further  expressions of unity: one body, one hope, one faith, one baptism.

Ø  One body: The purpose of the saving work of Christ is to bring people together - assimilated as one body -the church!  The great picture given in Ephesians 2 is that   God has assimilated for Himself one people (Jews and Gentiles) from among all nations!  He unites! Satan by contrast, persecutes, scatters and divides. Our old nature tends towards divisiveness.  We have a duty to learn and to practice unity.  We learn to put off the old self and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God (see 4:22-24).

Ø  One hope (that belongs to your call): The Church shares one hope: gaining heaven.  In Ephesians 1:13-14 we learn that that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of this great promise. A believer who has their focus on this ultimate goal is a promising candidate to be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker; a ‘unifier‘ and not a ‘divider’.

Ø  One Faith:  There is one settled body of truth given by Christ to His church. This is the ‘faith’ once entrusted/delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3).  We make it our aim to be of the same mind, the same faith. That produces unity. 

Ø   One Baptism:  The ‘church’ is those who have been “baptized in the Spirit“ (by the Holy Spirit who causes us to be ‘born again’ Jn. 3). From  there follows the practice of  believer’s  baptism - an outward testimony and a symbol of that which has taken place in us spiritually.  Only true believers can be united in the church.

 3.  THE GIFTS FOR UNITY (4:7-11)

Ø  Grace filled believers (4:7a): “But grace (Gr. charis) was given to each of us …”. Incidentally, that  ‘grace’ which is given to us  at conversion is the grace which we must give to each other in the body of Christ. It comes in the form of spiritual gifts.

Ø  Believers are gifted in differing degrees (4:7b) “according to the measure of Christ’s gift”[1]. This indicates that Christ gives each believer measured (Gk. ‘metron’) grace.  This is often not understood. All Christian people receive gifts, but all do not receive the same gifts, and neither do all receive them with the same intensity (see also Rom 12:3-6). Our different giftedness is due to an enablement by Christ.  Our Head knows what is good and what is needed to maintain unity in each body of believers.

Ø  Christ is the Giver of the gifts (4:8-10). This is substantiated by an interesting quotation from Ps 68:18. The Psalm is a call to God to come to the rescue of His people. David remembers how God went before His people after the Exodus (v.7) so that the earth quaked (v.8) and kings were scattered (vv. 11-14). Then the king who wanted Mt Zion as his residence (v.16), came from Sinai to his chosen holy place (His sanctuary) (v.17). As he ascended   towards Mt Zion as the conquering King, he led captives and the spoils of war in his entourage. Along the way he generously distributed the gifts (the spoils of war) to the residents of Jerusalem. Paul here applies this picture to Christ. Christ had descended to this sinful earth to die for our sins.  He rose from the grave, triumphing over the power of death, delivering His people, under Satan’s dominion, from spiritual exile.  Christ by His death plunders Satan’s kingdom, robbing him of many of his “sin slaves “, redeeming them to be His own people.  As He ascends   to His glorious throne - the spiritual Mt. Zion, with all His captives for His kingdom, he shares the spoils of that battle won against Satan, by dispensing these former ‘sin slaves’, as His gifts to this world. These gifts from God come to us in the form of people, whom the heavenly King uses to bless His church - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor- teachers.   Pentecost was the primary event when these gifts were given, when the ascended Jesus descended through His Spirit and gave such people to the church in the world.

Ø  Christ has given us foundational gifts to build up the church (4:11-12) This list represents the leading ministries (graces) for the church (the body): apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. I cannot say much about this now. However, since there is much controversy about apostles and prophets in our own day, we must briefly clarify this.  In Eph. 2:19,20 the offices of apostles and prophets are regarded as ‘foundational’ in the church. Foundations do not need to be built continually. We do not need new or more apostles and prophets any more than we need a new Lord Jesus. Their ministries  continue  as we read  and learn from their writings.

 4. THE GOAL OF UNITY (4:12-16)

 We are now coming to our concluding thought. Why does the church need this unity? Why does the church need spiritual gifts? The answer is given in 4:12-16: 

“…to equip the saints for the work for ministry, for building to build them up…”.

All these foundational ministries are very important to the church’s existence and unity, since through these ministries, God’s people  are prepared and perfected  and  equipped.

The word for “preparing /perfecting/ equipping“[2] means ‘fixing something that's broken’ (e.g. torn nets in Matt. 4:21). It can also mean ‘to supply something that is lacking’ (as in 1 Thess. 3:10, "We desire to supply, or equip, what is lacking in your faith").

The work of these foundational ministries is to repair what is broken and to supply what is lacking in and among the members of the church in every generation. 

The members of the church are in the final analysis called "for the work of ministry".  The fixing and supplying what is lacking is meant to make the saints into servants, and in this way the ministering saints contribute to the wholeness of the entire body.

This is unity for productivity. God wants His church to be a unified, healthy body so that His Name can be made known in all the earth.

The more the church understands that she is rooted in the work of the Holy Trinity (the supreme manifestation of Unity) and the more the church works to  understand and apply sound doctrine, enabled by foundational gifts, and the more unity  she  shows  among her members, the  more effective she will be  in her work on earth  as she  fights  this  spiritual war, taking  captives from Satan for Christ’s glory. 

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[1] See also Romans 12:6

[2]  Greek katartizo

Ephesians 4:1-16 HOW FRUITFUL CHURCHES FUNCTION

 

At the beginning of 2026 we are looking at the subject of being fruitful. Today our subject is, “Being a fruitful church”.

We do this with the help of Ephesians 4:1-16.

We can learn much from Paul’s way of thinking and writing.  Foundationally solid thinking is required for practical living. A house is only as good as the foundations it is built upon.

Churches are only as good as the solid doctrine of the Word which they embrace.  Doctrine is to church life what the skeleton is to the human body.

Doctrine is fundamental to practice.

All of life illustrates this. You cannot be a doctor or nurse, a mechanic, a teacher without the relevant doctrine or training which undergirds each discipline. A pastor cannot be truly helpful in his preaching and counseling and pastoring without a solid, balanced knowledge of Scripture. The Word of God is as the richest of foods (Ps. 63:5), full of good nutrients. We must be fed from the whole counsel of Scripture. I am thankful for the profundity of the doctrine of salvation in the book of Romans, but I am equally thankful for the practical wisdom for living contained in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the emphasis on God’s holiness in Leviticus, and the heavenly vision and triumph of God over evil in the Book of Revelation. Thank God for the book of Ephesians and its solid teaching on the nature and practice of the local church.

CONTEXT

In Ephesians 1 Paul tells us how it is that people become Christians.

In Ephesians 2&3 he shows that Christians are called to belong to the church- God's mystery (3:3,4,6,9). He shows us that this church consists of both, Jew and Gentile. Both are saved and reconciled to God in one way- Christ ALONE! His church is built upon one foundation. This church has one apostolic and prophetic word and one cornerstone - one Lord, who the Head of the church, which is His body (2:20). 

It is from Christ the true Vine (John 15:1-17) that the church derives her source of fruitfulness. 

Ephesians  4:1-16 describes the inner workings of a fruitful church:

• Unity (4:1-3)
• Trinity (4:4-6)
•   Ability  (4:7 -11)
•    Maturity  (4:12-16)

 1.      UNITY (4:1-3)

 A fruitful church is a church where unity is a reality.  

We are called to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  We do not have to create unity. It has been provided through the shed blood of Christ (2:13). It is applied by the Holy Spirit. We are called to maintain that unity.  Look at the text: “live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called“ (4:1). The underlying graces which produce a church’s unity are  humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to (make every effort) maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace“(4:3). These are  the  fruit of the Spirit  (Gal. 5:22,23). 

The church consists of born again members of Christ which are rooted in Christ, and if rooted in Christ then this church will bear fruit! Good fruit can only come from a good root.  You must be born again in order   to be able to produce fruit in keeping with your repentance.  All those that are born again, share a similar heritage  and the outcome of this is UNITY.

No wonder that Satan works so hard to sow discord, and to introduce  wolves in sheep’s clothing into the flock  (Eph.  6:10-20). Disunity makes a church fruitless.

 2.      TRINITY  (4:4-6)

 A fruitful Church is driven by the Tri-une God

 “There is one body and one Spirit -just as you were called to one hope  when you were called –one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

The key word “one” (implying unity) is used 7 times in 4:4-6.  The theme of the letter to the Ephesians is in a sense all about this unity. This unity is rooted in the work of the  Trinity, the Holy Spirit (4:4); the Lord Jesus (4:5) and God our Father (4:6).

God has formed the members of the church into one body by the means of  one faith, one hope, one baptism – ALL THIS because there is only one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

The Trinity is central to the church’s existence and fruitfulness. 

The true church proceeds from God.  We must say this because it is possible for churches to not work from this basis, but from the basis of mere human strength and ingenuity.  They are fruitless. They are Satan’s imitations. As such there are many churches that are not Christ-centered, God-centered and not Spirit directed.

It is essential that the church must be made up of those called by God the Father, saved by the blood of Christ, and called to life by the Holy Spirit, into one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, in order for her to be fruitful.

3.      ABILITY – GIFTEDNESS  (4:7-11)

Fruitful churches  are driven by spiritual gifts

Fruitfulness is obtained through the exercise of spiritually gifted members. In this regard we note that …

• All believers are gifted (4:7a): “But grace was given to each of us …”. The ‘grace’ (Gr. charis) is given by Christ through the outpoured Spirit at Pentecost. It is this grace which we must  extend to each other in the body of Christ – FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING ONE ANOTHER UP. Gifts are not given to play with; they are tools to build with. And if they are not used in love, they become weapons to fight with, as had in fact happened to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 12-14). We are saved to serve our God and our people with our gifts.  Spiritual gifts are meant to bring spiritual blessing, and if spiritual blessing, then  spiritual fruitfulness.  
• Believers are gifted in differing degrees (4:7b)“according to the measure of Christ’s gift”[1]. This indicates that Christ gives each believer measured (Gk. ‘metron’) grace.  This is often not understood. All Christian people receive gifts, but all do not receive the same gifts, and neither do all receive them with the same intensity. Our different giftedness is due to an enablement by Christ.  He knows what is good and needed in each body of believers in order to make that body fruitful in terms of giving visibility to the fruit of the Spirit.
• Christ is the Giver of the gifts (4:8-10). This fact is substantiated by an interesting quotation from Ps 68:18. This is a call/prayer to God to come to the rescue of His people as in the days of old. David remembers how God went in triumph before His people after the Exodus (v.7) so that Mt Sinai trembled (v.8) and kings were scattered (vv. 11-14). Then, the king who wanted Mt Zion as his residence (v.16), came from Sinai to his chosen holy place (His sanctuary) (v.17).As he ascended   towards Mt Zion  as the conquering King, he led captives and the spoils of war in his entourage. Along the way he generously distributed the gifts (the spoils of war) to the residents of Mt Zion/ Jerusalem. Paul applies this picture to Christ. Christ had descended to this sinful earth to die for our sins, rising up from the grave, triumphing over the power of death, delivering His people from spiritual exile and  under Satan’s dominion.  Christ not only triumphs over death (Satan’s trump card), but He also plunders Satan’s kingdom, robbing him of   many of his “sin slaves“, redeeming them to be His own people. Then He ascends   to His glorious throne - the spiritual Mt. Zion, with all His captives for His kingdom, sharing the spoils of that battle won against Satan, by dispensing these former ‘sin slaves’, as His gifts to His church. These gifts from God come to us in the form of people, whom the heavenly King uses to bless His church - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor- teachers.  
• Christ has given us foundational gifts to build up the church (4:11-12) This list represents the foundational graces for the  church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. I cannot say much about this now. However, since there is  so much controversy about apostles and prophets in our own day, we have to briefly clarify this. In Eph. 2:19,20 the offices of apostles and prophets are regarded as ‘foundational’ in the church. Foundations do not need to be built continually. We do not need new or more apostles and prophets any more than we need a new Lord Jesus.  The ministry of apostles and prophets in particular is maintained by the faithful preaching of the prophetic and apostolic word.

In summary:  these foundational gifts are essential  for the ongoing fruitfulness of the church

 4.      MATURITY (4:12-16)

The most fruitful church is a mature church

We are now coming to our concluding thought. Why does the church need this unity? Why is the  presence  and enablement  of the Holy Trinity essential?  Why does the church need spiritual gifts?

The answer is given in 4:12-16:  to equip the saints for the work for ministry, for building to build them up…  

All these foundational ministries  are  very important  to the church’s  existence and unity  since through these ministries  God’s people  are prepared  and   perfected   and  equipped- they are made fruitful.

• The word for “preparing /perfecting/ equipping“ is  the Greek word  “katartizo“.  It means ‘fixing something that's broken’ (e.g. torn nets in Matt. 4:21).
•   It can also mean ‘to supply something that is lacking’ (as in 1 Thess. 3:10, "We desire to supply, or equip, what is lacking in your faith"). The work of these foundational ministries is to repair what is broken and to supply what is lacking in and among the believers, who are, in the final analysis called "for the work of ministry".  The fixing and supplying what is lacking is meant to make the saints into fruitful servants.  

And the goal is maturity (5:13). The final exhibition of fruitfulness is mature / ripe fruit. That means, …

•       Being Christlike believers
•       Not immature, tossed about  by every wind of doctrine
•       Speaking the truth in love
•       Growing up in Him – our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ
•     Growing into a body built up in love – the supreme mark of the church 

Do you see what Paul sees? The body of Christ on earth is in one sense perfect already in God’s sight, because He knows what she is finally going to be. On the other hand  she is not yet a perfect entity, but she works for perfection. Right now she is work in progress. And the more she is rooted in sound doctrine, and led by foundational gifts, rooted in the work of the Trinity and the more unity she shows  among her members the  more effective she will be as she  fights this  spiritual war, taking  captives from Satan for Christ’s glory. 

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[1] See also Romans 12:6

Epheser 6:10 - 12 Der Krieg hinter den Kulissen

 

Die Aufmerksamkeit der Welt vom Krieg gegen das unsichtbare Covid-Virus hat sich verschoben auf den beunruhigend sichtbaren Krieg Russlands gegen seine Cousins - die Ukrainer - und natürlich auch auf den beunruhigenden Krieg im Nahen Osten.  Überhaupt  befindet sich  unsere Welt immer wieder in der einen oder anderen Form des Krieges. Seit dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs  hat es  mehr als 250 Kriege gegeben. Warum gibt es so viele Kriege? Die Antwort ist auf einer Ebene komplex, aber im Grunde ist die Antwort auf diese Frage eigentlich garnicht  schwierig. Wir  sind wir an das Wort Gottes gebunden. Dort  finden wir  unsere  Lӧsungen.  Im Brief an die Epheser 6:10-12  spricht der Apostel  Paulus dieses Dilemma  an.  Fangen wir mit dem Kontext an...

KONTEXT

In dem Brief an die Epheser geht es im Wesentlichen um Gottes wunderbare Lösung für das grundlegendste Problem des Menschen: die Sünde! Sünde ist grundsätzlich Rebellion gegen Gott. Die Sünde bringt den  Tod.  Denn der Lohn der Sünde ist der Tod (Röm.6:23). Epheser 2:1   „...auch euch, die ihr tot wart durch Übertretungen und Sünden, 2 in denen ihr einst gelebt habt nach dem Lauf dieser Welt.“

- Epheser 1-3 beschreibt  die Kraft des Evangeliums.

- In Epheser 4:1 - 6:9 appelliert Paulus an seine Leser   “...jetzt da  ihr Christen, geworden seid, lebt wie Christen!“ Es gibt zwei Aspekte, für die er besonders plädiert: die Einheit und die Reinheit der Gemeinde. Die Grundlage für die Einheit wird in Eph. 4:1-16 gelegt, und  die für die Reinheit in Eph. 4:17-5:21. Es folgt eine besondere Anwendung in Bezug auf drei Beziehungsbereiche  in denen Einheit und Reinheit deutlich zu sehen sein sollten:

(i) zwischen Ehefrauen und Ehemännern (5:22-33)

(ii) zwischen Eltern und Kindern (6:1-4)

(iii) zwischen Arbeitgebern und Arbeitnehmern (6:5-9)

 Dieses veranlasst ihn, das zu schreiben was er jetzt in 6:10-20 sagt.  Das größte Hinderniss für jeden geistlichen Fortschritt  sind   “die Machenschaften des Teufels“. Wir müssen uns darüber im Klaren sein,  dass der Teufel im Detail steckt. Wir aber  sollen ihm keine Gelegenheit  geben seine  Werkzeuge zu werden. Schließlich sind wir es, die ihm in die Hände spielen, wenn wir uns zum Beispiel im gedankenlosem Zorn verlieren (Eph. 4:27). Satan ist  ein Opportunist. Er nutzt unsere  vielen menschlichen Schwächen schnell aus. Er dringt schnell in unsere Systeme ein, genau so wie ein Virus in einen Computer oder in unsere Körper eindringt. Sobald wir ihm eine Tür öffnen  richtet er Chaos an.

Der Teufel is auch nicht wahllos. Er arbeitet methodisch. Wir müssen seine Methoden verstehen. Er arbeitet methodisch, kontinuierlich und subversiv gegen die von Gott geschaffenen Institutionen, nämlich (i) Ehe und Familie, (ii) die Kirche, (iii) den Staat. Wir müssen daher verstehen wie wir dem Teufel und seinen Handlangern (die Herrscher, die Gewalten, die kosmischen Mächte dieser gegenwärtigen Finsternis ... die geistigen Mächte des Bösen in den himmlischen Örtern) ... widerstehen und ihm standhalten  können... “ (6:12). Wir brauchen mehr als menschliche Kraft, um gegen einen solchen Feind zu bestehen. Wir brauchen die volle Waffenrüstung Gottes. Wir brauchen Ihn !

DER FEIND

- Er ist ein persönliches Wesen - nicht einfach eine abstrakte Kraft oder Macht. Seine Macht ist übermenschlich.

- Er ist ein Gott geschaffener, aber gefallener Engel, der gegen Gott rebelliert hat (wir wissen nicht,warum, wie und wann).

- Sein häufigster Name - Satan wird 52 Mal erwähnt. 35 Mal wird er Teufel- Gr. Diabolos – (wörtlich: Verleumder) genannt. Andere Namen, die für ihn verwendet werden, sind Fürst dieser Welt (Joh. 16:11); Fürst der Macht der Luft (Eph. 2:2), gott dieses Zeitalters (2 Kor. 4:4), Beelzebub, der Fürst der Dämonen (Lk. 11:15).

- Er ist der Vater und die Quelle allen Übels.

- Er führt die weltweite Rebellion gegen Gott an. Die Beweise des Bösen sind überall zu finden. In jedem Zeitalter manipulieren Satan und seine Diener die Gott gegebenen  Institute: die Ehe, die Kirche, den Staat. Er stifftet Unruhe. Jeder Krieg lenkt  die Aufmerksamkeit der Menschen von Gott und seinen Heilsabsichten in der Welt ab. Er schürt den Hass, vertieft die Bitterkeit, verursacht Spaltungen und konzentriert  die  Gedanken der Menschen auf  nutzlose politische Lösungen. Diese gefallene Welt ist ein Schlachtfeld und kein Spielplatz.

- Er hat ein Reich/Dynastie (2:2). Er hat Diener und Gefolgsleute (6:12) Diese Wesen bestehen nicht aus Fleisch und Blut (d. h. nicht aus menschlicher Substanz). Man kann sie nicht mit bloßem Auge sehen, und doch existieren sie genauso sicher wie Elektrizität und Gammastrahlen.

- Das Hauptanliegen des Teufels ist es, die Kirche auszulöschen. Er hasst sie, weil er Christus  ihren Erlӧser hasst!

Weil es einen persӧnlichen Teufel gibt,  der in dieser Welt  so einen starken Einfluss hat  ist unsere Welt ein unruhiger Ort. Das sehen wir  kurz nach dem Sündenfall (1. Mose 3:14-19).  Der Mensch, der ursprünglich für ein Leben in Frieden und Harmonie unter Gottes Herrschaft geschaffen wurde, hat nun von der Erkenntnis des Guten und Bösen gekostet. Konflikte und Meinungsverschiedenheiten sind   nun an der Tagesordnung. In Genesis 4 finden wir schon  Kain, der seinen Bruder Abel tötet. Kain verlässt die Gegenwart des Herrn (1. Mose 4:16). Konflikte, Mord und Krieg beherrschen nun die Geschichte des Alten und Neuen Testaments. Sie dominieren die Geschichte aller Zivilisationen bis zum heutigen Tag.

Es beginnt alles  mit diesen geschaffenen Wesen. Es beginnt im Himmel. In Hiob 1 &2 erscheint er noch vor Gott. Der Herr Jesus aber sieht ihn durch seinen  Kreuzestod auf  die Erde fallen (Luk. 10:17 cf. Off. 12:9ff). Dort setzt er jetzt  seinen letzten Kampf fort in dem er unsere gefallenen Herzen  zu seinen steten Werkzeugen macht. Somit sagt  Jakobus 4:1-2:

Was ist die Ursache des Zankes und des Streites unter euch? Ist es nicht so, dass eure Leidenschaften in euch Krieg führen? Ihr begehrt und habt nicht, also mordet ihr. Ihr begehrt und bekommt nichts, deshalb streitet ihr und zankt.

Dann geht Jakobus direkt zur Wurzel und sagt, dass diese Mentalität aus einer bestimmten  Haltung geboren wird. Er nennt sie Feindschaft mit Gott (Jak. 4:4). Diese Feindschaft begann mit der Rebellion Satans gegen Gott in 1. Mose 3. Er hat die Herzen aller Menschen gefangen bis das Jesus sie freimacht

Der wahre Grund für alle Kriege sind also nicht einfache Meinungsverschiedenheiten zwischen Menschen, Herrschern und Nationen.  Mehr als Verlust von Leben steht auf dem Spiel. Der eigentliche Grund für jeden Krieg ist teuflisch  im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes.  Jeder  Krieg  bedroht den Frieden der Seele. Wir sollen die größtmögliche Möglichkeit zu haben, ein heiliges und gottgefälliges Leben zu führen und uns im Glauben zu erbauen. Aber Satan will das verhinderen.

Das Vergießen von viel Blut hat schreckliche Folgen für den Verlust des geistlichen Friedens einer Nation. Denkt nur an die furchtbare Kollektivschuld, die die deutsche Seele nach dem 2.Weltkrieg auf sich geladen hat. Denkt daran, welche Schuld die russische  Kollektivseele jetzt für diesen sinnlosen Krieg gegen ihre ukrainischen Vettern tragen muss. Das wird nicht so einfach verschwinden. Satan und seine Helfershelfer werden alles tun, damit wir nicht in Frieden leben kӧnnen  aund damit wir nicht an das Evangelium denken können. Krieg ist eines seiner besten Werkzeuge, und  ihr werdet alle  ermahnt, den guten Kampf zu kämpfen (1 Tim 1:18; 6:12);  nicht müde zu werden und nicht den Mut zu verlieren (Hebr. 12:3); dem Teufel zu widerstehen... und er wird vor euch fliehen (Jak. 4,7; 1 Petr 5,8.9).

Das Gebet und die Arbeit  für den Frieden ist  unsere große Aufgabe. Deshalb schreibt Paulus Vor allem aber fordere ich dazu auf, dass man für alle Menschen Bitten, Gebete, Fürbitten und Danksagungen vorbringt, für Könige und alle, die in hohen Positionen sind, damit wir ein friedliches und ruhiges Leben führen, gottgefällig und würdig in jeder Hinsicht. (1. Tim. 2:1-2)

ERKENNT DEN KRIEG HINTER DEN KULISSEN!

Ein Teil des Dienstes der Kirche ist es um ihre Mitglieder ständig davor zu warnen, im Garten des Teufels zu spielen; warnen das Unachtsamkeit und Sünde Beziehungen zerstören ; warnen  das auch Christen  manchmal unwissentlich Werkzeuge des Teufels werden kӧnnen (Matt 16:23). Ermahnungen  das  wir dem Teufel  widerstehen sollen (Jak. 4:7; 1. Petr. 5:9); Ermahnungen das  wir dem Teufel keine Gelegenheit geben sollen  (Eph. 4.27).  Erkennt the  Krieg hinter den Kulissen.

SCHAUE FEST AUF JESUS

Der Aufruf, Satan und seinen feindlichen Kräften zu widerstehen, beginnt nicht mit einem Blick nach innen. Lege den Gedanken beiseite, dass du  in irgendeiner Weise in der Lage bist   dem Teufel in eigener  eigener Kraft zu widerstehen.

Denke auch nicht das du Satan widerstehen kannst  mit dem Blick nach außen. Vielleicht denkst du,  Nun, solange die Menschen um mich herum stark im Herrn sind und solange unsere Ältesten für uns beten und unsere geistlichen Kämpfe führen, den Teufel in Schach halten und die Gemeinde in Frieden halten, wird es mir gut gehen.... Lasse dich nicht täuschen! Verlasse dich auch nicht nur auf die Kirchen Ältesten, wenn es darumgeht die  Gemeinde vor den Angriffen Satans zu bewahren.  Wir schaffen das nicht.

Den  Auffruf  Satan zu widerstehen, beginnt mit dem Blick nach oben. Achtet auf diese Worte:  Seid stark in dem Herrn und in der Kraft seiner Macht. Zieht die ganze Waffenrüstung GOTTES an, ... damit ihr bestehen könnt. (6:10,11).

Wir sind aufgerufen, uns auf den HERRN  zu verlassen. ER muss uns ständig mit dieser Kraft versorgen. Wie zur Zeit Josuas und Joschafats muss der Herr  uns in diesen  Kampf gegen einen überlegenen  Feind führen. Die einzige Art und Weise, wie wir den Krieg gegen die Methoden des Teufels erfolgreich führen können, ist  durch die Anwendung der Methoden Gottes. Wir können den Kampf gegen Goliath nicht in der Rüstung von Saul führen. Wir brauchen einen glatten, von Gott gut geführten Stein, der die Stirn des Teufels trifft. Das ist die einzige Möglichkeit, mit Satan fertig zu werden!  Mit diesem Grundsatz  kann sogar der kleinste,unbedeutendste Christenjunge einen Goliath mit einer Steinschleuder erschlagen. William Cowper [6] schrieb in diesem Zusammenhang:

Wenn wir das Gebet zurückhalten, hören wir auf zu kämpfen;

Das Gebet macht die Rüstung des Christen hell;

Und Satan zittert, wenn er sieht, den schwächsten Heiligen auf seinen Knien.

 

Wenn wir unsere Stärke im Herrn und in der Kraft seiner Macht finden, können wir wahrhaftig mit Paulus sagen: Wenn Gott für uns ist, wer kann gegen uns sein (Röm.8:31), und ... in allem sind wir mehr als Sieger durch ihn, der uns geliebt hat. 38 Denn ich bin überzeugt, dass weder Tod noch Leben, weder Engel noch Dämonen, weder Gegenwärtiges noch Zukünftiges, noch irgendwelche Mächte, 39 weder Höhe noch Tiefe noch irgendetwas anderes in der ganzen Schöpfung uns scheiden kann von der Liebe Gottes, die in Christus Jesus ist, unserem Herrn. (Röm. 8:37-39:37)

SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG

Thomas Brooks schreibt in seinem ausgezeichneten Buch,  Precious Remedies Against Satan‘s Devices (Kostbare Mittel gegen Satans Machenschaften):  Christus, die Heilige Schrift, eure eigenen Herzen und Satans Machenschaften sind die vier wichtigsten Dinge, die zuerst und am meisten studiert und erforscht werden sollten. Es ist meine Aufgabe als Christ, mein Bestes zu tun, um die Fülle Christi, die Leere der Kreatur und die Fallen des großen Verführers zu entdecken“.

Schaut  fest auf  das  wirksame Werk Christi am Kreuz, dass alle Machenschaften des Teufels beseitigt.  Steht  und besteht auf Sein vollendendetes Werk. Füchtet euch nicht vor der Angstmacherei der Politiker und der populären Presse. Schaut  fest auf Euren Gott. Schaut fest in Sein Wort. Betet und ruht weiterhin in Christus im  Sinne  des 46ten Psalm.  Er ist und bleibt unsere allgegenwärtige Hilfe und unsere Zuflucht. Amen.

Ephesians Chapter 3 WHAT DOES GOD THINK OF THE CHURCH? #3

 

In Chapter 3 it seems as if Paul is intending to pray for the Ephesian Church. He begins his sentence,“For this reason, I Paul…” – and then he interrupts himself, and you will see that he does not begin his prayer until he reaches  3:14.

What is it that interrupts him?  Clearly, his mind is held captive by that great revelation or mystery, which he has received from God concerning the nature of the church (see 3:2,3). He had  not only received an understanding, but also  a responsibility  to  make this revelation  (mystery) known to others.  In 3: 2 – 6  he makes  this mystery from God known.  You see him using this word 4 times in this text (3,4,6,9). The Greek word for mystery indicates “a truth which has been hidden from human understanding, but which has now been revealed by God”. Unlike the English ‘mystery’ (i.e. an obscure, puzzling, secret matter) this word has no secret elements in it. It is actually an ‘open secret’ - intended to shed light on something that has previously not been understood.  The substance of this revelation or mystery relates to the fact that Jews and Gentiles together through the gospel are (i) fellow heirs (ii) fellow members (iii) fellow partakers in the promise of Christ Jesus. (3:6). Gentiles  are no longer strangers and aliens to the   things of God, but they now are  citizens with all the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundations of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself  being the cornerstone (2:19,20). This fact was hidden to previous generations (3:5). It was kept “hidden for ages in God, who created all things”   (3:9).

We need to stop and process this for a moment because this statement is somewhat puzzling. Surely, the O.T. does reveal that God always had a purpose for the Gentiles?  The Old Testament affirms that all nations would be blessed through Abraham’s offspring (Gen. 12:1-3).The OT affirmed that the Messiah would receive the nations as His inheritance (Ps. 2:8). The OT affirmed that Israel would be given as a light to the nations (Isa. 42:6 ; 49:6). The Lord Jesus spoke about the inclusion of the gentiles in His saving mission, and commissioned His disciples to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19).

That is true, but what was not very clear was just how radical God’s renewal of an old, tired structure would be! God had instituted the theocracy (The Jewish nation under God’s rule) but like the temple it would be terminated and replaced by a new international community- called the ekklesia (literally the called out ones, ‘church’, ‘the body of Christ’). This new body is composed of living stones[1]  and built on the living Christ – the cornerstone (2:20), in an organic connection of the church (body) with Christ (the head).  

We see then in 3:6 that this mystery, the church, is the result of the preaching of the gospel. Through the embracing of this gospel people enter into the mystery – this one new body of Christ which consists of all nations, and the apostle Paul was God’s chief instrument   through which this new era was made known. Take note of   3:7 & 8:  “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”.   Please note that Paul is not at the heart of this message. He is simply the messenger boy (an apostle) of Christ Jesus (1:1).  He is a man who knows himself to be utterly unworthy- “the least of all the saints“ (3:8 also 1 Tim 1:13). But  he knows that he carries a huge message, and so tells us that he, an unworthy servant has received this privilege  to preach the  life-changing gospel  to  the Gentiles  (3:8)  who  were formerly  separated from all these privileges  (see 2:12). In fact this gospel he not only preaches to the gentiles, but to “everyone“ (3:9).

But that is not all. The message he proclaims is even larger than that. He tells us in 3:10 that  this mystery  (i.e. all  God’s chosen, holy, blameless, holy, loved, predestined, adopted people- see Chapter 1- the church)  also conveys  a huge message to ‘the rulers  and  authorities in the heavenly places‘.  What does this mean?  

As the gospel is preached throughout the world, so the church spreads and develops. Nation after nation hears the gospel, and churches are planted everywhere.  But guess who is watching all this?  The rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (3:10). This refers to the unseen realm, of both, the  angels of God  and also   the realm of Satan and his demons.

The church is built as sinners turn from darkness to the light of Christ. Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents (Lk.15:7,10) and when they believe and are baptized and when they joined to  the church. On the other hand all hell and all demons shudder since another one of their subjects has been lost in the great battle!  We see then that the outcome of the gospel message not only tells us something about the building of the church, but it is also a message to heaven’s angels, and also to the sworn enemies in the fallen realm.  Do you see that the church is the central and visible manifestation of God’s kingdom and power on earth and also in the heavenly realms? The powers above are watching the church below with bated breath! And on earth, the church is the great manifestation of the advancing kingdom of God.  Do you still have small thoughts about the church?  The central lesson in this passage is the biblical centrality of the church.  She is central in the history of the world. She is central to the purposes of the gospel and therefore the church is the central expression of Christian living.

(i) She is central in history:  3:11 refers to the eternal purpose of God.  Ever since the beginning God has been  working out His plan to gather to Himself ONE redeemed people,  out of this  mess called ‘civilisation’ , and to reconcile  through Jesus  this people  to Himself. So History is His Story, God’s story. God is at work in history, bringing His purposes to pass.  Secular history concentrates on kings and presidents, on politicians and generals. This  history is full of venerable  and important people. The Bible focuses on the saints, who in this world are insignificant  and unknown, but known to God. Secular history concentrates on wars and peace treaties, followed by more wars and peace treaties. The Bible focuses on the war between good and evil; on the war won by Jesus on the cross against the powers of darkness. The Bible focuses on freedom and forgiveness for all rebels against God who will repent and believe. The secular world focuses on the changing geographic boundaries as one nation falls and another takes its place. The Bible focuses on a multi-national community called the church. It has no borders. It claims the whole world for Christ, whose kingdom shall never end. The church and not political kingdoms is central to God’s purposes.

(ii) The church is central to the gospel:  It is evident from Eph. 3 that the gospel concerns Christ and the mystery of Christ – i.e. His One body. The church is the outcome of the   gospel.  The gospel produces the church.  

(iii) The church is central to Christian living:  If the church is central in history and central to the gospel, then she is central to the life of the Christian.  And if this is so, how can we take lightly what God takes so seriously? Let us then be responsible church members in our local churches, which are expressions of this great church. Let us be done with low standards in churchmanship. Let us keep the vision of the church as the apple of God’s eye – the centre of His love, His family, His dwelling place and His instrument in the world. Do not be discouraged by the high price that it often costs to be a Christian and a church member.  Like the apostle Paul in conclusion to this section (3:13) know that your temporary sufferings and discomforts will ultimately be your glory.

3:14-20   An Amazing Prayer for the Church   

We end now with the prayer that Paul began in 3:1, when his thoughts momentarily interrupted him in 3:2-13. Thank God for that interruption. It really amplifies the prayer and   which overwhelms Paul and he kneels (bows) down in prayer  before the Father,  from which  every family in heaven (the church triumphant – the  church at peace)  and  on earth (the church militant - the church at war) is named.”  Even though these two parts of the church are presently separated by death, they are nevertheless ONE in God’s eyes. 

1. 3:16-19:   3 Aspects in  Paul’s Prayer to God  the Father for the Church 

(i)  3:16-17. Paul is praying here for a corporate sense of power in the inner being. Why? Because our inner being is weak, feeble, easily compromised and needs to be strengthened from without. Now notice the source of power is not self-effort, but the Holy Spirit! (see also Gal. 2:20) who attaches our hearts  to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith is in Jesus ALONE. Paul is asking God for the church to lead a God sustained life.

(ii)  3: 17b-19a “That you being rooted and grounded (established) in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints (the church) what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…”. Here we find a botanical metaphor and a building metaphor. Churches need to be like well rooted trees (Psalm 1). They need to be like well-built houses (Matt. 7:24,25). Churches need deep roots and firm foundations, rooted and grounded in the soil of God’s love!   The depth and the solidness of a church is not measured by her gifts, but by her love (1 Cor. 13). The church becomes truly great, when she lives in the love of God. She then becomes an evangelistic draw-card. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another“.  Love, (NB. not gifts) is the defining mark of the church.  Paul presses us towards the experiential knowledge of the love of Christ. Let’s pray for the practical demonstration of this love as provided in 1 Corinthians  13: 4-7. Paul boldly prays that the church would be empowered with the knowledge of the full spectrum of the love of Jesus.   And please note that Paul envisages this truth to be comprehended “with all the saints“ (3:18)  i.e. the whole church- not just  an individual.

(iii)  3:19b “… that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”.  Paul envisages here a continual filling. The Christian life is not a once off experience, but  an ongoing  process. As much as we  are to ‘go on being filled with the Spirit‘ (Eph. 5:18) , so we are to ‘grow  up into Him’ (Eph.4:13-16).

2. 3:20,21  Conclusion-  Two  Convictions 

i.                    God is able to do. God is not idle, not apathetic, nor dead. He is presently the ‘doing God‘ , because He is the living God.

ii.                  He is able to do far more abundantly (Gk. ‘huperekperissou’ – lit. exceedingly  more abundantly)  than  all  we ask or think.  We must have no small thoughts of God’s willingness to answer our prayers for a church after His own will.

This is the work for which the apostle prays in the Ephesian church – that  they (we) may know it and comprehend it. And what is the result? (3:21)

“Unto Him be glory in the church in every generation (past, present, future) and for ever and ever.”   A church made up from people of different ethnicities (Jew and gentile- all nations), and at all times in history, united under the gospel, and in love … such a church truly glorifies God. May we be the local manifestation of this. Unto Him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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[1] Cf. 1 Peter 2:4-10