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. 

---

[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

EPHESIANS 2: "WHAT DOES GOD THINK OF THE CHURCH?" #2

 

We continue with the question begun last week. What does God think of the church? That question answered will change the way which we  frequently tend to   look at the church.

We begin by making the connection between Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.  In the original Greek text there were no chapter and verses. This was one ‘fluent’ letter written to the Ephesian church. Accordingly chapter 2 begins with an ‘and’, and thereby connects chapter 1 with chapter 2.     

The central point of Chapter 1 is contained in 1:10.  God is doing this great work in the world, “to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” All this needs to be seen against the background that this world is in a fallen state, and that out of this fallen world, God is  building for Himself a new people.  Chapter 1:1-14 shows us how He does it. It is through God’s predestined plan executed in love and by His grace “through” or “in” Christ that the church is blessed. But it doesn’t end there. Paul prays in 1:15-23 that  the church would have the spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him better   in a threefold way:   

(i) to know  the  hope to which we have been called   

(ii) to  know  the riches of our glorious inheritance  

(iii) to know  the power that is at work in our salvation  -  being  the  same   power by which Christ was raised from the dead.

Such people as are reconciled to God are also joined to the church. The church on earth is the promise and the foreshadowing of that great church in Heaven.  Now, how did we become members of the church? We have already seen the heavenly perspective. The believer is chosen in eternity - before the creation of the world (1:4), predestined in love (1:5), adopted (1:5), redeemed and forgiven in Christ (1:7). But where did it all start in terms of our own  experience- from the point of where we are at now?  This is where the connection between Ch. 1 & 2 is made. It all began while we were dead in transgressions and sins (2:1-3). From there we learn in 2:4-7 what we are now   that God has found us. In 2:8-9 we learn what has made the difference. And finally in 2:11 – 22  we learn that God saved us  to belong to one body- the church.   This is God’s plan for the church!

1.         2:1-3 WHAT WE WERE WHEN GOD FOUND US 

It started all while we were dead[1] in  the transgressions and sins (2:1) when we were children of the devil (2:2),  when we  lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind … By nature (or naturally)  we were (like all people in this world)  children  of  wrath (2:3).  The deadness spoken of here is obviously a spiritual deadness.  Before we became Christians we were dead to spiritual truth. We thought that we were independent agents in this world. We did not and would not listen to  the God who created us. We did not desire Him or choose Him if we were given that option. We gave Him no glory. We would not submit our souls to God’s Word, even when we heard it.

You cannot communicate spiritual truths to a spiritually dead person any more than you can have a conversation with a dead person. In this state also we cannot understand the Bible. Worshipping God is burdensome.  Prayer is an emergency and bargaining tool only to be used when in trouble – not a living way of talking with God. The implications of being spiritually dead are serious. God has a pure and holy anger towards all who are spiritually dead to Himself, whether it be obvious, or by subtle disobedience.  When we are in this state we are dead – alienated from God. That is what God thinks of us before we were a part of His adopted family -  we were by nature children of wrath.

2.         2:4-7 WHAT WE ARE NOW THAT GOD HAS FOUND US

(i) 2:4,5 We are made alive.  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the  great love  with which He loved us (cf. 1:4)… even when we were dead  in our trespasses, made us alive  together with Christ…  Note the contrast between 2:1 and  2:5. Dead … alive. How does one become alive, from being dead?  By God’s intervention alone! Through grace alone and Christ alone! In 1:19,20  we read  that  the same power  which  raised Christ from the dead  we are also raised – made alive!  Every spiritual conversion is no ordinary thing. It is a miracle.  Every  born again church member is  a Christ-bought  trophy.

(ii) 2:6 We are seated with Christ  in the heavenlies.  After Christ was raised, where did He go?  He ascended to heaven[2]. There He was seated at the right hand of His Father in glory. When we are saved by His grace, then we are as good as seated with Him in heaven. Not yet physically to be sure. That will still happen, but it  is as good as done. It is our guaranteed inheritance (1:14). Spiritually we are already there with Him.  We are already united in Him. That is why we can pray. We have access to Him. That is also why death does not hurt the Christian believer. It has lost its sting for the Christian – for to die means to be present with Christ. Every true member of the church is already heaven’s citizen.

(iii) 2:7 We  have  something great to look forward to! “… in the coming ages, He might show the incomparable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” – our inheritance - see 1:14, 18.  Every true member of the church has something to look forward to.  

3.  2:8-9 WHAT HAS MADE THE DIFFERENCE?

The grace of God! For by grace have you been saved through faith (Grace - see  1:6, 2:5,7,8)   and  2:8 adds  that “this faith is not  your own  doing; it is the gift of God”. Grace is not a reward for faith; faith is the result of grace.  Grace is the cause of salvation. Faith is the effect of salvation. Always remember that grace comes before faith, and faith authenticates Grace. A good example of this is found in Acts 16:14 : The grace of God awakens Lydia  from Thytira. “ … the Lord opened her heart to  pay attention to what was said by  Paul message”. Her immediate faith response was to profess the name of Christ in baptism, and by immediately offering hospitality to Paul and his entourage.  Faith is our response to God’s grace. Faith is not a work that we do in order to be saved! That explains Paul’s quick response and addition in 2:8b -10 – “not a result of works, so that no one can boast” – but we are indeed created for good works, which are a necessary  proof of our salvation.  Every true member of the church is a grace awakened soul, responding in faith, manifesting a life of good works.   

4.  2: 11 – 22  GOD HAS SAVED US  TO BELONG TO ONE BODY  - THE CHURCH 

Now that you have been saved by grace through faith – what now, where to now?   Three aspects - They are a mirror image of the first 11 verses

i.                    At one time… (2:11,12) ...  you were  an alienated humanity    [What we were]

ii.                   but now... (2:13-19)  ...  the wonder  of Christ's work    [What Jesus has done]

iii.                So then ... (2: 19-22) ...  God's new society   [What we are now ]

 

I.                    2:11,12  YOU WERE AN  ALIENATED HUMANITY

At this point, let us be reminded, that the Ephesians were gentile believers. They turned from paganism to Christ. Jewish Christians turned from Judaism to Christ. We must not make too much out of their origins. Both, pagans and Jews needed to turn to Christ in order to become part of God's family. Even though Judaism is built on the truth of God's Word, few Jews were really God-fearing. Few were really living by the terms of God's covenant. They lacked an inward conviction that comes from a changed heart. Covenant privileges are not enough!  Everybody needs to look to Jesus for that changed heart.

Paul is presently occupied with the Ephesian dilemma.  He sees that they have 5 great disabilities, peculiar to gentile people: 

1.They were Christ- less. In a sense the Jews shared that dilemma - yet this is not what Paul has in mind! Whilst the Jews have had their hope in the Christ – the coming Messiah, the pagans had no expectations of a coming Messiah! They were truly Christ-less! 

2.They were excluded from citizenship in Israel. Israel was a nation under God (theocracy) and benefited tremendously from that relationship, because God had chosen to reveal Himself to that nation.

3. They were strangers to the covenant of promise: Not only was Israel favoured by God as a nation, but God had also bound Himself to them by a covenant, although Paul speaks here about "covenants". God has made many covenants with His people, but they are basically reaffirmations of the Covenant of Grace: "I will be your God, and you will be my people". The gentiles by contrast were strangers / foreigners to the covenant. They had no clue who God was and what He wanted from men. 

4.They were without hope in the world. The Greek/ Roman world had no real concept of hope. 

5. They were without God in the world.  The word used here for ‘without God‘ is "atheos" (atheistic). This does not mean that they did not believe in God. They were polytheists. They believed in many gods – but not in the ONE true God. In their pagan state had no real knowledge of God. They were godless.

II.                  2: 13 – 18 A PORTRAIT OF A PEACEMAKING CHRIST

2:13,14 Now we are really getting  to the  heart of  what the church is all about. Having reminded the Ephesians of their former state, Paul now shows what Christ has done by making both Jew and Gentile into one people. He destroyed the artificial barrier - the dividing wall of hostility between them. In the temple there was a barrier- wall which forbade gentiles to go into the exclusive Jewish zone of the temple. Christ broke this wall of ancient hostility between Jew and Gentile.  Literally and physically it was destroyed in A.D. 70, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem under general Titus. But spiritually and actually  the dividing wall was destroyed on the cross (c.f. 2:16) –  the torn temple curtain signified freedom of access to God  for all who would believe on the finished work  of  the  Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.  On the cross Jesus abolished the law with its commandments and regulations. Jews and gentiles are made one people in the cross!

III.                 2: 19 – 22 PORTRAIT OF GOD'S NEW SOCIETY

Through the cross, Jesus does not only reconcile man with God, but also man with man. The cross of Christ creates the basis for God’s new society – the church under the Headship of Christ!  Paul now shows us what, with Christ's help,  Jews and Gentiles have become:

i.                    Members of God's kingdom - "fellow citizens". The church is not to be divided into first class members (Jewish Christians) and second class members (Gentile Christians). The terms of admission are the same for all: faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity dismisses all forms of racism, tribalism and culturalism. The church is God’s new society, and the values found in the church do not conform to the values of our surrounding cultures

ii.                  Members of God's household (family)

iii.                Members of God's true temple. Note the foundations upon which we all become members. Our foundation are the prophets and apostles with Christ  Himself as the Corner Stone (2:20). We are built upon their foundation, as ‘living stones’ - 1  Pet 2:5. What is the purpose of God's new temple?  Essentially the same as the old – i.e. the dwelling place of God, except that it is now a spiritual building, made up of spiritual stones. God is thus not tied to holy buildings but to holy people. These holy people are drawn from all race groups.

Such a church and such  churches  are is His new society! 

This is what God thinks of the church!

 

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[1] Gk ‘nekrous’

[2][2] Lk 24:51; Acts 1: 9-11