You’re not just sinners anymore, Ephesians 1:1

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Ephesians 1:1–2 (ESV)

The book of Ephesians was written by Paul, who we saw last week was an apostle of Jesus. And as an apostle he was commissioned to deliver the message of the Gospel with a unique authority.

The letter to the Ephesians conveys the basics of what it means to be a follower of Christ. That truth is why the sermon series is entitled: New Life 101. The book of Ephesians isn’t about regular life, it’s about how to live the new and transformed life that comes after you trust in Jesus Christ.

The first half of Ephesians presents the glory and the mystery of God and the gospel. The second half of the book presents what life looks like in the life of a faithful believer. You could say that Paul moves from why to what and then to how as he writes to the recipients of his letter.

I mentioned that there are some themes to the book of Ephesians. Some of the most dominant themes of the book are found in the greeting from Paul to the recipients of this majestic work of gospel truth.

The first theme that Paul introduces is that God is in control. This theme will carry us throughout the rest of the letter. And, 2 things… This theme is present in more than Ephesians, it’s present from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. But, this isn’t the only theme in Ephesians.

The second theme, the one we will look at today is: “You’re not just sinners anymore.”

Look with me at our passage again:

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Ephesians 1:1–2 (ESV)

Ephesus was a hub city for the region. The surrounding cities are Pergamum, Thyatira, Philadelphia, Laodicea, Sardes, and Smyrna. These six, along with Ephesians, are the same churches that are addressed with letters at the beginning of the book of Revelation.

Ephesus is the first church mentioned in Revelation, likely because it would have been the first one to receive the letter, and from Ephesus it would have been distributed to the next city.

In fact, the book of Ephesians reads like a summary of the gospel and its impact that would have been distributed to the region, not just to the church or churches in the city.

The city was central to the movement of the gospel and the planting of churches.

A few weeks ago we looked at Acts 19 when Paul came to Ephesus and the surrounding region to preach the gospel and establish the church there. Paul’s experience was fruitful, but it was also difficult and filled with opposition to Jesus and his ministry.

The population at that time was approximately 300,000 people. Many streets were lined with marble, and had public baths and a theatre that held between 25,000 and 50,000 people.

The temple to the goddess Diana, regarded as one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world (100 pillars held the roof) was situated there. Diana was a fertility goddess and drew pilgrims from all over the world.

Around the temple was a community that housed artisans who made a good living making coins, statues, etc. They had a guild/union. In Ephesus the culture, religion and politics were mixed together as one entity. What this means is that to be a citizen was synonymous with shared religious and social views… there was no separation between those three. Which is where the problems begin for Paul and the new converts.

There is a major difference in the way that the Ephesian Christians are living after their conversion to Christ. The difference has impacted more than their lives, it has impacted the lives of many in the city. These new Christians are not spending their money or their time the same way… and businesses that once profited off of them are feeling it in their bottom line. The businesses and businessmen who profit off of the religious and world culture want to put an end to the movement. With each convert they are losing income and influence in the city.

The life change is so drastic that it causes many in the city and region to question their identity and place in society. They are no longer acting like good Roman citizens. And the reason they are not acting like good Roman citizens is because their identity has changed.

Paul says that they are “saints”

Saints are Christians. The word saint refers to believers in Jesus Christ, or as the Bible describes them as set apart, dedicated, and holy unto God.

They live in Ephesus, but Paul emphasizes their new found identity in Jesus Christ over their identity as Ephesians.

As we say in Acts 19, they are faithful in respect to their profession of Christ. The difference between who Paul says are saints and those who are not is faith in Christ.

Where they were once united with their fellow Ephesians in religious and social views, Paul says they are now “in Christ Jesus”

The phrase “in Christ Jesus” clarifies both the object of their faith and their new found condition of belonging to God by faith in Christ.

You may have heard the phrase “we are all just sinners saved by grace.” And this is a true statement, but it’s an incomplete statement. The idea that we are all just sinners saved by grace reminds us that no one person earns his or her salvation. It’s helpful to keep each one of us grounded and humble in our relationship with the Lord and each other.

But, it’s only half the story. You see… You’re not just a sinner anymore, you’re a saint!

Saints believe in Jesus Christ

To be in Christ means that you believe in Christ. While God is sovereign over all things, Christians are also conscious of their own actions and are saved by faith.

It is through faith that we are saved and united to Christ.

Romans 3:21-24 (ESV)

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

There is no distinction… saints are not a race, a social class, or more moral than others. They are simply those who believe in Christ and trust Him for their salvation. In Him they find their hope and future in the promise and covenant of God.

Saints are faithful in Christ

Saints are not faithful on their own, they have received the righteousness of God by their faith in Jesus Christ… for all who believe.

Romans 3:21-31 (ESV)

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Saints are declared faithful by God… but as those who are set apart and saved by God they are also called to live according to the faith they have in Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV), 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Saints are faithful because of Jesus, and because of Jesus they seek to live their faith in way that can be described as faithful.

Revelation 2:1–7 (ESV)

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

Jesus calls the saints in Ephesus back to the faithfulness that Paul exhorts them for… so it is good and right for us to find our comfort in the grace of God… but at the same time we are not to grow comfortable in the way we live.

Saints are united with Christ

Those who believe, who are justified by faith through the grace of God are united with Christ and in Christ.

Jesus describes our relationship with Him like that of branches to a vine. John 15:1–5 (ESV), “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

To be forgiven and justified is to be redeemed and restored… and for those who are saints they are the branches that abide in the vine. Our salvation is by the work of Christ, our righteousness is found in the work of Christ, and our union with God is found in Christ.

Jesus is the source of our faithfulness… Life flows from Him to us and is evidenced in the kind of life change that we see in the saints of Ephesus. The kind that causes society to notice, the kind that Jesus said he new and were faithful…

And we are not only united with Christ, we are also united to one another. Like the strongest bonds of citizenship on earth the relationship between saints is described as family… brothers and sisters who are all in Christ… branches who are abiding in the vine.

And, it means that we have this in common, and what we have in common is more significant that any other bond or common ground you have with an unbeliever.

New Life 101: Following Christ means you have a new identity

You are no longer a sinner, and you’re not just a sinner saved by grace… You are a saint. A follower of Christ. A child of God. Redeemed. Forgiven. Loved. You belong to God and He has declared Himself as yours.

This new identity is the foundation for the life that you live.

New Life 101: Following Christ prioritizes your heavenly citizenship

Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom… and as a saint, as a Christian, His kingdom takes priority… in fact it is the central and driving motivation for everything else in your life.

New Life 101: Following Christ means a new direction, goals, and rules.

Like Paul said in Galatians 2:20- 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The life you now life is one by faith.

Following Christ means the direction of your life is to do what God desires and has planned for you to do.

Following Christ means the goals of your life are not about you anymore. Your goals are now the goals that God has for you, and they are directly related to His plan and His purpose for your life.

Following Christ means that there are new rules… that’s right I said rules. There are things that are acceptable and there are things that are not acceptable. The one who determines these for Christians is God, and Jesus is the one we are to compare ourselves too.

Like a plumb line we can compare ourselves to the Word (made flesh) to see what fits and what doesn’t… God decides what’s good. God decides what’s right. God decides what’s beautiful and He declares the truth.

The new life you are living as a believer in Christ is not just different, it’s aligned and according to what is true, good, and beautiful- and that is all wrapped up in Jesus Christ.

So, your life should be different in the ways that the world lives apart from Christ. When you walk with Christ it will put you out of sync with the old ways and the world you belonged too.

When you walk with Christ it’s not just that you walk away from the ways of the world… the ways of the world will walk people in a different direction that your life.

And, when we think about the saints in Ephesus, and the impact that their faithfulness to Christ made on society and for the sake of the kingdom… I find myself wanting to be like them. IN fact, I believe the God wants our church to make that kind of impact in our city, county, and region. Like the church in Ephesus I believe God wants to use us to spread the gospel and multiply His kingdom from here to the surrounding areas. (45/22)

But, for that to happen it means that each individual, each one of us must take a look at our own lives and live like the saints we truly are. We must live by our new identity in Christ and not the lesser identity of the world.

Question: What would have to change for your faith in Christ to impact your social circle?

What do you know you need to do different because of your faith in Christ?

What are you doing or believing these days that doesn’t fit with your title as a saint?

Things that I thought about you can change that don’t require much effort… you could call these low hanging fruit.

Give regularly to the Lord through the church. (This may not be immediately visible to others, but it will require immediate commitment and sacrifice on your part.) I know $ is the thing that people don’t want pastors to talk about… but it’s my experience that it’s the thing that reveals where are lives truly are. Food for thought, how many other things do spend more than 10% of your income on annually?

Average American household made 94,003 in 2022 before taxes.

Average median family income in Lee County MS was about $76,000 in 2021.

If… $7000 per family…

Prioritize your holiness in public Emphasize weekly worship and spiritual growth with others Spend more time with people who are also growing spiritually than with those who are not. (Simple shift might make our evangelism way more effective.)

1 Corinthians. 15- the resurrection affirms our identity

John 14 he is the vine and we are the branches

We are both united with Christ and to one another.

We are justified according to His righteousness. (Romans )

Our new identity doesn’t mean that we are now perfect and earn our own standing before God. No, but our new identity does mean that we are called to live according to Christ and our heavenly citizenship rather than our flesh and the world.