Unity in Eternity
Ephesians: Rooted and Grounded • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Introduction
Introduction
In these final two verses of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul ties together the various concepts that he has emphasized to them. Love, grace, and peace are connected with faith by the apostle. What have you learned in this series that you have yet to apply in your life?
The letter of Paul to the Ephesians, an important epistle in the Bible, has much to say on the subject of what our church should be. Paul has shown us the importance of unity, faithful leadership and biblical order in the church. We have seen the vital part that their family plays in the life of every Christian. We have also seen the blessings of God through His salvation. Finally, we have seen the reality of the spiritual warfare around us.
Written by Paul the Apostle, Ephesians is a letter that begins high on a mountain top in chapter one. We see the amazing blessings of the Trinity toward saved man. In chapter two, we see two paragraphs that give us the truth of grace for mankind. We are saved by grace. We are united by our sin and His salvation. Chapter three gave us insight into the task of Paul as an apostle and his prayer for the church at Ephesus. Salvation is a major focus of those doctrinal chapters in Ephesians.
In chapter four, we see the way that we can live out these beneficent truths through a faithful walk in His unity. God has given us gifts, people, to help us in this walk through the local church. Walking requires two companions in the life of the Christian and each of us must chose which to listen to. Walking requires two environments that we must navigate and our choice ought to be toward the light that we have been saved to. Walking divides into two different groups. In chapter 5 and 6, we see that there are practical relationships that we can show forth our unity in Christ. Chapter 6 instructs us in the necessary strength and steadfastness of a Christian soldier. The final four verses give us the method of transmission for the letter and the final wishes of Paul for the Ephesian church.
Remember, the central theme of Ephesians is the unity of believers, in Christ, as part of the local church.
The church at Ephesus is the only church in the New Testament that we see at four stages of its life.
The first time that the church is mentioned is in the book of Acts. In Acts 18, Paul preaches to the people in the city but is not able to stay long. In chapter 19, we see that Paul returns and spends several years in the city preaching the Gospel and building the church. In Acts 20, we see that Paul speaks to the Ephesian elders regarding final instructions before he travels to Rome. Paul is careful to exhort them to faithfulness and watchfulness for those that would come in and preach heresy.
The letter of Paul to the Ephesians gives us a second stage of this church. We have seen that there is an emphasis in this book on unity in Christ. The church needed to focus on the love that they have and the grace of the Lord in their salvation.
The third glimpse that we get of this church is in the letters to Timothy. Paul is instructing Timothy in how to handle his job as pastor at Ephesus. These point to the importance of preaching and exhorting by the pastor.
The final glimpse that we received of the church at Ephesus is in Revelation 2. John, likely one of the later pastors of this church, records the message of Christ to the church at Ephesus. His emphasis is on their choice to leave their first love.
What can we learn from the church at Ephesus? There are stages in the life of every church. There are different needs for different days. However, Ephesus teaches us that the focus must always be on Christ. He is the first love of the Christ. He is the Head of the church. He is the subject of our preaching and the focus of the Gospel. We are unified in Christ in the local church!
One of the interesting lessons I have learned in running has to do with looking ahead. I have a tendency as I run to look down at where I am going within about five steps or so. However, one of the problems with this tendency is that my neck starts to hurt. I have found that if I look up at where I am going even farther ahead, it significantly helps.
Paul is going to leave us here with a summary of these themes in Ephesus that looks ahead to our eternity in heaven.
Declaration
Declaration
Christ as our Lord is the source of our virtues. Here, we see that Paul is wishing peace, love, faith, and grace to the church from the Father and the Son. Where are you receiving your strength to show forth the immortality of your soul? “In Christ” is the source of our Christian salvation and our Christian life. We see here four virtues found “in Christ” and under His Lordship.
1. Peace
1. Peace
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The greeting of the Jewish believers was “Shalom” or peace. Paul often combines this greeting in his letters with a modification of the Greek greeting. Instead of “Greetings”, Paul uses a play on words and uses grace. One of the central ideas of chapter 2-3 of this letter is the unity of the church regardless of birth race. The Jews and the Gentiles are unified in Christ. Peace and grace come from Christ. The Jews and the Gentiles are both able to greet one another as unified in the church at Ephesus by the work of Christ.
As believers, we have both peace with God and the peace of God at salvation. Peace with God is accomplished through satisfaction of the justice of God. We have Christ as our peace.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
The peace of God is found in our current state of salvation in and through Christ. The preaching of the Gospel was to all people because all of us are alike in our sin. We need salvation by the righteousness of Christ. Now there is no longer a status of war between us and God. We are now able to come near to the presence of God.
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
The peace here is one that is connected to calmness as a result of the removal of guilt and turmoil of sin before God. Christ alone is able to remove sin. He alone can bring peace. The object of this peace is the “brethren”. They are those who have believed in Christ. As part of the family of the church, they share the same beliefs as the other Christians.
Are we living in a state of peace with our brethren? Are we living in conflict with others in the church? Get it right today.
Opposed to peace is worry. Opposed to peace is doubt. Opposed to peace is bitterness. Why do we so often live opposed to peace? The answer is that we are walking as if we were without a change in our position. Peace is the reconciliation that Christ has made possible through His death. Walk as a reconciled one.
Ephesians teaches us that we have connection through peace. The unity of the believers is found in peace. Show peace to the brethren!
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians also teaches us that we have a message of peace to the nations. The peace of God is not just for those in the church at Ephesus. Their job was to strap on their boots and go to the nations with the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Arm your self for battle. Sound the trumpet of peace under the standard of Christ!
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Peace
2. Love
2. Love
Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We show love to one another as we walk in our faith. We have seen this word throughout Ephesians. It was the focus of the prayer that Paul prayed for the Ephesians in chapter 3. The love of Christ is the place where we are to be rooted and grounded as our series title says.
The love of the Christian finds its source in Christ and its object in others. How do we know the love of God? He sent His only Son. How do we know the love of Christ? He came willingly to die for us. How do we know the love of the Spirit? He works in the saved and the unsaved to bring them to repentance. God is love.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
We are to show this love to one another through Christ as He has shown us in the letter to the Ephesians. Chapters 4-6 were focused on the practical application of the doctrine from chapters 1-3. Love from Christ becomes the love of the Christian if we live “in him”. Growth comes from preaching. Growth and preaching find their sustenance in the love of Christ.
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Faith, here also, is listed as a virtue. Faith is the choice that we have to turn from the world to a worthy Object in Christ and rely on Him for salvation. Faith is not just theoretical, it is also practical. There is action associated with faith. Do you have faith in Christ for salvation? Do you rely on His sacrifice alone? Faith distinguished the church at Ephesus because they lived out their faith.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice, Jesus is called here “the Lord Jesus Christ.” The word “Lord” is connected to show that He is above others and is in authority. We have seen throughout Ephesians that Christ is the Head. He is the one that we are to grow towards. This name of Christ is used in both of these verses showing the centrality of Christ to to the correct living of the believer.
What hinders the love of the believer? Anger hinders love. We allow ourselves to think more of ourselves than we should. We feel that we deserve more than we get. We feel that we deserve different than we get. We see others prospering but we cannot perceive blessings in our own lives. This drives us from the love that we have been shown by Christ to anger at a brother. Anger also we direct against the world. The psalmist tells us,
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:
Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off:
But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Paul exhorted the Ephesians in chapter 5,
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
What hinders the faith of the believer? Fear hinders faith. When we are afraid of failure, we do not act. When we are afraid of criticism, we remain idle. When we are afraid of the world, we remain living in sin. The command “fear not” is found often in the Bible. Do not fear when we have a Saviour who is worthy of our faith! Walk by faith!
In my own life, I find that fear has been the single attitude that trips me up most often.
I am afraid of failure, but my Saviour has never failed.
I am afraid of what people think, but my Saviour allowed them to crucify Him.
I am afraid of admitting my mistakes, but my Saviour called us to lay aside our burdens and take up His.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Choose faith. Choose Christ. Choose stability.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Peace
Love
3. Grace
3. Grace
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
We receive grace when we are growing in Christ each day of our lives. Grace, here, is used as a greeting that closes his letter. For Paul, grace is always bestowed by the salvation wrought in Christ. Paul began the letter to the Ephesians with grace and peace.
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have seen much about grace in the letter to the Ephesians. We have seen this ill-deserved favour by a Superior to an inferior requiring thankfulness in the receiver. We deserve condemnation. We deserve judgment. We, one and all, have received a free gift of grace. Whether we take the grace is up to us.
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
We are rich through the grace of Christ. Why then do we live in selfishness? Selfishness is opposed to grace. Grace is favour to an undeserved person. All of us and all of mankind are undeserving. Christ died so that we would show grace to others!
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
One of the biggest ways that we can live grace is following the pattern of Paul. Paul has written grace to the Ephesians. He wishes grace here again to the church. What we say ought to be filled with grace. Speak grace and build up the church as Paul has in this letter.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Peace
Love
Grace
4. Immortality
4. Immortality
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Paul ends the letter with a reminder of the new life that we have in Christ. One day, we will see the physical manifestation of an eternity with Him. We will live forever with the One who does not change.
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
The word translated “sincerity” refers to how we will spend eternity if we are saved. We are now incorruptible people. Our salvation will allow us one day to receive a body that is perfect and will not fade away with the passage of eternity.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
Paul intended to state indirectly, that, when the heart of man is free from all hypocrisy, it will be free from all corruption. This prayer conveys to us the instruction, that the only way of enjoying the light of the Divine countenance is to love sincerely God’s own Son, in whom his love toward us has been declared and confirmed.
We are to love with a love that has now been made immortal. Too often, we live carnally. We focus on our flesh instead of walking in the Spirit. Chapters 4-5 were focused on the walk of the Christian. We have a sin nature that too often is what we listen to. Paul says, love as Christ loved. Love in sincerity and with a view to eternity.
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Peace
Love
Grace
Immortality
Conclusion
Conclusion
Christ as our Lord is the source of our virtues. Here we see that Paul is wishing peace, love, faith, and grace to the church from the Father and the Son. Where are you receiving your strength to show forth the immortality of your soul? In Christ is the source of our Christian salvation and our Christian life.
There is a tying together of the different strands of the book to make a neat package to deliver to the church at Ephesus. The central point of this benediction is Jesus as Lord. This title is used 7 times in this book. This is about even with the other books but it is significant that it is used twice in two verses at the end. How am I doing with keep Christ as Lord of our lives?
Jesus is the source of living the Christian life. The Holy Spirit is the doer of sanctification in the life of the believer. Only through constantly adjusting our lives to focus on remaining “in Christ” are we going to see the unity that we have been given through Christ. We are not the ones who do the work. He is the one who does it through us!
Peace - Peace is from Him (peace with God), with Him (peace of God), and in Him (peace for eternal life to the world).
Love - Love is from Him (He loved us and died for us), through Him (we love as He has loved us), and in Him (walking in love because with being “in Christ”).
Grace - Grace is from Him (Paul’s concept of salvation), for Him (as a testimony of grace to the spiritual realm), and by Him (preached to the world through ministers).
I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.
Charles Spurgeon
As we close Ephesians, how is your walk with Him? Where are you living the Christian life? Is it “in you” or “in Christ”. The phrases “in Jesus”, “in Christ”, or “in him” are found 13 times in Ephesians. Let’s live the Christian life in its virtues and emphases “in Christ” not “in ourselves”.
If you have never put your faith and trust in Christ for salvation, you are not able to live “in Christ” because of your sin. The emphasis of the first three chapters of this letter was on salvation. One of the most recognizable passages in the book gives us a pattern for how to begin our new life “in Christ”.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Have faith for salvation today!
