Writings of Paul Pt. 2

Introduction

As I mentioned, last I spoke, Paul shared truth that was revealed to Him by God. He had great respect for his colleagues in ministry, the other apostles, but Paul’s submission to High authority was to God above anyone else. If you read Acts and Romans, lots of his pushback came from Jewish believers who often felt slighted by Paul because of his actioned push to take the gospel to the Gentiles. He’d receive criticism rom gentile believers as well, wondering why Paul showed such respect to the Jews as well, and why he always seemed to be heading back to Jerusalem. Paul did not get into this business of ministry to impress people, appease people, or to be liked by everyone. Paul had been called by God away from his former life of persecuting Christians, to becoming the persecuted, and became one of the greatest evangelists, the world has ever seen.

In reading the writings of Paul, a collection of 12 books in the NT, largely a collection of letters to churches he had either planted or was connecting with, you will find his inspired writings were governed by expressing much needed pastoral care based on the expressed needs of the people, his listeners. Paul was a Christian pioneer.

Please open your Bibles to . We will begin today’s exposition in verse 1.

Last I spoke, I shared Part 1 of our Writings of Paul series. We talked about Paul’s topics of Joy, Faithfulness. and largely debunked perfectionist theology, by the writings of Paul himself. One of the reasons I have chosen t focus on Paul’s writings for 3 sermons, (which lets be honest I could have easily said 15 sermons) is reveal and exposite Paul’s intention and context in his writings. By the enemy’s bidding, people have, for centuries, twisted Paul’s writings into excusing evils such as slavery, abuse, and inequality.

When discussing with people of that mindset, my friends we don’t have to run from or hide from difficult texts in scripture. Let scripture interpret scripure and always seek to practice exegesis in your study of scripture, not eisogesis, (which is misapplying scripture to topics outside its intent). Exegesis, exposes context and helps determine intent. Today we won’t hide from hard topics but address them directly. While we will once again be bouncing around texts from Paul’s writings, we will be exploring largely and 5, and examining topics such as Unity, Love, and Submission. Before we begin, lets invite the Lord’s spirit to be with us as we journey into the Word.

Please open your Bibles to . We will begin today’s exposition in verse 1.

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Notice the balance in which Paul instructs here. Paul’s remark urges his readers to live in harmony with their calling from which they have received. He is addressing the believers specifically in their proclaiming of the gospel as well as correction of other believers. The easiest tendency is to live out this instruction partially. I would submit, Paul is suggesting, it’s not just about living righteously as possible, but in helping others there must be a tenderness and humility involved. Even in living under the convictions that God has called us to, it is very easy leave out the patience it takes. I am not a parent, but I sure have been the kid being raised. I am sure that I wore my parents patience down many times. As I grew older, I matured (for the most part). My parents didn’t give up on me as a youngster, because their love for me always trumped any feelings of being ready to wash their hands of me. I was their blood and always, no matter what would I be a part of their family. Verse 3 instructs followers to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit. That sure sounds like a family to me.

Look at verse 4.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul here, speaking with authority as well as encouragement toward gentiles and Jewish believers alike speaks of the body referring to the whole church of believers, remembering there is 1 God who is Lord over the church body. This concept of a what the church body looks like and how it should function drawn out though out the book of Ephesians. Paul makes the point that I would like us today to remember as one of our key bullet points.

Our church body, and church family is to remain UNITED by living by the Spirit.

I’ll be the first to tell you that is not easy to do, that is why I say, living by the Spirit, and not by our own merit.

You would expect in a large church body of 300 to 400 in attendance every sabbath, that not everyone is going to have 100% all the same views on everything. Issues are going to arise. But surely a small close knit group of saints such as yourselves would never find any strife amongst you. ;) If this wasn’t my 4th year of serving as pastor hear, I might fall for someone’s assertion that things are always hunky dory here.

I know that Paul doesn’t simply mean that everyone should get a long, and thats what unity means. No it goes much deeper than that. God wants us all to find the truth he has outlined in scripture for us. But how can we find that without being spirit led? How can we find that when we are more concerned with being “uniformed” rather than united? What I mean by that is when we lose our patience and then begin to condemn and slander each other, we cripple our ability to find the bond of peace.

Another point I would like to submit, because of the uniqueness of spiritual gifts that God has for each of His children, we as a church body/church family are stronger united than grouped off in different classes.

Somehow we as a world church have allowed ourselves to separate into different classes so far a part it sometimes doesn’t even feel like we are a part of the same church family, same church body of believers in Christ Jesus. We have generational classes, worship style classes, racially segregated classes, and cultural classes. My experience has been that most individual church bodies have a little of most sprinkled into each body, but typically one overwhelming majority within each class of believers. Sadly because we tend to fear the chaos of joining together and bearing each others burdens, we remain separated into our classes and don’t have the unity God is calling us to. Move down to verse 11.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

I would submit that each member of the body, or each class that we have separated ourselves into has something different to offer, but essential to offer. There are parts of the body, that look and act differently because their spiritual gifts and calling are different. They may be different but that does not mean they are less important. We must learn to find harmony with each other and cut out the ridicule.

I’ll give you an example: One person I know, wanted so badly to reach the younger generation, so he started a young adult small group. At first his local church was so supportive of him and his group, until his group started growing to a point that the amount of young people and now young families were drawing numbers comparable to their own. Rather than affirm a Spirit empowered ministry. The church voted to give less to this ministry thinking it should fund itself. Now I’m sure it was rationalizing it was teaching this group a lesson to stand on its own feet, but what I really think the problem was. This group was not viewed as being a part of the church because its leaders weren’t really a part of it. They were not united in mission. Eventually this group did split and become its own church and some might say praise the lord, but from what I understand both groups suffered from the lack of unity.

I look at Paul’s writings, and his example which again was taken from Christ’s own example was to disciple leaders. Paul had intergenerational relationships and continued to write churches he had planted offering wisdom and help.

This is not suggesting we can’t call sin by its name and that correction is not needed at times, I am suggesting the spirit of correction needs to be with the intention of building up and growth, not while angry and definitely not just because it does not agree with your own personal preference. Correction must be spirit led, and if you are still confused as to what that looks like, take a look at the fruits of the spirit from (more writings of Paul).

. In verses 17 through 24 Paul warns his listeners to abandon living as the heathen gentiles are living which translates to us to not live in worldliness. Paul reminds them of their baptism commitment from old man to new man being reborn in Christ and living accordingly. He does however warn against this temptation to be overly critical and describes something very similar to Pharisee during Christ’s time.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

The devil absolutely loves to divide God’s people by exploiting their anger, and naivety to their own feeling of self-righteous attitudes. When we are Spirit led, discernment is used in correction.

Verse 31

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Personally I don’t think we can be good correctors if we are not willing to be corrected ourselves a few times as well. That is how all our separate classes of Seventh Day Adventist Christians might find unity if we are willing to be humble and become students of the word again and allow for more growth. I believe Paul’s messages to the believers in Ephesus, Galatia, Corinth, and so on are necessary for us whether we are identified as a conservative, liberal, republican, democrat, independent, elderly, teenager, young adult, middle aged, red, yellow, black, or white, well read in the scriptures, or a new believer. We all are playing a role in the body of Christ, and may we not, as it says in verse 30, grieve the Holy Spirit any longer, with our bickering and ridiculing each other anymore. The last bullet point for you today is, May we find unity in what binds us, our belief and faith in Jesus Christ as our savior.

Mrs. White comments on Paul’s writings in the passage we’ve been looking at today in the precious book, “The great controversy” Its a quote I have previously shared, but I think today is as appropriate as ever to share again.

“If God's professed people would receive the light as it shines upon them from His word, they would reach that unity for which Christ prayed, that which the apostle describes, "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." "There is," he says, "one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism."

So while unity does not mean uniformity, it does mean that we are called to be spirit led. God calls us to the same truth, but does use us in different ways to grow a larger unity body.

It is in this context, that Paul continues in .

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Those are some great texts! But what do they mean? Are they to lumped to following verses, which at first glance appears to say, make sure you are as perfect as possible? Or is it tied more closely to the verses we read before it in chapter 4. The logical side of us just lumps it with the chapter section it begins. But I hope you are all aware as Paul was writing, like the other BIblical authors, he was not wriiting and inserting verse numbers and chapter numbers. Those were added much later. What I am suggesting is this is to be read as one long passage.

so following verses 1-2 we have

Ephesians 5:3–5 ESV

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

ephesians 5:

So many will read this passage isolated from the rest, and can often miss the point of the entire passage. When we only isolate texts we fall victims to the temptation of eisogesis and misapply Paul’s intention.

Paul’s intention is not far left, or far right, he is straight and narrow, and balanced I might add.

Paul has just made made points, that slander, and hateful spirit, and even anger, give the devil opportunity come into our lives.

Where do we as Christians find ourselves tempted into those things often? (well countless things really) but I would say we fall into great temptation into those things when we encounter those people who are currently living in such immoral sexual behaviors and discourse. Paul calls Christians to abstain from such behaviors, not so we can shun those who are currently living in such a way, but so that we can best show light and love to them. When we are hypocrites ourselves, walking in our own sinful behaviors and then condemn those walking in these other sins mentioned (largely sexual sins mentioned)…we lose credibility to witness. Not that we have to wait until we are perfect before we can witness, because rest assured that wont happen until Jesus comes., but acknowledge what God is doing in you to change you and working through your own sins, letting those whom you are seeking to share God’s love with that God does love you no matter what, and no matter what point you find yourself in life, but he also offers a saving grace, which does indeed change us.

Society today, largely rejects that sort of grace, but that is what God offers. He offers a saving changing grace. He doesn’t see us in our sin and then simply leave it there. He loves us and meets us where we are at…and leads us to something greater. When we accept God’s love and grace, it shines a light on and exposes sin that exists in us.

Ephesians 5:13–14 ESV

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5:13 ESV

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

See what is taking place is God is demonstrating his love. It is also an example for us as we show love and compassion for others.

We see this in an example, those of us who were here at prayer meeting last wednesday when we discussed one encounter Jesus has at the pool of Bethesda. You can read about this encounter in . The Bible says waiting at the pool were a multitude of invalids, cripples, blind, lame etc. They were there for a supersticious reason believing a healing angel cause the water to ripple at times and if they touched it first they would be healed. At this day in age most Jews believed their condition or affliction was due to sin or a relatives past sin. Not many showed much compassion for these people. But Jesus had great compassion, in fact he was so moved with compassion for one man he can’t help but want to restore this man. He says, get up, take up your mat, and walk. The man was instantly able to do those things. Those particular religious Jews around watching wish not to see the restoration of a man, but choose to attack Jesus on some supposed breaking of the Sabbath.

That is the great temptation we as Christians can find ourselves in. When we see people lost in sin, or in the midst of struggle, does our heart weep with compassion like Jesus, or do we look for some reason to further slight them. Shouldn’t we seek to love them the way Christ did and put them on the path to restoration. This is the unconditional love God has called us to walk in, that Paul exposes to the Ephesians.

Then with this context of Unity through the Spirit, and unconditional Love, Paul build on a larger point. As Christian man, I think it is so sad how I have seen the following verses misapplied.

Lets take a closer look,

Ephesians 5:22–33 ESV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Let me ask you, how many times do we begin reading this section of verses and then just stop at “Wives submit to your husbands”

reading in chapter 6, he goes onto say, children are to obey your parents, and bondservents obey your masters.

There are countless examples of people misapplying these verses, condoning slavery....or wives staying in abusive marriages because of a misunderdstanding of the submission Paul is referring to.

Lets examine the context a little more to understand why Paul is writing this. And ill preface this everything Paul says here is good.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 5

Building on the principle of mutual submission in Eph 5:21 (which itself stems from being filled with the Spirit in v. 18), Paul presents examples of how believers should be subject to one another in household relationships. In the first-century Graeco-Roman world, it was standard for every household member to be subject in daily affairs to the patriarch. This viewpoint was central to Graeco-Roman society. Paul works within this framework to suggest a model that makes Christ the ultimate authority—his viewpoint is based on mutual love. In these sections of Ephesians, Paul addresses wives and husbands, children and parents, and servants and masters. As he does so, he follows a similar pattern: He first calls on the subordinate—according to Graeco-Roman values—to submit to authority, and then reminds the superior to exercise authority considerately, in ways that honor Christ. Compare Col 3:18–4:1.

Understand here in this society, women and bondservants were almost of the same status. Yet Paul takes the accepted cultural practice and draws a comparison to our submission and obedience to God as well as his great love and kindness he extends to each of us. You see all the points of submission, devotion, and obedience, are an analogy for us as his people to serve and follow him the one who is worthy. And this is not a blind submission, as many husbands would like of their wives. This all points to God as our creator and redeemer whom asks us to love and honor him. Husbands who need to quote the first part of to end a debate with their wives are misquoting the Bible. As husbands you have been given a partner to lead with, but also serve in love and protection

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 5

Paul contextualizes Graeco-Roman values within the larger perspective of Christ’s self-sacrificial love.

While Paul acknowledges the social structures in place in his time (the role of patriarch), he advocates filling those relationships with the gospel. Wives, children, bondservants should offer appropriate submission but only motivated by their committment to Christ. If you look back at verse 21

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

submission is clearly not something only for wives, children, and bondservants, but for the husbands, fathers, and masters.

Listen, slavery is and was evil, and many have wondered why Paul doesn’t use this opportunity to condemn it. And to be honest with you, I don’t have a perfect answer for you as to why he doesn’t but being that it was a terrible but accepted practice, Paul speaks into the culture, and offers the gospel.

So many evils that existed and continue to exist, and yet isn’t that why Paul is speaking up at all. God was using him to reach and save as many as could possibly be save.

All of this talk about submission is an analogy for a greater submission to our God and for us to love as the God of the universe has loved us.

It is by reaching this mutual Spirit led unity do we find find the capacity to become the army for God is is seeking to create. Let us not look for loopholes for which to twist Paul’s writings into doing evil, but may we keep our eyes on Christ and be imitators of him and love others the way He did.