Ephesians 3:1-6 part 3 - What The Church Needs Now is Unity
WHAT THE CHURCH NEEDS NOW IS UNITY
Ephesians 3:1-6 part 3
This section of Scripture is about unity in the Church. If there is one thing that the Church needs today it is unity. Today in the church there is disunity in purpose, action, thought, attitude and worship. Now this disunity crosses detonation lines. It doesn't make any difference if you are Baptist, Presbyterian or Luther. Disunity is found from the east coast to the west coast.
FIRST -- RECOGNIZING THAT THE SOURCE OUR OF UNITY IS IN JESUS CHRIST, NOT IN OUR RITUALS OF WORSHIP.
SECOND -- RECOGNIZE THAT RITUALS DO
NOT MAKE YOU HOLIER THAN OTHERS.
THIRD --RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE TO HAVE UNITY WITH GOD.
Paul is going to point out that cultural differences is not a excuse for disunity. Nor is the fact that someone is of another race a cause for disunity. Nor is the fact that someone worships God in a different way than you a cause for disunity.
Paul is going to use the word "mystery" in verse 3. The mystery to understand is that everyone who is in Christ is equal to all the believers.
Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Don't you think it must grieve the heart of God how the Church is divisive, fragmented, argumentative and warring. How it must grieve the heart of God because the church has divided itself into clicks and groups. How it must grieve the heart of God that we do not "esteem otherwise higher than themselves." (PHIL 2:3)
We come to chapter 3 and Paul is about to pray. And do you know what he's going to pray about? Unity. Paul's going to pray that you will understand unity. He's going to pray that we as believers will get rid of all our hatreds, animosity, prejudice and separatist feelings.
But before Paul prays, he wants to give some more information about unity. That is what we have in Ephesian chapter 3.
PAUL WANTS US TO KNOW THAT HE IS A PRISONER BECAUSE OF UNITY. 3:1-4
Notice the first 3 words of 3:1.
"For this cause..." For what cause Paul? For the fact that 2:15 says you are "one new man. That 2:16 says, "You are one body." That verse 17 says, "you which were afar off, are now made near." That verse 18 says, that "we both have access by one Spirit." That verse 19 says, that "we are fellow citizens of the household of God." That verse 20 says, "we are built upon the foundation the apostles and the prophets." That verse 21 says, "we are a building that grows to a holy temple of the Lord." That verse 22 says that "we are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
In other words, Paul is saying because of our unity he is motivated to do something. Do you want to see what he is motivated to do? Look again at verse 1.
Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
What Paul, what do you seek to do? What Paul? You know what? You can't tell what Paul wants to do from verse one. There is no verb in verse one. Verse 1 is continued in verse 14. That right, the verb for verse one is found in verse 14. Look at verse 1.
Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
The sentence is completed in verse 14.
Ephesians 3:14
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
What are all the verses between verse 1 and 14? There a parenthesis. Paul starts out to pray for the Ephesians church in verse 1, but he is not sure the Ephesians church understands the principles of unity. So he takes verses 2 to 13 and expounds on unity.
So lets learn some more principles on unity. First, in verse one he introduces us to
FIRST -- WHEN YOU BELIEVE IN UNITY YOU RECOGNIZE THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL.
WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE THAT RECOGNIZING THAT THE SOURCE OUR OF UNITY IS IN JESUS CHRIST, NOT IN OUR RITUALS OF WORSHIP.
and when you RECOGNIZE THAT RITUALS DO NOT MAKE YOU HOLIER THAN OTHERS.
Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Paul preached that Jew and Gentile are one. And Paul preached that you do not have to include all the Jewish rituals to worship God, the end result was a lot of Jew's got very upset and caused Paul to put in Jail. Now here is the important part. Although arrested on Jewish charges, Paul did not consider himself a prisoner of the Jews. And although Paul has been imprisoned by the Roman government, Paul did not consider himself a prisoner of Rome. And although he had appealed to Caesar, Paul did not consider himself a prisoner of Caesar's. Then who's prisoner was he? Look in verse 1.
Ephesians 3:1
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of... Who? ...Jesus Christ...
Paul is the prisoner of Christ Jesus. Whatever Paul did and wherever he went, Paul understood that Jesus Christ was in control.
How about you? What kind of difficulty are you going through? Do you feel like your trapped in your situation? Do you see that God is still in control of your life. Paul did. He has been in prison for 5 years.
Let me turn that around a little bit? Are you employed? Then who do you work for? If you said Jesus Christ you gave the right answer. And you have the right perspective. But if you view yourself as employed by a company, then when the company makes a bad policy or messes you up in some way your going to get angry. But when you realize that you work for Jesus Christ, then realize that God is in control of all your circumstances.
Now Paul has been a prisoner for 5 years. But from his perspective he is a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
SECOND -- IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF UNITY, DON'T GET MAD AT ME.
Look at verse two.
Ephesians 3:2
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: (KJV)
Do you know what Paul is saying here? Paul is saying that unity was not his idea. It's God's. Paul is saying if you are up set about unity, then talk to God about it.
You know I honestly believe that some people believe that when a black man dies, when he gets to heaven he won't be black anymore. Some people think that when a Chinese man dies and goes to heaven, he won't have the facial characteristics of a Chinese anymore. Some people have the audacity to think that only white skinned people walk around in heaven. No there is unity in heaven in spite of our cultural difference. And it's God's idea. We all have our outward characteristics in heaven.
Revelation 7:9
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred's, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (KJV)
So Paul is just passing on the information about unity because it's God's idea.
illustration from Marilyn Escher.
How did Paul get this information on unity? Look at verse 3.
Ephesians 3:3
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (KJV)
Paul got the information on unity from God Himself. Notice the word for "REVELATION." The Greek word is apokalupsis. It means a disclosure of truth, concerning things before unknown.
Sometime after Paul became a Christian, God personally gave Paul the full understanding about unity. Notice verse 3 again.
"...(as I wrote afore in few words," (KJV)
What is that referring to? It refers to 1:9-12 and 2:11-12 where Paul introduces the mystery. And Paul says in verse 4:
Ephesians 3:4
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (KJV)
Paul is saying when you read 1:9-12 and 2:11-12 and when you read what I am about to say, you will understand the mystery of unity is from God.
Paul is pouring his heart out that there is one church, one body. Not a black church, not a white church, not a Chinese church. Not a Spanish church. But there is one church.
SECOND -- The plan of the Mystery.
Ephesians 3:5-6
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (KJV)
Verse 5 defines what a mystery is.
And verse 6 explains what a mystery is.
Now notice the word "WHICH" in verse 5. refers to the mystery of Christ, that is the church is one.
Ephesians 3:5
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men...
It was not made know that the Gentiles could be part of the kingdom of God apart from all the Jewish rituals. It was not made know that the Gentiles did not have to worship God in the same ritual that the Jew's did. The Jews thought that the Gentiles had to become Jew's.
Do you remember in the book Genesis God said to Abraham, "ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE BLESSED IN THEE." The Jews did not understand that included Gentiles, until after Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
Now notice the rest of verse 5.
Ephesians 3:5-6
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Notice that in verse 6 all divine revelation comes through the Spirit.
2 Peter 1:21
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
Now if someone comes up to you and says, "Last night God gave me some new Scripture." Ask them if they had gas. Why do I say that? Because the word "REVEALED" in Ephesians 3:5 is past tense, not a present on going tense. Meaning this, Scripture has ceased. And as a matter of fact if you will look at verse 5 you will see that Scripture was limited to God's Apostles and Prophets. And there are no apostles or prophets today. Do you know how I know that? Because Ephesians 2:20 says that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The foundation has already been built. You don't rebuild over a foundation of Scripture.
2 Corinthians 12:12
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (KJV)
Verse 6 explains the mystery. What is the mystery?
Ephesians 3:6
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (KJV)
You and I may not see how revolutionary this is. But is just incredible.
ILLUSTRATION:
Three things are said here. First, Gentiles are Fellowheirs. Second, Gentiles are members of the same body. And Third, Gentiles fellow partake the same promises.
First -- Gentiles are fellowheirs.
But now they are "FELLOWHEIRS." Do you know what that means? It means they have the same legal status.
Ephesians 1:11
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance... (KJV)
Ephesians 1:14
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance... (KJV)
Ephesians 1:18
18 ...the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (KJV)
Second, FELLOW MEMBERS."
Paul says in verse 6 you share the same body. Flowing through you is the same Holy Spirit.
Third, FELLOW PARTAKERS.
We all partake of the promises. You can take this doctrine of unity and share it and it removes all prejudice.
The reason for the unity is found at the end of verse 6.
"...in Christ by the gospel."
Unity can only happen because of Jesus Christ. The challenge is to live it out.
INTRODUCTION:
Some missionaries in the Philippines set up a croquet game in their front yard. Several of their Agta Negrito neighbors became interested and wanted to join the fun. The missionary explained the game and started them out, each with a mallet and ball. As the game progressed, opportunity came for one of the players to take advantage of another by knocking that person's ball out of the court. The missionary explained the procedure, but his advice only puzzled the Negrito friend. "Why would I want to knock his ball out of the court?" he asked. "So you will be the one to win!" The short-statured man, clad only in a loin cloth, shook his head in bewilderment. Competition is generally ruled out in hunting and gathering society, where people survive not by competing, but by sharing equally in every activity. The game continued, but no one followed the missionary's advice. When a player successfully got through all the wickets, the game was not over for him. He went back and gave aid and advice to his fellows. As the final player moved toward the last wicket, the affair was still very much a team effort. And finally, when the last wicket was played, the "team" shouted happily, "We won! We won!" That is how the church, the body of Christ, should be. We're a team.
CLOSING:
During Vacation Bible School last week my wife had an experience with her primary class that she says she will never forget. Her class was interrupted on Wednesday about an hour before dismissal when a new student was brought in. The little boy had one arm missing, and since the class was almost over, she had no opportunity to learn any of the details about the cause or his state of adjustment. She was very nervous and afraid that one of the other children would comment on his handicap and embarrass him. There was no opportunity to caution them, so she proceeded as carefully as possible. As the class time came to a close, she began to relax. She asked the class to join her in their usual closing ceremony. "Let's make our churches," she said. "Here's the church and here's the steeple, open the doors and there's . . ." The awful truth of her own actions struck her. The very thing she had feared that the children would do, she had done. As she stood there speechless, the little girl sitting next to the boy reached over with her left hand and placed it up to his right hand and said, "Davey, let's make the church together." This story may be seen as a parable of our search for oneness in Christ: to put our inadequate, handicapped lives alongside the lives of others and to pray, "Let's make the church together."
My friend is a rather old-fashioned lady, quite elegant and delicate, especially in her language. She and her husband were planning a week-long camping trip, so she wrote to a campground for reservations. She wanted to be sure it was fully equipped but didn't know quite how to ask about toilet facilities. She didn't want to write "toilet" in her letter. After much deliberation, she thought of the old-fashioned term, "Bathroom Commode." But, when she wrote it down she thought she was being to forward, so she started all over again, rewrote the entire letter, and referred to the Bathroom Commode as the B.C. "Does your campground have its own B.C.?" she asked. Well, the campground owner wasn't old-fashioned at all and, when he got this letter, he couldn't figure out what she was talking about. The B.C. business really stumped him. after worrying about it for awhile, he showed the letter to some of the campers; but not one could figure out what she was talking about. After giving it much thought, the owner decided that she must be asking about the location for the local Baptist Church; so he sat down and wrote the following reply: Dear Madam: I regret very much the delay in answering your letter; but I now take the pleasure of informing you that the B.C. is located six miles north of the campground. It is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I will admit that it is quite a distance away if you are in the habit of going regularly. No doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late. The last time my wife and I went was six months ago, and it was so crowded that we had to stand up the whole time. Right now there is a supper planned to raise money for more seats. It will be held in the basement of the B.C. I would like to say that it pains me that I am not able to go more regularly; but it is not for lack of desire on my part. As we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather. If you do decide to come to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time that you go, sit with you and introduce you to all the other folks. Remember that this is a very friendly community.
Don't let your technology and methods stand in the way of the message of love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Here is an amusing example of good technology gone bad: Here is bad voice mail: Thank you for calling 911. In order to serve you better, your call is being routed to the police department, fire department, hospital or mortuary best able to help you. If your home is being broken into, press 1. If the intruder is armed, press 2. If the intruder is in the room from which you are making this call, press 4. If you are attempting to avoid detection and have turned off the lights, press 233920029372, followed by the pound sign. That is not a valid number. Please try again. If you have been attacked since your last choice, are dazed and unable to recall long strings of random numbers, press 1. If you are bleeding, press 4. If you are bleeding all over the rug, press 5. If you would like the number of a good cleaner, press 7.
Born in 1765 in France, James Smithson was the illegitimate son of a prominent English duke and a direct lineal descendant of King Henry VII through his mother. Branded as a bastard, James was refused British citizenship and denied a rich inheritance through his true father. Due to this rejection the young Smithson felt constrained to succeed at whatever he did, and he became one of England's leading scientists and a member of the Royal Society (the chief association of leading scientists) at the age of twenty-two In 1829 Smithson, who never married, died and left his considerable fortune to a nephew. Rumor had it that the terms of Smithson's will stipulated that his entire estate was to go to one recipient upon the nephew's death. The English scientific community hoped that he had made sizable grants to their favorite institutions. But when the terms of the will were made public they were shocked! Smithson had written: "Just as England has rejected me, so have I rejected England." During Smithson's lifetime, England had fought two bitter wars with her rebellious colonies in America. So, to show his utter contempt for those who had mistreated him, he gave everything to the United States Government for the establishment of a scientific institution in the young nation's capital. To this day the Smithsonian Institution is recognized as one of the most prominent institutions of its kind in the world. England made the tremendous mistake of thinking that she had no need of this man, from whom she might have benefited greatly Let us be careful of saying to some member of the body of Christ, "I have no need of you," only to find that the same member could have met some of our greatest spiritual needs. 204.
Tom Myers