One More Thing...

Welcome/Introduction

Welcome to the final weekend of our journey through the book of Ephesians, where we have been exploring how God makes us worthy to live worthy of him.

Attention: Name, last words, 9/11 voicemails

My name is John, if we haven’t met, and I am the Associate Pastor here at Community Christian Church and I have a question for you: What would you say to those you loved if you only had one more chance to communicate with them?

What would you say?

Most of us don’t want to think about that at all. It’s kind of depressing. But it is or will be a reality for all of us one day.

For many people that moment came all too quickly on September 11th, 2001. As a country, we just spent an entire day thinking about and remember the events on that day. We spent time commemorating and honoring the lives that were lost that day. Some of us even spent time cherishing our memories of lost loves ones who passed away that day or have pasted away since then.

One thing that stuck out to my the most from all of the services and programming remember 9/11 20 years later, were all of the messages that people sent to their families, friends, and loved ones that day whether they were on a plane or in a building or working to rescue those in harms way.

I’m sure that you’ve heard some of these messages and you can look them up if you want, but what stuck out to me is the fact that we should always make the most of the time that we have. Those who were able to get a voicemail or connect with their loved ones, did just that on 9/11.

Need: Intentional Living like Paul

We need to live our lives in such a way that we intentionally make the most of the time that you have. You and I are not guaranteed tomorrow, we aren’t even guaranteed the rest of this day. If 9/11 or COVID-19, have taught us anything is that life is precious and none of us know how long we have left.

This was true of the Apostle Paul as he was in a Roman jail cell writing what would become his last correspondence to the Ephesian believers. Paul had a unique bond with these individuals. He spent three years of his life working alongside them, ministering too them, celebrating and living in unity with them, going house to house with them, and changing the city that they called home for the better (Acts 19, 20:18-20). Three years of his life was sunk into them and when it was time for Paul to leave and go onto the next city, these believers cried bitterly as they watched Paul sail away (Acts 20:37-38) because Paul had told them that they would never see his face again.

Paul was making the most of the time that he has left by writing this letter to the Ephesian believers to encourage them to live worthy because Jesus has made them worthy of being united together in the family of God (Eph. 3:6)

Text idea: Paul finishes his letter to the believes in Ephesus by reminding them of four things that God has given to them in order to make them worthy to live worthy.

Sermon Idea: God has given you four things in order to make you worthy to live worthy.

READ Ephesians 6:21-24

Ephesians 6:21–24 (NIV)

21 Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Transition: Paul has one more thing to say and it’s to remind us of the peace that God gives.

Point #1: Paul Reminds Us of the Peace God Gives

Explanation:

Peace (Gr. Eirene)

Paul mentions ‘peace’ 9 times throughout Ephesians (Eph. 1:2, 2:14, 15 (2), Eph. 2:17 (2); Eph. 4:3, 6:15, 23). And he talks about how Jesus is the source of our peace and the one who brings us peace.

Read Eph. 2:14

Ephesians 2:14 (NLT)

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

Read Eph. 2:17

Ephesians 2:17 (NLT)

17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.

Peace, for Paul, is an important theme that surfaces throughout his life and ministry. Before knowing Jesus, Paul was a religious radical that we would label terrorist today. He oversaw the public execution of an outspoke Believer of Jesus named Stephen. But after meeting Jesus, Paul was transformed into a new creation and disciple of Jesus who joined him in his mission of changing the world one person at a time by bring peace to others and point others to the peace that Jesus gives them.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:16

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

Jesus is the author and originator of the peace that we are all seeking for our lives.

READ JOHN 14:27

John 14:27 (NLT)

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Jesus gives the gift of peace that is far-reaching and all-encompassing. It runs to those who are weary, burned out, and beaten down. It protects those who are defenseless and worn out from carrying everything on their shoulders.

We need peace today. We need the “Prince of Peace” as Jesus is called in Isaiah 9:6 to come and shoulder our what it is that weighs us down.

READ 1 PETER 5:7

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Application: Do you need peace today? God wants to give you his peace.

Transition: Paul has one more thing to say and it’s to remind us of the peace and love that God gives.

Point #2: Paul Reminds Us of the Love God Gives

Explanation: Love (GR. Agape)

This is a major theme that is throughout the letter to the Ephesians (Eph. 1:4, 15, 2:4, 3:17-19, 4:2, 15-16, 5:2, 25, 28, 33). Paul mentions ‘love’ 20 times throughout Ephesians.

This is the type of love that God has for us that is limitless, unconditional, others-focused, serving-centered type of love. A love that puts others first, before yourself. A love that seeks their benefit and their development. A love that takes no stock in personal comfort levels or preferences.

According to Benjamin Merkle, Paul is “Most likely, … saying that the ideal Christian love is persistent or undying. This love is not affected by death; it is an unceasing and endless love toward Christ. This love is possible only because of the love believers first experienced from God.”

(Benjamin L. Merkle, “Ephesians,” in Ephesians–Philemon, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XI, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 118.)

READ 1 Corinthians 13:3-8

1 Corinthians 13:3–8 (The Message)

3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

4 Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

5 Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

6 Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

7 Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

8 Love never dies. …

Application: Do you need love today? God wants to give you his love.

Transition: Paul has one last thing to say and it’s to remind us of the peace, love, and grace that God gives.

Point #3: Paul Reminds us of the Grace God Gives

Explanation: Grace (Gr. Charis)

Grace was another theme that Paul talks about through this letter (Eph. 1:2, 6, 7, 2:5, 7, 8, 3:2, 7, 8, 4:7, 29, 6:24). Paul mentions ‘grace’ twelve times throughout Ephesians.

This is goodwill or favor toward the other person.

Paul started this letter off by talking about how God has given us grace (Eph. 1:2), and now he is ending the letter with the same reminder.

Paul knew God’s grace intimitately and knew how to lean on God’s grace for his life.

READ 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

2 Corinthians 12:8–9 (NLT)

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Application: Where do you feel weak today? Maybe that is the exact place that God wants to work powerful in your life and through life.

Do you need grace today? God wants to give you his grace.

Transition: Paul has one last thing to say and it’s to remind us of the peace, love, grace, and faith that God gives.

Point #4: Paul Reminds us of the Faith God Gives

Explanation: The Gift of Saving Faith

We don’t normally think about God given us faith but make no mistake, he does give us faith and the basis for us having faith in him.

Paul talks about this is several places throughout his writings:

READ Ephesians 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

God gives us the gift of faith in Him. We receive that gift when we hear the Word of God spoke to us. Paul, again, says:

READ Romans 10:17

Romans 10:17 (NIV)

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Not only does God give us the gift of faith, which results in salvation, but this faith also sustains us.

Explanation: The Gift of Sustaining Faith

Paul mentions ‘faith’ or ‘faithful’ 10 times throughout Ephesians (Eph. 1:1, 15, 2:8, 3:12, 17, 4:5, 13, 6:18, 21, 23).

BDAG = firm commitment, genuine devotion

This is the same type of faith that Paul earlier described as a shield that would stop and put out Satan’s fiery arrows that he shoots our way.

Recap:

So, Faith is a gift from God that we receive when we hear the Word of God. This gift of faith also saves us, through the grace of God. Plus, this gift of faith also sustains us like shield going before us that protects us against our Enemy and against disunity.

Explanation: Faithfulness

This word can also be described as faithfulness, which Paul has repeated talked about through this encouraging letter to the Ephesians by describing that God is faithful to all of us. Here, at the end of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul highlights another individual how is classified as faithful and that is Tychicus.

Many times we look at the Bible and are simply intimidated by the level of faith and spiritual strength that we see from people like Moses, David, Paul, and others. Yet, we overlook all of the second string or background characters that the Bible is full of. Here is yet another individual that we barely know anything about, yet Paul knew him. Paul had a deep relationship with him. Paul put his faith in because Tychicus was a faithful person.

Explanation: Who is Tychicus = Tick i Cus

His name means ‘fortunate’ and he was from Asia Minor (Acts 20:4) and he traveled with Paul on his third missionary journey.

He is Greek, as his name suggests.

He is well known by the Ephesians and others, since Paul doesn’t inform them of who he is or where he comes from.

Paul describes him as faithful, a brother in the faith, a minister, and Paul’s messenger.

He is around Paul during his imprisonment

Mentioned in the following places: Eph. 6:21; Acts 20:4-5; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12; Colossians 4:7-8; 1 Cor. 16:3-4; 2 Cor. 8:18

Explanation: Tychicus’ Mission and Example

Paul is sending Tychicus to the Ephesians for a couple of reasons:

To inform them of Paul’s current status as a prisoner, his overall health and well-being (v. 21b)

To encourage them (v. 22b)

It seems that not only is Tychicus Paul's fellow worker in the faith, but that he serves as an example of how we should faithfully live our lives and live out the undying love that Jesus has for us and that we should have for others. When we live out the faith that God gives us we start to display the unique unity that only exists within the family of God.

Be Like Tychicus

We need to be like Tychicus today. Faithful toward the things that God calls us too.

What does God call us too?

Building Bridges of Unity into communities and groups that don’t share your DNA, cultural or ethnic background, or even primary language.

Creating Peace wherever we go

Standing against Satan and gaining ground for God’s kingdom (Eph. 6:10-20)

Being his hands and feet in acts of serving motivated by love (Mark 10:45)

Being Jesus’ disciples who make disciples who are changing the world one person at a time (Matthew 4:19; 28:19-20)

Paul’s relationship with Tychicus is an example of this unique unity that exists within the church. Paul was a Jew and Tychicus was a non-Jew, so these two didn’t mix with one another, much like water and oil don’t mix. Yet, within the church these two enemies are now family members.

Illustration:

In your life, who is it that is always faithful? They are just always there when you need someone, when you need help, when you need a shoulder, or when you need to laugh? Who is that in your life?

ONLINE: Put their name down in the comments below or Text them right now and thank them and give them a blessing just like Paul does for Tychicus.

Application: Do you need faith today? God wants to make you faithful to him and others by helping you live like Jesus.

Transition: Paul has one last thing to say and it’s to remind us of the peace, love, grace, and faith that God gives us.

Conclusion/Call-to-Action

Reiteration:

Here at the end of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul doesn’t waste his opportunity to tell those he loved one more thing … that God has given them peace, love, and grace, and to faithfully live in unity with one other by leaning into these things that God has given them.

Action: Lean In

For us today, we need to lean into the peace that God gives you, so that you can be a peacemaker in a culture that is consumed with conflict (Matt. 5:9).

Lean into the love that God gives you, so that, according to Paul, your life isn’t pointless (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

Lean into the grace that God gives you, so that you can be, according to Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Lean into the faith that God give you, so that you can be faithful to the things God is inviting you to do with the time you have left in this life.

Appeal: Don’t Waste Your Life

Lean into the things God gives you: peace, love, grace, faith - so that you can live worthy of the life Jesus died to make you worthy of living.

Pray