Today's lesson is found in Ephesians 4: 1-8, 11-16. The first three chapters of Ephesians are doctrinal in nature. The last three chapters stress the practical side of Christianity. In the first three chapters, Paul has emphasized God's grace and the riches of His glory through Jesus Christ. The first sixteen verses of chapter four focus on the unity of the body of Christ.Though we may differ in background, education and resources, we can still be united in the Lord. Paul will write about the keys, basis, development and perfection of our unity.
The first section is: Keys to Unity. (vv. 1-3) In verse 1, Paul identifies as the "prisoner of the Lord." While he was still in a Roman confinement, Paul acknowledged the sovereignty of God. He was a prisoner of the Lord, not Rome. He asked that the readers walk worthy of their vocation, which could also be translated as "calling." Every Christian has a calling from God. Our walk is to be a holy walk and a walk that evidences holiness.
The Christian's walk should be characterized as:
1. Lowliness or humulity (v. 2), which is the opposite of pride.
2. Meekness (v. 2), gentleness of spirit and the opposite of rebellious.
3. Forbearing (v. 2), willing to put up with the shortcomings of others.
4. Longsuffering (v. 2), being gracious to others.
God's Spirit produces a mutual love in all the members of the body of Christ. Walking in that love is a key to unity.
The summary points of this section are:
1. God is Sovereign over our lives.
2. We should live lives of lowliness, meekness, forbearing and long-suffering toward others.
3. We must try to maintain unity in the body of Christ.
The second sections is: The Basis of Unity. (vv. 4-6) The key to this section is the word "one." The following are the "ones" we find:
1. One body that is the church;
2. One Spirit, that is the unifying principle in the church;
3. One hope, which is heaven and eternal glory;
4. One Lord, that is Jesus Christ;
5. One faith, based on the unchanging word of God;
6. One baptism, most likely refers to water baptism, and
7. One God and Father of all, this points to the triunity of God.
God is above all in His Sovereignty and through all in His Providential care and operation, and in each one of His children.
The summary points of this section are:
1. Unity is more than outward uniformity, it is unity of the heart.
2. The unity of the Trinity is an example of the unity which should exist in the persons of the Church.
3. It is great comfort to know He is in us.
The third section is The Development of Unity. (vv. 7-12) Verse 7 states that every one of us has received the gift of grace. It is important to know who the "us" is in the verse. Go back to chapter 1 verse 1 and see who are the recipients of this letter: the saints at Ephesus who are faithful. If you have received God's grace today, be very thankful for His gift to you. Verse 8 states that "he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." This is a reference to the Roman practice after a victory in battle. The Romans had a custom of leading their defeated enemies in chains through the city streets. Our risen Lord has defeated sin, death, and Satan. Roman generals would often share the spoils of war with their soldiers and give gifts to the crowds who lined the streets to watch their return. Christ has given to his church (verse 11), some “apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers...." The purpose of these gifts (verse 12) is "the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...." The Greek word for "perfecting" means to put in order, to make complete, correcting all that is deficient. Believers are to be brought to a place maturity so they can do the work of the church. Every believer has some type of ministry. All the saints should be working at some level for the Lord. What is your calling? What is your ministry? If you seek Him, He will show you. This is true development of unity, all working together for the Lord.
The summary points of this section are:
1. If not for the grace of God, we would all be lost.
2. Christ is the mighty conqueror.
3. Christ gives gifts to the church for the perfection of the saints.
The fourth section is: The Perfection of Unity. (vv. 13-16) Verse 13 provides a purpose of unity, to become a perfect man. This does not mean absolute perfection, but rather a perfection of love for each other believer in the faith. Unity of faith does not mean agreement on all religious questions, but there are "some hills we will die on." When it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ, there can be no compromise. If He is Lord of your life, you are saved and redeemed. If He isn't, you are not born again. Verse 14 advises us that there are those that wait to deceive us in our faith. We are to know and study true doctrine. We are not to be tossed about by every new teaching. We guard ourselves by remaining true to the Word of God. Verse 15 teaches a key to the perfection of unity, speak the truth in love. Verse 16 gives us the goal that the body is to work together in love. Just the like the natural body does not have its organs working against each other, neither should the parts of the spiritual body of Christ work against each other. As we perfect our unity, we will walk in greater love for each other.
The summary points of this section are:
1. We must speak the truth in love.
2. There are those that lie in wait to deceive us.
3. As we perfect unity, we will walk in greater love for each other.
The Golden Text is: "Till we all come in the unity of the faith...unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Eph. 4:13) The aim of the church is to produce men and women who have the reflection of Jesus Christ Himself. To be a saint is to be someone whom Christ lives again on this earth. This is what the church must become.
Next week: The Christian Home. (Ephesians 5: 22-33; 6: 1-4)
No comments:
Post a Comment