In this talk we will:

• Consider the background to the letter and the circumstances in which it was written
• Take a rapid tour through the whole letter (based largely on the notes in the NIV Life Application Bible)
• Identify the main theme of the letter

In following talks we will work systematically through the letter and consider how Peter’s teaching should impact on our lives today.

Background

Author Peter

Date 62 to 64 A.D.

Circumstances

Written to Jewish Christians who had been driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia Minor

Throughout the Roman Empire Christians were being tortured and killed for their faith and the church in Jerusalem was being scattered throughout the Mediterranean world

Peter was probably in Rome when the great persecution and the Emperor Nero began and was eventually executed during this persecution

Outline

1. God’s great blessings to his people 1:1-2:10
2. The conduct of God’s people in the midst of suffering 2:11-4:19
3. The shepherding of God’s people in the midst of suffering 5:1-14

Chapter One

Peter begins by thanking God for salvation 1:2-6.

He explains to his readers that trials will refine their faith 1:7-9.

They should believe in spite of their circumstances for many in past ages believed in God’s plan of salvation –  even the prophets of old who wrote about it but did not understand it

but now salvation has been revealed in Christ 1:10-13

In response to such a great salvation, Peter commands his readers to:

• live holy lives 1:14-16,
• reverently fear and trust God 1:17-21
• be honest and loving in the relationships with others 2:1-3
• become like Christ 2: 3-4

Chapters Two to Four

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone upon whom the church is to be built 2:5-6

He is also the stone that was rejected causing those who will not listen to God to fall  2:7-8

but the church built upon the stone is to be God’s holy priesthood 2:9-10.

Peter then explains how believers should live during difficult times 2:11-4:11

Christians should be above reproach 2:12-17

imitating Christ in all their social roles, masters and slaves, husbands and wives, church members and neighbours 2:18-3:17.

Jesus Christ should be our model for obedience to God in the midst of great suffering 3:18-4:11

Peter then outlines the right attitude to have when persecution comes:

• expect it 4:12
• be thankful for the privilege of suffering for Christ 4:13-18
• trust God for deliverance 4:19

Chapter Five

Peter gives some special instructions:

• elders should feed God’s flock 5:1-4
• younger men should follow the leadership of the elders 5:5-6
• and everyone should trust God and resist Satan 5:7-11

Peter concludes by introducing Silvanus and by giving personal greetings from himself, the church in Rome, and from Mark. 5:11-14

Theme – suffering now, future glory

1 Peter 1:6-11

6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,

11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.

1 Peter 2:18-25

18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.

20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

24 ‘He himself bore our sins’ in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; ‘by his wounds you have been healed.’

25 For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

 1 Peter 3:13-14, 17-18

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’

17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”

1 Peter 4:1, 12-16, 19

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin.

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

1 Peter 5:1, 4, 10

 1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:

 

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

 

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Points to ponder

Peter was powerfully used in bringing healing to those who were suffering

He was also miraculously delivered from persecution on more than one occasion (Acts 5:19, 12:6-10)

How does this affect our understanding of his teaching in this letter?

Last time:

3 secrets of living in victory

Know your enemy

Know the battlefield

Know that ultimate victory is guaranteed

Know your Enemy

Ephesians 6:11-12, 16

Spiritual – not against flesh and blood (12)

numerous – plurals (12)

cunning – schemes (11)

organised – rulers and authorities (12) (cf Titus 3:1)

evil – spiritual forces of evil (12)

deadly – flaming missiles (16)

Know the Battlefield

The heavenlies – what they are

6:12 – not heaven – spiritual evil

1:3 – blessed with all

1:21 – Christ is seated at God’s right hand

2:6 – we are seated with him

3:10 – wisdom of God known

Know that ultimate Victory is guaranteed

v10  in the Lord his mighty power…….the full armour of GOD

Jesus’ relation to the ‘principalities and powers’ (AV)

Far above them Ephesians 1:21

Subject to him 1 Peter 3:22

Head of them Colossians 2:10

Why?

created them Colossians 1:16

conquered them Colossians 2:15

So ultimate victory is guaranteed. But what about now?

Let’s read Ephesians 6:10-20 again

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

We have an enemy – the devil (11)

We can expect to be attacked (13) when the day of evil comes
God has given us all that we need to stand up to him (11, 13, 14)

But it’s up to us to put on the armour God has provided (11, 13)

But how do we put it on?  Let’s work through the passage.

10 Be strong – present continuous

In the Lord – ‘be empowered through your union with him’ (Amp.)

And in his mighty power – cf Eph 1:19 his incomparably great power…

11     Put on – aorist

the full armour

of God

so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes

12   For our struggle is not against flesh and blood

But against…

Rulers… authorities… powers of this dark world…

Against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms

13     Therefore put on the full armour of God (cf v 11)

So that when the day of evil comes

You may be able to stand your ground (cf 11)

And after you have done everything, to stand

14     Stand firm then

With the belt of truth buckled about your waist

TRUTH because:

• the devil is a liar
• Christ is the truth
• God’s word is truth

With the breastplate of righteousness in place

RIGHTEOUSNESS

• Right standing with God
• Integrity
• Moral rectitude

15     With your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

• The good news brings peace with God
• We must be ever ready
• We must be ever ready to GO

16 In addition to all this take up the shield of faith

with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

• What are Satan’s flaming arrows? Lies, doubts, temptation, etc.
• You can extinguish them ALL
• YOU can extinguish them all

17     Take the helmet of salvation

SALVATION

• Remind yourself (and the devil) that you’re saved
• Have been saved
• Are being saved
• Will be saved

And the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God

THE WORD OF GOD

• Jesus in the temptation
• Read the Bible
• Learn the Bible
• Use the Bible
• Prophecies (1 Timothy 1:18) – by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith…

18 And pray (present continuous) in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

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.

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Secrets of Victory

• Know your enemy
• Know the battlefield
• Know that ultimate victory is guaranteed

Know your enemy

11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Our enemy is:

1. Spiritual…    Not against flesh and blood
2. Evil…   The spiritual forces of evil…
3. Numerous…   Rulers.  Authorities.  Powers
4. Cunning…   The devil’s schemes
5. Organised…   Schemes Gk methodeias
6. Deadly (flaming missiles – v 16)

Know the battlefield

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The battlefield is what Paul calls the heavenly realms     (Literally: ‘the heavenlies’)

What does this mean?

A  The heavenly realms are not heaven

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

B  We have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing

Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

C  Christ is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms

Ephesians 1

20 …he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

D  We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms

Ephesians 2

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

E  It is God’s intention to use his church to demonstrate his wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms

Ephesians 3:10

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms

Know that victory is guaranteed

Our assurance of ultimate victory is rooted in Jesus’ relation to the enemy – ‘rulers and authorities’

A  He is already far above them Ephesians 1:21

He is…

far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come

B  They are already in submission to him 1 Peter 3:21-22

Jesus Christ…has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him

C  He is already Head over them                          

Colossians 2:10

You have been given fulness in Christ who is the Head over every power and authority

So Jesus is seated at God’s right hand, with the enemy under his feet

Why?

Firstly, because he created them                

Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Finally, because  he conquered them at Calvary

Colossians 2:15

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross

In using the word triumph Paul was deliberately calling to the mind of his readers the picture of a great military victory. In the Roman world a triumph was rather like a modern military decoration which someone is awarded either for bravery or for great achievements on the battlefield. To help understand this further, let us imagine that Caesar, the Roman Emperor, has learned that in a certain distant corner of the empire one of the tribes has rebelled against his authority. So he calls his most senior general and gives him instructions to take a legion of soldiers in order to suppress the rebellion. Accordingly the general goes and conquers the rebellious tribe, taking many prisoners and begins to lead them back to Rome.

Before reaching Rome, however, he sends a herald in advance to inform the emperor of his victory. On hearing the news, the emperor decides to award the general a triumph. He proclaims a public holiday so that all the citizens of Rome can welcome the general on his return. Then, on the appointed day, the people line the streets of the city awaiting the return of the general. As he arrives in his chariot at the head of his legion, the people cheer and applaud, they almost worship the general because of his great victory.

But behind the general and his legion come the captives. They have been stripped of their weapons. Their hands are tied, their feet are shackled. They are totally subjugated and are forced to walk with head bowed low beneath a symbolic ‘yoke’ created for this purpose. They have truly become a public spectacle. This is the picture that Paul calls to mind when he tells us that by the cross Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities and triumphed over them making a public spectacle of them. As citizens of heaven we have nothing to fear from such an enemy. Rather, we stand back in awe and marvel at the mighty victory our general has won for us, and we worship him

So ultimate victory is guaranteed. But what about now?

That will be the subject of our final talk.

There are three main sections to this part of Paul’s letter:

1. Husbands and wives (5:22–33) (which we discussed last time)
2. Children and parents (6:1-4)
3. Slaves and masters (6:5-9)

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2 ‘Honour your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise –

3 ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

6 Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,

8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.

Relationships between children and parents

Instructions to children

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2 ‘Honour your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise –

3 ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’

What does Paul mean by parents in the Lord?

Cf. Colossians 3:20

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Even a child can know what it means to love in the Lord and to obey for his sake

Children are to obey and honour their parents

The instruction to obey ends with adulthood. The instruction to honour lasts a lifetime!

Two reasons are given for this:

1. It’s the right thing to do (1)
2. God promises to bless you if you do (2-3)

It’s the right thing to do (1)

By OT law

By the example of Christ (Luke 2:51)

God promises to bless you if you do (2-3)

It will go well with you…    you will enjoy long life

Does this really mean that all who honour their parents will enjoy long life?

Foulkes understands it to mean that Paul is underlining the fact that family life is very important and that when respect for parents fails the community becomes decadent and will not live long.

Instructions to parents

Note that in all three sections Paul’s instructions are never one-sided.

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Cf. Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Discipline is essential in the home, but not unnecessary rules and regulations and endless petty correction by which children are discouraged

Parents should care more for the loyalty of their children to Christ than for anything besides, more for this than for their health, their intellectual vigour and brilliance, their material prosperity, their social position, their exemption from great sorrows and great misfortunes (RW Dale, 1883).

Relationships between slaves and masters

As we saw when we were talking about wives and husbands, Paul’s instructions must be understood within the framework of the culture prevalent at the time. Today they may be perhaps more meaningfully applied to employers and employees.

We may well ask why New Testament writers like Paul and Peter (1 Peter 2) did not denounce slavery as did William Wilberforce in the 19th century. I think the most likely answer to that question is that NT writers clearly believed that the Lord’s return was imminent (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Social reform was, therefore, not at the heart of their concern. What was more important for Paul was the fact that as believers we are in Christ and that in Christ there is neither slave nor free.

Colossians 3:11:

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Instructions to slaves

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

6 Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,

8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Slaves are told to obey their masters. Notice the word earthly.

This immediately reminds us of two things:

• Our earthly state is temporary. We are citizens of heaven, which is eternal
• For us as Christians there is only one true Master. All other masters are subject to him.

We should therefore obey those who have authority over us as we would obey the Lord.

V5 just as you would obey Christ.

V6 as slaves of Christ,

V7 as if you were serving the Lord

Why?

V8  because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Instructions to masters

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.

What does Paul mean by in the same way?

Like the slaves, they are to do what they do ‘as for the Lord’.

What Paul means by this is further clarified in the following passages:

Philemon 15-16

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for ever – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you – although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Concluding thoughts on this section

Whatever our role in the family or in society, the important thing is that we live in right relationship with each other and God has given us guidelines to show how we can do that.

It is interesting that whatever our role may be, it may not be the same forever.

For example, a child is not always a child and a slave may not always be a slave.

Whatever our role, it is important that we view it from a heavenly perspective rather than merely an earthly one.

Whatever we do, whether it be within the family or in the workplace, we should do everything as for the Lord. This is because we are in Christ. The theme of being in Christ is something we examined as we looked at chapter 1 and something we will return to in our final two talks as we look at Paul’s wonderful teaching in the last part of Chapter 6.

Podcast Notes:

Last time:

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

1-2 Follow God’s example – living a life of love

3 -6 Living holy lives

7-14 Living in the light

10 and find out what pleases the Lord

Today:

Ephesians 5:15-20 Living in the Spirit

15 Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul continues the theme of how we should live as Christians.

In verse 15 we are to be careful how we live. In other words, we are to be careful to live lives of love, live holy lives and live in the light.

In verse 16 we are to make the most of every opportunity. What does Paul mean by this? Looking back to the section on living in the light it seems that Paul is saying that we should take every opportunity by our right living to expose the works of darkness.

In verse 17 we are told not to be foolish but to understand what the will of the Lord is. This takes us back to the theme of our last talk which we based mainly on verse 10 where Paul tells us to find out what pleases the Lord.

In fact, the remainder of his letter is devoted to this theme. It is the will of the Lord that:

We be filled with the Holy Spirit  (5:18)

We live in right relationship with each other

• Husbands and wives (5:22–33)
• Children and parents (6:1-4)
• Slaves and masters (6:5-9)

We know how to stand against the devil’s schemes (6:10-20)

So today we will begin to look at what Paul means by being filled with the Spirit.

What does he say in verses 18 to 20?

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit

The meaning of do not get drunk is perfectly clear.

Note that Paul does not teach total abstinence but he does clearly teach moderation.

He warns of the dangers of what drinking can lead to – debauchery

Drunkenness is one of the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21

By contrast, self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23

Did the disciples act in a drunken manner when they were filled with the Spirit at Pentecost?

Acts 2:13 Some made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine’.

Although many have interpreted the verse in this way, I personally see no need to do so. Would the Holy Spirit really cause people to appear to be manifesting the works of the flesh?

There is a far more satisfactory alternative explanation. Luke does not tell us that the disciples looked drunk. But imagine 120 people all speaking different languages at the same time! That in itself would be enough for the disciples’ critics to say they were drunk – something which, of course, Peter quickly denies.

But does Paul’s contrast with drunkenness mean that to be filled with the Spirit is the same as sanctification?

By no means. The role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification is a very important one.

But the book of Acts makes clear that being filled with the Spirit is being clothed with power which leads to charismatic manifestations.

Beware of the suggestion that Paul’s understanding was different from Luke’s.

If the Bible is God’s word, then systematic theology must be possible

We must be able to harmonise the different emphases of different writers because the same Holy Spirit inspired them all.

Luke was one of Paul’s travelling companions and it’s hardly likely that they would have had different views on such an important subject.

Consider the value of narrative passages of the NT (e.g the Gospels and Acts) to help us understand the terminology used in the epistles.

Paul tells us to be filled with the Spirit. Luke tells us what it looks like!

Paul is telling us to maintain the experience we received when we were first filled with the Spirit. And keeping filled with the Spirit will certainly help us to overcome temptation.

So, what more can we learn from verses 18-20?

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

First, notice that ‘be filled with the Spirit’ is a present imperative in the passive voice!

This means that:

It’s a command

It’s a continuous command. We are to keep on being filled.

And it’s a command in the Passive Voice

Consider the implications of this:

It’s our responsibility to do it. Compare 2 Timothy 1:6-7 fan into flame.

With the command comes the enabling. Compare the command be healed

Second, note that Paul tells us how we can do this

Verse 19 says literally:

speaking to yourselves with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, giving thanks…

Note:

The connection between being filled with the Spirit and speaking (cf. Acts 2:4)

The Greek is literally to yourselves

ἑαυτοῖς not ἀλλήλοις

(cf. 1 Corinthians 14:28 where Paul refers to speaking in tongues as speaking to oneself and to God)

In the phrase ‘spiritual songs’ the word used is pneumatikos which is used in 1 Corinthians 12 to describe the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The speaking will include tongues, but not exclusively so. Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15.

Finally, in verse 21 Paul tells us to submit to one another ἀλλήλοις in fear of God.

Note both the personal and collective aspects of being filled – privately and in church.

Next time:

Living in right relationship with each other

• Husbands and wives (5:22–33)
• Children and parents (6:1-4)
• Slaves and masters (6:5-9)

Podcast Notes:

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

5 For of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

10 and find out what pleases the Lord

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible

14 and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’

3 sections:

1-2 Follow God’s example – living a life of love

3-6 Living holy lives

7-14 Living in the light

1-2 Follow God’s example – living a life of love

 

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Before considering these verses, let’s remind ourselves of what Paul was saying at the end of Chapter 4.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32

Chapter 5 continues the theme of how we should live as Christians in the light of:

• what God has done for us
• who we are in Christ

He says:

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

What God has done for us

In these verses Paul uses Christ’s sacrificial death as an example for us to follow

But in the NT Christ’s death is never just an example.

Compare Peter’s encouragement to Christian slaves in 1 Peter 2.

2 Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Who we are in Christ

• 1 dearly loved children
• 3 God’s holy people
• 8 children of light

So because of what Christ has done for us and because of who we are in Christ we are to live lives of love following the example of Jesus himself.

The theme of living lives of love continues in verses 3 to 6 which I have titled living holy lives. But living holy lives and living lives of love are effectively synonymous terms.

3-6 Living holy lives

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

5 For of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Here Paul lists several things which are totally incompatible with Christian behaviour

These include:

Sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, course joking

There must not be even a hint of these things (3).

Cf. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness

Why? Because:

These are improper for God’s holy people 3 cf. v8 you are now light in the Lord

Those who do these things have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ 5

God’s wrath comes on those who do them 6

The key to avoiding these things is seen in v6. Let no one deceive you with empty words

We mustn’t let our thinking be influenced by the worldly ideas of those around us. If we do, there is a danger that we become partners with them. 7

7-14 Living in the light

7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

10 and find out what pleases the Lord

11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible

14 and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’

In ch 4 Paul tells us to put off the old self and put on the new

You’ve been made new, so act accordingly

He says something similar here in v 8.

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

So, 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them

By living lives that please the Lord we become living examples of what is right and expose what is wrong in the lives of others

Compare John 3:19-21

This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Things that please the Lord

General

Total dedication (Romans 12:1-2)

…present your bodies… acceptable to God

Faith (Hebrews 11:5-6)

By faith Enoch was taken up … for he obtained the witness before he

was taken up that he was pleasing to God … and without faith it is

impossible to please him

Spirituality (Romans 8:8)

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God

Sanctification (1 Thes. 4:1-3)

1 Thes. 4:1 You received instruction from us, how you ought to walk

and to please God … for (v3) this is the will of God, your sanctification

Specific

Speech (1 Thes. 2:4)

We speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who examines our hearts

Doing good and sharing (Hebrews 13:16)

Do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased

Support for the ministry (Phil.4:18)

I am amply supplied, having received what you sent, an acceptable sacrifice, well–pleasing to God

Obedience (to parents) (Col.3:20)

Children, be obedient to your parents … for this is well–pleasing to the Lord

Putting our neighbour first (Romans 14:18-15:2)

14:18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God

15:1-2 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just to please ourselvesLet each of us please his neighbour for his good, to his edification

Incentives to help us

The promise of answered prayer (1 John 3:22)

Whatever we ask, we receive from him because we keep his commandments and do

those things that are pleasing in his sight

The promise of God’s work within us (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Now the God of peace who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep

through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight,

through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.

The challenge of the cross (Romans 15:3)

… even Christ did not please himself

Podcast Notes:

Our passage for today is Ephesians 4:17-32

We’ll begin by reading it and then we’ll:

• Briefly look at the background to the passage
• Offer a short overview of the passage
• Seek to apply the teaching of the passage to our lives today

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ

21 and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, 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.

28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

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.

Background to the passage

In the NIV the passage begins with the word ‘so’.

However the Greek is somewhat stronger and is better translated ‘therefore’

This takes us back to what he has been saying previously

So far in the letter Paul has emphasised:

• The many blessings of being in Christ
• The fact that Gentiles believers are fellow-heirs with Jewish believers
• That the church, the body of Christ, is a holy temple in which God lives by his Spirit

Because of all this, at the beginning of Ch.4 he urges us to:

Live lives worthy of our calling, which, as we saw last time, will involve each member of the body pulling its weight and fulfilling the role that Christ who is the head of the body has assigned to it.

Now, in v17 he says:

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

In other words, in the light of all I’ve been telling you, don’t go back to what you were.

Overview of the passage

Don’t go back to what you were (17-19)

Remember what you were taught when you became Christians (20-24)

Let your attitude and behaviour reflect what you are in Christ (25-32)

Don’t go back to what you were (17-19)

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

Remember what you were taught when you became Christians (20-24)

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ

21 and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

22 You were taught…

Let your attitude and behaviour reflect what you are in Christ (25-32)

25 … put off falsehood and speak truthfully

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.

28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

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.

Application of the passage

The application of Paul’s teachings to our lives today is fairly obvious.

He gives a list of instructions telling us what to do and what not to do.

Let’s look a little more closely at what I consider to be the heart of the passage – vv.20-24.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ

21 and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

He tells us to put off our old self (22) and put on the new self (24).

This is clearly a metaphor relating to clothing.

We are to put off the old sin-stained clothes that we wore before we became Christians

and put on the new clean clothes that we received when we were converted

In other words, we are to stop behaving as we used to and to start behaving in accordance with the teaching and example of Jesus.

But how do we do this?

We need to know what is right and what is wrong

Notice the emphasis on the mind in these verses:

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ

21 and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Gentiles (or pagans) don’t act right because their thinking isn’t right

As a result they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity (19) – and we used to do the same

But now we know better because we’ve been taught the truth in Jesus

We must act in accordance with what we know

This involves a conscious decision (cf. given themselves over v.19)

Putting off the old self means refusing to act in ways we know are wrong

Putting on the new self involves a conscious decision to do what we know is right

But we will only do this if the attitude of our mind is right (23)

Paul says something similar in Romans 6 where, by using a somewhat different metaphor, he tells us to think of ourselves as dead to sin

We must keep on doing this

Putting off the old self and putting on the new is not a once off thing

All Paul’s instructions in vv25-32 are in the Present Imperative

We must keep on:

• putting off falsehood and speaking truthfully to your neighbour (25)
• not letting the sun go down while we are still angry (26)
• not giving the devil a foothold (27)
• stealing no longer (28)
• not letting any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths (29)
• not grieving the Holy Spirit, with whom we were sealed for the day of redemption (30)
• getting rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (31)
• working, doing something useful, sharing with those in need (28)
• building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (29)
• being kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us (32)

Finally, bearing in mind the theme of our last talk, it is only as we work at these things that the body will make increase of itself in love as each member does its work (vv.15-16).

Compare v. 25 for we are all members of one body.

Chapter 4 is something of a turning point in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians

As in his other letters, the opening chapters tend to be more theological in nature, the concluding chapters being more practical

So here in Ch. 4 v1 Paul says:

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

In other words, in the light of all the blessings I’ve been talking about, live appropriately

Cf. Rom 12:1-2     I urge you therefore…because of God’s mercies…

What blessings?

In Ch. 1 he tells us that in Christ:

• We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing
• We are chosen and adopted to be God’s children
• We have been redeemed by his blood and our sins have been forgiven
• We have the promise of the Holy Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance
• We have the assurance that Jesus is already seated at God’s right hand far above all…

In Ch.2 Paul reminds us:

• Of our lost condition before we became Christians
• Of the change that Jesus has made in our lives because of God’s love and grace
• That we are seated with him in the heavenly realms
• And that he has a wonderful plan for our lives
• These blessings are not just for those with a Jewish background but are for Gentiles too
• In fact, when Jesus died the barrier between Jew and Gentile was broken down
• And God is creating one new humanity out of the two by forming his church which is the new temple in which God lives by his Spirit.

In chapter 3

he continues the theme that the Gentiles are now fellow-heirs with the Jews

Because he has a special responsibility for Gentile believers he prays that we may grasp the greatness of God’s love for us and that we might be filled with all the fulness of God!

And if this seems an unrealistic aspiration, he reminds us that God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or even imagine!

Now in Ch 4 in the light of all these amazing blessings, he encourages us to:

live a life worthy of the calling we have received.

How can we be sure we are doing this?

4 ways:

• By recognising the Lordship of Christ
• By working relationally
• By growing up individually
• By fulfilling our responsibilities in building up the body of Christ (the church)

Let’s read the passage together.

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.

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.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

8 This is why it says: ‘When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.’

9 (What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?

10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

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 to and fro 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.

So how can we be sure we’re living lives worthy of our calling?

By recognising the Lordship of Christ

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it

10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service…

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.

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.

By working relationally

(There were probably tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers)

To work relationally we must have a loving respect for all other believers

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.

The qualities in v.2 are especially relevant to our relationship with other people

The fact that he encourages them to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit suggests that maintaining unity in the local church is something that needs to be worked at. It doesn’t come automatically!

One reason for this is that people are so different

Despite our differences, however, there is much that unites us

The Ephesian church was a mixture of people some of whom were Jewish and others Gentile by background, but who were all now one in Christ (Eph. 2:11-22, esp. v.15)

Paul stresses this unity in vv.4-6, which leads us to our next point:

To work relationally we must recognise the things we all have in common

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

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.

Note:

• 7 references to one
• 4 references to all
• the reference to the Trinity

To work relationally we must recognise and respect our differences

The differences between us are God-given

Each member of the body has a unique contribution to make

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers

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.

The theme of unity and diversity is a common theme in Paul’s writings

For example, compare 1 Corinthians 12

In both passages Paul teaches that:

• the church is the body of Christ
• its members are very different from one another
• but must seek to be united by showing their love for each other
• by building one another up with the gifts God has given them

There is also a reference to the Trinity in both passages which may well reflect the idea that just as there is diversity and yet unity within the Godhead so too there is to be diversity and yet unity within the body of Christ

By growing up individually

The main emphasis in verses 11-16 is growth of the body (v12)

But the body cannot grow unless its members grow individually

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…

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.

By fulfilling our responsibilities in building up the body of Christ (the church)

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 to and fro 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.

From this passage we learn four main things:

• The church is the body of Christ, who is its head
• God’s purpose is for his church to grow
• God has equipped his church to enable this to happen
• For this to happen we must work in unity

The church is the body of Christ, who is its head

 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.

God’s purpose is for his church to grow

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 to and fro 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.

 God has equipped his church to enable this to happen 

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

For the church to grow we must work in unity

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.

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.

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.

So, the body must grow, and it must grow strong

It must reach maturity

This involves:

• Unity in doctrinal understanding (v.14)
• Unity in working relationship (v.16).

United heads and united hearts leading to united effort.

Unity in doctrinal understanding

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 to and fro 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.

Unity in working relationship

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

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.

Love is the key to unity (vv 2-3, 15-16)

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.

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.

The emphasis on work in these verses

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are not there to do all the work

They are God’s gifts to his church to prepare God’s people for works of service (v.12).

The importance of every part of the body

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.

The church will only be what God wants it to be as the individual members find their place in the body of Christ and lovingly help and support each other. When they do, the body will make increase of itself (KJV).

Back to the beginning

We started with a challenge:

To live a life worthy of the calling you have received

From what we have seen, this in intimately connected with our relationship to and function within the local church.

Ephesians 3:14-21 A prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

In considering this passage we will look at:

• The reasons for Paul’s prayer
• The content of Paul’s prayer
• The audacity of Paul’s prayer

The reasons for Paul’s prayer

v1 For this reason

Compare v1

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles –

In v 1 this reason refers back to what he has been saying in Ch. 2 where he talks about:

The wonderful change that has been made in our lives by the grace of God

The fact that God has a plan for our lives and has prepared in advance good things for us to do

The fact that in Christ Gentile believers are now united with Jewish believers and that, through the new humanity he has made out of the two, God is building a holy temple in which he lives by his Spirit

In vv 2-13 he develops this theme (as we saw last time).

Looking back at this passage we can see 5 reasons why Paul was praying for the Ephesians and from today’s passage we can see another 2.

Seven reasons why Paul praying for them:

The Gentiles are now fellow-heirs with the Jews

6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

He has a special responsibility for Gentile believers

8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ

God has a wonderful purpose for the church

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He knows he (and they) can approach God with freedom and confidence

12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

He knows they are in danger of being discouraged

13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

To these we can add a further two reasons from today’s passage:

The fatherhood of God

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father

The power of God that is at work in us

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…

The content of Paul’s prayer

 

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, (pater)

15 from whom every family (patria) in heaven and on earth derives its name.

God is our Father

He has a family – in heaven & on earth

God is the source of all fatherhood

Fatherhood in heaven existed before fatherhood on earth

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches (the glorious riches of his Fatherhood)

he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…

God wants to reproduce his Son in us

He’s a rich Father!

But Paul does not pray that we might be materially rich

Rather that we might be strengthened with power…

and that Christ may dwell in our hearts…

‘Dwell’ here (κατοικειν) implies not just visit but abide

Christ is God’s Son.

He’s exactly like his Father (Hebrews 1:3)

If Christ lives in us, we will be like the Father

How? By faith and by love

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…

Through faith

Christ already lives in our hearts because of our initial faith in Christ as Saviour

But the Christian life is a life of faith from start to finish

Paul is praying that the nature of Christ will increase and grow in us as we go on trusting him

Through love

We have been rooted and established in love

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…

Our faith in Christ is rooted in God’s love

We didn’t love him, but he loved us

We now love him because he first loved us

God wants us to grasp the greatness of his love

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

God wants us to know this love

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

The audacity of Paul’s prayer

God wants us to be filled with all the fulness of God

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God

This is not the same as being ‘filled with the Spirit’ (Acts 2:4, Eph. 5:18)

which relates primarily to gifts.  This relates to fruit, esp. love.

Is this possible?! Yes, because of his power that is at work within us

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

God is glorified when we love like Jesus.