GOD IS GRACIOUS IN ALL THINGS & IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS “IN” CHRIST

5. GOD IS GRACIOUS IN ALL THINGS. (1:7-12)

Earlier, in Paul’s salutation, we were not only hearing of the faithfulness of the brethren in the Ephesian congregation but also of their (and our) need for God’s rich Grace in our Christian lives. The pastoral care and loving heart of Paul and of the elders for their flock was clear to see in Acts 20. The Gospel Band’s collective pastoral care and concern has focused our understand on the process necessary to plant and maintain a congregation of believers in Christ. We will be learning more about the spiritual growth processes of this congregation as we consider the six or more calls to responsibility in this Epistle. 

5.1 TALKING POINTS: GOD REDEEMS THROUGH CHRIST. (1:7) 

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,

Our release from Slavery - Romans 6

Isaiah prophetically announced and later our Lord Himself would read these words: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners…” Redemption is the act of paying the price to free one from captivity. The rather unusual word, “propitiation” is used by John to describe the meeting of the requirement of a Holy God – the satisfaction price – 

That this redemption process is not available to the whole world is totally unacceptable to the message of God’s Word. The propitiation (or satisfaction) of God’s divine and equitable Justice in regard to our sin is simply not limited to “our (sins) only, but also is applicable to the whole world.”  The benefit of Christ death for mankind is universally available and universally possible by faith in Jesus Christ. The fact that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” -- simply flies in the face of any possible idea that the Gospel invitation is not for all! 

5.2  OUR SAVIOR’S RICH GRACE. 1:7b– 8a 

“….. according to the riches of his grace 

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

5.3  SUMMING UP ALL THINGS IN CHRIST. 1:8b-10  (10 minute) APPLICATION 

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

FOR YOUT THOUGHT OR DISCUSSION...

Ask yourself: Just what the mystery of His will is…?

Also ask yourself: How God has made this mystery - the mystery of his will, known?

Could you summarize: What his good pleasure (or kind intention) is?

What Scripture supports your thoughts on the “gathering together in one place? - ?

The message (telios) or purpose of Paul is clear in all that he has said – so far: God is all-wise and He is at this unique time acting through the “insights” of His Divine Wisdom to unfold the mystery of His will. Out of our Heavenly father’s kindness and kind acts He is explaining simply and comforting surely that all things are being finalized – summed – up in the saving work of Christ which all along the Father was overshadowing by His mighty power. 

For us, as those who have placed our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord, we too see our whole relationship in Christ coming to a wonderful finality of victory in Jesus, our Saviour and Lord! Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer helps us appreciate how wonderful our own purpose is being brought to a grand summary in Christ. In our new lives in Christ, we as believers become real and active --- “members of Christ’s own Body, as a branch is to a vine so are we to Christ,  we are a stone in the building of which Christ is the Chief Cornerstone,  we are the sheep of His flock.  As believers we are also the Bride of Christ,  we are priests in a Kingdom of Priests over which Christ is the High Priest forever, and we are part of the New Creation over which Christ as the Last Adam is Head. 

SUMMARY: PREDESTINED TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. 1:11

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”

According to the purpose of Him (1:11)… Later, in the Second Chapter, Paul is clear that salvation is from God “by grace” and “through faith” and “not of ourselves.” Thus it is clear that our blessedness: moral and spiritual separation unto Him and our accesses to come before Him has absolutely no relationship to any type of ‘holiness’ or any ‘sense of blamelessness’ that we might attribute to our own good works. 

In Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians he emphasizes this truth in Philippians 3:9  “And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.”

Now allow me to speak to those who are already believers, and to those of us who are pastors, as well. When Paul the Apostle was first busy planting the congregations in the city of Ephesus, he reminded the pastors to shepherd the flock of God cautiously and carefully since each one of these dear people were forming the very “body of Christ” – “the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” None of us are “just” Christians! No, not at all! We are all, by grace through faith, the redeemed, the purchased, the freed, the liberated prisoners … men and women bought by the very blood of Christ.

The Lord’s redemptive plan is according to His Holy Nature and His Divine Attributes – totally unlimited and ever and forever caring for us … “according then – to the riches of our Saviour’s grace” … our God sets out to lavish on us riches – riches beyond our imagination!   Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, one of histories’ greatest fundamental and evangelical theologians – a godly man - truly faithful to the Word of God,  outlines “Thirty-three Riches of Grace” or the “thirty-three Divine undertakings in the salvation of the soul.”

I summarise them as:

1.   The Father planned and bestowed a new position of blessedness in Christ. Eph. 1:3

2.   The Lord Jesus Christ redeemed – bought us out of the slave market. Gal. 5:1

3.   By the work of Christ on the cross we were reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20

4.   With His own blood Christ paid our purchase price to freedom and eternal life. 1 Jn. 2:2

5.   Made-alive (quickened) together with Him, we have been forgiven of all sins. Col. 2:13

6.   Joined in Christ death and resurrection we are judged and made alive in Him. Rm 6:8

7.   Under Grace we rest in the merits of Christ and are no longer under the Law. Rm 6:14

8.   We are now the children of God, born-again or regenerated by the Spirit. Titus 3:5

9.   The Adopted – adult heirs of a divine inheritance. Eph. 1:4-5

10.  We have been “made accepted in the beloved” able to be in union with Christ. Eph. 1:6

11.  Justified and lifted above generosity to enjoy imputed righteousness and peace. Rm 5:1 

12.  No longer strangers we have now been “brought near” by the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:13

13.  We’ve been delivered from Satan’s domain of darkness. Col. 1:13

14.  We have been translated or transferred to the kingdom of light. Col. 1:13

15.  We are building on our foundation or Rock who is Christ Jesus. 1 Cor. 3:11

16.  We are love gifts from the Father to the Son. John 17:2,6,9,11,12,24 & Heb 12:2

17.  We have been circumcised – without hands - in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2:11; Col 2:11

18.  We have been made a Holy and Royal Priesthood. 1 Pet. 2:5, 9

19.  We are a Chosen Generation, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar People. 1 Pet. 2:9

20.  Our citizenship is in Heaven and the Heavenly Jerusalem. Ph. 3:20; Heb 12:22

21.  We are in “the family of faith & the Household of God.” Gal. 6:10, Eph. 2:19 

22.  We enjoy the unity of the Spirit - within the fellowship of the Saints. Eph. 4:3

23.  We are partners in a heavenly association in life & service with Christ. Col 1:27; 3:1

24.  Christ is our access – our mediator to God, our Father. Rom. 5:2, 2 Cor 13:14

25.  We are objects of His care, peace and comfort. 2 Thess. 2:16-17

26.  We’ve been made the inheritance of Christ. Eph. 1:18

27.  We’ve been blessed with an incorruptible inheritance.  1 Pet. 1:4

28.  We are now made the refracted “light of the Lord” to the world. 2 Cor. 4:6 

29.  We are vitally united to the Triune God! 1 Th.1:1; Eph. 4:6; Rom. 8:1,9 Jn 14:20

30.  We’ve been blessed with ‘the pledge of God’ – the Spirit indwelling us. 2 Cor. 1:22

31.  We are guaranteed the blessing of being with Christ when He is Glorified. Col. 3:4

32.  We are complete in Christ! Col. 2:9-10

33.  We are in possession of every spiritual blessing. Eph. 1:3

It is quite amazing, or rather – at least for me - disturbing – to watch some of the finest evangelical academics seem so fixed on adding information to the Scripture’s text that simply is not to be found in the Scriptures themselves. It might be by defining a technical term, or theological phrase; or possibly by using the pre-existing assumptions of deductive reasoning, rather than by the use of inductive study of God’s Word – letting God’s Word speak for itself. One of the most obvious mistreatments of Scripture is to be found in these verses.  When all along Paul was doing nothing more than simply stating that God had intended that they who had placed their hope in Christ would ultimately live their lives (as apostles) to bring (or give testimony – see the Amplified Bible) praise to His Glory. 

Paul was not addressing the issue of God’s rights, omnipotence, or how he was the ultimate cause, or if He made His decisions on His omniscience or His foreknowledge. No, he was focusing us on our hope – a sure hope in Christ. 

In the blessedness of salvation from sin, slavery and guilt comes a great positive word of encouragement - “we have obtained an inheritance” planned beforehand – an inheritance that we have now and yet will even more fully enjoy and all of this will be ours through our simple faith relationship with Christ (in Him).

By “predestined” the Greek says only this: that we have an inheritance that has had its boundaries or limits marked-out beforehand. The term “counsel” speaks of the intelligent and deliberate decision to reassure God’s children regarding the blessings He, the Lord God, has always planned for them. This THE LORD will do for ALL who BELIEVE in the saving, and keeping, work of His dear Son on the cross, in HIS resurrection victory, in HIS care, and His ongoing mediation for us even now – today!  ALL …“unto the praise of His glory.” 

NOTES:

Chafer, L. S. Dr., Chafer Systematic Theology, Soteriology, Dallas, Dallas Seminary Press, 1948, (227-233). Listings on Volume Three, pages 234-265 

Ironside, Dr. Harry A., In the Heavenlies, Practical Expository Addresses on the Epistle of the Ephesians, New York, Loizeaux Brothers, 1937 /1961, p. 20. In Dr. Ironside’s personal Bible – the marginal notes have handwritten “The Heavenlies our present portion.”

Zodhiates, Spiros, discussion of in what sense God in the Old Testament period:  “… passed over the sins previously committed…” The Hebrew Greek Word Study Bible,, Chattanooga, AMG Publishers, 1990, p.1489.  Note:  Romans 3:25 

Zodhiates, Spiros, The Hebrew Greek Word Study Bible, Chattanooga, AMG Publishers, 1990, p.1489.,  “proorizo” (4309) “to determine or decree beforehand. Ephesians:1:11.  It is a word that has caused a great degree of division within the Christian Church as if it attributed to God absolute and capricious determination of who would be saved and who would not. A careful examination of each instance of its occurrence is important. (1.) in 1 Cor 2:7 it has a thing as its object, namesly the wisdom of God. The purpose was our glory which mean our proper recognition of what we were. This is in no way condemnatory. In Acts 4:28, the verb is followed by the inf. ‘Genesthai’ (1096), to be done. Here reference is made to the actions of Herod and Pontious Pilate in regard to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in doing only what knew and permitted them to do. This concerns Jesus Christ and His position in history in that it was not of man but of God. (2.) In Romans 8:29 it is used with a personal object, the relative pron. ‘hous’, whom, in the pl. – This personal pron. Applies also to the previous verb ‘progeno (4267), foreknew. The translation is “Fpr whom he foreknew, He also predestined.” The purpose of this foreordination is expressed in the phrase “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” In Ephesians 1:5 the purpose of the foreordination is the adoption, which means the placing of those who were born of God into their proper position (huiothesia, 5206), from ‘huios’ (5207) which means “Son” in His personal and voluntary conformity to the character of God, and the verb ‘tithemi (5087), to place. This is not condemnatory but rather beneficient for the believer. In v. 11 it is used again and the purpose of it is explained in v. 12 in the inf., “That we should be to the praise of his glory.” (eis to einai, “for the purpose of being”)  This purpose is benevolent. Rom. 8:30 is to be explained by v. 29 in which it is clearly stated that this fore ordination was not capricious or an independent concept or complete in itself. It was conjoined with the verb “foreknew.” The important thing for us to consider when this word is used is not who are the objects of this predestination, but what they are predestined to. They are always predestined to salvation, or to glory, etc.” [p. 1870-1871]

6.  RELATIONSHIPS by the Spirit Ephesians 1:13

6.1 THE SAVING RELATIONSHIP “IN” CHRIST. 1:13

All that you and I enjoy through the ministry of the Spirit of God we have nonetheless obtained through our relationship “in Christ.” This fact is important in this day when there are Charismatic groups claiming this is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy – a time when the Holy Spirit according their interpretation and their doctrine has ascended to priority and power. We consider this the Age of Grace not the Age of the Spirit, although we do believe the Spirit is given in this period in a new and unique way! 

The Biblical principle being taught in Ephesians and many other New Testament Scriptures is simply that there is no work of the Spirit or power or authority made available to us by the Spirit except that which is accomplished through the saving work of Jesus Christ. This work of Christ is both understood as a work He accomplished by 1^st., His atoning sacrifice and 2^nd., His resurrection power. Then, in keeping His promise the Spirit of God comes into our lives to finalize and secure our saving relationship with and through Christ.

We live in a world that is confused and regrettably much of the Christian world has for so long walked outside of a committed love for God’s Word that they too are confused. Confused? Yes really and truly confused about the Truth, itself and then confused about the Spirit of God, Himself, as well.  Are you one who is just too busy to take the time to work through your own spiritual confusion? Are you so preoccupied with the cares of life and maybe with your work? Worried and stressed beyond measure – few people today can concentrate on much of anything – not for long.  The reality is that almost any sort of mental diversion and almost any or all form of entertainment is accepted (by most people today) as essential to surviving in our post-modern world! 

THE TRUTH? How very sad it is that so few people can be found who believe that the truth can really be known! How regrettable it all is that there are so few people really willing to take the time or effort to pursue the Truth!  Housewives are just too preoccupied being “mom’s taxies” and with catering to the whims of their children’s lives – Few Moms really take the time to know the Truth or Him who alone is Truth. Husbands are to a great degree lost in the business of a world of their own.  It is common to even find ‘church attending’ Christians so busy with family, work and social life that they too are allowing the demands of life to ‘sideline’ their relationship with the Lord. Work related stress is joined with the many interruptions of school programs, sport and projects and then further filled with regular family holidays until all this pushes-in ahead of the Lord and His Word as a priority in life. Office and factory workers, alike, are caught up in the ‘hum-drum’ of lives that are pressured into a form of thoughtless slavery and these also are too busy with the demands of life to take any real time for the Truth. To think that our generation – possibly the best educated in all of history, has effectively lost our memory of the Truth – the Truth of God’s Word.  

Then, of course, with the loss of memory also comes a loss of any real appreciation of Truth’s potential or powerful role in our lives! What is life without God – what life have we found if it is to be a life lived without fellowship with our Creator and Loving Redeemer? Only a life that is facing its problems and finding genuine resolution is living life, as God would have it lived. Peace, Joy, Hope all are founded in God’s grace and our faith but this comes to us only through His Divine Truth! The Truth … this special revelation of God - is the basis for life lived in the very love of God!  Only the life that is formed and fashioned by the Word of God can really be called “LIFE, lived to the full!” 

THE GOSPEL is the Power of God unto Salvation. As such it is the will of God. The power is in the fact that it is God’s will to save us from our sinful rebellion and disastrous sinfulness. The power is in the decision of God to save and forgive us. Just as He exhibited His power in the creation by speaking – determining or willing – the creation of the world, so too – is His power revealed by His desire to save us. Just as he spoke the light into the world – He by the incarnation of His dear Son in the form of human flesh has by His will brought light again to the darkness of a sinful world. Just as He willed the creation, now too He wills the re-creation, rebirth or regeneration of each one who believes into a new life – in Christ! 

But wait, please! Go no further without understanding what is meant by the truth! The truth is not only facts about God, or even just limited to a revelation of His wonderful attributes and holy nature – no, the truth – as it is presented in this verse of Scripture – is Good News – news to be heard and accepted! The truth is not just interesting and certainly not just entertaining, no – not at all! The Truth is the good news about God’s love for you – it is all revealed, centred or focused around one issue – it is YOU! 

The Truth of the Word of God is an imperishable seed that communicates life eternal! The Word of God convicts and draws the sinner by revealing the sinfulness of man, the righteousness in Christ and the seriousness of the impending judgment of all who reject Christ. The Word of God reveals the Truth about our Saviour. The Word of God regenerates the believers while it also assures and encourages us to be confident and steadfast in our faith in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. The Word of God is a “laver” – a dedicated ‘bowl of symbolic cleansing’ – cleansing the defilement and purging the believer.  God’s wonderful Word is the Truth that works by His Spirit to preserve the believer from sin and error.  The Word of God is a “lamp” which gives the believer illumination as we meditate in its Truth. God Himself calls upon us to desire the Word of God and to carefully obey His Holy Word! The Word of God is meant to be the ‘diet” of the believer and by this milk, bread, meat, water and honey we find the strength over discouragement and distress and the discipline in out time of need!

God wants you to know that He loves you. He wants you to know the truth about the extent and degree of His love. He wants you to understand to what great lengths He has gone and to what degrees He has taken this Salvation! The Lord wants you to understand – the great price He has paid to save you, to forgive you, and to bless you! The Truth is not about itself, nor is it limited to just giving us a accurate knowledge about God, no - it is far more! The Truth is the unfolding message of God’s love for you. It was revealed and is written and spoken … to us but primarily FOR US – to His praise and glory! 

First we are expected to listen to God’s Word – that means we are to listen to its truth while accepting it as from God Himself. Then “after listening” we are expected to use our soul’s option – to believe! The soul of man is provided a level of competency before God to be truly without excuse. We can choose. We have been offered – as a heavenly blessing – redemption itself. He has bought us back from the bondage to sin but we must accept Him and this blessing of salvation. Then too we have been offered adoption, another legal term and another legal benefit but faith in Christ is still the essential element to benefit from this blessing. It might be helpful to explain that redemption and adoption may be understood as external blessings and the internal blessings would be regeneration and sanctification. These all depend upon God’s forgiveness of our sin. 

We are responsible or free to use the liberty of our soul to believe, to trust in God and to adhere to and rely upon Him. “Having also believed” now takes the matter to the next step… 

6.2 THE SEALING RELATIONSHIP “IN CHRIST”. 1:13b

Being … “sealed, in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” is an exciting truth and is certainly reassuring in times of doubt, but there is more than this to consider. Having this “seal” is literally having a life intertwined with the ministry of the Spirit of God in this dispensation of the New Covenant. Being a “New Covenant” believer means being afforded many of the spiritual blessings outlined in Jeremiah 31:31-34. These blessings are outlined in the New Testament Scriptures in Hebrews 8:8-12; 9:15-22 and 10:14-25.

 

6.3 THE SECURITY OF OUR INHERITANCE. 1:14a

The Father planned and purposed; the Son provided and purchased; the Holy Spirit applied and persuaded. Then, further, the Holy Spirit takes the personal responsibility to be our guarantee until the final day of our eternal redemption when all is, then, complete. Vincent, one of Christianities most famous Greek professors, points out that the idea of a pledge (or earnest) was in times past referred to as “caution money” that was deposited by a purchaser in pledge of a later full payment. One day, the Lord will come – will return in the clouds to Rapture – ‘gather away’ those who make up the body of Christ, in other words – those who are “in Christ.” This will be the final redemption or taking possession of what is His. He has, by His atoning work on the cross, purchased the believer out of the “Market Place” of sin and now we have this additional assurance or “insurance” that He will soon come and take that which is His – I am referring to you, you (that is) who believe and call Him your Lord and Saviour.

Dr. A.J. Gordon, explains the matter of security clearly in his statement that: “If (we were) joined to the Lord by a mere external bond only, the believer might well live in fear of being rent from Him by the strain of fierce temptation. But as transcendently intimate is this relation, that the Holy Spirit even uses Christ and the church as interchangeable terms in the Scriptures. Now it is the human body that shadows forth the divine mystery, “As the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so I Christ. Now ye are the body of Christ and member in particular.”  And will Christ permit this body to be dismembered?” … God has … reunited … the body (the Church – believers) … “to Himself, that through this union He may communicate to it that divine life and energy, without which all discipline were utterly futile. The method of Grace is precisely the reverse of the method of legalism. Legalism is holiness in order to obtaining or accomplish union with God; Grace is union with God in order to achieve holiness.”

From a broader study of the Scriptures we understand that the Spirit of God has many ministries – actually involved fully with all that the Trinity or the Godhead are collectively doing to save us from our sin. Specifically, though in this passage the reference goes beyond the Spirit’s work of sealing to that of securing our inheritance. We have many enemies such as the world, the flesh and the devil but we need not fret over enemies recognizing that our God is our pledge of “good faith” – our guarantee. “Later in Ephesians 6: 12 we will see that our inheritance is not only in the heavenlies but in this sphere now in the grasp of Satan and all his hosts. Satan is not in hell; he is operating on the earth, in Los Angeles, in New York – everywhere. He has the seat of authority in the heavenlies, but thank God, he will be cast out of that sphere when the day of Christ’s (demonstrated) power begins.

Being overcomers is a blessing and a responsibility – at the same time. We are enabled by His Grace but called upon by His Word to choose to act obediently and with all self-discipline!

SUMMARY: YOUR REDEMPTION … TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. 1:14b.

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory

 Psalm 90:1,2 “Lord God, thou art our refuge for ever and ever. Before the mountains were, and the earth and the world were created, art thou God, from eternity to eternity.”  “This ‘God of Eternity’ has called the Ages into existence. From Him issues, as the ‘mystery of His will,’ the decree of creation and redemption. He ‘who accomplishes all things according to the decree (the council and design) of his own free will’  has in Himself determined this design and is therefore not only the Creator of the universe but also “the King of the world periods (ages)”  He is the beginning. He is the alpha; for “from Him and through Him are all things.”  And if then the end returns again to Him “so that God may be all things in all,” this comes to pass because the end lies in the beginning, the omega in the alpha. “To Him are all things. To Him be glory in eternity! Amen.” Romans 11:36.

We are redeemed, in Christ, and as such are the “overcomers!” Dr. B.H. Carroll explains that “… the word ‘overcometh’ is not limited to one definite transaction, but has a continuous meaning – a sweep beyond a single event. What are its terminals? When does the overcoming commence and where does it end? It commences with justification and ends at the death of the body with complete sanctification of the soul. “He that endureth unto the end shall be saved” – “be thou faithful unto death, and thou shalt receive a crown of life.” John elsewhere supplies the object of the verb. Twice he says: “Ye have overcome the wicked one” ( 1 John 2:13-14). Three times he declares the world as the object to be overcome (1 John 5:4-5). Only those “born of God overcome the world.”   Dr Carroll continues his explanation by pointing out that: “The means of overcoming is “the blood of the Lamb.”  The instrumentality is faith – “and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). Satan, his emissaries and the world that lieth in him, must be overcome. By faith the child of God goes on from victory to victory – from grace to grace – from strength to strength – from glory to glory. 

We will surely overcome in Christ and reign together with Christ in his Messianic Kingdom – in millennial glory! Then, throughout all eternity we will forever be with the Lord! To the praise of His Glory!  Dr. Louis Talbot rightly points out, that: “Such a marvellous revelation of the goodness and greatness of the Love of God is not to be found in any other epistle. What God is doing for saved men and women as described in the Epistle to the Ephesians cannot be excelled.” The Effect is great but the Cause is greater! 

“Of Father, Son and Spirit we

Extol the threefold care,

Whose love, whose merit and whose power,

Unite to lift us there.”

 

KNOWING EPHESUS

 

1. GOING to Ephesus; ACTS 18:19-211  & 
2. SOWING amidst the Ephesians ACTS 19
3. WATERING the Believers at Ephesus ACTS 20
4. GATHERING a body in Christ Ephesians 1:1-6

COLLECTING OUR THOUGHTS: In our  precious conversations we have discussed Going, Sowing Watering and ...now we consider Gathering. We observed that these are essential elements for planting, growing and maintaining spiritually dynamic congregations of believers. This spiritual process is the inner work of the Spirit of God working through the Word of God. These ministries of initial evangelism, basic discipleship and becoming a “collective work at work” all depend on co-workers faithfully preaching, teaching and living-out the Truth of God’s Word. The resulting inner-life of the believer is communicated through these terms:  “In Him,” “in Christ,” “our walk,” “riches,” “love,” “the Spirit,” “submission,” and “the church.” 

4. GOD GATHERS HIS CHILDREN:. Ephesians 1:1-6

Paul’s rich encouragement was inspired by the Spirit of God and is the Word of God fulfilling the Old Testament promises that are being explained on the basis of the New Covenant.

4.1 TALKING POINTS: GOD’S WILL.

Ephesians 1:1-3 —  “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:  2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

God’s Will: Apostles. (1.)  How do we establish who an Apostle is? Scripture Text?

God’s  Will: Faithful Servants. What Biblical standards (Examples) are there for Faithfulness?

God’s Will: Grace & Peace (2.) How are these two terms different?

God Wills: Spiritual Blessings (3) What practical (current/today) examples are there?

All … to us

In … Heavenly Places

In … Christ.

In verses 1-2, we can observe these faithful believers gathering in groups throughout the city of Ephesus and hearing these  loving greetings. God’s will, apostleship, sainthood, faithfulness relate to believers who “in Christ Jesus.” These New Testament and Early Church Period believers, could now enjoy the benefits of God’s blessings of grace, and peace. These blessings fill the heart of believers with joy! This is especially true when believers contemplate or consider the importance of these special blessings of God’s grace.  

God’s will: created these special Apostolic witnesses of His Son’s divinity, humanity, redemptive sacrifice, victorious resurrection and His promises to gather-up the Saints and to return to establish His Kingdom. This group of witnesses were referred to as Apostles. God willed that all those who believed would also be privileged to serve Him in witnessing, as well. The Apostles were first hand witnesses of the realities and truths of Christ. We also have many opportunities to witness and we are able to be competent servant-worshippers by His grace. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 3:1-6)

God also willed that believers could call upon Him and ask Him to bless others, or, to impart both grace and peace to our brothers and sisters in Christ - to one another. These blessings come as answered prayers (not just meaningless greetings or formalities) as God’s interventions of inner spiritual strength. Such spiritual blessings come from God’s kindness and are sourced from God’s own heavenly standard based on His nature or the essence of His being and attributes. For us, as believers, these spiritual kindnesses come to us through our relationship “in Christ.” 

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

Every spiritual blessing:” Dr. Henry C. Thiessen – explains, is referring to the basis of our sanctification! There are two parties that have to do with man’s sanctification: God and man. However, it is not God the Father only, but the Triune God that has a part in the work. God the Father sanctifies the believer in that he reckons the holiness of Christ to him, works in him that which is well-pleasing in His sight and disciplines him. Christ sanctifies the believer by laying down His life for him and in producing holiness in him by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer in that He frees (Romans 6) him from the carnal nature, to strive against the manifestation of that old nature, putting to death the old nature as the believer yields it to Him for crucifixion and produces the fruit of the Spirit.

Every one of these blessings – now to be discussed in chapter one – are from above from heaven. The word “places” is not in the original but added by the translators to assist the reader. Dr. Harry Ironside rightly points out that: “The apostle is not talking about something that may be ours when we get to heaven, but right here and now I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.” This reference to heaven is not about their “source” i.e. heavenly places, but is a reference to the fact that these are precursors or previews of the very blessings we will enjoy in heaven with God – in eternity and in His presence. These blessings are available to us because of our relationship – positionally and practically – as those who are - in Christ! This is all by virtue of our union with Christ (Lightfoot).

In the Epistle to the Ephesians the Christian is seen as chosen for a wonderful blessedness where we are “ascending and seated” in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. The fact that verse three pointed out that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the true source of all our blessings is foundational or essential truth! Yet equally true is the fact that all these verses, from verse three to six, are joined together to identify the Heavenly Father as making His plans to bless us before the world itself was founded. This plan to offer every believer full salvation and spiritual blessedness literally ‘flows’ from His Divine: the eternal attribute of heavenly love! 

Many theologians and academics seem to get lost on the idea that God “chose us,” while loosing sight of the issue under consideration.  When we become preoccupied with any single idea and lose the context and purpose of the overall statement we do serious damage to God’s Word. Yes, we who are the blessed of God are chosen and selected for something but the question must not be avoided – what is it that we are chosen to be  or to receive? The passage is clear, we are being blessed of the Lord so “that we would be holy and blameless before Him, in love.”

The context is clear. Verse three establishes that “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” are ours so to lead to God’s plan and purpose for us – the blessedness of being holy and blameless before the Lord, in love.” It was and is God’s own Divine plan and full expectation that those who place their trust in Christ for salvation will find themselves in a practical love based relationship of salvation through Christ.  In this new and special relationship the believer is set apart unto God (holy) and found blameless in the righteousness of Christ. We, then, have received the most wonderful of heavenly blessings – free and full access to stand before and walk with God, in love.

4.2 TALKING POINTS: GOD BLESSES.

God’s has His choices and His choices are related to His eternal being and nature.

2 Corinthians 13:11 

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” (kjv) 

1 John 4:16 

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (kjv)

Blessed in Christ

Blessed to be holy

Blessed to be without blame

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

In verse four, we see the expansion or more complete explanation of the earlier considered special relationship “in Him”. Now, we who are “in Him” are encouraged to be given the knowledge that even before the foundation of the world, God decided to include, as a part of grace and peace, our own secure competency and confident (in Christ), blessedness would be including with forgiveness. 

The thought of verse four carries right into verse five. Now, we are told, that because of His love, or concern for our well-being, He has predetermined (predestined) that all who believed in Him would immediately be adopted as His children. Here we see the unlimited blessings and kindness of God. Here we observe God declaring us to be more than the heart can imagine (1 Cor 2:9). Along with God’s gracious judicial (Romans 4) justification of our situation of sin guilt before Him He has by justifying us also liberated and pronounced a declaration of emancipation, exculpation and acquittal  and this is for all who, like Abraham, have placed their faith in His Son for salvation! 

Allow me to quote a few excerpts from a most meaningful study by Udo Middelmann: 

“The first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesians is another place where the word “predestined” occurs. The whole chapter revolves around God’s choice to offer us salvation and much more. The letter was written in part against the Gnostic heresies that promoted, under the influence of Platonic ideas, a search for spiritual accomplishments by freeing oneself from matter, history and reality by means of secret knowledge. The quest for this arcane knowledge, it was said, would achieve spiritual results and greater independence from a painful material experience.

Pau’s response to these ideas is that we have in Christ the Godhead in bodily for (Colossians 2:9). Our God did not dwell in some remote galaxy but had come in the flesh. He is the creator of the material world; he came for lunch and discussions in it. We should not pursue the kind of spirituality that abstracts us from the real life, from our bodies, from thought and reflection, or from the efforts to resist the results of the fall in a broken world through work, love and creativity. The “Spiritual,” that Paul taught, is what God has communicated by means of the Spirit in Word and work to tell us what He had in mind when He made us in the first place. It informs our spirit so that we can live more truly and fully as human beings in the completeness of our being, both body and soul. 

From God’s Spirit, the author of the prophetic (Biblical) text , we know that we are not meant to be angels or wisps of ectoplasm. Neither are we to take life’s experiences uncritically, just lying low. The word from God tells us from outside our visual reality how to look at all of life from the vantage point of God. This perspective not only tells us what is, but also what ought to be. We learn where it is no longer or not gain and what we should do to bring it about.

In Ephesians Paul speaks of the spiritual accomplishments God has already gained for us. We have already received all spiritual blessings in Christ in heavenly places (1:3) We do not need secret knowledge (mysticism or Gnosticism, etc. drMSBsr), the denial of matter, or the abrogation of real life. We are not looking (like Platonism, or asceticism) for ways to free the soul from the body or other ways to become spiritual. In Christ we have all the spiritual blessings we will ever need. (Middelmann, Udo, The Innocence of God, Downers Grove, Biblical Books by InterVarsity Press, 2007, p. 83-84.)

Now we can see how clearly verse four states ‘more about the more’ that we have in Christ. 

Verse four explains that being “in him” includes a purposefulness of an inner victorious new man  relationship (1 Joh 3:4-6) where we are truly blessed to be set aside, consecrated or dedicated to God’s purposes (i.e., ‘holy’).

4.3 TALKING POINTS: GOD ADOPTS.

Ephesians 1:5  “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

God Predestines: (5)

Unto Adoption by Christ

To Himself

To please His will (6.)

To the praise of His Grace

To our Acceptance as Beloved.

Now, we are also declared to be granted adoption. This adoption is the granting of a full status of spiritual and eternal rights by being placed into God’s family. Now, we are granted the rights of a mature adult son (with full and immediate rights of adoption). The King James Version uses “children” rather than sons but “hulothesian” (Grk. refers to the fullness of belonging to God not immaturity of age.). We, then, are not to be seen as “little children” in any possible diminutive or secondary interpretation of our access to our God-given rights. 

I return to Udo Middelmann’s thoughts for a short moment:

WHY? In answer to this existential question Paul details the Biblical view in one long sentence: in Christ we have been chosen to be holy and blameless (v.4); through him (Christ) we have been predestined for adoption (v.5); in the beloved (Christ) we have been blessed with glorious grace (v.6); in Him (Christ) we have redemption and forgiveness (v.7); God lavished the riches of His grace on us, making known to us the mystery of his will and purpose which He sets forth in Christ (v. 8,9). Another sentence continues: we, the Jews, have received an inheritance in him (Christ) (v.11) according to his predestined purpose, and you all, the Gentiles, when you believed, were sealed with the Holy Spirit (v.13) as a guarantee of our inheritance until we receive the full possession (v.14.) (Ibid., Middelmann)

In this relationship of love, Ephesians 1:5 declares that God - “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

God is, in these Words is sharing with us  …that in eternity He decided that He wanted all of those who believed on His Son’s finished work ..  they could be assured that every blessing already a reality in heaven would become a reality for them. The members of His family - including, of course, the adopted sons in Christ, are given an eternal relationship with the Father. This amazing relationship has the purpose of giving heavenly blessings to the praise of the glory of his grace! 

“In regeneration we receive a new life, in justification, a new standing; and, in adoption a new position. From eternity God had planned to save us from our sins and make us His children by New Birth, but not only this – there is more! Yes, forgiven, born-again but more! We are now being told that in the eternal plan of God, God foreordained or predestined that we would be adopted as an act of Grace. Our loving God willed to positionally establish every one who believed on His Son, Jesus Christ, would be declared an adult son. This blessing – like all others – is made available to us through Christ. This adoption or “adult sonship” – as the Greek word indicates -- establishes us in a firm relationship with our heavenly Father – not as an immature child with no rights to the eternal and heavenly blessings and inheritance but the truth of adoption establishes (shall we say legally) that we will receive all the blessings of a full inheritance. 

As adults freed from the law, forgiven of our sin, we are also granted the Spirit of God as our indwelling comforter, teacher, seal, life-giver and witness of our new adult relationship before the Father. 

For this reason, “we cry out, ‘ABBA FATHER!’” Romans 8:11-17 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

The Lord is good and “according to the kind intention of His will” He has saved us and this kind (loving) intention is based on totally on His – infinite holiness, love, wisdom, omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence. This salvation is accomplished according to a well-ordered plan, and worked out without accident or confusion to a glorious end. Yet, this salvation is neither forced on anyone or fatalistically imposed on the world.

Now,  we walk with our Father (Romans 8:13-16) Who lovingly lavishes the grace of redemption, forgiveness and acceptance on us - you and me!  This is such an amazing thought and truth.  The walk we choose with the Spirit and in the Spirit (Romans 8:4-12) is directly related to one’s seriousness toward the things of the Lord.  In other words, our maturity depends upon our choices to act responsibly by submit each day to the Spirit of God. It also needs to be said that we can also bless God, or worship God, by our deeds, our works or actions. As we manifest the truth to others, or in other words, witness to His truth we by such acts of love support our words of praise and testimony to God’s worthiness. When we share the truth of God – His love, His righteousness and His judgment we are tools of the Holy Spirit – used by Him to deliver the Word of God – the Truth: “the glad tidings of good things” … the message of faith – all quite necessary if they are to “call upon the name of the Lord.” Worship that begins in public, that is founded in our private prayer results in proclamation of His message of Love and this, too, is truly an act or action of Worship! 

“What love desired, that wisdom planned, intelligence chose, will decreed and Providence worked out, making contribution thereto the whole universe with all its material laws and spiritual intelligences.” 

 Eph. 1:6 “to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”

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THE GOSPEL BAND

Acts 19:22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. (29.)  And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. (20:4) And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi ..."

The Gospel Band"  by Dr. Marc S. Blackwell, Sr.

I am thankful for the late Dr. Harry Ironside's influence and his having introduced me to the idea of the "Gospel Band" - way back - when I was a young boy and just after I had accepted Christ as my Savior. OK, I confess that my youthful imagination might have mixed the story -- just a little  with the "Band" of men in the folklores of "Sherwood Forest." Of course, I did understand that this was not a some sort of a small musical or rock group, but I probably did not fully understand the spiritual purposes for "banding together." In time, over the years, as I studied the book of Acts and the ministry of Paul and the other Apostles until the real importance of the Gospel Band became clear. I would like to share that with you.

(1.) COME & SEE. Yes, it all started right here with an invitation! He (Jesus) saith unto them, 'Come and see.' John 1:39. The 'Gospel Band'- in its infancy started, right here. Then. of course, the twelve disciples (Apostles) went into training by traveling, experiencing, witnessing, discussing, questioning, praying and serving. When we read Luke's Spirit inspired historical account in Acts, Judas will be replaced. The Apostles, and those others (growing number of disciples) who joined them, like Jesus' own mother, brothers and others, followed the instructions to go and wait for the Spirit of God to come, which He did do at Pentecost. Those believer's already gathered and with thousands more - they all by placing their faith in Christ's finished work - would be saved, yes,  regenerated by the Spirit (baptized in the Spirit - Acts ) on that day and in the days following.

(2.) GO & MAKE  DISCIPLES. With the instructions of the resurrected Lord in Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8 the 'making of disciples" -- evangelization & teaching Truth -- would begin but only once they, themselves, were born-again by the Spirit.  Peter, was first (Acts 2:14-47) to publicly declare this salvation in Christ Jesus, the Lord, a witness of the crucified but resurrected Jesus.  Three Thousand personally or individually received the preaching and prophetic Word and by faith accepted Christ as their Saviour.  John soon (Acts 3:1-4:4) joined Peter in speaking to the crowds of people and to the Temple priests,  including the captain of the Temple. Then they faced the opposition of the Sadducees but not before 5000 men, by faith accepted the resurrected Christ as their Savior (Acts 4:4). Imprisonment only emboldened the resolve of the Apostles and the many new disciples, as well. 

(3.) HIS WITNESSES. Acts 5:29-32. The Pharisees were warned by Gamaliel not to "...fight against God" (5:39) Nonetheless, the Apostles were beaten and warned "not to speak in the name of Jesus," but they went on "...rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name and daily in the temple and in every house they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (Acts 5:41-42) With Stephen's amazing sermon, arrest, defense and martyrdom in Acts 6-7 and with Philip (Acts 8) preaching the Gospel in Samaria and his evangelistic ministry in Gaza, to the Ethiopian eunuch, the expansion to the whole world was underway. As the evangelism spread in the accounts of Luke in Acts Chapters Eight to Eighteen the expansion would multiply and the teams would spread further and further out along the coastline of the Mediterranean. 

I have chosen a portion from the Acts of the Apostles chapter fourteen to serve a a representative 'sample and summary' of this theme: Acts 14:19 "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

4. ROMAN ROADS. Evangelistic teams like Barnabas and Paul and Peter, and those who served alongside of them, were so very active and the churches were at early stages of formation (Acts 16:5; 17:34; 18:8.)so, maybe, this is why they understood their need for each other. More evangelists were added as we see in Acts 18:2, 19:1 and 21:4, 16 but still it may not be evident to many just what the Lord was doing through these scattered believers. Historians point out that the Roman Roads were used in the providence of God to provide the Apostolic and Christian witnesses a relatively safe and efficient means of travel that played a meaningful part of the advance of the Gospel. As true as this is, there were other vital reasons, as well. Bringing them together as a "Gospel Band" meant they could travel the roads to a central location or "hub" city - specifically to each of the Roman Providences. All the Providences had, at least one, such central city and the 'strategy of Paul' is obvious that these men could move together, arrive and make a 'base' and then spread out to the surrounding 'satellite' towns and villages. But was this the most important aspect of the Gospel Bands being banded together? I think not, as valuable as those insights are, the banding of these brethren or possibly we should say for the modern reader - the "networking" of these evangelists had an even greater purpose. 

Read, please these verses: 

Traveling companions 

 A Gospel Band: Paul, Gaius + see Acts 19:22, 29; 20:4. Compare Romans 15:14-33 and 16:1-27; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; 16:1-24; 2 Corinthians 6:3-14; 10:1-18; 12:11- - 13:4; Ephesians 6:18-23; Colossians 4:7--17; and 2 Timothy 4:7-22.

UNITY OF THE SPIRIT.  It is my firm conviction that the Lord never meant for us to work "on our own." Years of ministry experience and observation have reassured me that the New Testament never teaches us an idea of a single or lone worker being effective (Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 3:16-21) in this Age of Grace (Philippians 4:9-20). Yes, I will admit that the Old Testament seems to support the possibility of a singular prophet but even there, one wonders if that was really the only way. Never-the-less, the New Testament knows nothing of this absolute independent and lone soul serving the Lord in some independent, withdrawn or isolated ministry (2 Timothy 2:2; 4:19-21). Too many pastors have isolated and insulated themselves from the other brethren around them. We who are independent Baptist are needing to be truly inter-dependent with-in our regional fellowship with others. Pastors, have deacons as -co-workers and not as a committee or a "board of directors' or a "Council." Co-workers, are those who share and band together to do the work of the Lord (Titus 1:8). 

I understand that we must separate from evil, compromise and error, but all too often it is not separation but self-imposed isolation that is interfering with our lives. We set the standard to low. We feel if we are doing this or that to our best that is enough. in reality the New Testament speaks of fellowship as service in action. We serve together - co-workers. If someone offends you - work at making the matter right between you.  ( See the note below) We need each other to grow - Ephesians 4:15-16. Only by growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ can we improve our spiritual walk and our spiritual models. Only once we are willing to grow - [at what ever stage or age in life we might find ourselves] -  can we foster further Christian dialogue and be a party to the nurturing of the personal vision of others with which we have to do. Only by the personal edification and the building of shared visions in concert with others - with family members, co-workers, others concerned and committed to Christ can we expect to know the blessings of the Lord on our ministries. 

 1 Peter 4:7 ”But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 

9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”  (nkjv)

SHARED VISION.  If we place others outside of our circle of communication, cooperation or fellowship due to: (i.) our frustrations with their inconsistencies, (ii.) our disrespect for their choices, or (iii.) even our concerns about their weaker theological views, we will only weaken overall all that we are attempting to do by the grace of God. If, for what ever reasons we might recognise or if due to whatever errors we ultimately can not resolve between each other, we become isolated - Satan wins that round. If we are driven by the Tyranny of the Urgent: or the day to day responsibilities of life - to the degree that we are not organizing, not scheduling doing things ourselves because we have left it to late to include others - then, we are in trouble organizationally and in time - spiritually too.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

To think honestly, orderly and efficiently we must deal with the real surface challenges in our live and ministries. Only by growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ can we improve our spiritual walk and our spiritual models. Only once we are willing to grow - [at what ever stage or age in life we might find ourselves] -  can we foster further Christian dialogue and be a party to the nurturing of the personal vision of others with which we have to do. Only by the personal edification and the building of shared visions in concert with others - with family members, co-workers, others concerned and committed to Christ can we expect to know the blessings of the Lord on our ministries. 

Summary thoughts: Time does not heal, time hides but only God's grace in action in lives by the Spirit and the Word changes hearts. We must all agree that the Word of God by the Spirit of God can guide us all into what I am calling the ‘Higher Ground’ of love and service in Christ Jesus. The best term that describes this matter is the Biblical terminology: "the unity of the Spirit." 

Spiritual Unity results from, among other things, prayerful and humble reconciliation, living peaceably with all men through Christian love, honest communication and reasonable cooperation. Not everyone’s personality will be easy for you to work easily with, or to work happily along side of one another! 

A Few Keys:

(i.) Effective communication 

(ii.) Cooperation 

(iii.) Planning along with 

(iv.) Strategic thinking are vital.

Biblical truth is not just a matter of doctrine but Biblical Truth also speaks of our living truly, or ethically. The collective objective of any one of us who call ourselves pastors, deacons, evangelists or missionaries should not be 'unique' from all the other believers.  If we place other co-workers or really - any believers  outside of our circle of communication, cooperation or fellowship due to: (i.) our frustrations with their inconsistencies, (ii.) our disrespect for their choices, or (iii.) even our concerns about their weaker theological views, we will only weaken overall all that we are attempting to do by the grace of God (Consider carefully, please: Romans 14:1-23 with 15:1-7).  

A Christian's weaknesses, or judgment errors and personal inexperience are not matters of doctrinal heresy. By serving together we can strengthen our ability to learn together and then we can lead our ministries and our brethren to more responsible and greater capabilities that can bring eternal glory to our Lord. Christ is coming... soon!  How can the Christians to whom we minister be able to ignore what they know is unresolved between their leaders? We need ‘Higher Ground’ - the Word of God call us to love and service in Christ Jesus. The best term that describes this matter is the Biblical terminology: "the unity of the Spirit." May the Lord give us this vision for ...

"BANDING TOGETHER FOR THE GOSPEL."

FOOTNOTES:

You might also want to view my YouTube series and those themed around Acts 20,  a year or so back. 

Note: I have not footnoted each reference to each thought in this article, though this is my normal practice. Rather, this time, I have only listed a partial Bibliography as a reference to the books I have researched and referred to in my preparations. I apologize for this disadvantage to you but ask that you understand that my thoughts were formed from a broad reading rather than specific quotes or small sections of reading.

Also available by request. Blackwell, Sr., Marc S.,  The Rise and Fall of Fundamentalism. A brief historical survey and analysis on the Unity of the Spirit in the history of independent Baptists.

Note: Leadership that operates in an Episcopal or hierarchical style focuses on a "rank" basis  of leadership or a tiered leadership style. The Leadership that operates in a Presbyterial or in some cases the format of a “Diaconate’ are thought to be more responsive to a ‘team approach’ but this depends on the degree of individual leadership and spiritual maturity found among those governance bodies. The idea that the congregational form of governance is more “flat” or less “tiered” depends on the congregation’s own maturity, competency and culture. Further, in any specific congregation’s own governance - the levels of team work depend greatly on the failure or success of voluntary cooperation as influenced by differing personalities & dominance or by the leaders’ own concepts and presuppositions of leadership in light of the Biblical call for submission of all, leaders included. Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

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REFERENCES:

Conybeare, Rev. W. J. (M.A.), and Howson, Rev. J.S. (D.D.), The Life and Epistles of St. Paul, Reprint 1962, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, p. 3-24. (Reprinted from 1868 London edition by Macmillan & Co.)

Ramsay, W. M., D. C. L., St. Paul The Traveller and the Roman Citizen, London, 1894/, Hodder & Stoughton. Eihth Edition 1905.

Scofield, C,I. (Editor) New Scofield Bible with Reference Notes, K.J.V., London, and New York, Oxford Press

Wiersby, Warren W., The Bible Exposition Commentary, Old and New Testament, Two Volumes, Eastbourne, England, Victor, Kingsway Communications Ltd., 2001.

Wilson, Tom, What the Bible Teaches: Ephesians (Leckie, A.), Kilmarnock, John Ritchie Ltd. Publishers, 1983. This Brethren publication covers 9 volumes with each section or book of the New Testament written by different authors: Jack Hunter, Albert Leckie, Sydney Maxwell, Thomas Bentley and Albert McShane.

Wuest, Kenneth S., Dr., Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament for the English Reader, Three Volume Set of all His Writings, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1953

Zodhiates, Spiros, Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, N.A.S.V., Chattanooga, American Mission to the Greeks Publishers, 1984, 1990. Also, Zodhiates, Spiros, Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, K.J.V., Chattanooga, American Mission to the Greeks Publishers, 1984, 1990, [Note: Dr. Zodhiates writings and notes have been a major influence in my life and ministry].(Later versions removed Zodhiates’ non-Calvinistic comments and replace them with Calvanistic views drMSBsr).