Back at the tender age of 19 I landed an assistant manger job at the Radio Shack in Thomasville. As a lifelong Lexington boy I only knew enough about Thomasville to find my way to work. But I didn’t get out much and anything further north than DCCC was unknown territory to me. One day at work I was entrusted to deliver some merchandise from our store to the High Point Radio Shack which was then located on Westchester Dr. If I had to drive it now I could do it in 10 to 15 minutes. At that time I was unfamiliar with Thomasville … and High Point … forget about it. Nonetheless, I figured I could do it with directions, so one of the ladies I worked with gave me some simple instructions on how to find the High Point Radio Shack. I packed up my Ford Ranger and headed out on the trip.
After 45 minutes to an hour I realized that I was lost. I couldn’t find High Point or my way back to Thomasville. Looking back I think I ended up further east around Sophia. As a man it took all my effort to swallow my pride and stop and ask for directions. The place I chose looked something like a country gas station and café. I walked in and, much to my dismay, a bunch of good old boys were hanging out in there having fellowship I suppose. I went over to a man behind a counter who appeared to work there and asked him how to get to High Point. Rather than just tell me, he asked the one question I hoped he’d never utter: “Where are you coming from?” When I said, “Thomasville,” all of the good old boys erupted into laughter. After the mirth died down he gave me directions and I slinked out, completely humiliated. I did find the High Point Radio Shack, but burned up several hour of work.
What’s the moral of that story? I’m stupid. No, that’s not it. The moral is: you can’t get to where you need to go unless you know where you are. That’s why, when you walk into a shopping mall one of the first things you’ll encounter is a high display with a map showing the location of various stores. When you look at the map, in order to get your bearings, the first thing you have to find is the big, red dot that says, “You Are Here.” You can’t get to where you need to go unless you know where you are.
Today we’re beginning a brand new series on the book of Ephesians. Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Ephesus during his Roman imprisonment around 60 AD because he had a specific goal in mind. Ephesus was one of the most influential cities in Asia Minor. Paul first contacted the Ephesians with the gospel during his second missionary journey in 52 AD. He returned about a year later and developed a strong, growing church there. Knowing their pivotal position in the region Paul wrote this letter to instruct them how to live so that they might impact their world for Jesus Christ. Before embarking on theology and practical instructions for living, Paul begins with a simple greeting. The greeting is only two verses long and the words are so familiar to us that it’s tempting to overlook them and move onto the “meat.” Let’s resist the urge because this is an inspired greeting. These verses are kind of like the big red dot on the mall map with the words: “You Are Here.” Paul understood that the Ephesians could never get to where God wanted them to go unless they knew where they were. Here’s how he began:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1-2
This greeting was not only for the ancient Ephesians. It’s also for us today. We like them are called to bring the world of God into the world of man. In other words, our task as Christians is to bring together two worlds that are worlds apart. To get to where you need to go you have to know where you are. Paul demonstrates this in two simple verses.
Approaches to Bring Worlds Apart Together
1. Understand culture to determine what to adapt or discard
The Ephesian Christians were Gentiles or nonJews. They spoke and wrote in Greek. Their literature followed Greek forms. It should not surprise us that Paul used a Greek letter writing style to communicate with them. In fact, all of his New Testament letter, which were written primarily to Gentile converts, follow the same pattern: 1) Identification of the writer; 2) Greeting; 3) Prayer or wish for good health; 4) Body of the letter; 5) and Greeting. He adapted a pagan form of letter writing to communicate the word of God. Paul understood the culture of Ephesus well and was able to bring the world of God to the world of man through a vehicle they’d understand.
Paul’s greeting, in particular reflects this. The typical Greek greeting was, “Rejoice!” Paul replaced it with “Grace!” In the original language those words have similar sounds. Paul also added the word “peace.” His greeting, a twist on the Greek cultural form was full of theological meaning. In all of his letters grace comes before peace. He’s giving them the gospel in a nutshell. It was the will of God the Father to send His Son Jesus to die for your sins so that you could be forgiven and have salvation. Why? Grace. It was God’s undeserved favor extended to sinful human beings. Grace brings peace: peace with God; peace with one another; peace within.
This was Paul’s method. As long as they did not compromise his integrity, Paul used cultural forms to reach people with the gospel. When he was witnessing to Jews, he conducted himself as a Jew eating kosher food and observing the customs. When he was with Gentiles he ate whatever was put before him without asking questions and spoke in a language they’d understand. We find his modus operandi in 1 Corinthians 9:
I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22
Paul was simply following the pattern of God who was not content to thunder His law from on high. When God wanted to fully communicate his love and grace to people He adapted to their human culture in a profound way:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:1, 14a
Jesus became flesh just like us. Jesus lived and moved and breathed. He felt pleasure and pain, joy and heartache, just like us. Jesus was tempted in every way, just like us, but, unlike us, remained without sin. He didn’t adapt everything. Sin was discarded.
If we are to bring worlds apart together, we must become serious student of 21st century American culture and serious students of the word of God. We must understand our culture to communicate the life-changing Good News to it, but be so rooted in God’s standards that we are not corrupted by it.
Modern translations of the Bible are a means of adapting to our changing culture. We should encourage, read, and share Bibles with updated language. But then we must avoid attempts to take out material that some people in our culture find offensive. A few years ago, for example, a new version of the NIV Bible was published that deleted all gender-specific references to God. In other words, you shouldn’t call God “He” or “Him” or use the possessive “His.” In my opinion, that’s going too far. Prettying up the language to make certain sins palpable is also to be avoided.
Music is another area that is open to adaptation. There’s really no such thing as sacred music. It’s the lyrics, not the music, that makes songs secular of Christian. If you’re reaching out to Hispanics your worship songs should probably have a Salsa rhythm. In an urban culture you might use R&B or Rap. Suburbanites would connect with Pop or Rock flavored music. In our area, Country would be a good bet. We should, however, draw a line at certain secular lyrics. The themes and language of much modern music would be out of bounds. I’ve noticed that a lot of what passes for Christian music today is little more than a secular love song with the name Jesus thrown in. That is to be discarded.
Those are just two obvious examples where we need to be students of our culture to effectively communicate the gospel. To bring worlds apart together you’ve got to know where you are to get to where you’re going.
2. Never confuse culture with Christianity
In his greeting, Paul reminded the Ephesians of their dual citizenship. He addressed his letter to “the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” Physically, they were citizens of Ephesus, but in every other way, they were citizens of heaven. He called the Ephesians “saints.” Is that because they were perfect in righteousness and purity? Of course not! If their conduct made them saints there’d be no need for Paul to tell them in 4:17-18:
…You must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God … Ephesians 4:17-18
A saint, according to a Greek understanding, was one who could approach God or one who was set apart for God’s service. What qualified the Ephesians as saints? They were “the faithful in Christ” which meant those who actively believed in sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. Their position “in Christ” by faith made them saints, who could approach God and were deemed worthy to serve God.
In the Old Testament, the people could only approach God for worship in the temple by engaging in various rituals and abstaining from certain practices. Just read the book of Leviticus, often called the Holiness Code, and you see how enormous the task to be able to approach God. Unless you were a priest you couldn’t really serve God except maybe with your tithes and offerings. Only priests were qualified to actually serve God.
Jesus changed all that because the holiness of the Old Testament was not God’s main objective. He wanted saints who were holy inside and out, a people cleansed from the stain of sin with hearts fully devoted to Him and lives that followed suit. The author of Hebrews tells us the dramatic shift the sacrifice of Jesus brought that makes us saints:
First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:8-14 (NLT)
Saint, faithful in Christ is the primary identity of the Christian. We have to firmly understand this or we’ll confuse the cultural forms around us and adopt them as Christian. Let me show you why this matters. In Ephesus, there was a huge emphasis on magic. Scholars tell us that the city was a center for various cults dabbling in magic and merchants selling supposedly magical books. After coming to Christ, the Ephesians eventually rejected the magical portion of their culture. They knew that it was incompatible with God’s will. The result was a book burning and the rapid spread of the gospel in Ephesus.
It all occurred because seven sons of a Jewish priest named Sceva attempted to use the names of Jesus and Paul like a magic spell to expel a demon from a man. Here’s what happened:
They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” … But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.
The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. Acts 19:13, 15-20 (NLT)
Sometimes you have to outright reject the ways of your culture to honor Jesus Christ. You are after all one of His saints, made fit for His presence and His service. Many times you will have to stand out like a sore thumb because of things you refuse to do in your culture. But please note that people are watching and some will be convicted of sin because of your righteous stand. Your rejection of certain practices of your culture could powerfully lead folks to Christ.
Just think what would happen in your world if you lived as a citizen of the other. What would happen if you refused to engage in the gossip, backbiting, and complaining that is acceptable behavior where you work? Do you think people might see your faith in a different light? Might others be convicted of their behavior? Is it possible that they’d come to you to find out how to get past their feelings of condemnation? What would happen at school if you stepped out of silly pursuit of being the “it” girl or guy and started walking with the Napoleon Dynamites and Ugly Bettys? What would happen at family functions if you stopped making racial jokes and discouraged others from doing so? What would happen if Christians in this culture collectively tossed their TVs, X-boxes and other assorted time-wasting, flashing, noise-producing junk out the window? What would happen if we stopped patronizing the movies, downloading the music, and buying the products of people whose lifestyles or messages we know to be an abomination unto the Lord? Do you think it would make a difference?
It worked in Ephesus. Never confuse the culture with Christianity. As the saints, the faithful in Jesus Christ there are times when we’re called to draw a line in the sand and say “enough is enough.”
3. Communicate authentic experience
When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, they took his words to heart and were transformed by them because he was the real deal. He was “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” and they knew it. Paul wasn’t acting on personal initiative or ambition. He was a bonafide apostle, an ambassador of Christ, sent with the message of God by the will of God. He’d seen the resurrected Lord. He’d worked miracles. He laid hands on new Christians and they received the Holy Spirit. He’d forsaken all for Jesus. He suffered much. His life lent credibility to his message. Does yours?
Authenticity matters. You can’t lead someone where you’ve never been. For several years now I’ve been telling people to prepare for retirement by investing in mutual funds. I’d explain the concept of mutual funds and why they were such a good deal, but I don’t know of anyone who has followed my advice. It’s a good thing too. If you had invested in mutual funds you would have lost a lot of money this past year as the market tanked. People didn’t listen because I know virtually nothing about investment. I heard someone else talk about mutual funds and adopted their teaching. I invested in a couple that lost value, but that was before I even understood them. I’m not a credible witness when it comes to investment because I have no authentic experience with it.
Some of you know that I abhor most Christian music. The reason is that most of it is cliché and fluff. It tends to be a pale copy secular music. I’ve concluded that many Christian artist reflect American Christianity. They have a faith that makes little difference on a day to day basis in the real world. In an article entitled “Why Most Christian Music and Entertainment Stinks,” Bill Barnwell puts it this way:
“I agree that for the believer, Christ should be the center of all we do. But where Christian music falls short is that it rarely ever addresses the loss of a job, the heartache of a loss of love, a battle with addiction, depression, and any other sort of "real life" issues. Instead it’s mostly a bunch of happy go lucky love songs towards God or "Jesus is my girlfriend/boyfriend" type stuff.”
Bill Barnwell, “Why Most Christian Music and Entertainment Stinks,” http://www.lewrockwell.com/barnwell/barnwell90.html
I am appalled at how few Christians can give solid biblical advice to others. One lady I know, who would be considered a spiritually mature Christian in most churches, would typically give this advice to people going through crises: “You’ve got to let go and let God.” That sounds good, but what the heck does it mean? It’s a book title, one that she obviously never read.
Lots of Christians try to talk theology or give a defense of their faith and have no clue what they’re talking about. When I go to the Dispatch forums and read threads dealing with the Bible or biblical subjects, I find that Christians often butcher either the text or the meaning. I cringe talking to evolutionists when well meaning Christians chime in and say, “There’s no way we evolved from chimpanzees.” That’s an immediate sign that they don’t understand evolution. Sometimes they’ll add the myth, “You know Darwin recanted his theory of evolution on his death bed.” Darwin didn’t propose the theory of evolution or recant his real theory on his death bed. It’s a myth.
Learn the basics of the faith. Do the hard work of mastering apologetics, a defense of the faith. At the very least, be able to share your testimony and a simple gospel outline. Communicate from authentic experience, not ignorance. At the very least, follow the example of the blind man who was healed by Jesus in John 9. When placed under oath and asked whether or not Jesus was a sinner he simply replied:
“Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25
While preparing for this message I found some questions proposed by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones that might help you determine whether or not you really are genuinely one of the faithful in Christ. Honestly and prayerfully ask yourself these questions: Do I know the One in whom I say I believe? Do I know essential Christian doctrine? Do I understand the way of salvation? Do I know I’ve received the Holy Spirit? Do I hold onto and contend for the faith?
Let’s get really honest here. Some of you here cannot bring worlds apart together because you are only a citizen of one of them. You may talk a good talk, but experientially you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re just mouthing words that a family member of a Sunday school teacher gave you. You can’t make a difference in this world because you are not distinct from it. Your faith is a sham.
Remember this: You can’t get to where you need to go unless you know where you are. You can’t rightly be called a saint. You’re not one of the faithful because you’re not in Christ. You’ve never personally encountered the risen Lord and received His gift of salvation by faith.
Invitation:
Admit you’re a sinner
Believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead
Ask Him to be your forgiver and your leader
