Missing the Forest for the Trees
Ephesians - Live Like You Really Are
Chuck Sligh
January 15, 2012
POWERPOINT: There is a PowerPoint presentation for this sermon available by requesting it from me at chucksligh@hotmail.com.
TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 1:22
INTRODUCTION
Illus. – One night a wife found her husband standing over their infant’s crib. As she watched him looking down at their very first baby, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement, enchantment, skepticism. Touched by this unusual display and deep emotions, with eyes glistening she slipped her arm around her husband.
“A penny for your thoughts,” she said.
“It’s amazing” he replied. “I just can’t see how anybody can make a crib like that for only $46.50.”
When I read that story, I thought how some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Often, when you concentrate on the details of something, you lose sight of the big picture, I believe that is the problem with understanding Ephesians.
I’ve read in many of my commentaries that the main theme of Ephesians is the church. I could never see this, especially in chapters 1-3 because my judgment was clouded by the focus on individualistic salvation that both Calvinism and Arminianism share, as well as the unhealthy focus of individualism of modern Western Christianity. So when I read about our chosenness in Christ in chapter 1, verse 4; predestination in verses 5 and 11; adoption in verse 5; acceptance in Christ the beloved in verse 6; and many other salvation truths, I naturally interpreted them through the theological lenses I had studied and the individualism bred by my Western culture. In other words, I couldn’t see the forest of Paul’s main emphasis for the trees of theology and culture that had clouded my view.
In chapter 1, one of the things I’ve tried to help you see is that Paul’s frame of reference is not the salvation of INDIVIDUALS per se, but rather on corporate groups of people. So we saw that when Paul speaks of chosenness, predestination, adoption, acceptance, etc., he’s not really talking so much about our INDIVIDUAL chosenness, predestination, adoption, acceptance, etc., but about the church as a whole, or the entire body of Christ, that individuals partake of inasmuch as they are connected to Christ and His body by faith. This is no more true than in chapter 2 which is often applied to individuals exclusively, reinforcing people’s theological and cultural predispositions, but in reality is talking about four broad corporate entities: Mankind as a whole, Israel, God’s Old Testament corporate chosen people, the Gentiles, and the Church, God’s New Testament chosen people.
To see this clearly, we’re going to take a bird’s eye view of Paul’s doctrine of the church, and in the process, we’re going to pass over a lot of detail without a lot of commentary.
Then we’ll wrap it up at the end and draw some conclusions and make some applications.
So let’s dive in so we’re not here till the cows come home.
I. FIRST, WE SEE CHRIST, THE EXALTED HEAD OF THE CHURCH –Ephesians 1:22 – “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
You may find it odd that I begin at the end of chapter 1, but remember that the chapter and verse divisions were not part of the original writings and sometimes the divisions are somewhat arbitrary, breaking up thoughts. Actually, these two verses in chapter 1 form the introduction to one long thought, beginning here going all the way to chapter 3, verse 12, and in fact I would include the chapter 3 portion in this sermon, were it not for the fact that it would just make the sermon too long and laborious, so we’ll cover it the next time we’re in Ephesians.
In this little introduction, Paul clearly identifies His body as “the church.” The term church is used in two ways in the New Testament: Usually (about 90 percent of the time), it refers to INDIVIDUAL LOCAL BODIES OF BELIEVERS, like Grace Baptist Church that are evangelizing, administering the church ordinances, discipling believers, and ministering to one another. Less frequently, but no less importantly, it’s used as it is here in Ephesians 1:22-23 to mean the UNIVERSAL SINGLE BODY of believers of all persuasions and denominations from the beginning of the church at Pentecost until the present.
The key thing to see here is that God has given all authority in the church to CHRIST as the Head of the Body who is in an exalted position in heaven. There is so, so much more we could look at here, but since we’re just trying to get the bird’s eye view today, let’s move on.
II. SECOND, IN CHAPTER 2, VERSES 1-10 WE SEE THE FIRST CORPORATE ENTITY PAULS DEALS WITH: HUMANKIND AS A WHOLE. – In the first three verses of chapter 2, Paul tells us the spiritual condition of mankind before God. – Ephesians 2:1-3 – “And you hath he quickened [“made alive”], who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation [behavior] in times past in the lusts of our flesh [desires of our sinful nature], fulfilling the desires of the flesh [body] and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
Paul says several things about people in their unsaved state:
• First, verse 1 tells us they are “dead in trespasses and sins”—that is, they do not possess spiritual life and are under the curse of death because of sin.
• Second, verse 2 tells us they are under the dominion and control of the world and Satan, and are disobedient to God.
• Verse 3 says they therefore live according to their sinful nature, fulfilling sinful physical and intellectual desires.
• Finally, verse 3 tells us at the end that they are under God’s wrath because of God’s hatred of sin.
This is a sad state of affairs, but God has provided a remedy by lovingly and graciously providing salvation as a free gift that cannot be earned, resulting in exaltation and giving a spiritual purpose to those who receive the gift. – Ephesians 2:4-10 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
We’ll revisit this wonderful scripture soon, but today we don’t want to miss the forest for the trees, so let’s just hit the main points. Juxtaposed with God’s wrath upon the lost in verse 3, Paul posits the gracious nature of God in His desire to save undeserved sinners with such words as the richness of his MERCY in verse 4; the “great LOVE wherewith He loved us” in verse 4; His GRACE verses 6 and 8; and His KINDNESS in verse 7. Paul’s teaching is that in His great mercy, love, grace and kindness, God reached down to sinful humans to provide a remedy from their condemnation before God through His son, Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross for their sins. This remedy cannot be earned or worked for; it can only be received freely by faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, verse 8 calls salvation a gift! Accepting God’s grace by faith results in two marvelous blessings: Exaltation with Christ in the heavenlies in verse 6, securing our salvation for eternity and a commission to walk in good works in verse 10, which defines our earthy purpose.
III. IN EPHESIAS 2:11-12, PAUL SPEAKS OF THE SECOND AND THIRD CORPORATE PEOPLE GROUPS: ISRAEL AND THE GENTILES. – Ephesians 2:11-12 – “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
We don’t have time to go into detail explaining God’s overall plan for the ages that began in Genesis and culminated in the New Testament. Suffice it to say, the Jews were God’s chosen people through whom the Messiah would come, to whom God reserved many special covenants and promises, and through whom He would give His inspired Word. A relationship was available with God in the Old Testament only by becoming a part of God’s chosen people, the Jews, like Ruth did, who said to Naomi, “Your people will become my people and your God will become my God.”
Those who did not become a Jew were Gentiles without the Messiah, aliens from God’s chosen people, strangers to Israel’s special covenants of promise, and therefore were hopeless, being without God.
IV. IN EPHESIANS 2:13-22 PAUL TELLS US OF THE CREATION OF A FOURTH CORPORATE ENTITY: THE CHURCH. – Ephesians 2:13-22 – “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Paul says that through the death of Christ on the cross for the sins of mankind (verse 13), God created a new entity (verse 14), which he calls “a new man” in verse 15, combining believers of both Israel and the Gentiles, thereby completely dissolving the Mosaic system of laws and ordinances (verse 15) in order to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles to God into one body (verse 16-18), which is now God’s habitation, temple and household, that is, the people in whom He dwells.
Again, there is SO much to see here, but all we need today to see the bird’s eye view or the big picture story is to see that God created a new people group called the church.
CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Okay—We’ve now set a new record by covering a whole chapter in one sermon. I know many of you are saying, “WOW pastor; that was SO interesting…NOT!” If that’s you, you’re thinking, What does this have to do with you and me? Well, let me close with some theological implications and then some personal applications:
• Theologically, I think this study shows that Paul’s emphasis in the first three chapters of Ephesians is not so much the salvation of INDIVIDUALS, but the creation and subsequent blessing of a special people called “the body of Christ,” or “the Church.”
As I said in our study of chapter 1, the chosenness, predestination, acceptance in the beloved and redemption of Ephesians concern primarily the Church—all believers collectively—and individual believers share in these blessings only by virtue of being “in Christ” by faith. I don’t believe anything is taught in these verses about God choosing certain INDIVIDUALS to eternal life and certain INDIVIDUALS to eternal damnation. The multiple blessings for believers accrue to them, not because God has randomly chosen them to eternal salvation, but because they are “in Christ” and therefore share in the blessing of salvation collectively as part of Christ’s body. Our study in Ephesians 2 simply reinforces that view, and it comes through just as forcefully in chapter 3.
• Here’s what these truths have to do with us PERSONALLY:
1) The fact that God has placed so much emphasis upon the church as His Body means that as important as our local churches are, we are part of something WAY bigger than our individual church, or even Baptists in general, or even all the churches in America, or even the whole world today. The truth is that Christ’s body encompasses ALL true believers in Christ of every church or denomination, every religious persuasion, and in all periods of church history since Pentecost.
Many of them would see many doctrinal, cultural and church issues and doctrines differently. Believe how you feel led; but don’t reject those who are part of Christ’s body. Churches need to take a stand on their distinctive doctrines on secondary issues, but we can lovingly fellowship individually with anyone who believes in Christ as His Savior and tries to obey Christ according to his understanding of God’s Word.
2) A second personal application is this: If you have come to God “by grace through faith” as Paul says in Ephesians 2:8, Paul says two important things about you:
a) In verse 6 he says that God has “raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” The implication here is that those who are in Christ’s body are ALREADY positionally saved. Therefore, if you’re “in Christ,” you never need fear that you could lose your salvation and go to hell. All who are “in Christ” are in His body, united with Him, and so are already spiritually “in the heavenlies” already spiritually exalted in Christ. In other words, it’s a done deal in God’s eyes. Accept this truth by faith; it will calm your doubts and fears.
b) Second, Paul says in verse 10 that the church is God’s workmanship, prepared for good works. That’s what God created the church, His body, to do—to do good works. We as members of Christ’s Body are His hands and feet and mouth. He works through the members of His Body to carry out His work on earth.
Illus. – After World War II, a group of German students volunteered to help rebuild an English cathedral that had been severely damaged by German bombs. As work progressed, they became concerned about a large statue of Jesus, whose arms were outstretched, beneath which was the inscription: “Come unto Me.” They had particular difficulty trying to restore the hands, which had been completely destroyed. After much discussion, they decided to let the hands remain missing and changed the inscription to: “Christ has no hands but ours.” (John MacArthur)
The work of Christ in the world is in the hands of those who belong to Him. I love the way Casting Crowns puts it in their song, We Are the Body where the chorus goes like this:
If we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching
Why aren’t His hands healing
Why aren’t His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
If you are “in Christ” by faith, are you fulfilling your calling to good works? Are you serving others instead of just thinking of yourself and yours? Are you ministering to the sick, the poor, the lowly, the downtrodden, the sinner, the undeserving? Are you serving your spouse and your children in humility, performing acts of love and kindness and graciousness? Are you serving Christian brothers and sisters in your local church? Do you share with others the Good News of salvation in Christ?
If not, may God help you to fulfill the destiny to which He has called you as a member of His Body.
3) If you are not “in Christ,” you are still part of the fallen, doomed humanity described in verses 1-2: dead in trespasses and sins; captive to the world, Satan and your own sinful desires; under God’s wrath. And if you aren’t Jewish, you’re part of the Gentile people group: alienated from God, His Word, His people and His promises; without hope and without God.
How do you move from the company of lost humanity to the company of God’s forgiven people? Paul explains it in Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
The Bible teaches that Christ was the Son of God—God in the flesh—who came to earth and lived a sinless life, and then died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sin, which is death. Then He CONQUERED death by rising from the dead! The Bible teaches that if you’ll simply believe that; if you’ll simply call out to God and ask Christ to save you on the basis of His sacrifice on Calvary, God will forgive you all your sins, past present and future; make you one of His children; and place you in His body where you will become a part of Christ’s Church.
Will you stop trusting in your good works and your good life to save you and make you acceptable before God? Salvation, Paul says, is a GIFT—absolutely free! Paul goes on to say in verse 9 that salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” There’s NOTHING you can do to earn God’s forgiveness and place in His body; all you can do is trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.
I invite you to pray a prayer this morning, and in that prayer admit to God your sinful, hopeless condition, tell Him you believe Jesus died on the cross to save you and ask Him to forgive you of all sin and make you His child. He promises to do just that in John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
