Non-Series - Founders Baptist Church

The Lord’s Church - It’s Importance Part 2

September 1, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 1 Timothy 3:14–15

Introduction: The importance of the church is on display in Paul’s life and ministry. We saw it in Paul’s passion for the church. We saw it in Paul’s patience with the church. We saw it in the urgency and authority of the message committed to the Lord’s church. We saw it in the detailed instructions given to the Lord’s church. We saw it in the problems faced by the Lord’s church. BUT NOW WE SEE IT IN YET ANOTHER WAY. The importance of the church is seen in its GOD-GIVEN IDENTITY. What is the church? How are we to understand ourselves? Why are we here and what are we to be about? I. THE CHURCH IS THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD (The church considered as a family) When the church is described as a household — the FAMILY OF GOD — it communicates several truths. This speaks of HONOR — His name is upon us. This speaks of AMBITION — We desire to please our Father. This speaks of UNION — We belong to a family so that we have been brought into a union with our God in Christ and are members of each other (brothers and sisters). This speaks of AUTHORITY — We are under His headship — His rule (Christ is the head of His church). This speaks of NEW BIRTH — We are God’s by means of adoption, but also by means of new nature. There are two families in the earth. Those who have God as their Father, and those who are of their father the devil. This speaks of RESPONSIBILITY — We have care for each other that has been assigned to us. ESV 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler-- not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you." II. THE CHURCH IS THE ASSEMBLY OF THE LIVING GOD (The church considered as an assembly) ἐκκλησία ekklesia Meaning: an assembly, a (religious) congregation We are not just God’s family, we are, at the same time, His assembly. A. THIS SPEAKS OF ORGANIZATION As we said earlier, there is a proper way to conduct ourselves in the Lord’s church. There is a leadership structure. There is an organization God has set forth. ESV 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ESV 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. So, the church is the family of God, organized in accordance with the Word of God, for the purpose of carrying out the ministry of the local church that has been assigned by God. B. THIS SPEAKS OF REPRESENTATION The church of the LIVING (the God who really exists) God. In a sea of paganism and multiplied false gods, the church belongs to the true and living God. This is a test of a healthy church — do they represent God in the FULLNESS of His character? Do they preach the whole counsel of God about EVERYTHING, including what God has revealed about His own NATURE and ATTRIBUTES? C. THIS SPEAKS OF PROTECTION The church is cared for by its OWNER. ESV Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Lord’s Church - It’s Importance Part 1

September 1, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • 1 Timothy 3:14–15

Introduction: To love the Lord Jesus is love what He loves. It is to be devoted to all that He would have us be devoted to. And if you love what Jesus loves, then you must love the local church. If you are devoted to what He would have you be devoted to, then you must be devoted to the local church. He loved the church and gave Himself for her, and He has promised to build His church, and He has, and He is. But we are living in times when there is a gross misunderstanding of the local church. We don’t know who we are, and we don’t know why we are here. And what is sad and amazing about that is that God has given us His Word for the very purpose that we would never find ourselves in that position. As the title of one book about elders reads, “When all else fails, read the directions.” Well, here in the word of God, and specifically, in the Pastoral Epistles, we have the directions. What do they teach us? I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH This is perhaps the first thing that we have forgotten, just how important the Lord’s church is. There is error on both ends of the spectrum when it comes to this issue. **There are those who treat the church as if it isn’t important to God, or to genuine Christianity. -Some place the church on the same level with any Christian teaching organization. -Some place the church on the same level with Christian television or radio -Some see the church as a tragic failure and abandon it altogether -Some give the church their time and their attendance as it fits into their schedule *If it doesn’t interfere with their work, or their pleasures *If it gives them what they want *If it can be fit into their retirement plans and travel plans **There are others who treat the church as important, but they don’t really understand why it is important. They see the church not through the eyes of the New Testament, but through the eyes of their own ideas. They see the church as important, but not for the reasons that they should and what they really desire is not at all what the Lord intended His church to be. Indeed, it is a sad reality that with many professing Christians the more the church becomes what it was intended to be, the less they desire it. A. SEEN IN PAUL’S PASSION FOR THE CHURCH 1. RECENTLY RELEASED FROM ROMAN IMPRISONMENT 2. VISITING CITIES WHERE HE HAD MINISTERED, LEAVING TIMOTHY IN EPHESUS TO SET CERTAIN THINGS IN ORDER 3. HOPING TO COME TO THEM PERSONALLY IN A SHORT TIME 4. GIVING THEM CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS UNTIL HE CAN BE PRESENT Why did Paul have such a passion for these assemblies? HE CARRIED THESE CHURCHES IN HIS HEART. ESV 2 Corinthians 11:23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one-- I am talking like a madman-- with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. BECAUSE OF HIS LORD’S LOVE FOR THE CHURCHES ESV Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, To love the Lord Jesus is to love what He loves.

A Sure & Steadfast Hope

July 14, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Lamentations 3:19–24

Introduction: The sorrow expressed in the book of Lamentations is something foreign to us. There are different kinds of sorrow. In some respects, a broken heart is a broken heart, but there are some things that will be unique to each one of us in our particular sorrow. There are tears that we will shed, at some point in our life, that no one but our Great High Priest will ever be able to fully understand. We do our best to comfort one another in the love of Christ, but we sense, even as we desire to be ministers of mercy, our great limitations. We sense our own limitations in trying to help those who are hurting, and we sense the limitations of others when WE are hurting. And when you have tried to pour your heart to another human being who hasn’t faced your particular trial, you can appreciate their love toward you, but there is also a loneliness felt in knowing that they really don’t completely understand. What the prophet Jeremiah describes in this book, we read, and we benefit from, but in a sense, we can only sit in silence and listen as he tells us what he feels, and as he tells us what he has seen. For we have never seen anything like what he saw. For over 40 years this prophet gave to his people the warnings from God. He told them that destruction was coming. They despised him for it. They mocked him, they persecuted him, and they rejected him. But what he was given to proclaim — arrived. Everything that God said, through the prophet Jeremiah, one day came. And what came was horrific. Jeremiah writes this sometime between the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., and when he was forced to depart to Egypt in 583 B.C. (Jeremiah 43:1-7) Throughout the book he tells us of his sorrow in 5 poems. You get a taste of the entire book and a context for our verses by paying attention to his 3rd lament which is found here in this 3rd chapter. In chapter 3 he is the afflicted man. He is telling us of his overwhelming grief. *He is in absolute darkness with the hand of God turned against him again and again all day long. (vs.1-3) *His flesh and skin waste away, and God has broken his bones, and enveloped him with bitterness and tribulation and made him to dwell in darkness like the dead. (vs.4-6) *He is a man who is walled in without escape, and his chains are heavy. He calls and cries out for help but God shuts out his prayers and his ways are blocked, and his paths are crooked. (vs.7-9) *His despair makes him feel like God has become like his enemy. Like a bear that has ripped him to pieces, or a lion. He has been reduced to desolation. He is the target for the bow and the arrows of God and the arrows have gone right to his innermost parts. (vs.10-13) *He is a laughingstock. He is taunted. (vs.14) *His life feels like nothing but unending bitterness and misery (vs.15-16) *He is so sorrowful that he can find no peace, and he can’t remember goodness, he has forgotten what happiness is. (vs.17) *His mindset is that he cannot endure anymore and he has no hope. All he can think about and remember are his afflictions. (vs.18) And before you think Jeremiah to be a bit dramatic, realize what he has seen. His people, God’s people, have been conquered by Babylon. The city walls are broken down. The walls, the towers, the homes, the palace, and the temple have all been destroyed. It was in mid-July when the city fell and it was in mid-August when the temple was burned. (MacArthur Commentary – 883) It is the HEAT OF THE YEAR time in Jerusalem. So conditions would have been miserable. The enemies of God have triumphed, and they are gloating. The children of Zion are treated like trash. Many, many have been slain by the sword, and in fact their bodies lie in the dust. Many have been carried away captive, and those who live and remain are in misery.

Our New Mind In Christ

June 9, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Philippians 1:9–10

Introduction: The year is approximately 60 AD. It has only been roughly 30 years since the ascension of Christ. Paul is under Roman imprisonment. It was his first Roman imprisonment. He will eventually be released and carry on more missionary work, and eventually be rearrested and then executed. But during this imprisonment, he is allowed visitors. And the Philippian church has sent a man, who may well have been their pastor, Epaphroditus, to bring support to Paul and to offer to him their love and encouragement, and to make his imprisonment more tolerable. This is not the first time that this church has supported Paul. In fact, on at least three other occasions they have supported him. ESV Philippians 4:15 And you Philippians yourselves know that ain the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, bno church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 aNot that I seek the gift, but I seek bthe fruit that increases to your credit.1 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, ahaving received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, ba fragrant offering, ca sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Phi 4:15 ESV) ESV 2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was with you and was ain need, bI did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia csupplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain dfrom burdening you in any way. This church is unlike the Corinthian church. It is not a church that is problem free, no church like that exists. But it is a healthy church and without any major doctrinal issues, or any major behavioral issues. About the most we see here are a couple of women who are at odds with one another (4:1-2), and a warning to the church about Judaizers (ch.3). In both cases it doesn’t seem to be something major, but in the first case, something easily corrected, and in the 2nd case, something they were simply to be on the lookout for. What Paul writes in this letter is warm, encouraging, and it is celebratory. He celebrates what the Lord has done and is doing in them, and he takes joy in the love that he has for them and that they have for him. He and Timothy are familiar to them because they were used by God to bring this church into existence. It was on Paul’s second missionary journey that Timothy joined Paul, Philippi was visited, and people were converted. It was at Philippi that Lydia and her family came to Christ. It was at Philippi that a jailor and his household were converted. It was at Philippi that a demon possessed girl was delivered. You can read about all of this in Acts 16. So, this is a special church to Paul and Paul is dear to them (4:15). NOTE: I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE WELLBEING OF THIS CHURCH BECAUSE IT IS A REMINDER TO US THAT THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS BOOK IS NOT EXPLAINED BY THE NEED TO ADDRESS A CRISIS. This is not something extraordinary for a church facing some immediate danger. THIS IS INSTRUCTION FOR ORDINARY CHRISTIANITY IN AN ALWAYS CHALLENGING WORLD. These are truths we need to hear REGARDLESS of our circumstances. These are truths we need to hear WHEN WE ARE DOING WELL. *THIS LETTER HAS A FEW NOTABLE THEMES AND AN INTERESTING ORGANIZATION. *There is an emphasis on Joy *There is an emphasis on fellowship. *There is an emphasis on practical Christian living – how to LIVE the Christian life. *But what we are especially focused on this weekend is that there is an emphasis on the mind – how the believer is to think. IN TERMS OF ORGANIZATION – I THINK J. SIDLOW BAXTER WAS ON TO SOMETHING WHEN HE ORGANIZED HIS STUDY AROUND WHAT CHRIST IS TO THE BELIEVER. CHAPTER ONE – CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S LIFE ESV Philippians 1:21 For to me ato live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phi 1:21 ESV) CHAPTER TWO – CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S MIND ESV Philippians 2:5 aHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 (Phi 2:5 ESV) CHAPTER THREE – CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S AMBITION OR GOAL ESV Philippians 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of athe surpassing worth of bknowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I chave suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Phi 3:8 ESV) CHAPTER FOUR – CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S STRENGTH ESV Philippians 4:13 I can do all things athrough him who strengthens me. (Phi 4:13 ESV) But what we are focusing on this weekend is a theme that is on display through every chapter and every truth and that is the mind of the believer.

Financial Fellowship

February 18, 2024 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Philippians 4:15–20

Introduction: True churches — healthy churches — honor Christ. They recognize that Christ is the Head of the church. They recognize Christ is the Chief Shepherd of the church. They are submissively pursuing the will of Christ in the church. BUT HOW DO WE EXPLAIN CHRIST-HONORING CONGREGATIONS? Regeneration is the ultimate explanation, but what are they learning? What are they being taught? As we think about this, I want to zero in on one non-negotiable to that end. There are many ways the Bible would explain a Christ-honoring church. But the reason why I want to zero in on the quality that we emphasize today, is because I think we RARELY MENTION this element of what makes for Christ-honoring churches. AS I SAID, THE BIBLE DESCRIBES WHAT IT MEANS TO HONOR CHRIST IN MULTIPLE WAYS. We can say: No church honors Christ that isn’t growing in its KNOWLEDGE of Christ. No church honors Christ that doesn’t CHERISH Christ — counting Him our greatest treasure. No church honors Christ that doesn’t PRIORITIZE Christ — giving Him first place. No church honors Christ that isn’t SATSIFIED with Christ. YOU CANNOT HONOR CHRIST WHILE YOU ENTERTAIN IDOLS. Colossians 3:5 (LSB) 5 Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. John MacArthur — “greed. Lit. this term means “to have more.” It is the insatiable desire to gain more, especially of things that are forbidden (cf. Ex 20:17; Dt 5:21; Jas 4:2). which amounts to idolatry. When people engage in either greed or the sexual sins Paul has cataloged, they follow their desires rather than God’s, in essence worshiping themselves—which is idolatry (Nu 25:1–3; Eph 5:3–5).”#_ftn1 BUT ALL OF THOSE THINGS CAN REALLY BE SUMMED UP IN THE WORD CONTENTMENT. In contrast to the constant desire for something we DO NOT HAVE, and all the things WE SHOULD NOT HAVE, is CONTENTMENT. The Christ honoring church is a church characterized by contentment. CONTENT WITH WHAT GOD GIVES US. CONTENT WITHOUT WHAT GOD HAS CHOSEN NOT TO GIVE US. CONTENT REGARDLESS OF OUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES CONTENT WITH WHAT GOD HAS IDENTIFIED AS SUFFICIENT. CONTENT IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND SEASON OF CONGREGATIONAL LIFE. CONTENT WHEN IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE FLOURISHING AND CONTENT WHEN IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE WITHERING. CONTENT KNOWING THAT WE CAN’T DO BETTER THAN TO SIMPLY TRUST AND OBEY WITH CONSISTENT FAITHFULNESS — I MEAN WE ARE TRULY CONVINCED OF THAT. CONTENT WHEN CELEBRATED AND CONTENT WHEN CONDEMENED, BECAUSE IN NEITHER CIRCUMSTANCE IS OUR AIM THE PRAISE OF MEN. Contentment is found wherever you find a church honoring Christ. That kind of church ministry produces fruit. Its fruit is simplicity — free from the clutter of human invention — the clutter of worldly ideologies and strategies that men take hold of in pursuit of things God never designed. Its fruit is peacefulness — at rest in God and His Word and the work He has assigned us. Its fruit is unity — contentment in Christ that frees us from competition with each other. Its fruit is a consistent thankfulness and joy. But, as we will be reminded, CONTENTMENT IS LEARNED — believers struggle to learn it. It is not automatic. It is a matter of sanctification. CONTENTMENT IS EXPERIENCED INDIRECTLY. IT IS LEARNED IN THE FURNACE OF GOD ORDAINED CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SIFT US AND PURIFY US. Our God must teach us the vanity of setting our HOPE on what is NOT OUR HOPE. WE WILL NEVER HONOR CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH IF WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. AND THIS CHARACTERIZES CHURCHES ONE BELIEVER AT A TIME. If the church is to honor Christ, WE MUST HONOR CHRIST. If contentment is non-negotiable for the church, IT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR ME if I am to live a life that honors Jesus. I. PAUL’S JOY DECLARED (VS.10) Paul is bringing his letter to a close. But before he finishes there is a matter that needs to be attended to. He hinted at the matter in the first chapter: NAS Philippians 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. But now he addresses it directly. The Philippians, by the hands of Epaphroditus (vs.18), have delivered material support to Paul. Paul is in a Roman prison, surviving on the most basic kind of provisions, existing in a state of want, facing an impending trial before Roman authorities, and knows that he potentially faces even the possibility of execution. In those circumstances, he meets with an act of friendship and concern on the part of the Philippian church. Epaphroditus had arrived with their gift, and was himself a gift, and now Paul can return his thanks by the hand of this same man in the form of this return letter. His thank you is fascinating. It is rich with instruction. Paul takes a thank you and turns it into an opportunity to model and to instruct what Christian love and Christian living is all about. It is a great reminder that Christianity is something supernatural wherever it is real. It is ETERNAL LIFE. It is fellowship with God and His Son (John 17:3). And in that eternal life IS THE PRESENCE OF REAL FAITH. AND WHERE THIS LIFE AND THIS FAITH EXIST THERE IS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE, A UNIQUE BELIEF THAT ALLOWS FOR UNIQUE ACTS. And in our text there are three that are apparent. #_ftnref1 John F. MacArthur Jr., https://ref.ly/logosres/macartsbnasb?ref=bible.col3.5&off=597&ctx=4%3a3%3b+cf.+jas+1%3a15).+~greed.+lit.+this+ter (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Col 3:5.

Honoring Christ Through Contentment

November 18, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Philippians 4:10–20

Introduction: True churches — healthy churches — honor Christ. They recognize that Christ is the Head of the church. They recognize Christ is the Chief Shepherd of the church. They are submissively pursuing the will of Christ in the church. BUT HOW DO WE EXPLAIN CHRIST-HONORING CONGREGATIONS? Regeneration is the ultimate explanation, but what are they learning? What are they being taught? As we think about this, I want to zero in on one non-negotiable to that end. There are many ways the Bible would explain a Christ-honoring church. But the reason why I want to zero in on the quality that we emphasize today, is because I think we RARELY MENTION this element of what makes for Christ-honoring churches. AS I SAID, THE BIBLE DESCRIBES WHAT IT MEANS TO HONOR CHRIST IN MULTIPLE WAYS. We can say: No church honors Christ that isn’t growing in its KNOWLEDGE of Christ. No church honors Christ that doesn’t CHERISH Christ — counting Him our greatest treasure. No church honors Christ that doesn’t PRIORITIZE Christ — giving Him first place. No church honors Christ that isn’t SATSIFIED with Christ. YOU CANNOT HONOR CHRIST WHILE YOU ENTERTAIN IDOLS. Colossians 3:5 (LSB) 5 Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. John MacArthur — “greed. Lit. this term means “to have more.” It is the insatiable desire to gain more, especially of things that are forbidden (cf. Ex 20:17; Dt 5:21; Jas 4:2). which amounts to idolatry. When people engage in either greed or the sexual sins Paul has cataloged, they follow their desires rather than God’s, in essence worshiping themselves—which is idolatry (Nu 25:1–3; Eph 5:3–5).”#_ftn1 BUT ALL OF THOSE THINGS CAN REALLY BE SUMMED UP IN THE WORD CONTENTMENT. In contrast to the constant desire for something we DO NOT HAVE, and all the things WE SHOULD NOT HAVE, is CONTENTMENT. The Christ honoring church is a church characterized by contentment. CONTENT WITH WHAT GOD GIVES US. CONTENT WITHOUT WHAT GOD HAS CHOSEN NOT TO GIVE US. CONTENT REGARDLESS OF OUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES CONTENT WITH WHAT GOD HAS IDENTIFIED AS SUFFICIENT. CONTENT IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND SEASON OF CONGREGATIONAL LIFE. CONTENT WHEN IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE FLOURISHING AND CONTENT WHEN IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE WITHERING. CONTENT KNOWING THAT WE CAN’T DO BETTER THAN TO SIMPLY TRUST AND OBEY WITH CONSISTENT FAITHFULNESS — I MEAN WE ARE TRULY CONVINCED OF THAT. CONTENT WHEN CELEBRATED AND CONTENT WHEN CONDEMENED, BECAUSE IN NEITHER CIRCUMSTANCE IS OUR AIM THE PRAISE OF MEN. Contentment is found wherever you find a church honoring Christ. That kind of church ministry produces fruit. Its fruit is simplicity — free from the clutter of human invention — the clutter of worldly ideologies and strategies that men take hold of in pursuit of things God never designed. Its fruit is peacefulness — at rest in God and His Word and the work He has assigned us. Its fruit is unity — contentment in Christ that frees us from competition with each other. Its fruit is a consistent thankfulness and joy. But, as we will be reminded, CONTENTMENT IS LEARNED — believers struggle to learn it. It is not automatic. It is a matter of sanctification. CONTENTMENT IS EXPERIENCED INDIRECTLY. IT IS LEARNED IN THE FURNACE OF GOD ORDAINED CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SIFT US AND PURIFY US. Our God must teach us the vanity of setting our HOPE on what is NOT OUR HOPE. WE WILL NEVER HONOR CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH IF WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. AND THIS CHARACTERIZES CHURCHES ONE BELIEVER AT A TIME. If the church is to honor Christ, WE MUST HONOR CHRIST. If contentment is non-negotiable for the church, IT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR ME if I am to live a life that honors Jesus. I. PAUL’S JOY DECLARED (VS.10) Paul is bringing his letter to a close. But before he finishes there is a matter that needs to be attended to. He hinted at the matter in the first chapter: NAS Philippians 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. But now he addresses it directly. The Philippians, by the hands of Epaphroditus (vs.18), have delivered material support to Paul. Paul is in a Roman prison, surviving on the most basic kind of provisions, existing in a state of want, facing an impending trial before Roman authorities, and knows that he potentially faces even the possibility of execution. In those circumstances, he meets with an act of friendship and concern on the part of the Philippian church. Epaphroditus had arrived with their gift, and was himself a gift, and now Paul can return his thanks by the hand of this same man in the form of this return letter. His thank you is fascinating. It is rich with instruction. Paul takes a thank you and turns it into an opportunity to model and to instruct what Christian love and Christian living is all about. It is a great reminder that Christianity is something supernatural wherever it is real. It is ETERNAL LIFE. It is fellowship with God and His Son (John 17:3). And in that eternal life IS THE PRESENCE OF REAL FAITH. AND WHERE THIS LIFE AND THIS FAITH EXIST THERE IS A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE, A UNIQUE BELIEF THAT ALLOWS FOR UNIQUE ACTS. And in our text there are three that are apparent. #_ftnref1 John F. MacArthur Jr., https://ref.ly/logosres/macartsbnasb?ref=bible.col3.5&off=597&ctx=4%3a3%3b+cf.+jas+1%3a15).+~greed.+lit.+this+ter (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), Col 3:5.

Shepherding Adult Children

November 5, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr.

Introduction: The Bible makes clear that a parent’s responsibility to influence their children extends beyond the time of their childhood years. The fact that the people of God were taught to pass on the truth to their grandchildren, assumes an ongoing role in the families of their adult children. ESV Deuteronomy 4:9 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children-- 10 how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.' ESV Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Looking at it from the opposite angle, the commands of God to honor parents for a lifetime, and to care for parents in their older years, indicates that godliness means an ongoing presence and concern, and relationship, and influence, in the lives of children after they are grown. ESV Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. ESV Matthew 15:4 For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' (this would certainly assume children old enough to be held accountable as adults) Job was an example of ongoing influence in the lives of his adult children. ESV Job 1:2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually. Eli’s leniency with his sons, and God’s rebuke of him, testifies to ways that a father’s refusal to do what is right in his relationship with his adult children (granted, in unique circumstances in his case), is a matter for rebuke. ESV 1 Samuel 12:12 And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the LORD your God was your king. 13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king. 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king." ESV 1 Samuel 2:22 Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 And he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. 25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. ESV 1 Samuel 2:27 And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? 28 Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. 29 Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?' 30 Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. The multigenerational influence seen in the family of God — in the local church — speaks to that same kind of influence in families. ESV Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Gifts for Maturity and Unity

October 29, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:11–16

Introduction: Tonight, we complete our look at Ephesians chapter 4 and our concentration on what makes for unity at the local church level. We have considered: 1. The ambition for local church unity (vs.1) 2. The attitudes for local church unity (vs.2a) 3. The actions for local church unity (vs.2b-3) 4. The awareness for local church unity (vs.4-6) AND BEGINNING AT VERSE 7, WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING 5. The assets for local church unity (vs.7-16) We looked at: a. The distribution of spiritual gifts to individual believers (vs.7) b. The explanation for spiritual gifts (vs.8-10) And now tonight we finish by thinking about the distribution of spiritual gifts to the church (vs.11-16) RUNNING THROUGH ALL OF THIS IS AN EMPHASIS ON THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH. And so, tonight, it is not a detailed exposition that I’m after (which would take a few weeks). Rather, looking at the passage from an aerial point of view, I simply want us to see how Christ’s gifts to His church are meant to result in the maturity of His church, and therefore the unity of His church. Tonight, we think about Christ’s gifts for the maturity and unity of His church. I.THE MEN FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.11) Christ’s victory supplies for all that belongs to the church. This is true when we view salvation in its entirety, and this is true when we think about how salvation is worked out in time and history. Our salvation has been secured by Jesus — WE ARE SECURE IN JESUS — and yet we work out our salvation with fear and trembling in the sense of progressive sanctification. For that work of progressive sanctification, Jesus has supplied gifts in the form of MEN. Gifted men given to the church for the maturity and unity of the church. Of those types of gifted men mentioned in verse 11, only some are permanent (or for those who see these as divided, it would be two). The men who go on teaching the church as pastors. Shepherds who teach are given by Christ to His church for the maturity of His church and for the unity of His church. Harold Hoehner — “After a study of the grammatical structure of one article followed by two plural nouns separated by a καί (as here), Wallace suggests that the first is the subset of the second and thus “all pastors are to be teachers, though not all teachers are to be pastors.” Hence, while there is a distinction between the two, the distinction is not total.”31 DIVISION — FOR SAVED PEOPLE — IS EXPLAINED BY IMMATURITY AND ERROR. These teachers are used by Christ to overcome the problems that exist in immaturity and error. II.THE METHOD FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.12) How is this accomplished? This is accomplished through teaching. The men are given for the equipping of God’s people. The people are equipped for service. That work of equipping, and that every member kind of ministry, results in the edification (the building up) of the body of Christ — the church. WHY HAVE I BEEN SAYING THAT THIS IS CHRIST’S METHOD FOR THE UNITY OF HIS CHURCH? It is because in the very next statement we see why these men have been given, and what the goal of their equipping ministry is. “UNTIL WE ALL ATTAIN TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH.” Why kind of unity is this? IT IS A UNITY IN KNOWLEDGE IT IS A UNITY IN MATURITY (full grown manhood, which is to say, full grown Christlikeness.) III.THE MARK FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.13) This is the goal of all church ministry. This is the goal of all shepherding. This is the goal of all preaching and teaching. The mark at which we aim, the goal toward which we labor, the measure by which we measure our work — is Christlikeness. “to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” THE WHOLE CHRIST IS THE DESTINY OF THE WHOLE MAN. Obviously, that does not mean that we attain to deity. But what it does mean is that in every way God has destined that the last Adam is the goal of our redeemed humanity, we will one day arrive there. And THAT is what maturity aims at and is measured by. Holiness in mind. Holiness in motives. Holiness in behavior. 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (LSB) 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it. IV.THE MATURITY FOR THE CHURCH’S UNITY (vs.14-16) What does that maturity look like in development? As a church matures, and as a result can maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, what does that look like? A. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY DISCERNMENT (vs.14) Understand that this divides churches. Bad doctrine. Immature thinking in the realm of doctrine. Spiritual gullibility. Doctrinal instability. Shepherd-teachers are given to the church so that churches KNOW what they believe and develop DOCTRINAL DISCERNMENT. That produces stable and unified churches. B. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY AMBITION (vs.15) Now, we have already talked about this, but verse 15 underscores this. What is the spiritual aim of spiritually mature people? It is that we would know THE TRUTH. It’s not winning arguments. It is arriving at the truth. THIS REIGNS OVER THE WAY WE SPEAK TO OTHER PEOPLE, DOESN’T IT? If my goal is to win an argument, then love is not at the forefront. But if my goal is that you and I arrive at the truth out of love for Christ, then even the way I address you will be transformed. In addition, if my goal IS CHRISTLIKENESS, then my aim is not SELF-EXALTATION, it is GRACIOUS LIFE TRANSFORMATION. My desire is for everything in me contrary to Christ to be conquered. AND THIS IS IN “ALL ASPECTS.” There is nothing in my life that is off-limits. There is nothing excluded from that work of transformation. C. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY ACTIVITY (vs.16a) Here is the wonder of that LIFE-TRANSFORMING work of God. It is accomplished through people who are undergoing that work of God. God is working THROUGH the very people IN WHOM He is working. God is working THROUGH the very gifts that He has GRACIOUSLY imparted to His people. We have been SAVED FOR ACTIVITY. We have been SAVED FOR MUTUAL INVESTMENT. We have been SAVED TO PROGRESS IN COMMUNITY WITH THE SAINTS OF GOD. So that God is at work through what is produced in the individual members to bring growth and transformation IN THE WHOLE BODY. A MATURE CHURCH IS A MUTUAL MINISTRY CHURCH. A UNIFIED CHURCH IS A MUTUAL MINISTRY CHURCH. Ephesians 2:8–10 (LSB) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. D. A MATURITY EVIDENCED BY AFFECTION (vs.16b) A mature church is not just a discerning church. It is not just a Christ-exalting and pursuing church. It is not just a church active in ministry. It is a church MARKED BY LOVE. LOVE FOR GOD. LOVE FOR EACH OTHER. This is what will characterize a unified church. It will be a loving church.

The Expression of our Unity Pt. 2

October 15, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:8–10

Introduction: We come this evening to three verses of Scripture that are not hard to understand but that make use of a Psalm in a way THAT IS hard to understand. Paul makes a point about Jesus referring to Psalm 68:18. Paul makes use of that verse in a way that doesn’t easily seem to fit its original context. In fact, not only is he applying the Psalmist’s words to Christ (when in the original context they would refer to God, and THE OCCASION FOR THE PSALM would be either David’s triumph in Jerusalem over the Jebusites, or the transportation of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5-6)— the words have been changed. ESV Psalm 68:18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men ESV Ephesians 4:8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." How do we explain what Paul is doing? Obviously, he does it under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Even if we are not able to know exactly what is going on in Paul’s mind, the fruit of his mind is on display in Ephesians 4:8-10, and what he writes is the Word of God. What he writes is not that hard to understand. But is there an explanation for what he is doing with this Old Testament verse? Is this an example of ancient Jewish exegesis (midrash) that is found in rabbinical writings outside of Scripture? Does this represent a use of Old Testament Scripture that is completely divorced from its original context? Does Paul see this as Messianic prophecy so that he now sees Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy and fills the OT verse up with the NT fulfillment (pesher)? Does Paul’s change of the verse reflect textual variants that perhaps existed in a textual tradition other than the Masoretic text or the Septuagint. A tradition reflected in some documents that DO have a giving of gifts in Psalm 68:18? Peter O’Brien summarizes some of these views: “A much more serious attempt to solve the dilemma takes its starting point from a variant form of the Old Testament textual tradition. The Syriac Peshitta rendering of Psalm 68:18 is ‘you have given gifts’, and although there is difference of scholarly opinion as to its value as evidence, it may reflect a textual tradition different from that represented by the MT and the LXX. Furthermore, the paraphrase of Psalm 68:18 in the Aramaic Targum is remarkable, for like the Peshitta it reads ‘you gave’ rather than ‘you received’ (as in the MT). It is unlikely that the New Testament wording of the passage has influenced the Targum, and although the Targum on the Psalms is late, it reflects a tradition and text form that are much earlier.68 M. Wilcox has cautiously concluded that the author of Ephesians ‘was here quoting either from, or in the light of, an Old Testament textual tradition resembling that of the Targum, but disagreeing with the tradition preserved in the LXX and MT at this point’. Accordingly, it has been claimed that Paul has taken over the textual tradition as reflected in the Targum (‘you gave’), and employed a common technique of early Jewish hermeneutics, known as midrash pesher, in which his exposition of the text in the light of its fulfilment in Christ is integrated into the actual quotation”#_ftn1 Or is there a way to understand Psalm 68:18 that fits with a historical-grammatical approach to interpretation? Charles Smith believed that Psalm 68 is an example of intertextuality, and that the Psalmist was echoing something from Numbers 8 and 18 when God took the Levites from among the people of Israel and gave them as gifts to the people for service in the tabernacle. ESV Numbers 8:6 "Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them. ESV Numbers 8:18 and I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel. ESV Numbers 18:6 And behold, I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to the LORD, to do the service of the tent of meeting. O’Brien — “Smith claims that Psalm 68 is itself referring to earlier Scripture; it ‘echoes’ the language of Numbers 8 and 18, where the Levites are mentioned as being taken by the Lord from among the people of Israel (8:6, 14) since they belong to him in a special way (‘the Levites shall be mine’, v. 14; cf. 3:45). But having taken them for himself, he then gives them back as gifts to the people so as to serve the congregation. Thus, Numbers 18:6, ‘I have taken your brothers the Levites from among the people of Israel; to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation’. If Psalm 68 is read in this light, then the captives taken in Yahweh’s train as he enters his sanctuary are not his foes, but ministers whom he has taken and then given to his people to serve them on his behalf (cf. Isa. 66:20–21). … According to Smith, ‘Paul wants his readers to understand that throughout history God has chosen special men as leaders of the community of believers’. The grace given to fulfil these different responsibilities may vary (cf. v. 7). The apostle’s exegesis of Psalm 68, then, is not that of midrash pesher, ‘but a remoulding of the thought of Psalm 68:18 on the basis of the Scriptural commentary in Numbers 8:6–19; 18:6 which the Psalmist used.… [T]he controlling factor [is that] of a grammatical-historical understanding of the text’.”#_ftn2 WHAT MAKES THE WHOLE SITUATION EVEN MORE DIFFICULT (as Smith’s position indicates) IS THAT THE CONTEXT FOR PSALM 68 ISN’T ENTIRELY CLEAR. #_ftnref1 Peter Thomas O’Brien, https://ref.ly/logosres/pntceph?ref=bible.eph4.8&off=3566&ctx=e+and+striking.%0a(3)+~a+much+more+serious+, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 290. #_ftnref2 Peter Thomas O’Brien, https://ref.ly/logosres/pntceph?ref=bible.eph4.8&off=9172&ctx=s+(%ef%bb%bfvv.%ef%bb%bf+5%e2%80%936%2c+18b).+~smith+claims+that+ps, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 292–293.

The Expression of our Unity

October 1, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:7–16

Introduction: We have considered what is necessary for a local church to enjoy and live out the unity that we have been given in Jesus Christ. We have seen: The ambition necessary for local church unity — a worthy walk. The attitudes necessary for local church unity — humility, gentleness, and patience. The actions necessary for local church unity — forbearance and holy zeal for its preservation (we treasure it and put effort into the maintenance of it). The awareness necessary for local church unity — all the things we have in common in our fellowship with the Spirit, with the Son, and with the Father (what we live out is based on knowledge, doctrine, theology). So, having considered the need for unity, and the elements of it, HOW IS IT LIVED OUT? How has God designed for a UNIFIED CHURCH TO FUNCTION? Which brings us to verses 7-16, and an explanation regarding the operation of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts DISPLAY our unity, but they also CONTRIBUTE to the maintaining of the unity we have in Christ. We live out unity not just in personal relationships but in the work of ministry. MUTUAL MINISTRY IS A MEANS OF GOD FOR THE UNITY OF HIS CHURCH.

The Seven ‘Ones’ For Local Church Unity

September 24, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:4–6

Introduction: The unity of the local church is an experiential manifestation of the unity that belongs to salvation. IT IS A UNITY THAT IS OBJECTIVE, SETTLED, AND SHARED BY EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN SAVED. Where the Spirit of God has done His regenerating work in a person’s life, where the new birth has occurred, where the Spirit of God has taken up residence in a life (thus, it is called the unity of the Spirit) THAT PERSON NOW SHARES IN THE UNITY OUR VERSES DESCRIBE. WE DON’T CREATE THE UNITY THAT WE EXPERIENCE IN THE CHURCH. WE MAINTAIN IT. WE LIVE IT OUT. WE LIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH IT. We live in a way that treasures that unity and makes the choices that allow for it not to be disrupted. AND EVERYONE WHO TRULY BELONGS TO THAT UNITY HAS THE CAPACITY (by the Spirit) TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT AGREES WITH IT. AS WE HAVE SEEN, THE MAINTAINING OF THAT UNITY REQUIRES SOMETHING LARGER THAN THE UNITY ITSELF. (1) The ambition necessary for local church unity — to live my life in a way that is worthy of the calling we received in Christ. (2) The attitudes necessary for local church unity — humility, gentleness, and patience. (3) The actions necessary for local church unity — forbearance in the face of what would disrupt that unity and the zealous guarding of what maintains that unity. Now we come to the AWARENESS necessary for local church unity. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL SEE AGAIN AND AGAIN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. Christian living requires KNOWLEDGE. Action is based on FACT. Practice is based on THEOLOGICAL TRUTH. Duty finds its reason and its fuel in DOCTRINE. So that after talking about the sphere in which this unity is pursued and maintained, Paul describes that sphere. He describes what belongs to the BOND OF PEACE. FIRST NOTE: The peace that Paul has been discussing, up to chapter four, is the glorious unity between Jew and Gentile that exists in the church. Ephesians 2:11–22 (LSB) 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you—the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups one and broke down the dividing wall of the partition 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might create the two into one new man, making peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having in Himself put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. So, in what ways do Jews and Gentiles now find themselves as one new man in Jesus Christ? What is this unity that they share that they are to strive to visibly and truly demonstrate? This is why he launches DIRECTLY into his descriptions. He doesn’t even provide a conjunction. What is this “bond of peace” that has been produced by the Spirit of God? In WHAT WAY ARE WE ALL HELD TOGETHER? He gives us SEVEN WAYS that we unified in Jesus Christ. And as we remain AWARE OF THESE THINGS and RESPOND RIGHTLY TO THIS KNOWLEDGE, we have theological and doctrinal fuel for the maintaining of local church unity. SECOND NOTE: This is clearly organized in a Trinitarian acknowledgment. Verse 4 speaking of the Holy Spirit, verse 5 speaking of the Son of God, and verse 6 speaking of God the Father. What this emphasizes, of course, is that our unity is found in God has related us to Himself, and that the chief motivation for practically expressing that unity is God Himself — living in accordance with the will of the Spirit, the Son, and the Father. WHATEVER ELSE IS IN THIS LIST IS TO BE RELATED TO OUR GRACIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR GOD. To not treasure unity and to disregard it in ways that sinfully fuel divisions, is to act contrary to the Godhead. Francis Foulkes — “The apostle is aware of the endless variety of temperaments amongst his readers and the diverse racial and social backgrounds from which they have come into the Christian church; but he would have them even more aware of the spiritual realities that now unite them and that should completely transcend differences of background. Already, in 1:13–14, he has spoken of the spiritual blessings that are now shared between Jews and Gentiles, and in 2:11–22 of the barriers between them that have been broken down in Christ. All, he says, now have equal shares in the privileges of grace (3:6)… he names what they have in common, a unity by the Spirit in the church, a unity in Christ acknowledged and confessed as Lord, a unity ultimately in God the Father and source of all. As Caird puts it, ‘The corporate unity of the church is not a desirable end, but a datum to which the behaviour of its members must conform.’”#_ftn1 #_ftnref1Francis Foulkes, Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 10 of https://accordance.bible/link/read/tyndale_commentary#53264. IVP/Accordance electronic ed. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1989), 117-118.

Four Requirements For Local Church Unity

September 17, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:3

Introduction: Local church unity exists on a foundation larger than that unity — it’s experienced when we do more than proclaim our commitment to unity —we aim at what unity requires. And what is true for the church’s unity is true for all genuine Christian unity. What is true for the church’s unity is true in our homes. Unity exists on the foundation of the chief ambition that belongs to the Christian life. We aim to live in a way that accords with our unity in Christ because it glorifies God — it is a part of the life worthy of our calling. Unity exists on the foundation of character — internal virtues. The Christian life is lived from the inside out. Godly attitudes lead to godly behaviors. The experience of unity requires a heart that allows for unity. Humility Gentleness Patience And then those qualities are particularly manifested in the forbearance that is explained by the love of God and demonstrates the love of God. These are the internal fruits produced by the Spirit of God necessary for a congregation to live in peace. BUT HAVING SAID THIS, WE MUST NOT BE CONFUSED TO THINK THAT UNITY IS NOT A CONSCIOUS PRIORITY. WE LIVE OUT OUR UNITY IN CHRIST WHEN UNITY MATTERS TO US — WHEN IT IS PURSUED LIKE A PRIORITY. Knowing that unity requires more than simply aiming at it does not negate the fact that we must aim at it. It requires MORE than just being mindful of it, but it INCLUDES being mindful of it. And that is what our verse tonight makes plain. Tonight, we think about making unity a priority. We think about Four requirements for the preservation of church unity. I. UNITY REQUIRES SINCERE PASSION Unity requires a sincere desire for unity. Unity requires a zealous pursuit of unity. Now, before I talk about the desire and effort on display in this verse, I want to think about what the desire pertains to. A. THE UNITY GOD HAS GIVEN US “The unity of the Spirit” What does Paul have in mind? I agree with those who see this genitive τοῦ πνεύματος (of the Spirit), referring to source or origin. I say this because what he’s speaking of already exists. We are called to MAINTAIN it, not CREATE it. This is not something we produce; this is something the Spirit of God created. This is the unity that our Lord prayed for. ESV John 17:11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. ESV John 17:20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I also understand the genitive as one of source or origin because of what follows our verse. What follows are a series of statements about all the ways that we are FACTUALLY AND OBJECTIVELY unified. ESV Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. So, the unity that Paul is referring to is the unity that SALVATION has produced, THE SPIRIT OF GOD has granted to us IN JESUS CHRIST. Because that unity exists, he is calling us TO ACTION. B. THE ACTION CALLED FOR The action that is called for, then, is PRESERVATION. τηρεῖν – to keep (to preserve, to maintain). BDAG – “ⓒ of holding on to someth. so as not to give it up or lose it (Diod S 17, 43, 9 τὰ ὅπλα, the shields; τὴν ἀρετήν Did., Gen. 87, 4. Cp. τ. τὰ μυστήρια … καὶ ἐξειπεῖν μηδενί Hippol., Ref. 5, 27, 2) τὴν ἁγνείαν Hm 4, 4, 3. τὴν ἑνότητα τοῦ πνεύματος Eph 4:3.”#_ftn1 WE HAVE A UNITY GRANTED TO US BY GOD’S MERCY TO US — NOW WE ARE TO TREASURE THAT IN A WAY THAT IS REFLECTED IN OUR TREATMENT OF EACH OTHER AND OUR COOPERATION WITH EACH OTHER. C. THE ZEAL FOR THAT ACTION So, God has created this unity, and we are to live in a way that values that and is careful to preserve that (guard it), but what I also want us to see is that this is something we HAVE SINCERE ZEAL FOR. “being diligent” (LSB) “eager” (ESV) “making every effort” (NET) Peter O’Brien — “This second participial clause (‘making every effort …’) is stylistically parallel to the previous one, and also functions as an imperative. Paul’s appeal is urgent and cannot be easily translated into English. The verb he uses has an element of haste, urgency, or even a sense of crisis to it… Further, the exhortation is an unusual one. The church’s unity is described as the unity of the Spirit, which signifies a unity that God’s Spirit creates30 and therefore not the readers’ own achievement, yet they are exhorted urgently to maintain it. God has inaugurated this unity in Christ, through the events described in Ephesians 2:11–22, as a result of which believers, Jew and Gentile together, have access to God ‘in one Spirit’ (2:18). In the following verses, this unity, which includes Jew-Gentile relations in the body of Christ but is not limited to them, is underscored by a series of acclamations of oneness, which means that it is as ‘indestructible as God himself’.33 Ultimately, the unity and reconciliation that have been won through Christ’s death (2:14–18) are part and parcel of God’s intention of bringing all things together into unity in Christ (1:9, 10). Since the church has been designed by God to be the masterpiece of his goodness and the pattern on which the reconciled universe of the future will be modelled (see on 2:7), believers are expected to live in a manner consistent with this divine purpose. To keep this unity must mean to maintain it visibly. If the unity of the Spirit is real, it must be transparently evident, and believers have a responsibility before God to make sure that this is so. To live in a manner which mars the unity of the Spirit is to do despite to the gracious reconciling work of Christ. It is tantamount to saying that his sacrificial death by which relationships with God and others have been restored, along with the resulting freedom of access to the Father, are of no real consequence to us!”#_ftn2 TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT VISIBLY MANIFESTS OUR SPIRITUAL ONENESS MUST BE A MATTER OF SINCERE PASSION FOR A FAITHFUL CHURCH. DO YOU CARE? DOES THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH MATTER TO YOU? DOES THE FACT THAT CHRIST DIED TO MAKE US ONE MAKE UNITY A PRIORITY FOR YOU? II. UNITY REQUIRES THEOLOGICAL SUBMISSION The very fact that the apostle consistently argues for behavior based on theological REALITIES says that we must be a people for whom theological truth, biblical revelation, spiritual realities, BINDS OUR CONSCIENCES. LET ME PUT IN A VERY PRACTICAL WAY. YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR UNITY WILL REVEAL YOUR FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD. The only way that our unity can be of little importance to you, is if what the Bible says is of little importance to you. The only way that our unity can be of little importance to you, is if what Christ died to accomplish is of little importance to you. Will the Son of God desire our unity and you not care? Will the Son of God have died to make us one and then you live in a way contrary to that unity? The only way that you can REFUSE to be at peace with your brothers, as much as depends on you, is if God’s revelation doesn’t bind your conscience. DOES THE BIBLE’S CALL FOR OUR UNITY MATTER TO YOU? III. UNITY REQUIRES DIVINE POWER The Spirit of God is the source of this unity. He created this unity. But He is also the one who empowers us to live out its relational implications. Each of the internal qualities we looked at are explained by His power at work in our lives (humility, gentleness, patience). ESV Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The forbearance that we are commanded to live out is only made possible by His activity in our lives. ESV Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. This is a question we must all consider — do my relationships to God’s people speak of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life? Does my striving for unity in the body of Christ speak of the Holy Spirit’s power at work in me? AM I BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT? IV. UNITY EXISTS IN DIVINE PEACE This unity is in THE BOND OF PEACE. That is, the realm or sphere, of A PEACE THAT GOD HIMSELF HAS CREATED. The oneness of Jew and Gentile in the same body is a living demonstration of that peace. Peace with God that results in peace with men. THE REALITY OF UNITY BETWEEN JEW AND GENTILE MUST BE VISIBLE IN THE LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH. AND IN THE SAME WAY, THE UNITY OF EACH MEMBER OF CHRIST’S BODY, MUST BE VISIBLE IN THE LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH. You can’t live out unity where oneness doesn’t exist. You can’t live out unity where manifesting that oneness doesn’t matter. Harold Hoehner — “Verses 1–3 may be thus summarized. As a prisoner in the Lord, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to maintain a lifestyle worthy of their call to salvation and to the body of believers. Their lives should demonstrate humility, gentleness, and patience, which are accomplished by forbearing one another in love and making every effort to preserve the unity that comes from the Holy Spirit.”#_ftn3 #_ftnref1 William Arndt et al., https://ref.ly/logosres/bdag?ref=page.p+1002&off=4171&ctx=hrough+christ+jd+1.%0a~%e2%93%92+of+holding+on+to+s (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1002. #_ftnref2 Peter Thomas O’Brien, https://ref.ly/logosres/pntceph?ref=bible.eph4.3&off=439&ctx=s+deeply+concerned.+~this+second+particip, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 279–280. #_ftnref3 Harold W. Hoehner, https://ref.ly/logosres/phsnsnxgtclcmm?ref=bible.eph4.3&off=5786&ctx=protect+that+unity.%0a~verses+1%e2%80%933+may+be+th (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 513.

The Worthy Walk & The Unity of The Church Pt.3

September 10, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:1–3

Introduction: How does the local church experience the unity that is already ours in Jesus Christ? We ARE one in Jesus Christ, but how do we experience the JOY AND PEACE of that oneness? THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD GREATLY DESIRE. Psalm 133 gives voice to the joy of it. ESV Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. We have seen that the pursuit of unity exists on a foundation larger than unity. We strive to maintain unity as part OF A LARGER PURSUIT. What is that larger pursuit? IT IS A LIFE THAT MATCHES WITH GOD’S MERCY TO US (vs.1). Paul is a living example of a life fully devoted to the one who died for us and gave us life. Paul is a loving example of someone wanting those whom he loves to live the life that matches their calling. AND THAT LIFE IS THE PRODUCT OF INTERNAL GRACES. The Christian life is lived from the inside out. Holy activity is the result of holy attitudes. Review: We looked last Lord’s Day evening at the first of 5 attitudes (focal points for internal desire and devotion) necessary to a worthy walk. I. THE WORTHY WALK IS A HUMBLE WALK II. THE WORTHY WALK IS A GENTLE WALK Tonight, we begin with the 3rd. Lesson: III. THE WORTHY WALK IS A PATIENT WALK We mentioned at the beginning of this study that these qualities have telescopic character about them. Humility is the spring source of the others, and each one contributes to the next. It is the humble person who demonstrates gentleness. It is a humble and gentle person who is CHARACTERIZED by PATIENCE. A few things we should note here. A. THERE IS A KIND OF PATIENCE THAT SPEAKS OF SALVATION The fact that Paul could mention patience as a mark of living in a way worthy of our calling, says that this is not a natural kind of patience. There is a kind of patience that can be natural to people. There are lost people that others would characterize as patient. THERE IS A KIND OF PATIENCE THAT REFLECTS INDIFFERENCE THERE IS A KIND OF PATIENCE THAT REFLECTS RESIGNATION THERE IS A KIND OF PATIENCE THAT REFLECTS SELFISHNESS It is easier to NOT RESPOND. It is easier to PUT UP WITH SOMETHING. It is easier to ACCEPT MY CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE IS A KIND OF PATIENCE THAT MERELY REFLECTS PERSONALITY None of that is what Paul is talking about. So, WHAT KIND OF PATIENCE DOES SPEAK OF SALVATION? 1. THE PATIENCE THAT SPEAKS OF SALVATION IS EXPLAINED BY FAITH The word in our text is a form of the word μακροθυμία The word group is used to describe several notable qualities. But something that we see about these qualities is that they operate in the realm of KNOWLEDGE. A key text for understanding patience is Colossians 1:9-12. ESV Colossians 1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 2. THE PATIENCE THAT SPEAKS OF SALVATION IS EXPLAINED BY GOD’S POWER That same text makes clear that the patience spoken of is made possible by divine power (vs.11). 3. THE PATIENCE THAT SPEAKS OF SALVATION IS STURDY Endurance is joined at the hip with patience (vs.11). “I’ve been patient long enough” is the kind of thing that ANY HUMAN BEING CAN SAY. But the Christian must be asked, “HAVE YOU BEEN PATIENT FOR AS LONG AS WOULD BE NECESSARY TO PLEASE GOD?” Do you want to be? Do you know that by the power of God, you CAN BE? 4. THE PATIENCE THAT SPEAKS OF SALVATION EXISTS WITH JOY AND GRATEFULNESS It is accompanied by joy and thanksgiving. Sometimes it is true to say that it is FUELED by joy and thanksgiving. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) It is not stoic resignation, and it is certainly not a GRUMBLING resignation (vs.11-12) 5. THE PATIENCE THAT SPEAKS OF SALVATION EXISTS IN THE REALM OF PRODUCTIVITY AND GROWTH (vs.10) It is not sitting around in a state of being spiritually “stuck.” In this same life where endurance and patience are exhibited with joy and thanksgiving, THERE IS FRUITFULNESS IN EVERY GOOD WORK. The knowledge that fuels patience is INCREASED by our fellowship with God in the circumstances that REQUIRE PATIENCE. God is taking us to school even as He strengthens us to stay in the classroom. 6. THE PATIENCE THAT SPEAKS OF SALVATION IS THE PERSONAL WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ESV Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, So what is it? What is it that exists in knowledge and is explained by faith? What is it that is supernatural in all the ways we’ve talked about? The standard Greek lexicon (BDAG) offers the following: ① state of remaining tranquil while awaiting an outcome, patience, steadfastness, endurance Col 1:11; 2Ti 3:10. διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας through faith and steadfastness Hb 6:12. ὑπόδειγμα τ. κακοπαθίας κ. τ. μακροθυμίας Js 5:10. W. ταπεινοφροσύνη Hs 8, 7, 6; cp. 9, 15, 2. ② state of being able to bear up under provocation, forbearance, patience toward others (Artem. 2, 25 p. 119, 10) ⓐ of human beings (Pr 25:15; Sir 5:11; TestJos 17:2) w. other virtues 2 Cor 6:6; Gal 5:22; 1 Cl 62:2. W. ἐπιείκεια (cp. EpArist 188) 1 Cl 13:1. W. πραΰτης Col 3:12. W. ἐγκράτεια 2:2. ἐν p 613 πάσῃ μακροθυμίᾳ 2 Ti 4:2. In contrast to ὀξυχολία: Hm 5, 1, 3 and 6; 5, 2, 3 and 8. μετὰ μακροθυμίας ἀνεχόμενοι ἀλλήλων Eph 4:2. ⓑ of transcendent beings α. of God (ApcEsdr 2:8; Did., Gen. 186, 10 [restored]) Ro 2:4; 9:22; 1 Pt 3:20; IEph 11:1. β. of Christ 1 Ti 1:16; 2 Pt 3:15.—S. ὑπομονή 1, end.—DELG s.v. θυμός. M-M. EDNT. TW.#_ftn1 μακροθυμία, ας, ἡ as a state of emotional quietness in the face of unfavorable circumstances patience, long-suffering; (1) as patience under trial endurance, steadfastness (HE 6.12); (2) as constraint exercised toward others forbearance, patience (2C 6.6); (3) as God's constraint of his wrath long-suffering, forbearance (RO 2.4)#_ftn2 #_ftnref1 William Arndt et al., https://ref.ly/logosres/bdag?ref=page.p+612&off=7205 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 612–613. #_ftnref2 Friberg, Analytical Greek Lexicon

The Worthy Walk & The Unity of The Church Pt.2

September 3, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:2–3

Introduction: We have been called to live the "worthy life" and now we see the character of it. And we are specifically thinking about the unity of the church, and how that unity is a part of something larger than unity. The worthy walk is the way to a unified church. There are two themes that will make up the last part of this letter. 1. Unity (4:4-16) 2. Godly living in every part of our life (4:17 - End) To live out either, however, there is a larger aim (the worthy walk) and there are attitudes that we must live with. Paul gives us 5 attitudes of heart that are necessary to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Note: There is progression here. The genuine exercise of one leading to the genuine exercise of the others. I. THE WORTHY WALK IS A HUMBLE WALK The word that is translated humility is a compound word and it means to think or to judge with lowliness. It is lowliness of mind regarding yourself. It is the kind of attitude that our Lord was describing in the beatitudes. NAS Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In the Greco-Roman culture, just as in our culture, lowliness of mind was not something celebrated. The ways of Christ are in contrast with the ways of the world. The ways of the regenerate, that are possible because of the knowledge of God, are not the ways of the world where people are blind to the greatness of God, and the sinfulness of man. A. CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMILITY Let me say a few things about what we know of humility from God’s Word. 1. HUMILITY IS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL OTHER VIRTUES Just as pride is the root of all vice so humility is the root of all virtue. There is literally nothing good that the Lord has done in any one of our lives that He did apart from humility. *This is where Jesus began in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:3) This is where Scripture says WISDOM ABIDES. NAS Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom. a. IT IS WHERE OUR LIFE IN CHRIST BEGAN NAS Matthew 18:3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. b. IT IS WHERE CHRIST LIKENESS MUST BEGIN And, not only does Christ likeness begin at the point of humility, it makes progress along the pathway of humility. NAS Matthew 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. NAS 1 John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. God came to earth and how did He come? *Born in a stable *Common parents *No property *Buried in a borrowed tomb This is the mindset that we are called to embrace, in every situation, with every choice and action. NAS Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 2. HUMILITY IS ELUSIVE If you focus on humility too much it becomes pride. It must be highly prized, and pursued, but never thought to be perfected on this side of glorification. As soon as you claim it you have relinquished it. a. PRIDE IS THE ROOT OF ALL SIN *Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6-7) ESV Daniel 5:18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. 19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. You will forsake pride or pride with destroy you. b. PRIDE IS LOST MAN'S NATURE NAS Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin. NAS Malachi 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze," says the LORD of hosts, "so that it will leave them neither root nor branch." Sinners are described in the terms of pride and arrogance. c. PRIDE IS SATAN'S SUPREME TEMPTATION Pride is at the heart of his own evil nature, and it often involves the bait that Satan uses in his schemes. NAS 1 Timothy 3:6 and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. We will battle with pride for the rest of our lives. d. PRIDE COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS -Over our abilities, possessions, education, social status, appearance, influence, Bible knowledge, religious accomplishments, our humility. e. PRIDE IS PROMOTED IN OUR WORLD It is respected and from a temporal point of view, it pays off. It has manifested itself wearing so many faces of the years of my own life. THE POSITIVE THINKING MOVEMENTS THE SELF-RESPECT MOVEMENTS THE SELF-LOVE MOVEMENTS THE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT Sometimes this is just as true in our churches. So, humility is the foundation for all other virtues, and humility is elusive. 3. HUMILITY IS OFTEN COUNTERFEITED It is counterfeited by a false humility that has nothing supernatural in it. It is a kind of humility that is an act. It is a kind of humility that WE ARE GREATLY AWARE OF AND THAT WE WANT OTHERS TO BE GREATLY AWARE OF. B. THE WAY TO HUMILITY So, with all of these truths before us, HOW DO WE PURSUE HUMILITY? 1. PROPER SELF-AWARENESS It is a consciousness of our own unworthiness. That is arrived at as we believe what Scripture tells us about ourselves. But that truth comes into clearer view when we also believe what God has told us about Himself. 2. PROPER GOD/CHRIST AWARENESS We see an example of this in the life of Isaiah. ESV Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" We see an example of this in the life of Peter. ESV Luke 5:1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." We see this in the life of Job.

The Worthy Walk & The Unity of The Church Pt.1

August 27, 2023 • Richard Caldwell Jr. • Ephesians 4:1

Introduction: The unity of the church is experienced when it is built on something larger than the idea of unity. The unity of God’s people is called for in direct terms, but in a way that references larger issues. Verse 3 addresses the matter of unity directly. Various statements in this larger section (1-16) address the idea of unity. But the unity called for — if it is to be experienced — will be understood and chosen considering all that is said in this entire section. Like many other things in the Christian life, we sometimes want to get to an issue DIRECTLY, when our answer will be arrived at in more INDIRECT fashion. The Christian life is not just doctrine, and it’s not just doctrine and doxology. The Christian life is doctrine, doxology, and duty. The Christian life is principle, praise, and practice. The word of God never divides these things. Our doctrine, our praise and our living must never be separated. The three are interdependent realities. Doctrine must always come first because you cannot live in the light of what you don't know. But where doctrine is really learned there will be praise and where praise is genuine, there will be obedient living. All three go together. In chapter 4, verse 1, you have a call for a WORTHY LIFE. He says in affect, "Christian, have you really grasped, or are you beginning to get hold of what God has done for you by His grace in Jesus Christ? Do these really belong to you? Are you the person who is described in these first 3 chapters? If so, then realize you have certain obligations. Realize that grace always imparts responsibility. I implore you to live the kind of life that is in keeping with your profession of faith in Christ. That worthy walk can be described in four ways. I. THE CALL TO THE WORTHY WALK IS A LOGICAL CALL (therefore) The word therefore is found throughout the New Testament. It is such an important word. It carries with it many lessons. A. IT TEACHES US HOW TO READ OUR BIBLES (Application) It reminds us that the Bible was never meant by God to be read or studied or taught piece meal. The Bible must be taken as a whole, and we are responsible to know and to learn the whole. We must understand the parts in the context of the whole. *Many errors in doctrine and many errors in thinking and living would have been avoided if passages of scripture had only been understood in their context. B. IT TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (Action) The Christian life is not just learning. The Christian life is not just praising or having some experience. The Christian life is also living and choosing. It teaches us about how sanctification takes place. *Doctrine gives us the KNOWLEDGE for Christian living. *Doctrine gives us the MOTIVE for Christian living. *Doctrine gives us the CONFIDENCE for Christian living. But then we must put those things into action; there are real choices that we must make. NAS Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as In my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. **In other words, it teaches us about BALANCE (proper interdependence) in the Christian life. We can't always live on the Mount of Transfiguration. You remember that Peter wanted to stay there and to build three tabernacles. But the Lord made clear that that wasn't what they were to do and coming down off the mountain the Lord delivered a man's son who was demon possessed. That is how we are sometimes. We want to live on one end of the extreme or the other. You have those who do not give themselves to doctrine as they should. You have others who want to do nothing but talk about doctrine yet it never gets into their everyday living. Both are wrong. C. IT TEACHES US ABOUT WHAT PRODUCES THE CHARACTER OF OUR LIVING (Apprehension -Appreciation) Having said that about the importance of practical application, we must also note, however, that the Bible ALWAYS begins with doctrine. Our lives for Christ will never rise above our understanding of sound doctrine. As our doctrinal understanding is the product of the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry, our APPRECIATION and HUMILITY will grow with it. ESV 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. II. IT IS A LIVING CALL (The Prisoner of the Lord) He doesn't just exhort them to this life; he commends this life to them. He doesn't just exhort them to it; he serves as an example of it. What do we see in Paul’s words? A. IT IS A COSTLY LIFE The Christian life is not pain free. The Christian life is not an easy road. NAS Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. B. IT IS A CONSECRATED LIFE It is a life that no longer belongs to you. NAS 2 Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. NAS 2 Timothy 2:4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. NAS Acts 20:24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. This is normal Christian living.