Have you ever faced a situation where you were on the outside looking in?  How did it feel? This morning we’ll be addressing reconciliation as we continue in Ephesians.

“11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:11-22)

We’re in our fourth message on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Last week we covered the differences between the old life of sin separated from God and new life in Christ where salvation is accepted by faith. Today’s message is called Reconciled.

Building on the previous section (Eph 2:1-10) Paul elaborates on the former condition of the Gentiles. (Gentiles are those people not of the lineage of the Jews.) It’s important to note that Jews often shunned and excluded Gentiles calling them “the uncircumcised,” This was a significant insult, not a term of endearment. Though circumcision was an outward sign, and the Jews placed too much emphasis on the physical symbolism, nonetheless the Gentiles were not in a good place spiritually.

The Israelites were God’s chosen people and part of the covenantal relationship with him dating back thousands of years to Abraham. They had the Old Testament scriptures and the expectation of a coming Messiah. The Gentiles were far away as they had no connecting points with God and no expectation of a Messiah.[1]

“But now” In Christ the Gentiles have been brought near by the blood of Christ. What an amazing turn around!  Those on the outside are brought in.  Those far away are brought near.  Those excluded, are included. This is what God does.  The lonely, the downtrodden, the outsiders, are given hope!

Paul now addresses the relationship between Jews and Gentiles. There were major cultural, racial and ethnic issues dividing the Jews and the Gentiles.  These were two groups of people that did not get along. Though formerly hostile, now Jews and Gentiles are united in Christ. It’s hard to overemphasize how big of a deal this is.  It would be like lifelong sworn enemies suddenly becoming business partners. The key is Christ.  He is the necessary peace and the only possible bridge.  He has destroyed the barrier between Jew and Gentile. “In contrast to ethnic Israel—all descended from Abraham—the body of Christ is not ethnically or racially delimited. It has no “Jewish” boundary markers that demarcate the insiders from the outsiders. The Jews needed to hear this well: there are no privileged races in the family of God—and many of us also need to hear this message clearly today.”[2]

Today though we rarely speak of Gentiles, there are many human based dividing lines between different races and groups of people. Through the cross, reconciliation is possible.  People can be reconciled with God and with each other.  The dividing lines are thrown down.[3]  We need to understand that in Christ there is peace and reconciliation between even mutually hostile groups. How foolish and sinful that we would exclude one another on the basis of race, culture or skin colour.  In Christ each person is part of the family.

Paul also addresses the issue of the Old Testament law, which was a major sticking point between Jews and Gentiles (See Acts 15:19-21). Through Christ, the law is set aside.  This is not to say the moral law of God is set aside, but rather the Jewish law of sacrifices, diet, and regulations is fulfilled in Christ and no longer necessary.[4] Again, those things that formerly divided are removed. There are no longer clean and unclean foods or people. (See Acts 10) Through Christ, both groups have equal status and equal access to God the Father.

In verse 19 Paul begins to wrap up the section as he employs a few different metaphors to explain the Gentile’s new situation and indeed the situation of every person who is redeemed in Christ.

“Citizens” – they have joined God’s people with the full rights of citizens.
In Roman times, citizenship was a big deal.  Roman citizenship was reserved for those who were born into it or became rich or powerful enough to buy their way in.  Many people living in Roman ruled areas were not Roman citizens. In Christ, every single person is a citizen with full rights and privileges!  There are no exclusions, second-class citizens or foreigners

“Members of God’s household” – not just visitors, but members of God’s immediate family, part of the intimate relationship of the Trinity.

“Building” The Apostles and prophets are the foundation of the building and with Jesus as the cornerstone, the building rises and becomes a holy temple.  In a very real sense, the body of Christ, Jew and Gentile, are together the dwelling place of God.  The body of Christ replaces the Jewish temple as the dwelling place of God on earth.[5] Finally, the sense here is of a building currently under construction.  We “are being built” into this house, this dwelling place, this holy temple. As people live life in Christ, believers are continually being crafted and shaped together towards maturity by life in Christ.
 
Summary and take aways

• In Christ, mutually hostile groups of people are reconciled and brought into unity. 
• Those who were outside, far away, alienated, are now members of God’s household.
• You are invited in.  Accept Christ and you are part of the family, a full citizen.  There are no rights denied to you.  You cannot buy or earn them. They are given.
• Life is a work in progress.  Eugene Peterson (writer of the message) says “I don’t want to be so impatient with the mess that I am not around to see the miracle being formed.”[6]
• Struggling to find peace? Struggling to find reconciliation?  Look to Christ.  The gospel message is one of peace and reconciliation

You citizenship awaits.  Take hold of it and live in the family of God.

[1] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 75). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[2] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 77). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[3] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 761
[4] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 1046
[5] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 1048
[6] Eugene Peterson. The Pastor. HarperCollins New York, 2011 Pg 285

​This passage contains some of the most amazing truths in the whole New Testament! If you could only read one passage in the Bible for the rest of your life, this wouldn’t be a bad one to choose.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:1-10)

We’re in the third message of our fall series on the book of Ephesians.  We’ve uncovered a few themes so far: the meaning of being In Christ, unity and the power of Christ that works in people.  In chapter 1 Paul followed up his opening description of the blessings found in Christ with a majestic intercessory prayer.  Now in chapter 2 Paul describes the sinful nature of people and God’s plan of salvation.

All people are born into sin and because of sinful nature, all people are spiritually dead, separated from God. Knowingly or unknowingly, people living apart from Christ are following the systems and values of the world around them. The devil will always try to influence the systems of the world to lead people away from Christ. Ultimately, people live apart from Christ because of an unwillingness to trust him.[1]

In verse 3 Paul clarifies that all people were at one time living in rebellion towards Christ. Here Paul uses the word flesh to describe the sinful nature of people. In living according to the flesh, people live apart from the Christ, “…under the domination of their own sinful natures.”[2] Here Paul has laid out a picture of the human condition apart from Christ.  All people are born with a sinful nature. Sin leads to death.

This all seems pretty dark until we come across verse 4.  “But…” Because of God’s love, because of his mercy, people are made alive in Christ. No longer are people stuck in sin and darkness. The life of Christ shines bright. The Bible tells us that God is love (I John 4:8).  He is merciful.  These are the qualities that moved God to save. Last week we discovered that the amazing power of God raised Christ from the dead and that same power is available for those who believe (1:19). Here Paul elaborates further.  Believers were made alive in Christ; it is by grace people have been saved.  Along with love and mercy, grace is the divine motivation for God to save people.[3] Death has been defeated and the sin nature vanquished. Not only did God raise Christ and seat him at his right hand, but all believers were raised and seated with Christ.

Though all people must still face physical death, spiritually those who are in Christ are made alive.  They will not die spiritually. This illustrates part of the tension of the Christian life.  On the one hand followers of Christ are spiritually alive and seated in the heavenly realms.  On the other hand, they still inhabit physical bodies and walk among the temptations of life on earth. Yet, the power of sin and darkness has been broken and in Christ there is victory, even here in the fallen world. Christians must embrace the tension of the now and the not yet.  Followers of Jesus are spiritually alive in Christ, but must still work out their faith.

These next few verses are probably among the most famous and most memorized in the Bible. While “God’s grace moved him to save”[4] people accept God’s gift of salvation through faith. Here we uncover another key theme in Ephesians: faith. By accepting God’s gift of salvation, people place their trust in God.  They are practicing faith, accepting that they cannot save themselves and placing their trust and reliance fully in God.[5] Salvation is initiated only by God, but humans have the choice to accept it. I can offer you a gift, but you must decide to receive it.  The receiving of the gift of salvation is through faith. Paul makes it clear that people cannot save themselves.  No amount of works, good deeds, law keeping or effort can secure salvation.  Thus, any personal boasting is completely misplaced.  If one is to boast about salvation it can only be about Christ himself.

Paul brings it full circle. We are God’s workmanship!  God himself created each person and loves us for who we are. This second part of this verse may cause some confusion.  One could read that God has predetermined every good work of followers of Christ. This however is not the intent.  Paul is teaching that it is God’s work in the follower of Christ that enables them to do good works, not that every good work is predetermined. Without God working in the world good works would not be possible.  Thus, “Our good works owe to God’s work in us, not to our own efforts to be good.”[6]

What can we take away today?

• All people are born with a sin nature.  Without Christ all people are lost
• But!  God’s love, mercy and grace moved him to save people. 
  • How amazing that we can know a God who cares about people, as messed up as we are, that he offers redemption
• People are made alive in Christ
  • Life is not hopeless and meaningless.  In Christ there is life and hope and meaning
• People are saved by faith, not works.
  • Because there is no way to earn salvation, there are no superior people.  We choose to respond to God’s invitation. 
  • How are you responding to God’s invitation right now?
• You are God’s handiwork, created by the master craftsman.  You can rest in his love for you.
• Your value lies in a relationship with Christ, not with your performance, skills or works.

On this thanksgiving Sunday, let’s be thankful for salvation by grace, through faith and a relationship with the God who created us!


[1] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 66). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[2] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 66). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[3] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 68). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[4] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 70). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[5] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 70). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[6] Klein, W. W. (2006). Ephesians. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians–Philemon (Revised Edition) (Vol. 12, p. 71). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Have you ever had someone pray over you? That is what the Apostle Paul is doing here for the Ephesian church and by extension for all those who have and will read this letter! Settle in and prepare to soak up this amazing prayer.

“15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:15-23)

Last week we opened a series on Ephesian and looked at the first 14 verses of the book and discovered two key themes: In Christ and Unity.  Now, verse 15 opens with “For this reason” Paul “…prays in the light of the wealth of spiritual blessing of which he has just been writing.[1]” “For this reason” Paul has not stopped giving thanks for them. Paul, the Apostle and pastor, has heard about their faith and their love for God’s people.

As Paul gives thanks for his readers, beginning in verse 17 he launches into an intercessory prayer. Intercession is the “Act of intervening or mediating between differing parties, particularly the act of praying to God on behalf of another person.”[2]

Paul begins the prayer with a powerful statement of God’s glory and character.  “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father…” Paul’s example reminds us that in prayer we should reflect first and foremost on who God is.  We are not praying to our Amazon wishlist.  We are praying to the God of the universe. Paul’s prayer is that his readers, by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation will come to know God better. The gospel is not ‘known’ in the sense of knowing about something, it is experienced in life through relationship with Christ

Verse 18 Paul continues the prayer by referring to the ‘eyes of your heart’ – in the biblical sense the heart is ‘the centre of the personality’[3] Paul prays that people would be enlightened, that in Christ, people can see his light and truth (see John 1:4-5).  The light and revelation of Christ reveal hope and inheritance in Christ. This hope “gives the sure promise of life with him as his people for ever…”[4] The inheritance is in fact the thing that hope points to: “life in God for ever.”[5]

Verse 19 Now, grabbing all the synonyms he can find, Paul describes the power of God. Clearly language itself is insufficient. This power is the power that raised Christ from the dead and placed him before all things. Amazingly we may by experience know the power of God as it works in and through followers of Christ. Indeed, this power is a gift of God for people. 

I heard a pastor share a story about his experience buying a new truck.  He went into the dealership to buy a newer model of his current truck.  The salesman showed him the details and they made a deal. The salesman asked if he knew how to work the bells and whistles on the new truck and the pastor assured him that he did as it was the same model he already had, just newer.  The salesman said sure, did your old truck have remote start?  The pastor said no it didn’t so the salesman said you just click the lock button twice and then hit this circle button and it will remote start.  Sure enough it worked as demonstrated and the new truck fired up.  The pastor then looked at the key fob for his old truck and realized that he had the same button.  He tried it on his old truck and voila, the old truck remote started.  For years he had been driving the old truck and didn’t know he had remote start.  He had more power available but had never used it because he didn’t know it was there.

Almost certainly we have a hard time grasping the full power of God, but it is there, ready for us to ask and discover it, just as the pastor didn’t know he had remote start until he was shown how to use it.  This amazing power of God is revealed in the resurrection and ascension of Christ. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in people and raises people to new life in Christ.[6]

In verse 22 Paul begins to wrap up the prayer. Jesus is supreme over all things and is the head of the church. This little verse reveals an amazing truth. Because Jesus is both head of all things and head of the church, the church will always be able to overcome all opposition.[7]  Finally, the church, led by Christ, is his body, and is to be the expression of Christ even as he is the one who fills everything.

What can we walk away with today?

• As Paul prayed for his readers, so today, Christ intercedes for people “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Rom 8:24b)
• Jesus is praying for you!  What an amazing truth
• Not only is Jesus praying for you, but the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in people
• Through Christ, the church can overcome any opposition.  This is why in over 2000 years, the church has never failed.  Indeed it never will fail.
• Rest assured that in Christ you do not and never will walk alone.

Do you want to know the power of Christ working in you?  You can pray and reach out to him any time!


[1] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 66). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[2] Thompson, J. W., & Butler, T. C. (2003). Intercession. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, & E. R. Clendenen (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 828). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 69). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[4] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 69). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[5] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 70). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[6] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 71). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[7] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 73). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Have you ever wondered what it means to be in Christ?  We are going to explore this question as we open a brand-new sermon series on the book of Ephesians.  This is a letter that has been called “Queen of the Epistles”, “The crown of St Paul’s writings” and “the Switzerland of the New Testament.”[1]  It is a majestic letter, as relevant as ever.  Let’s look at the first 14 verses.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesian 1:1-14)

Let’s look briefly at the background of the book.  It is generally accepted that the Apostle Paul wrote this letter in the early 60s AD most likely while under house arrest in Rome.  The letter to the Ephesians differs from some of Paul’s other letters in that there are no intimate or personal references to specific churches or people. Because of this lack of focus on local issues it is likely that this letter was intended as a circular letter to be passed through many churches in Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital city.  In Ephesians Paul gives a mountain top view of God’s sovereign plan rather than dealing with specific issues.[2]  By way of organization, as is Paul’s general pattern, the first half of the letter is dedicated primarily to doctrinal matters and the second half to practical issues.[3]

After the traditional greeting Paul goes into an exclamation of praise. The key phrase in this passage is “in Christ.” Paul’s praise revolves around the blessings people have in Christ. Amazingly, people were known by God and chosen in him even before the beginning of the world. Through Jesus all people are invited into this relationship. In his amazing love people are adopted as children of God through Christ.

In a world that struggles with identity, just let this sink in: you are loved, chosen and adopted by the God. Someone who is adopted is fully accepted into the family and has all the rights of a biologically born child. It all comes back to our key phrase “in Christ.” In Christ we can find our identity.  In Christ we are known. In Christ we are chosen, In Christ we are loved.  In Christ we find redemption for sins. In Christ we can find the mystery of God’s will revealed. The ultimate purpose of God’s sovereign plan is to bring all things in unity together under Christ.[4]

Paul moves on to address 3 different groups in the next few verses (11-13): the church, the Jews, and the Gentiles.  Just as the Israelite nation was chosen as God’s people, so now the church are God’s people – the church is the ‘new Israel.’ The first Christians were Jews who hoped in Christ while the Gentiles have now also been joined to Christ.[5]

This introduces another central theme of the book: unity in the church. 

For both the Jewish and Gentile Christians this was a big deal. Jews were of the heritage of God’s people – for thousands of years they had seen themselves as the exclusive family of God.  Now however, in Christ, the Gentiles have been adopted as children of God, no different in status than the Jews.

This speaks a powerful word to our socially and racially divided world. In Christ there are no distinctions between people on any level. “In the Christian community there are no second-class citizens.”[6] All Christians are united through Christ, together making up the church, the body of Christ.

Finally, this unity is brought home through the Holy Spirit. All Christians are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. In Roman times letters or goods in shipment were marked with a seal.  This ensured that the owner of the document or goods was identified, and the recipient could be sure the item had not be tampered with. The seal of the Holy Spirit is God’s mark of protection and ownership on the follower of Jesus. Likewise the gift of the Spirit is identified with a deposit guaranteeing one’s inheritance. Just as you make a deposit on goods to ensure that full payment will be made, so God gives the Holy Spirit as a promise of the full inheritance to come for those who are in Christ.

Here we have been introduced to two of the main themes in Ephesians.

• In Christ
• Unity in the church – one body

What does this mean for us?

• You are chosen, adopted and wanted.  You have value in Christ.  He loves you and wants a relationship with you
• In a world torn by racial and social struggles, unity is possible through Christ
• God’s ultimate plan involves the reconciliation and unity of all things under Christ.  Jesus has things under control.  We can relax and trust him
• Not only does Jesus provide redemption, but he reveals the meaning and purpose of life
• How do we know this is all real?  We have the evidence of the Holy Spirit.  Reach out to him and you can be aware of his presence.

In this crazy world, God is up to something good. 

Until next week,
Pastor Mike


[1] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 1019
[2] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 751
[3] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 1023
[4] Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p. 60). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[5] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 1032
[6] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 754

Have you ever wondered what communion is or what it is all about? We’re going to step back to the last supper, which was the first celebration of communion. The disciples are with Jesus eating the Passover meal. As they progress through the meal, Jesus speaks:

Matthew 26:26-30  “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

The symbolism of the meal is being fulfilled in the person of Jesus. The bread represents the body of Jesus. The wine represents the blood of Jesus. Jesus’s body and blood will be sacrificed so that all people can be forgiven of all the wrong they have done and be united in relationship with Jesus. Without this sacrifice, a relationship with Jesus would not be possible.

The Apostle Paul elaborates further on communion in the book of 1 Corinthians.

I Cor 10:16-17 “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.”

As followers of Jesus participate in taking the cup together, they participate together in Christ. “Those who receive the cup rightly receive Christ. They are bound together in fellowship with Christ.[1]” Likewise receiving the bread is a participation in Christ.

There is also a double meaning here.  We participate in the body of Jesus himself, and we participate in the body of Christ, the church. The bread that is shared represents the many followers of Jesus who make up one body, the worldwide church. “…the stress on unity is clear. The one loaf at Communion symbolizes and brings about unity. Believers are many, but they are one body. The word for points to the place of Holy Communion in bringing about unity. Communicants are united to Christ and united to one another.[2]”

So, communion symbolizes a powerful spiritual reality.  Followers of Jesus are united to him and to all other followers of Christ in the world.  People are invited into the perfect relationship of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Through Jesus we are united with all Christians in the world. It is through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that communion is made possible.  What an amazing truth!

Are you looking for relationship with Jesus?  He is ready to welcome you to the family, into perfect relationship with him.  All you need to do is respond to Jesus.  If you would like to know more about Jesus, contact us and we would be happy to share with you.


[1] Morris, L. (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 143). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[2] Morris, L. (1985). 1 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 144). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

What is the purpose of the church? This is a huge question and one that we are wrestling with a lot right now. Especially during COVID, we’re facing huge questions about what the future of the church looks like. In 1995 Pastor Rick Warren released a book called The Purpose Driven Church.  In the book he summarizes the Bible’s teaching on the church and identifies 5 categories that explain what the church does. We’re looking at two main texts from the Bible.  The Great Command, and the Great Commission.

 The Great Command Matthew 22:34-40 “Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
 
The Great Commission Matt 28:16-20 “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28: 16-20)

Following Rick Warren’s analysis, let’s break down the purposes of the church into five categories: worship, fellowship, evangelism, instruction and ministry.

Worship: Focus on God

Followers of Jesus are called to look to God in worship in everything. There is a story in the Bible about two sisters named Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). Jesus is at their house.  Martha is being the good host and is busy in the kitchen setting the table, cooking the food, brewing the coffee.  Mary on the other hand just sits with Jesus listening to him.  Martha grows upset with Mary because she’s not helping with the preparations.  Jesus gently chides Martha for her focus only on the work that needs to be done. The relationship with Jesus comes first and the work comes second.
If work for Jesus does not flow out of relationship with him, guided by worship, we run the risk of just being busy religious people. In worship followers of Jesus celebrate God’s presence with us. Worshipping with music and singing is important however the worship that we are talking about here is much broader than music. A danger here is that our idea of worship is only about our personal worship experience. Romans 12:1-2 teaches us that we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices as our spiritual act of worship. This means that all we say and do must be offered to God as worship. As Christians worship, they draw together with other believers which leads us to Fellowship.

Fellowship: Focus on the Church
In fellowship the church’s focus is on fellow believers. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia “fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation… 1a the share which one has in anything, participation.”[1] When we are engaged in fellowship as the church, Christians are focussed on participating in the body of Christ. The biblical metaphor that is often used here is family. (Eph 2:19) Fellowship includes both fun socializing and deeper connections that focus on soul care, prayer support, encouragement and spiritual connection. A danger here is that we can see fellowship only as food, fun and friends. Fellowship has rich rewards when people dive deep, share together and truly love each other.

Evangelism: Focus on those not in the church
Our third category is evangelism. Here the church focuses on those who are not already in the church. The church’s mission is to reach people and make disciples. One of our values at CCC is that we are welcoming.  That means we need to truly see that the church has a place for everyone. 
The word gospel means ‘good news.’ Followers of Jesus have the greatest news and the greatest mission on earth.  We get to tell people about Jesus! People can start with the assumption that some people, who are not already in church, want to get to know Jesus. How can those already in the church welcome them?

Instruction: Focus on learning
Here the focus is on equipping people in the body of Christ.

Eph 4:11-13  “ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

In a group setting this could include listening to sermons or being in a bible study while individual believers have a responsibility to read the Bible, spend time in prayer and develop their relationship with God. By gathering together, people help instruct each other as they share insights and moments from their own growth.

Informally we teach by example.  It’s fascinating having children! Every day my wife Michelle and I are amazed by the things Eve and Ian are learning.  People will do what they see others saying AND doing.  A danger here is that we focus only on head knowledge, and it doesn’t go to our hearts. Instruction is an important part of what the church does as to obey God people must understand what he calls them to.

Ministry: Focus on others
Here the church focuses on serving others, both inside and outside the church.

Going back to the great commandment Jesus says “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”” (Matt 22:39)

Christians are called to care deeply about others.  True faith cannot worship apart from serving others.

James 2:14-17 says “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)

One final note here: in church people sometimes get hung up on methods. We argue over hymns versus contemporary. Chairs versus pews. Small church versus big church.  The thing is, these are simply methods.  Methods help achieve the mission; they are not the mission. A music style is a method.  The mission is to lead people closer to Jesus. Especially in a COVID season, the church needs to focus on mission and unity, not getting hung up over methods and masks. The church must choose mission over methods every time.

In the end this comes full circle: A disciple is one who follows Jesus and teaches others to follow Jesus.  Each of the purposes of the church are important.  A church heavy on fellowship might have a lot of fun, but not be reaching people outside the church. A church heavy on instruction might have a lot of knowledge, but little love.

So how do we apply this?

• Love Jesus, worship Him with your life, both on your own and corporately. 
• Gather with other people, share, encourage and build each other up.
• Share the gospel (good news!) with people who are not already in church
• Read the Bible, get some teaching, be part of a small group, learn and share what you’re learning with others
• Love other people inside and outside the church.  Minister to people inside and outside the programs of the church.

​
Worship, fellowship, evangelism, instruction and ministry.  These are the purposes of the church.


[1] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

Have you ever wondered how things are going to turn out? It feels like we are all here sitting in limbo.  We don’t know what the next few months look like during COVID. For an example of the kind of work God does in uncertainty, let’s look this morning at the story of David. If you look at the life of David, it was messy, yet at the end of it all we have the greatest king in Israelite history and more importantly a ringing endorsement of David’s character: A man after God’s own heart. The story of David is the story of how God works in the moments and the mess of real life.


Let’s start from the beginning of David’s story (I Sam 16-24). Along comes baby David.  He’s the youngest son in a big family.  As he grows up he is assigned the job of shepherd.  This is not a glamorous job with great implications for career advancement. Finally, something exciting happens to David’s family.  The famous prophet Samuel sends a message to Jesse, David’s father, inviting him and his sons to a sacrifice in their hometown. However, David is out in the fields with the sheep and no one invites him to the gathering. The big day arrives and the reason for the sacrifice becomes apparent.  Samuel is there to choose the next king of Israel.  Samuel, logically, starts with the oldest son and moves down the line. Each is in turn rejected.  Finally, exasperated, Samuel asks if Jesse has any more sons.  Well there’s little Dave, out in the fields, but he’s not king material… Nonetheless David is called in and to the shock of his father and brothers Samuel anoints him as the next king of Israel.

David heads back to the sheep for a while, but opportunity knocks.  His big brothers are in the army.  Jesse sends David to bring them some food and bring news back. David shows up and encounters the giant Goliath and with God’s help defeats him. After Goliath, David rounds into form as a skilled soldier. David rises up the ranks of the army and becomes a commander. Then the mood changes.  King Saul begins to be jealous of David, thinking that David must be eyeing up the throne.  In fact David already knows he will be king but he is not pushing the issue. From here on Saul concocts various plans to have David killed, these plans are foiled, but finally David can remain near Saul no longer. He gets out of town.

At this point things seem to be falling apart for David. David, on a great trajectory towards the crown, is now faced with uncertainty. The future king is now a fugitive on the run. Where is God in all this?  What about David’s great resume, his skills as a solider, his popularity, his musical talent, his leadership skills?  David is plunged from success into mess. David is forced into the wilderness and must start all over. Unknown to him at the time, he will end up spending years in the wilderness, at various times commanding a band of misfits and hiring out his battle skills to foreign armies. All of David’s success up to this point is now being worked out in the trials of exile in the wilderness. The thing is that David’s sparkling resume wasn’t enough for the kind of king God was forming. The skills and success are now being formed through faith in the wilderness.  David doesn’t lose the dream, but he must have thought about giving up. How many times must he have thought, this can’t be the plan.  I must have misunderstood God.  How can he allow this to happen to me? 

It is often in hard situations that our character revealed, refined and reformed.  In tough times we learn to trust God and his timing. In our humanity we want the instant miracle but sometimes we have to walk through the mess to find the miracle. It’s not that the miracle isn’t there, but it’s a slow-motion miracle. Indeed David experienced a slow-motion miracle during these years of hard times in the wilderness. His character was tested and refined into the character of the man God wanted to lead his people.  After years in the wilderness, upon the death of King Saul, David emerged and took on the kingship (2 Sam 5).  In time he became the greatest king in Israelite history.

Without the years in the wilderness do we get King David, the greatest king in Israel’s history and a man after God’s own heart? Eugene Peterson (writer of The Message) records in one of his conversations with a pastor this profound statement: “I don’t want to be so impatient with the mess that I am not around to see the miracle being formed.”[1] If you’ve ever done a house reno, you know that it’s a mess.  You have to walk through the mess of a reno to get to the finished room on the other side of the mess. In the mess and uncertainty of our world right now, what miracle is God forming?  We may not know yet, but God IS working.

So today how can we respond to the mess we’re in?

• Recognize the reality of our human response to crisis.  What emotions are you feeling?  How are you processing these emotions?
  • Talk them through, see a counsellor
• What is this crisis revealing about your character?
  • Your natural tendencies are probably being revealed.  Do you fight or flight? 
  • What can you learn about God and yourself in a crisis situation?
  • Take some time to journal and reflect on your response to crisis and messes
• David walked through the wilderness and came out stronger on the other side.
  • Is it possible that God is doing some great things in our world and in your life that will only be revealed later?
  • In the Lord of the Rings Frodo is lamenting the fact this he must live through times of war and trouble.  He says to Gandalf:
  • ““I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
    "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”[2]
  • So knowing that the only moment we have is the one we are living in right now, how can we make the best of it?
  • Consider writing down three good things in your life right now

Don’t give up now because the sun will rise tomorrow, and we will get through this. God is still working in the mess and the miracle is on its way.


[1] Eugene Peterson, The Pastor, pg 285
[2] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
​

The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote these famous words: “there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:” (Eccl 3:1). In our lives we will go through many seasons, some good and some bad.  Some hard, and some easy. Seasons change but one thing that is always in season is faith.

Hebrews 11 is known as the faith chapter and I’d like to focus on Hebrews 11:30 and go back to the story of the fall of Jericho (story found in Joshua chapters 2-6). “It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.” (Heb 11:30).  First a definition of faith: “belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same.”[1]

Now, let’s review the story from Joshua 2-6. The Israelites have walked through hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt and have now just finished a season of 40 years in the desert. They are experienced and hardened to desert life, but they are entering a new season: a season of war as they enter the promised land. It was one type of faith to trust God for their daily provisions and protections in the desert; now they must face enemies solidly entrenched behind impressive walled cities, something not to be found in the desert nomad life.

The first time God led the people to the promised land, they refused to go forth out of fear (Numbers 14). The desert faith was perhaps more passive as God provided their daily food and clear guidance for their travels.  Now they must become more active as they push into the promised land. This season will require a renewed faith and trust in God. God leads us from one season to the next using the faith built and the lessons learnt in the previous seasons. Often the challenges become harder and more faith is required.

The Israelites learned to trust God for all they needed in the wilderness and they learned to follow him on the wilderness journeys.  Now they must trust God to provide them the promised land against all odds. They could not have a better leader than Joshua who you might remember as one of the 12 spies who originally surveyed the promised land (Numbers 13). Joshua was one of only 2 spies who had faith that with God the Israelites could conquer the Promised Land. Now, after 40 years in the desert Joshua is finally leading the people into God’s promise. 

After crossing the Jordan River miraculously, the first major obstacle is the city of Jericho.  This is no wilderness camp of unorganized tribes. Jericho is an impressive, walled city presenting a serious challenge even to a well-equipped army.  Jericho is indeed perhaps the oldest walled city in the world.[2] The Israelites are toughened from their desert experiences, but it is unlikely that they are equipped or experienced to handle the siege and conquest of a large walled city. This obstacle will only be overcome with God and faith in his ability to win the battle. Have you ever faced a time in life where you faced what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles?

Getting back to Jericho the instructions to the Israelites seem strange.  March around the city once each morning and then on the final morning march around the city seven times, finishing with a blast on the trumpets and a loud shout. Sometimes God’s instructions don’t seem to make sense, but in this situation he is, at least in part, testing the faith and obedience of the people.  Will they do what he asks?  Do they trust him to handle the situation? God is faithful to his promise and on the seventh day as they blow the trumpets, the city walls collapse.  The Israelites march in and conquer the now defenceless city.

There are different seasons and stages of life and it can be challenging to apply the lessons of faith to changing seasons. For the Israelites the desert season and the season of entering the promised land were very different, but the lessons of faith learned in the desert helped them as they moved into a new season. God had taught them that he would lead them and not forsake them. However, history teaches us that we are slow learners.  A demonstration of God’s power in the past doesn’t always seem to help us trust him now.

The first time God led the people to the promised land, they refused to go forth out of fear (Numbers 14). We may say ‘well God did that in the past, but what about tomorrow’? The Israelites even became dangerously consumed with nostalgia on their journey towards the promised land (Ex 16:3).[3] They remembered the past in Egypt with idealized nostalgia, remembering only the good portions of an overall terrible life. So, how do you find faith in changing seasons without getting stuck in nostalgia or mired in fear?

Know that God has different things for us at different times. Different seasons teach us different lessons. Recognizing that seasons come and go it’s important to embrace the season that you are in. In a COVID season we can become nostalgic, looking to the past with fond memories and hoping for a return to the old normal.[4] Then maybe we turn to fear of the future yet to come.  Of course we can neither predict nor control the future.  Planning is generally good, worrying is generally unhelpful, faith is better. Faith in God will lead us into a new season with the ability to see what God is doing right here, right now.

Trust God and have faith, he can and will continue to provide. Don’t live in an idealized nostalgic past.  The memories are great, but we cannot go back there. Don’t fear the imagined future.  We don’t know what will happen and fear of the unknown can cripple our options now. Learn from the past, plan for the future, but live in the present through faith. Jesus has a plan and the plan is good!  Just as the destination for the Israelites was good, the promised land, so Jesus is leading us towards a good destination, eternal life with him, should we choose to follow him. There are seasons and challenges along the way, but Jesus will not abandon people on the road.


[1] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
[2] https://www.ancient.eu/article/951/early-jericho/#:~:text=The%20city%20of%20Jericho%20is,protective%20wall%20in%20the%20world.
[3] If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.”
[4] https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/july-web-only/sabella-nostalgia-spiritually-dangerous-covid-golden-calf.html

I think we can all admit we’re living in crazy times. The thing about these times is that it’s easy for us to have strong opinions and try to convince ourselves and others that we are right in our specific opinions. You’ve probably all heard some of this related to COVID:

• It’s a conspiracy, it’s biological warfare, it’s fake, it’s real etc.
• We have maskers and anti-maskers

Then we get to church.  Our whole model has been thrown in the air so things are changing. It’s a time of opinions! Romans 14 addresses a difference of opinion in the church in the context of Paul dealing with a debate over the eating of various foods.

“14 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

10 So why do you condemn another believer[a]? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
    and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.[b]’”

12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (Rom 14:1-13)

As we can see debates over practices in the church are nothing new. Let’s look at the situation the apostle Paul is addressing in this passage. In Paul’s day where Jewish and Gentile believers were coming from very different backgrounds, food was a hot button issue. Some people followed the Old Testament food laws and would not eat certain foods while others felt free to eat anything. The Bible makes it clear as Peter saw in a dream, (Acts 10) that with the coming of the new covenant people are freed to eat whatever their conscience allows them to. Yet, some choose to continue to follow the OT foods laws while others choose to eat anything. Both practices are allowable in the biblical instruction though there is clearly freedom to eat whatever one wants.

The problem is that people with different opinions would judge each other. One would say why do you not follow the Old Testament laws while another would say relax and each some bacon man. “The strong were looking down on those who did not take advantage of their liberty; the weak, who saw themselves as the only righteous ones because of their stricter code of behaviour, condemned those who did not have the same scruples.”[1]

It’s so easy to get stirred up over what is not an issue of right and wrong. What is Paul’s advice here? In short, don’t condemn other believers over their opinions when those opinions are on issues that are not about what is right or wrong. The debate over the issue of food is about motivation, not right or wrong. As long as believers celebrate the food God has given them, and thank him for his provision, the foods they eat do not matter. Today the debate over eating meat isn’t generally a hot topic in the church, but we continue to have debates over other areas of behaviour. These debates have the potential to bring disunity. “You do not have unity when one faction considers itself superior to another, or when one faction questions the very Christianity of the those who do not comply with certain codes of conduct.”[2]

So, what do we do when we disagree with another believer or group of believers on things that are matters of opinion? First Paul asks why do you condemn another believer? In the end we are all responsible for our lives and decisions and we will all give an account to God.  No one is off the hook in God’s eyes. Yet it is God’s job to judge people, not ours. As believers then, especially on matters of opinion, let’s agree to disagree where we need to, but not allow it to affect our unity in Christ. 

Paul gets to the heart of the matter: “So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (Rom 14:13). So don’t condemn other believers. Then secondly, live in such as way that you don’t cause others to stumble. The classic example here is that it is wise and respectful not to drink alcohol in the presence of someone you know does not drink alcohol or struggles with an alcohol addiction. If by your life you can build others up then do so. If by omitting a certain activity you can help the faith of others then refrain from that activity out of respect.

We tend to want to express things our own way and convince others that way is right. Yet “A selfish insistence on freedom may tear down and destroy, but love, when it is exercised, will invariably build up (I Co 8:1).”[3] This is a time to be patient with each other and support each other as best we can and to sacrificially draw together as the body of Christ. Never one to pull punches, the Apostle Paul states in another passage: “But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. 3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.” (I Cor 8:1a-3). So rather than striving over opinions, move towards love.

Just a few verses after the passage we read this morning Paul says this: “19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (Rom 14:19). Instead of focussing on our opinions, let’s focus on what we have in common. Rather than judging others let’s look for harmony. Let’s encourage and build each other up. Most importantly let’s love people.  Unnecessary arguments over opinions can lead to division, while love builds each other and the church up. Be generous with others and be careful not to judge too quickly.


[1] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 780
[2] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 780
[3] Barker and Kohlenberger III eds, Expositors Bible Commentary Abridged Edition: New Testament, 1994, pg 593

Last week we looked at biblical hope and what it means. In short, based on Jesus’ promises hope in Christ is not tentative or improbable, it doesn’t change like the weather or the lottery numbers, it is guaranteed. Hope provides an anchor and solid foundation. This week we want to continue looking at hope.  We’re looking at Romans 5:1-5.

“5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Rom 5:1-5)

The first statement in this passage is a beautiful summary of the gospel message. The hope of humanity is that Jesus is restoring people. We know intuitively that somehow things have gone wrong in our world and in our lives.  The world is not as it should be.  Where humanity fell away from God in the garden of Eden, God did not abandon people, but rather planned to restore humanity through Jesus.[1]  We have hope that in Jesus we are not lost. Moving into verse 3 Paul suggests that one can rejoice in suffering and suffering ultimately produces hope.[2] How does this work?

In comfortable times, it can be easy to trust in our own ability to make life work. However, something like COVID comes along and our nice comfortable lives are tossed in the air. In suffering we rightly hope and pray for safety and deliverance, but while Jesus certainly will never leave or abandon people, sometimes he “delivers us through the affliction, rather than out of it.”[3] If Jesus simply removed every hard circumstance or challenge we faced we would never grow.

So looking at Romans 5:3: suffering produces endurance or perseverance just as regular exercise produces endurance.  Because humans will rarely choose suffering, you could say suffering is forced endurance training.  This endurance training in turn produces character, the hardened solidity of confidence that has been tested and proven. When we endure the difficulties of life, we come out the other side stronger for having had the experience. In the passage we are looking at “the imagery evoked…is that of the testing of gold through fire.”[4] This is like the difference between a new friend and a long time proven friend.  The new friend may be a great person but is initially unknown.  Can you rely on them?  You do not yet know; circumstances have not demanded an answer. You have not made the desperate midnight call yet. The trusted long time friend is trusted because your relationship has been tested by conflicts and struggles.  This friend has stuck with you and you have stuck with them.  The friendship is tested and proven, and you know you can rely on them. This tested and proven character then produces hope which is the “joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.”[5]

The NLT translation puts the passage this way “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Rom 5:3-5 NLT) Hope becomes both the beginning and end of the cycle.  Hope allows us to get through hard times and this hope persevering through the hard times strengthens our faith and trust in God. “As the Christian lives within the sphere of grace, suffering is transformed, character is built, and hope is increased that God will finish the work that he has started.”[6]

In short, our sufferings show us God’s work in our lives and rather than diminishing our trust in him, they can lead to an increased trust in God and a confidence that he is indeed working in our lives and will continue to do so. Hope is our constant companion on the journey, at both the beginning and end. We have an eternal hope in Jesus and we have the assurance of hope that Jesus will never leave or forsake us.

Finally, we can trust in hope because of God’s love shown through the Holy Spirit. Hope is not an empty saying because God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. This love is an assurance that hope in Jesus is not misplaced. Through the Holy Spirit God’s love is poured out to people.
Let’s walk away with a few practical applications:

• Could we say paradoxically that suffering is good for us?  Suffering challenges our thinking and often forces us into growth
• Faith that has been refined under pressure has been toughened and hardened.  It will not easily collapse.
• Though tough times are not pleasant, do not miss in these times what God is doing because God is always redeeming and he is always up to something good
• Make yourself a list of the good things in your life right now!
• Keep hoping because hope in Jesus will never disappoint

[1] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 724
[2] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 724
[3] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 724
[4] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 725
[5] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
[6] Arrington and Stronstad eds, Life in the Spirit New Testament Commentary, 1999 pg 725