Paul on the Church # 5

"Who's in charge of this mess anyway?" Have you ever wondered that when life in the Meetinghouse gets a little chaotic? I know I have a time or two. In penning his letter to the Ephesians the apostle Paul presents several truths about the Church that are important for Christ followers to keep in mind. Today's insight is directly applicable to the opening phrase of the blog, "Who's in charge of this mess anyway?". Paul writes, "Christ is the Head of the Church, the body of which He is the Savior" (Ephesians 5:23).

So Christ is responsible for this mess? I can accept that. Actually these are SWEET words for an Administrative pastor to hear! I'm off the hook for WHFC and Jesus is the One in the hot seat... NICE! I'll let Him fret over the three year plan, attendance, finances and internal affairs, etc. NICE! :-)

Something tells me however that is not actually what Paul meant to communicate through the words of 5:23. Rather I think what he was saying to his readers is: (1) Christ is in charge and (2) we are to "do" Church His way because He earned the right to dictate as Savior of the world. It's hard to argue with that one, isn't it?

To top it all off, Paul places this truth in the middle of a discussion about the relationship between a husband and wife. As if to say, "Jesus is the head of the Church; He makes up the rules; the rules are found in His example; Go and do likewise." Relationship, relationship, relationship ... Notice, it's all about how we treat and what we do for one another ...

What does the HEAD say to the Church? (1) Love one another as Christ loved the Church (5:25). (2) Present (view) others as holy and blameless (5:26-27). As Christ works is to perfect us so we must do the same for others. And how did He performed His work? Gave Himself up! So we must die to self and live for others. (3) Nourish and care for one another (5:29-30). As Christ supplies our needs and attends to our concern so we must do the same for others.

So that is the stated expectation of the BOSS. A pretty simple job description don't you think? So what is holding us back? Possibly a surrendered life to Jesus? This lifestyle is issued out of Jesus. If one cannot participate then deductive reasoning says "that one is still missing something with Jesus!" Outside of Jesus life is a mess. The job description will be fulfilled naturally as we surrender our lives "completely" to Him. Ready to git-r-dun?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Paul on the church #4

"And now for my next conclusion..." How many times have you heard a preacher say that? Some preachers (current WHFC clergy excluded of course) tend to be a little "windy" during their prayer and preaching times. Evidently "they" must have picked this bad habit up from the apostle Paul because smack dab in the middle of his letter to the Ephesians he shares a benediction. Hello?

Even though it may have been a little premature on Paul's part in sharing these words of benediction, still we learn a valuable truth about the Church. Here Paul shares the two primary sources by which God chooses to glorify Himself with: Jesus Christ and the Church. The text reads, "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Wow! You talk about the faith of God ... It is easy to see how He would place His proverbial eggs in Christ's basket. Who could not be glorified through the stellar reputation and work of Christ... but the Church? Come on God. What were You thinking? Church people are a pretty small limb to shimmy out on, don't You think?
Evidently not! God has placed His faith in the plan He has put forth and so must we. God has staked His reputation on us.

So in conclusion let me say, "we need to be living up to it!" We must fully embrace the life of Christ, surrender leadership of self to Him, and go forth daily with the understanding that it is God seeking to glorify Himself through our daily existence. The apostle Paul writes elsewhere, "... For it is no longer I who live BUT Christ who lives through me ..." (Gal. 2:20). Is that the conclusion you have come to in your life? What say you?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Paul on the Church #3

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians we discover the apostle's understanding and purpose for the Church. He writes in 3:10-11 that God has made His wisdom known in the heavenly realms through the church. The text reads "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." Wow Paul you sure said a mouthful there!

If I understand the text correctly Paul is implying that down through the ages the wisdom of God could not be fully appreciated by those in the heavenly community until the Church was fully released through the atonement of Christ, the imparting of the Holy Spirit in to the hearts of mankind, and her going forth into the the world emulating Jesus. Then the light bulb came on and God's plan made sense!

The fullness of Christ manifest through the redemption, empowerment and release of the Church into the world was God's plan all along. Our emulating Jesus Christ in the world is essential in expressing the wisdom (validity) of God today. In order for people to connect the "God dots" today; in order for Christ to stand "head and shoulders" above the gods of this world, we must be the Church! Doesn't that make sense to you? Paul thought so.

What implications does this have for Christ followers today? What does this look like in everyday life? What say you? Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Paul on the Church #2

In Paul's general letter to churches we discover the apostle's understanding and purpose for the church. In Ephesians 1:23 he writes, " the church is the body of Jesus Christ." This implies connectedness and intimacy between Jesus and His followers. In chapter four Paul uses the "body" analogy to commend unity and love among Christ followers. His overall take on the church is one of teamwork, partnership, trust, intimacy and respect. As if our devotion and love for Jesus is defined by how we live and cooperate with other believers.

What implications does this have for Christ followers today? What does this look like in everyday life? What say you?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian

Paul on the Church

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians he addresses a number of issues that are applicable to "all" churches. This particular letter was circular in that it was sent to all the churches in Asia Minor. In this letter we find Paul's understanding and purpose of the Church.

First, the Church is priority one from Christ's perspective. He writes "Jesus Christ is the head over all things for the church." Clearly the apostle is stating that Christ is preeminent over all things and that it is for the sake of the church. But what does he mean by the phrase "for the church?" It seems he is saying that Jesus exercises supreme global authority over all things in the interest/benefit of the church. That Christ's preeminent reign is directly linked with the future of the church.

What implications does this truth have for Christians/churches today? What does it look like on a day to day basis? What say you?

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian