SF894 - The Basis of Christian Communion (Ephesians 4 1-6)
Ephesians 4:1-6
Introduction
The terms “communion” and “fellowship” of the English Bible are varying translations of the words êïéíùíßá, and êïéíùíÝù, or their cognates. They designate acts of fellowship observed among the early Christians or express the unique sense of unity and fellowship of which these acts were the outward expression. The several passages in which these terms are used fall into two groups: those in which they refer to acts of fellowship, and those in which they refer to fellowship as experienced.
Our information concerning the nature of the fellowship involved in the observance of this sacrament (the Lord’s Supper) is confined to the single notice in 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?” Owing to the presence of the material elements in the sacrament, there is a temptation to limit the word for communion to the sense of partaking. This, however, does not entirely satisfy the requirements of the context. The full significance of the term is to be sought in the light of the argument of the whole section (verses 14-22).
Paul is making a protest against Christians participating in idolatrous feasts on the ground that such feasts are really celebrated in honor of the demons associated with the idols, and that those who participate in them come into fellowship with demons. As a proof of this point, the apostle cites the Lord’s Supper with which his readers are familiar. By partaking of the cup and the bread the communicants are linked together in unity: “We, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.” Thus, the communion of the elements is a real communion of the worshippers one with another and with Christ. Unless the communion be understood in this spiritual sense Paul’s illustration falls short of the mark. (The International Bible Encyclopedia)
In the passage before us, Paul sets forth the basis of Christian communion. It is found in our calling, character and confession.
1A. The Christian’s Calling (4:1)
1B. It is a call to a surrendered life – “prisoner”
Being a Christian involves more that simply making a commitment it is the total surrender of self.
Paul used the image of prisoner and bond-servant (slave) to express the nature of his relationship with Christ. (Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Colossians 1:7, 4:7; Titus 1:1)
Romans 6:22 (NASB) 22But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
2B. It is a call to a consistent walk – “worthy”
Worthy (axios), comes from a root meaning to balancing the scales.
Applied this would mean that a persons lifestyle would match their profession.
3B. It is a call to the person of Christ – “calling…”
It is a heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1)
It is a holy calling. (2 Timothy 1:9)
It is a high calling
Philippians 3:14 (NASB) 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2A. The Christian’s Character (4:2-3)
1B. Humility (4:2a)
Humility (tapeinophrosune), lowliness of mind, the opposite of pride.
Humility begins with proper self-awareness
1 John 1:8-9 (NASB) 8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Humility involves Christ-awareness
Ø Christ is our standard
1 John 2:6 (NASB) 6the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
Humility involves God-awareness
Isaiah 6:1-3 (NASB) 1In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple… 3And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”… 5Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
2B. Gentleness (4:2b)
Gentleness (praotes), mild-spirited, meek, self-controlled
Gentleness means power under control
The Greek word was used to describe the taming of a wild horse.
“To be meek means you have finished with yourself altogether.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Gentleness means self-control
Proverbs 16:32 (NASB) 32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
3B. Patience (4:2c)
Patience (makrothumia), longsuffering
The patient person endures negative circumstances and never gives up.
Ø Abraham (Romans 4:20)
Ø Paul (Acts 21:13)
The patient person accepts God’s plan for everything without questioning or grumbling.
4B. Forbearing love (4:2d)
Forbearing love takes abuse from others while continuing to love them.
1 Peter 4:8 (NASB) 8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
5B. Unity (4:3)
Spiritual unity is created by the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB) 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Spiritual unity is preserved when believers walk in a manner worthy of God’s calling.
3A. The Christian’s Confession (4:4-6)
1B. There is unity in the Spirit (4:4)
There is one body because there is only one Spirit
Ephesians 2:21-22 (NASB) 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
There is one hope based on our calling to be like Christ.
1 John 3:2 (NASB) 2Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
2B. There is unity in the Son (4:5)
One faith
Jude 1:3 (NASB) 3Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
One baptism
Ø Refers here to believers baptism, “in Christ.”
3B. There is unity in the Father (4:6)
We are one people under one sovereign (over all), omnipotent (through all), and omnipresent (in all) God.
Application
Before we partake in the Lord’s Supper I urge you to answer the following questions.
Ø Are you in Christ?
Ø Does your life reflect Christ?
Ø Does your confession honor Christ?
THE BASIS FOR CHRISTIAN COMMUNION
Ephesians 4:1-6
1A. The Christian’s _____________________ (4:1)
1B. It is a call to a surrendered life – “prisoner”
Romans 6:22 (NASB) 22But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
2B. It is a call to a ____________ walk – “worthy”
3B. It is a call to the _________________ of Christ – “calling…”
It is a heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1)
It is a ________________ calling. (2 Timothy 1:9)
It is a high calling (Philippians 3:14)
2A. The Christian’s ____________________ (4:2-3)
1B. _________________________ (4:2a)
Humility begins with proper self-awareness (1 John 1:8-9)
Humility involves _________________-awareness
1 John 2:6
Humility involves God-awareness (Isaiah 6:1, 3, 5)
2B. _________________________________ (4:2b)
Gentleness means power under ______________
Gentleness means self-control (Proverbs 16:32)
3B. ________________________________ (4:2c)
Ø Abraham (Romans 4:20)
Ø Paul (Acts 21:13)
4B. Forbearing love (4:2d; 1 Peter 4:8)
5B. _______________ (4:3; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
3A. The Christian’s ____________________ (4:4-6)
1B. There is unity in the ________________ (4:4)
There is one body because there is only one Spirit (Ephesians 2:21-22)
There is one hope based on our calling to be like __________________. (1 John 3:2)
2B. There is unity in the ________________ (4:5)
One ____________ (Jude 1:3)
One ________________
3B. There is unity in the ________________ (4:6)
Ø We are one people under one sovereign (over all), omnipotent (through all), and omnipresent (in all) God.