I Believe in the the Communion of the Saints

Apostles Creed • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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The family of God is a fellowship of born again believers who have the commonality of faith in Jesus Christ and love for each other.

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Text: “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:” (1 Corinthians 1:2, NIV84) and Hebrews 12:22-24

Theme: The family of God is a fellowship of born again believers who have the commonality of faith in Jesus Christ and love for each other.

I believe in the communion of saints. This clause of the Apostles’ Creed is intimately tied together with the previous clause. You cannot confess with a good conscience “I believe in the holy universal church” without also confessing “and the communion of saints.” The Body of Christ — His Church — is not made up of bricks and mortar, 2x4s and Sheetrock, plumbing and wiring. We may tell someone, “I’m going over to the church today,” but this is an error. More correctly you should say, “I’m going to the building complex where the Baptist saints periodically meet together for worship, edification, and fellowship.” But that’s a mouthful, and so we just say, “I’m going over to the church today,” We must never forget that the Church is not a building, but a community of believers.

The Body of Christ is made up of living saints — saints either living on Earth or saints now living in Heaven. This article of the Apostles’ Creed reminds us of the spiritual solidarity which binds together the faithful on Earth with the faithful in Heaven. ILLUS. J.I Packer says, The phrase confirms the real union in Christ of the church militant here on earth with the church triumphant in glory.

The primary difference between the two is that the saints on Earth see Jesus and spiritual things through a mirror dimly. The saints in Heaven see Jesus and spiritual things face to face (how glorious is that!). The saints on Earth should reverence the saints in Heaven and seek to emulate the best of their lives. This is why the Apostle Paul lists for us the role call of Saints in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews. He ends his role call with a pointed admonition,

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

The saints in Heaven are to serve as an example of faith to us, and their lives should motivate us to lay aside all those things that hinder us as we run the race of faith set before us, 3but we are never to pray to them nor, God forbid, worship them.

So then, let me take a some time to dissect for you the meaning of the clause, “I believe in the communion of saints.”

I. WE ARE SAINTS

1. the Church is the society and communion of all those united to Christ, and the recipient of all the benefits that are ours through him

2. in Western culture, saint is a word that, unfortunately, has come to refer to a Christian of deep spiritual piety that is a cut-above your “normal” run-of-the-mill believer

a. our Catholic friends, as you know, have a tradition of elevating certain men and women to a special place of piety as Canonized Saints

1) once these individuals are canonized they are considered a model of the virtuous Christian life to be emulated, and will intercede before God on the behalf of believers here on earth

b. those who the Catholic Church canonizes as saints are seen — for lack of a better description—as spiritual nobility

1) the Catholic Online website lists about 10,000 individuals who have been named saints over the centuries

2. as with the nature of the church, we are in sharp disagreement with the Catholic Church over the identity of the saints

a. the word saint is never-ever used in the New Testament to identify some kind of spiritual nobility, or Christian elite, but is a reference to the People of God regardless of the depth of their spiritual maturity

b. saints, in the New Testament, are never deceased believers who have been canonized by an ecclesiastical council and given sainthood

1) New Testament saints are believers who have been born from above by the Spirit of God, who have become a new creation by the Spirit and have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of the one true God as revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ

3. saints are indeed a distinct and special people — not because of their own merits, but because of the merits of Christ; not because of their personal piety, but because of the person of Christ

a. in his second letter to the Christians at Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that “His saints”— God’s saints — are described as “all who have believed”

"when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." (2 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV)

b. half of the Apostle Pauls’ letters begin with the phrase, “ ... to the saints at ... “

1) was the apostle writing merely to a select group of elite Christians in each of those churches, or is he addressing the entire congregation?

2) he is addressing the entire congregation

4. if God has done a miraculous work in your life — what Jesus called ‘being born from above’— then you are one of God’s saints

a. every believer has the right to call himself a saint

b. none of us is worthy of the title — we don’t always act saintly — but God has declared us to be saints because of our trust in His Son

c. this leads me to my second point

II. WE ARE SAINTS BY THE GRACE OF GOD

1. the word translated saint in the New Testament is from the Greek adjective ἅγιος (hagios)

a. it is used 61 times in the New Testament

b. it means to sanctify or to make holy

1) literally we are the holy ones or the sanctified ones

c. ours is not an earned holiness, but an imputed holiness

ILLUS. In the tradition of the Catholic and Orthodox churches, sainthood is something that has to be earned by the believer in question. The official process for declaring someone a saint is called canonization, and is an involved process. When a Catholic believer dies who has, what they refer to as, a "fame of sanctity" or "fame of martyrdom," the Bishop of the Diocese initiates an investigation of the believer’s life. One requirement is whether any miracle has been granted through the candidate saint's intercession. The Church will also investigate the candidate's writings to see if they possess "purity of doctrine," in other words, nothing heretical or against the Roman Catholic faith. All of this information is gathered, and a faithful copy, duly authenticated and sealed, is submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. Once the case is accepted by the Congregation, further investigation is conducted. Throughout this investigation an official known as the "devil's advocate,” raises objections and doubts which must be resolved. Once a candidate is declared to have lived life with heroic virtue, he or she may be declared Venerable. The next step is Beatification. A martyr may be beatified and declared "Blessed" by virtue of martyrdom itself. Otherwise, the candidate must be credited with a “First Class Miracle”—a miracles that is an obvious intervention of God against the laws of nature. In verifying the miracle, the Church looks at whether God truly performed a miracle and whether the miracle was in response to the intercession of the candidate saint on the behalf of a living believer who sought the candidate saint’s intervention. After Beatification, another miracle is needed for Canonization and the formal declaration of sainthood.

1) as Christians we should live holy lives, but holy living does not make us a saint — the new birth alone accomplishes that

2) Christ’s work in us, not our own effort either in this world or the next, makes us holy

ILLUS. Many of the men and women who have been canonized by the Catholic and Orthodox churches over the centuries were indeed pious, and holy believers. Many were martyred for their faith. But they were saints by the grace of God and not because some ecclesiastical council decided to make them so. Jesus is the only Congregation for the Causes of the Saints we need!

2. believers are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, not by their own good deeds or by religious ritual

a. it is through this sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit that we are called to be saints

b. the Apostle Paul spells this out in his writings

"Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:" (1 Corinthians 1:1-2, ESV)

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, ESV)

"And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10, ESV)

2. God provides us our holiness through His Son — it’s an imputed righteousness

a. we have a new nature, the divine nature, and we possess everything we need to live a life holiness and godliness

"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV)

... We Are Saints by Grace

A. WE ARE SAINTS BY GRACE IN COMMUNION WITH GOD

1. we are, first and foremost, in communion with the triune God

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:1–3, NIV84)

a. here is a description of our communion — that is, our fellowship — with the Godhead

1) believers are in communion with Jesus Christ by virtue of our union with him through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit — our new birth

a) John and others saw and touched the Word of life ... proclaimed it to others, and they proclaimed it to others, and so it went until finally someone proclaimed it to us and we believed it

b. accordingly, we are now in communion with the Father because we are united with the Son

ILLUS. This is why, according to Hebrews 10:22 we can come boldly before the throne of grace for help in time of need.

2. the believer’s great act of communion is celebrated at the Lord’s Table

a. on those Sundays we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, God invites us to put our knees under His table and fellowship with Him and all those saints gathered with us

3. but out communion with God goes much deeper than most of us imagine

... We Are Saints by Grace in Communion with God

B. WE ARE SAINTS BY GRACE IN COMMUNION WITH GOD IN HIS GRACES AND SUFFERINGS; HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION

1. OK ... that’s a loaded statement ... what do I mean?

a. a constant refrain in the New Testament is that all the saints united to Christ by faith, are one with him in his experiences

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Philippians 3:8–10, NIV84)

b. what Paul says here is staggering

1) he wants to know Christ, in not only the power of his resurrection, but also in the fellowship of his sufferings

c. the apostle is drawing attention to a principle which Jesus shared over and over again with his followers

1) he explained to them that what happens to the Master will happen to the disciple

2) the glory of the Master will be the glory of the disciple

3) but equally so, it means that the suffering of the Master will be the sufferings of the disciples

d. Peter spoke of his in his 1st letter

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:3–6, NIV84)

1) do you see the graces and the suffering, death and resurrection in those verses?

a) graces — great mercy ... living hope ... inheritance

b) sufferings — you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials

c) death and resurrection — new birth (which involves death to self) ... and resurrection (which follows our physical death)

2. the Apostle Paul put it more bluntly

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,” (Philippians 1:29, NIV84)

a. we are united to God in Christ, and when we are united to God in Christ we are united to Him not only in the exaltation that is his, but in the humiliation that was his

b. it means we know the sweetness of communion with God, not only in the good times, but also in the hard times

III. WE ARE SAINTS BY THE GRACE OF GOD CALLED INTO COMMUNION WITH OTHER SAINTS

1. so what exactly does the phrase communion of saints mean?

a. let me break it down for you

2. the word communion translates the Greek word koinonia

a. that’s a very common word in the New Testament that means fellowship or partnership

1) it means to share together in a close relationship

2) Acts 2:42 uses this word to describe the intimate closeness of the early Christians who lived together, ate their meals together, and shared all things in common

A. SAINTS ARE PART OF A PRIESTHOOD

"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5, ESV)

1. our holiness in Christ is both individual and cooperate

a. each and every true saint is holy by the new nature given to us at conversion

1) God sees us as righteous, and holy, because He sees us through His righteous and holy Son, who took our place on the cross of Calvary, and because He has planted in us a righteous new nature

2) Presidents do not always act presidentially, diplomats do not always act diplomatically, kings do not always act kingly — but they are still presidents, diplomats, and kings

3) Christians do not always act Christ-like, but they are still saints

2. but Christianity was never, ever meant to be experienced as a solitary life

a. in Christ, we are called into a communion of saints that the Apostle Peter here describes that communion as a spiritual house that is to be a holy priesthood

B. SAINTS ARE PART OF A HOLY PRIESTHOOD

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:13–16, NIV84)

1. this passage is a call to action to believers

a. we are to prepare ourselves for spiritual effort

1) the Apostle writes that we are to prepare our minds for action

b. prepare literally means gird up and refers to tightening a belt, cinching up a cord in preparation for a certain action

ILLUS. In ancient times, this concept referred to the gathering up the edges of one’s robe. If a person wanted to move quickly and easily, he would pull the corners of his robe up through his belt or sash to tie those corners in place.

2. Peter metaphorically applies this process to the mind

a. he urges believers to pull in all the loose ends of their lives

b. as Christians we are to discipline our thoughts so that we might live according to biblical priorities

3. we are also to be God’s obedient children who refuse to allow ourselves to be shaped by the world around us

a. the word obedient in this passage means that obedience characterizes every true child of God and distinguishes Christians from non-Christians

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3–6, NIV84)

4. lastly, Peter writes that believers should not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance

a. we are to disentangle ourselves from the world’s sinful hindrances, and conduct life righteously and godly, in view of the future grace that accompanies Christ’s return

b. the dominant, compelling reason for God’s people to live in holiness is our relationship with God

ILLUS. C. S. Lewis once commented to an American friend, “How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, ... it is irresistible. If even 10% of the world’s population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before a year’s end”

C. SAINTS ARE PART OF A HOLY PRIESTHOOD IN FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER HOLY SAINTS

““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” (John 13:34–35, NIV84)

ILLUS. God has provided the ideal place for children to grow into productive members of the community. That environment is called the family. God has also provided the ideal place for the Christian to grow into a productive citizen of the Kingdom. That place is called the family of God. The church is the brotherhood of God's people who join together in worship, praise, prayer, encouragement, and confession.

1. every Sunday we celebrate a time of communion among the saints

a. in no other gathering can we experience the level of fellowship that we can in a church where love is shared by believers

b. from the beginning true Christians have known that which brings us together

1) it is not doctrinal similarity which binds us together

2) it is not theological unity which holds us together

3) it is not even a semblance of worship styles

c. that which binds us together as a people is the person of Jesus Christ

ILLUS. Charles Wesley, the great Methodist preacher, once said, "Is your heart as my heart? Then give me your hand."

2. the first focus in worship is on God, our second focus is on "One Another"

a. Paul uses the term "one another" repeatedly in his Epistles

1) we are to be kind to one another

2) we are to love one another

3) we are to serve one another

4) we are to show hospitality to one another

5) we are to confess our faults to one another

3. perhaps the hallmark of the a true New Testament Church is the fellowship among the redeemed not merely membership among the religious

Friends, I end by asking you a simple question: “Do you love the communion of the saints?” Consider 1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed out of death into life because ... you prayed a prayer? ... because you signed a church membership card? ... Because you were baptized? ... No. ... because we love the brethren.

You see, loving the brethren isn’t the way you’re saved, but loving the brethren gives evidence that you have been saved. We’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; but all who are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and united to Jesus, and therefore, to one another. And so, it is impossible to love Jesus and not also love the brethren.

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