BaptistWay: The church’s mission, the church’s needs

• The BaptistWay lesson for Sept. 28 focuses on Ephesians 3.

Mysteries revealed (3:1-6)

Placed under house arrest in Rome, Paul, as the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 1:5), wrote to the Ephesian church to emphasize and celebrate the reality of their oneness in Christ with all those—Jews—who were part of the spiritual temple of the Lord (2:21-22). Paul explained this reality was a new revelation—a union, regardless of ancestry or culture—forged and formed through God’s grace.

Prior to Christ’s sacrifice, being a part of the kingdom was a mystery. But through the Holy Spirit’s power, God extended an invitation to all Gentiles to join, not as second-class citizens, but as heirs, chosen and sought. Never before was this particular offer available to Gentiles (v. 5); few likely sought it out and most probably didn’t even know they needed it. However, God accomplished his plan in his way, on his terms, and in his timing, and now, those previously most forsaken could stand on equal terms. The future of Israel as heirs—and now the Gentiles with them—was a secure and promised future based on the promise of Christ Jesus (v. 6).  

Marked (3:7-13)

Have you ever done something that marked you for the rest of your days? When I was in high school, I injured myself with a razor just under my left knee. Now, at 40, I still bear the scar from that incident. Sure, it’s improved drastically, but I guess it forever will be a reminder of that mistake.

For Paul, his marking wasn’t physical, it was emotional—his days persecuting the church. Called into service of the gospel by God’s grace (v. 7), Paul acknowledged his own feelings of inferiority (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Indeed, Paul went out of his way to emphasize his subservient role among the apostles, combining two terms leading to a literal translation of Paul as the “leaster” of the apostles (v. 8—“less than the least”). His message seems to be, “If God can save me, there’s hope for you.”  

In humility, Paul celebrates his opportunity to share this news with people who also bear the markings of the past. However, Paul now is—and the Ephesians are—marked by grace. God chose to make plain (v. 9) the boundless riches of Christ (v. 8) through Paul’s preaching.

This shared recognition of where they’d come from and the redemption they’d experienced united the hearts of the Ephesian believers with Paul’s. We see in this passage the affection shared between both parties as he presumes they are grieved over his imprisonment. He strives to comfort them with the knowledge his struggles are their glory (v. 13).

Making an appeal (3:14-19)

As an expression of that compassion, he prays for them. Paul begins his prayer with the recognition that believers share a common Father regardless of birthright or ancestry. New birth into the kingdom of God means believers all are part of one family. Paul asks God to strengthen them deep within through the power of the Spirit (v. 16), so Christ can dwell in their hearts through faith (v. 17). Christ’s “dwelling” is the Greek word katoikeo, meaning “to house permanently.” In other words, Christ’s presence in their hearts will not be fleeting.

Paul also prays believers will be so profoundly established in Christ’s love that they will have the ability to know the expanse of Christ’s love (vv. 17-18), which will grant them all the fullness of God (v. 19). Examining these verses more closely, we see he is praying they will be “rooted” (Greek: rhizoo, “firmly fixed”) as a tree might be (Psalm 1; Colossians 2:7) and “established” (Greek: themelioo, “with an unwavering foundation”) in Christ who is the bedrock (1 Peter 2:4-8).

Paul boldly asks that this love empower and unify them together with all the saints. I wonder if he knew how hard this would be in a 21st century U.S. church. Jesus commanded in John 13:34-35 that his disciples love one another in the way he loves, thus making it possible for everyone to know who his followers are. As believers love one another freely, unconditionally and sacrificially, they come to know, experientially, a love greater than understanding (v. 19; Philippians 4:7), a love without bounds or limits—a love like Christ’s. With all this love, power, unity and knowledge, believers are filled (Greek: pleroo, “brought to a completed end”) with all the fullness (Gr. pleroma, “entire content filling a deficiency”) of God.

Impromptu praise (3:20-21)

Paul closes this portion of his letter with a heart so full of love for Christ and his friends in Ephesus, that a doxology—literally “glory words” meaning “song of praise”—erupts. It’s not the only time, either—see Romans 1:25; 9:5; 11:33-36, 16:25-27; Galatians 1:4-5; Philippians 4:20; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:14-16; 2 Timothy 4:18. Paul celebrates God’s capacity (He is able to do), his limitless ability (immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine) and his transcendent power (according to his power that is at work within us). And although previous generations of Gentiles were denied participation in God’s kingdom, now Paul asserts God will receive glory through their lives and the lives of generations of believers to follow them—their children and their children’s children, forever and ever.

Churches have the responsibility and privilege of revealing this mystery of relationship with God to millions of people around the globe, yet many are handicapped as Satan tells them they are marked by their past instead of by God’s grace. As a result, we see impotent bodies of believers fearful of being authentic, fearful of loving freely and devoid of God’s fullness. In other words, nothing like what they could be.

So how can churches become vibrant, loving, Spirit-filled, powerful forces for Christ in their communities? Prayer is the starting point. Just as Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers to be strengthened through faith, we can pray for the faith quotient of our churches to be raised. Paul prayed for them to be established in Christ’s love so they might know the expanse of Christ’s love.

Asking tough questions may be necessary: “Is my church missing the fullness of God because love is lacking? Is anyone even praying for that love to abound (Philippians 1:9)? Is love in our fellowship present, but conditional or limited?” As God answers these questions and we observe the truth in our churches, we will find specific areas needing prayer and correction, beginning with our own hearts and behaviors.

God has given the power needed for fulfilling the mission of sharing the gospel. He will give the spiritual strength needed to make his glory known through all generations. Will you––will I––take the first steps for our generations?