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Faithful Saints in Christ


Ephesians 1: 1B, Acts 19


The believers in Ephesus lived in a very pagan city in a rich river valley with a wonderful harbour. Ephesus was very central as a city of commerce and much trade took place in its market place. It as the home of Artemis, a goddess with many breasts - the symbol of the productive and life giving powers of nature. She was considered the mother of all life. The idol which was worshiped was believed to have fallen out of heaven and was the focus of that popular religious cult whose followers created a magnificent temple which was one of the wonders of the world. This cult spread throughout much of the Roman Empire but also spread much evil and immorality through its worship rituals.

Paul saw the Holy Spirit move in a mighty way as he introduced Christ to the Jews. For 3 months Paul argued persuasively about the kingdom of God in the synagogue. When some of the Jews became difficult to speak to Paul went with his disciples and had discussions every day in the Greek school of Tyrannus. Paul did this for two years as we read in Acts 19. God showed his mighty power through Paul to perform miracles of healing the sick and casing out of demons in this superstitious city of Ephesus. It was here that the believers confessed that they still had sorcery books and burned them Acts 19:20 says, “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. The demonstration of God’s healing power and power over demonic spirits increased the faith of those in Ephesus and seeing and knowing God’s mighty power purified and cleansed the life of those who believed.

The gospel made such great changes in the allegiance of the people who now worshipped God instead of Artemis that those who were creating idols were losing business and tried to get rid of several believers. After this Paul left the area.

The Saints

We are now studying the letter Paul wrote to this assembly of strong believers. The believers in Ephesus were called saints, the faithful in Christ. Paul gives a physical address - the saints in Ephesus, and a spiritual address - the faithful in Christ Jesus. Today we want to look at what it means to be saints, faithful and “in Christ.” Our focus is not who we are not what we do. Although what we do and not just we think determines who we really are.
All believers are saints. This expression is used 9 times in the book of Ephesians. It means holy, set aside by God for Himself. They were called saints not because of personal merit but because of God’s presence in their lives. The Bible has no special category for dead believers with special categories as the Roman Catholic church promotes. In it’s desire to canonize special people they take glory away from Christ. They encourage people to pray to saints for special favours from them. It is good to have examples of dedication, miracles and good works but we are never to pray to other men. Saints are not dead believers but those who are alive in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah saw the holiness of God. He felt unclean even though he himself was a prophet of God. God is a holy God and because of his holiness he cannot allow disobedience and evil in his kingdom.

We are all set apart by God’s sanctification. We are set apart for a live of service and good works. God makes us saintly and as consecrated believers we follow, obey and surrender to God. God gives us the energy and power to do great things for His kingdom.

The Faithful

There is some question as to whether the term from the Greek should be translated people of faith or faithful people - both are possible in this context. Faith is more than intellectual belief. We are to be people of faith, believing that God will do the impossible in the lives of others and ourselves. And God does do the impossible.

Think of the story of Father Abraham. Abraham was a great man of faith. He believed God could do the miraculous and give him a child even when it was physically impossible. His faith wavered and he sought to fulfill God’s promise in his own strength but this led to conflict and many problems which we still experience even today with the Arab - Israeli conflict. God did give him a son through Sarah whom he was willing to give up - to sacrifice to God. He was willing to obey knowing that if God provided one son he would give him another even though it seemed even more impossible. But God spared his son by providing a ram as a sacrifice in response to Abraham’s faithfulness.

God wants us to be faithful in our dependency on Him. In the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray for their daily bread. We are to intercede on behalf the salvation of others. George Mueller of great Britain faithfully prayed for the salvation of a friend for 68 years. While he was alive George never saw his friend turn his heart to Christ but before Mr. Mueller was buried God answered that prayer and his friend became a Christian. It takes time to wait on God for the salvation of others.

Today is father’s day. God wants us to be faithful as dads to our wives. Proverbs warns that only a fool would be lead astray to hell by a woman of questionable character. God warns us that if we are not virgins when we are married, there will be serious consequences in our relationships later on in life. Today there are many diseases which are destroying both men and women because they are seeking pleasure outside of God’s ordained relationships. If we do not repent and follow God’s way we will not be among those who are called the faithful in Christ Jesus.

Believers are to be steadfast and courageous to see ways in which God wants to work through them. We are to be faithful to fight against the works of darkness. We are to be faithfully helping others to know that God wants all men to be saved. We have the strength because we are in Christ Jesus.

In Christ

What does the term in Christ Jesus mean to us as believers. This expression is used 27 times in the book of Ephesians. The expression “in Christ Jesus” is a very simple expression with very deep meaning. This expression describes the believer’s position in the kingdom of God. We become a part of God when we are cleansed and forgiven.

The possibilities of success as a Christian are fantastic as we realize that our spiritual position is where God’s loving kindness is received. There is no need for loneliness nor any lack of intimacy. We have both a lover and a friend in Christ Jesus. We can draw upon the wealth of Christ. When our requests are within God’s will as we looked at last week we can be sure that there will not be any question as to God answering our requests. We will examine this concept more as we study verse 3 which speaks of the blessings of God and the riches we possess in Christ.

We need to see ourselves as a part of Christ when we can claim I am “in Christ” This position gives us a vista or perspective where we are above the world and when we are truly “dead in Christ”. We can resist temptation and evil. We can overcome discouragement and depression because Christ is our strength and source of spiritual energy. We become one with Christ.

Romans 6 says we were buried with Christ in Baptism and we will be free from the effect of sin because Christ overcame evil and so we have only to realize God’s forgiveness and ask Him for it.

In Christ does not denote so much the focus of our belief but the on in whom they are brought together into a living fellowship as Romans 6 tells us we were “ in Adam” - in the domain of the evil one but now we are “in Christ”. We have become a part of the body of Christ. As a part of the Body of Christ we are very special to God. We are no longer able to do what the flesh would have us do but we are obligated to live a live worthy of our God. We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. Now we must fulfill the purpose for which we were bout with a great price - the very life of the Son of God. We are to be people with a mission. We are to be to others what Christ was when He was here on earth. We are to go about helping people in need like the story of the Good Samaritan.

A great preacher once told of a lady who lived a very hard life, yet one of perpetual serenity. When asked the secret of it, she answered: “My secret is to sail the seas, and always to keep my heart in port.” No matter where we are or what our problems, “ We are IN CHRIST” He fills us with His Spirit, He empowers us to do His will. He blesses us with all kinds of spiritual blessings. Glory hallelujah!!

We have a great and wonderful God. We are to remain faithful, dedicated believers who do his will so that we can experience his great blessings. We will begin to look at some of those blessings next time as we examine the grace and peace which comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to examine ourselves this morning and make sure that we qualify as saints who are faithful. If we are God can pour out his spiritual blessings upon us as we experience his love and forgiveness.

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Leamington MB Church
June 19, 1999