The unsearchable riches of Christ – Page 8

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt 42

Christian Unity Maintained, Pt1

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6.

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The first 3 chapter of the epistle have dealt with the doctrines of salvation. Now Paul begins to press upon the Ephesians the outworking of those doctrines, the practice of gospel holiness. First on his list of duties is that of unity. In his call for a walking worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, verse 1, he calls for unity amongst the believers. A display of disunity is very harmful to the cause of Christ.

Each believer should seek to be the means of advancing the peace of the church and certainly not disturbing or breaking it. All of us possess a nature which desires war rather than peace. We must curb it, crucify it.

I. WE ARE COMMANDED TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT

1. We are to “keep” not “seek” unity. The word keep means to carefully guard and preserve. Unity is a grace to be preserved most carefully.

2. Unity is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ps 133:1-2. It is that blessing that descends from Christ to the fringes of the whole church through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. One of the chief properties of oil is the combatting of friction. The anointing oil was a perfumed oil so the it sweetened the atmosphere. Such is Christian unity.

3. Maintaining unity requires “endeavour.” The word means“labour,” “diligence.”

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt 41

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, Pt3

Ephesians 3:14-21.

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III. HIS PETITION IN PRAYER

What he was praying for is basically set down in verse 16. It was a strengthening by the might of the Holy Spirit of the inward being of the Ephesians. That is a good model to follow.

1. The measure of the blessing he seeks. According to the riches of His glory. We should ask, not according to our perception of our need, but according to the measure of God’s bounty.

2. The details of the blessing he seeks. How are we to be strengthened? Verses 17-19. It is four-fold with the idea of growth and advance set forth.
Christ dwell in our hearts by faith, verse 17. “Take up residence”
Rooted and grounded in love, verse 17. Rooting process
Comprehend the love of Christ, verse 18. “Attain to the understanding of”
Filled with all the fulness of God, verse 18. What fulness we are to seek after.

3. His confidence of obtaining an answer. Verse 20.

4. The praise he offers. Verse 21.
Praise to God can only come through the church and that throughout the ages, without end.

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Pt 40

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, Pt2

Ephesians 3:14-21.

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II. HIS PROPRIETY IN PRAYER
See how properly He addresses the Lord.

1. Prayer is to be addressed to the Father. He is our Father because He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our redeemer. He is our Father for we have been adopted into His family and are born of His Spirit and are named after Him.

2. Faith in the disposition of God to bless His children. We never may be bolder than when we pray for God’s blessing upon His people. That is His will from all eternity, and that at the cost of His only begotten Son, Phil 1:4-6.

3. God’s elect is one family. Please note that God’s family is found only in heaven or on earth. There is no purgatory.