Climbing into the Honda

 These were amazing days for the First Church of Jerusalem.  Thousands were coming to faith in Jesus.  

It seems like every time you turn around God is doing great miracles through the apostles.  

These believers have stood boldly for Christ when challenged by the Sanhedrin. They are so united in the Lord that people are selling property to meet every need.  

And then there was that ugly Ananias and Sapphira "incident."

Luke tells us that "many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles" (v12).  "Signs and wonders" is an important biblical phrase.  

And it's not just limited to the NT.  It's the description given in the OT for the miracles/plagues God did through Moses while in Egypt.  

Peter quoted Joel 2:28-32 in his Pentecost sermon, noting that God said, "I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below..." (Acts 2:19).

In other words, these words are a signpost to let us know that the Third Person of the Trinity is at work.  Don't forget that the Holy Spirit is the star of the show in Luke's second volume.  

The phrase "signs and wonders" appears a handful of times in the Gospels, but begins making regular appearances in Acts (Acts 2:43; 4:30; 6:8; 14:3; 15:12).

What's the purpose of the Holy Spirit working these signs and wonders?  The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians.  "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works" (2Cor 12:12).  

In other words, these were God's stamp of approval on His apostles.  They were clear indications to the people that these men were God's official representatives.

Once again they gathered under Solomon's Portico.  This was a covered porch on the outside of the Court of the Gentiles on the temple grounds.  

Dr. Luke writes that "they were all together" there.  This is the Greek word ‘ομοθυμαδον/homothumadon.  This adverb is sometimes translated as "in one accord" 

Did you know that all of the apostles could actually fit into a Honda?  In one Accord, get it?  When Dad Jokes meet Bible Jokes we know these are dark days.

One of Luke's absolute go-to terms is ‘ομοθυμαδον/homothumadon.  He uses it eleven times.  It is only found once outside of Acts (Rom 15:6).  

It carries the idea of being united with one mind and with one passion.  We must ask ourselves if we are united with one mind and one passion with other believers.  

Or are we busy pushing our own agenda at church?  Are we "one issue voters?"  

We can be so full of...well, ourselves.  Instead, let's set aside our personal agendas and and be filled with the Holy Spirit.  

Remember, this is Jesus' new command "that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn 13:34-35).  

And this is Jesus' prayer for us.  He asked His Dad "that they may be one, even as We are one" (Jn 17:11).  

It's Paul's plea to the church at Philippi, "being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind" (Phil 2:2).

When we are submitted to Jesus and filled with His Spirit, we too are ‘ομοθυμαδον/homothumadon.  

This isn't up to anyone else.  It's up to you.  Yeah, I'm talking to YOU!  That's right, the one in the mirror.

One mind.  One passion.  One accord. 

Climb into the Accord.  There's room for one more!

©2011

Jay Jennings

Yours, Mine and Ours

There was tremendous fallout from Peter and John's trial before the Sanhedrin.  They had stood boldly against their charges to proclaim the name of Jesus (Acts 4:13).  

Ultimately, the council simply warned them to stop teaching and healing in His name, something which they openly ignored (Acts 4:18-20).  

These believers celebrated and then prayed for even more boldness to tell the world about Jesus (Acts 4:23-30).  God answered their prayer in an amazing and powerful way (Acts 4:31).

Their filling by the Holy Spirit resulted in incredible community.  It was brief glimpse of what church can be like.  "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul” (v32).  

Complete unity.  

This is what Paul encouraged the Philippians to be (Phil 2:1-11), "being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."  

Throughout the NT, God calls His church to be unified in and through His Son (2Cor 13:11; 1Pet 3:8).

We much each ask ourselves if this is the condition of our church.  Is my church divided?  Is there a divided focus and mission?  

This doesn't mean that we can't disagree on different issues.  It doesn't mean that we agree perfectly on all things. 

Mark Driscoll refers to "open handed and close handed issues."  The must hold the essential doctrines of our faith with a closed hand.  

These are views on such things as the Person of God, Jesus, the Cross, salvation and the Bible.  We can't budge on these and we hold them tightly in a closed hand.  

Meanwhile, there are other doctrines on which we do not all agree and we hold those in an open hand.  These are things like worship style, the end times, communion and baptism.

The church of Jesus Christ must not be marked by division and bickering.  It must be noted for its unity and singularity of focus.  

One of the big reasons Paul wrote his stinging letter first letter to the church in Corinth was because of factions (1Cor 1:10-17).

The most obvious indication of this Spirit-filled unity in the First Church of Jerusalem is their willingness to share everything with other believers.  They were also open handed in how they viewed their possessions.  

"No one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” (v32).  They understood that what they had were all blessings from God.  

Yours, mine and ours.

They saw what they had as a way to show grace to others.  These early Christians understood that we are blessed to be a blessing to others.  

And it is a humbling example.  Too often we hold onto what God has given us with a kung fu grip.  

A couple of problems with that.  First, that's not God's design.  Second, it REALLY hurts when He pulls it from our fingers!  We are blessed to be a blessing.

Yours, mine and ours.

Luke tells us that the apostles told everyone about Jesus' resurrection "with great power" (v33).  This was the answer to their prayer for boldness.  

This isn't "kinda sorta special power."  It is MEGA power.  The original Greek describes it as δυναμει μεγαλη/dunamei megala.  

In other words, their testimony about Jesus' resurrection was "mega-dynamic!"  That's what happens when the Spirit of God gets ahold of your life.  Is your testimony "mega-dynamic?"

And don't forget that the empty tomb and the Risen Savior was an essential component of the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30-37).  

We must remember that very most important truth as we tell others about Jesus.  He is ALIVE!  He is RISEN!  And He is till alive today!  

They not only preached with great power but "great grace was upon them all” (v33).  This is χαρις τε μεγαλη/xaris te megala, or “ MEGA grace."  

This is "mega-grace" is a two-sided coin.  On one hand, God had blessed them with His unmerited and undeserved favor.  

On the other, the people of Jerusalem continued to be blown away by what was happening in and through this incredible new movement.

This is a very practical example of the "new command" that Jesus gave His disciples (Jn 13:34-35).  Our love for one another will demonstrate to the world "that you are My disciples."  

The watching world has its eyes on us.  What are they seeing?  Do they see us loving and caring for each other?  

Or do they see us name-calling and infighting?  Let them see our love.  Let them see our love IN ACTION!

Dr. Luke tells us that in the church "there was not a needy person among them" (v34).  Again, can the same be said of our churches today (especially in the US)?  

This isn't to say that our fellowships are to be Christian communes.  No, but it is a call for us to take a "me third" attitude (God first, others second, me third).  

If we saw each other through God's eyes, we would be generous and giving.  Pray that we see with His eyes.

Yours, mine and ours.

We see that these early church members leveraged their belongings, in particular their real estate, to take care of each other.  

They would sell their possessions and give the proceeds to the apostles (v35).  They trusted their leaders to make needed decisions.       

The good doctor then gives us a very practical example of someone who did just that (v36-37).  A guy named Joe.  An average Joe.  

But you may know him better by his nickname.  Barnabas.  This nickname means "son of encouragement."  

One way this Jewish native of the island of Cyprus encouraged his brothers and sisters was to sell a piece of property.  He gave the money to the apostles so they could distribute it to those in need.

One very important reason for this passage is to set up the story of Ananias and Sapphira which follows.  Keep that in mind as you read ahead in Luke's sequel.  Theirs is an example what NOT to do.  But that's for tomorrow.

Do you and I see what God has given us as a means to bless others.  Do we see these blessings as yours, mine and ours?    

©2011

Jay Jennings

Captain Obvious

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2).

Captain America has his Vibranium shield. Captain Crunch is a legend because of crunchberries. But my new favorite is Captain Obvious. He’s awesome. This dude possesses the not-so-superpower of recognizing and stating facts that are crystal clear to everyone who can fog a mirror. From his prison cell in Rome, Paul demonstrates that he may we'll have similar abilities. He tells his friends back in Philippi that if four facts about our faith are true then there’s really only one thing we must to do. And it becomes crystal clear that the apostle isn’t using any sort of prophetic mumbo jumbo. He states these conspicuous truths as a way of reminding us who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. Since all Christ has accomplished is undeniable, our response is without question. Just call the apostle Captain Obvious.

Most Bible translations make it seem that there’s some doubt about these four proposals. The very big difference is how we understand a very little word. “If.” Paul kicks off chapter 2 by writing “So if there is any…” (v1 emphasis added). This is the itty bitty Greek term ei. Can we translate it to mean an uncertain outcome? You betcha. But it also can mean since, surely, and because. It can be used to a express a fact regarded as true. Instead of “if” try inserting “since it is true that…” Take each one of the following four proposals and know that they are actually stone cold, lead pipe locks. Surely, what the apostle says here is totally legit. And don’t call me Shirley.

So let’s take a closer look at Paul’s proposals. Call them the Fantastic Four (hey, we’ve got a superhero thing going, so why stop now?). First up, he wants to know if anybody out there has “any encouragement in Christ” (v1). The apostle drops a word (Gr. paraklesis) that paints a picture of somebody walking alongside and helping a buddy when times are tough. Once we place our trust in Jesus, He promises to never leave us hanging. Never to leave us alone. Always have our back. We may hike through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but we never have to do it solo. Jesus walks with us. Through downsizing. Through divorce. Through chemo. He’s there with us, encouraging us every step of the way. Here’s the deal, the Son of God came a LONG way to be by our side. He left the comforts of the heavenly palace to execute the most awesome rescue mission the universe has ever seen. So is “there any encouragement in Christ” (v1)? Well, duh!!

Second, the apostle proposes there is “any comfort from love” (v1). “Comfort” is the Greek word paramuthion, which also means an incentive, persuasion, stimulation, arousal, or even calming. So just how does God’s love persuade us? First of all, Jesus tells Nick at night about His Heavenly Dad’s incredible demonstration of love for those made in His image. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). And just what did we do to deserve such an incredible gift? “But God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). In other words, we did absolutely nothing to earn His love. Instead of earning God’s love, we were terrorists against His kingdom. Jesus came anyway as an act of divine grace. Tullian Tchividjian refers to grace as God’s descending, one way love. We REALLY deserve death. Instead He puts us under the waterfall of His grace. Doesn’t His love persuade you to do something? Doesn’t His love stimulate you? Persuade you? So is there “any comfort in from love” (v1). You’re kidding, right? Of course there is!

Paul’s third proposal: is there “any participation in the Spirit” (v1)? He’s talking about how the Third Person of the Trinity makes us teammates in the Gospel. As followers of Jesus, we become partners who cooperate together. Sure there are other groups, clubs, and organizations that participate as teams. But there’s one HUGE difference between these gangs and Christ’s crew. His Holy Spirit. Jesus gives each believer gifts through the power of the Spirit. We’re to use those spiritual gifts to build up, challenge, and encourage each other (1Cor 12:4-11). There’s no flying solo in the Spirit. No Lone Rangers for Jesus. We only get the full blessing of God’s Spirit when we hook up and team up with other followers. So is there “any participation in the Spirit” (v1)? You betcha!

The fourth and final proposition from Paul is actually a dynamic duo. As a follower of Jesus, do we experience “any affection or sympathy” (v1)? Let’s be clear, when the apostle writes “affection,” he’s not talking about a warm, fuzzy feeling full of rainbows and teddy bears. This is the Greek word (Gr. splagchnon) for guts, bowels, or intestines.  Has what Jesus has done for you hit you on a gut level? Is there a visceral reaction to His substitutionary life, death, and resurrection on your behalf? Paul pairs this gut level “affection” with “sympathy” (v1). Here’s another intestinal term (Gr. oiktirmos) that describes a connection with others on such a deep level that makes their suffering your suffering. That’s exactly how Jesus reacted when He got a firsthand glimpse of the sick and disenfranchised. “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36). Does your heart break when you see people’s pain? After trusting in Christ, did your heart suddenly become super sensitive to others? So once Jesus gets ahold of us, do we have “any affection or sympathy” (v1)? No question!

There’s absolutely no doubt about this Fantastic Four of faith in Christ. So now that Paul has proved he’s the first century version of Captain Obvious, what do we do with these? So glad you asked. The apostle writes, “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (v2). If you’re wondering how you could put a smile on the face of the man from Tarsus in his prison cell, stuff a sock in your arguing and start getting along. Nothing would make Paul happier than hearing that his friends in the Philippian church are living in harmony. The night before His murder, Jesus asked His Father for that kind of oneness among His followers. He prayed that we would have the same sort of supernaturally intimate relationship He had with His Dad (Jn 17:11).

Can we take an honest look in the mirror for just a moment? As God’s people, we aren’t exactly known for our teamwork and harmony. Same mind? Same love? One accord? Instead of sharing the unconditional love of Jesus with our friends and neighbors, we’re too busy arguing over silly stuff like music styles, wardrobe, and drinking alcohol. It’s as if Paul saw it coming almost 2,000 years ago! Let’s stop getting our undies in a bundle about the differences in how we worship and celebrate our agreement and union in what we believe. According to the apostle, that’s “being of the same mind, having the same, love, being in full accord and of one mind” (v2). Sometimes we need to be reminded of what is right in front of our face. Just call Paul "Captain Obvious."

There's No "I" in Team

Teams win together. Teams lose together. An individual may play well in defeat. He may have even set a record. But in the end, his squad still lost. That’s really all that matters. The last thing a losing team needs is one of its players bragging about all the stats he piled up in defeat. Great leaders understand that you win as a team and you lose as a team. Flip back to Ezra 9:6-9 for a classic example of great leadership in defeat. Despite successfully leading somewhere between 7,000-8,000 people nearly 1,000 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem and delivering a multimillion dollar amount of gold and silver to the temple, Ezra sits in utter horror over the sin and disobedience of God’s people (Ez 9:1-5). All sorts of Israelites have turned their backs on the LORD and hooked up with local pagan hotties. It didn’t take long before their new girlfriends and wives had them worshiping false gods. Honestly if I were in Ezra’s sandals, I would probably shake my head at this dumpster fire of idolatry and tell them “it sucks to be you!” Thankfully, Ezra is not me. He knows a great leader is accountable. He knows there’s no “I” in “team” but there is in “sin.”

We all know plenty of coaches, bosses, and supervisors who blow their stacks when their people fail. Ezra certainly had every opportunity to chew out the people, priests, and Levites for allowing their libido to override their obedience to God’s commands. But that’s not how he handled it. That’s not what he did. Instead of going ballistic, he goes to God in prayer. Remember, the Big E tore his clothes, yanked out his hair and beard, and sat down in awe at what was going down. And there he sat, “until the evening sacrifice” (Ez 9:4). Hungry from a day of fasting, Ezra dropped to his knees and spread his hands to pray (Ez 9:5). There’s a time and place to get mad. Even Jesus kicked butt and took names at the temple, not once but twice (Jn 2:13-17; Mk 11:15-17). But this time, Ezra takes the situation straight to God. As leaders, we should consider doing the same. Don’t freak out. Don’t blow your stack. Take the problem directly to Jesus. Do not pass “go.” Do not collect $200. 

“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to You, my God” (v6). Ezra readily admits to the LORD his shame over what’s just happened. He uses the Hebrew word buwsh, which not only his humiliation but an extreme level of confusion. Here at what should be a high point of celebration at God’s provision for their return, this spiritual train wreck occurs. Ezra is so embarrassed that he is “blush (Heb. kalam) to lift my face” in prayer. As the leader of the people, he would rather be anywhere but in the presence of God right now. But as their leader, he’s accountable for what they’ve done. They win as a team. They lose as a team. 

Then something happens that you might not expect. Ezra confesses the incredible sin of the people as if he was right there with them the whole time. “Our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens” (v6, emphasis added). No pointing fingers. No blaming. Ezra understands that they win as a team and they sin as a team. He looks back on the history and heritage of the Israelites and knows that sin like this is a family tradition. “From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt” (v7, emphasis added). He goes on to say that the whole reason they’ve been in Babylonian captivity until now is because of their blatant disobedience. “And for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as it is today” (v7, emphasis added). They’ve brought it on themselves. As MacArthur writes, “Ezra knows that the sin of a few contaminates the many.” There’s no “I” in “team” but there is in “sin.” 

Suddenly, just when you think Ezra might expect God to drop the hammer of His holy wrath on His disobedient people, this humble leader knows the grace and goodness of the God of Israel. “But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within this holy place, that our God may bright our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our slavery” (v8). Despite all of the rebellion of His chosen people, Yahweh has been radically awesome to them along the way. In the middle of the utter darkness of their slavery and exile, the bright light of God’s grace sparkles and dazzles. He’s allowed a remnant, a small handful of survivors to remain so that He can still deliver on His covenant promises to bless the earth. Despite the sin of the situation, Ezra sees the grace of God. Don’t let anybody tell you that the Old Testament is about His wrath and judgment and the New Testament is about His love and grace. The OT absolutely drips with God’s descending, one-way love.

Ezra continues praying, “For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery” (v9). In the face of the amazing resettlement of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple, he understands that the Hebrews are still under the thumb of the Persian king. He thanks the LORD for His overwhelming goodness to not turn His back on His people while they were in Babylon in what amounted to a divine “time out” for disobedience. Once Jesus saves you, He never, ever leaves you swinging in the breeze by yourself. He didn’t forget the Jews in Egypt. He didn’t forget the Israelites in Babylon. And He won’t forget you and me when we make self-destructive and sinful choices.

In the middle of their 70-year exile, God “has extended to us His steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem” (v9). Everything that’s happened as part of this incredible return and resettlement is because God made it happen. It’s because of “His steadfast love” (v9). God made a promise to Abraham to bless His people and eventually bless the entire planet through His people. Just because they disobey, God faithfully fulfills His promise to bless and love. His love doesn’t burn hot for a moment and then He moves on to somebody else who catches His eye. His love lasts. His love has legs. His love hangs in there. As the song says, “His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.” Ezra knows that God’s love lasts. Despite everything that the people have done, despite hooking up with pagan hotties, despite worshiping false gods, His love never fails. 

Loving leaders who are willing to take the sin of others as their own and intercede on their behalf is a familiar theme throughout the Bible. A brokenhearted Daniel pleads to Yahweh to forgive the rebellion of His people that led to their deportation into Babylon (Dan 9:1-20). A few years after Ezra, tears streamed down the face of Nehemiah as he was overcome by the Israelites continual disobedience (Neh 1:4-11). But these men simply point to the ultimate example found in the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Galilee. The night before His murder, Jesus prayed for every one of His followers that they would know the same unity as He and His Dad (Jn 17). The sinless Christ willingly took on the sin and rejection of the entire world and was held accountable for it (2Cor 5:21). And even as He was executed, He prayed to His heavenly Dad to forgive them because they had no clue what they were really doing (Lk 23:34). But Jesus was able to do something that Ezra, Daniel, and Nehemiah could never dream of doing. He is able to take our filthy sin and exchange it for His absolute perfection. Our rebellion for His obedience. Our faithlessness for His faithfulness. 

But almost 500 years before Jesus comes on His jaw-dropping rescue mission on our behalf, Ezra drops to his knees and pleads to this God of non-stop love. He knows that while he may not have jumped in the sack with these local women, his sin isn’t much different. He knows that as the leader of the the people, he’s accountable. They win as a team. They lose as a team. There’s no “I” in “team” but there is in “sin.”

Demolition Men

“It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit” (v19).

You don’t mess around with the demolition man. Well, that’s at least Sting’s advice. He sings of a dude who’s all about destruction. “I’m a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom. I kill conversation as I walk into the room. I’m a three-line whip, I’m the sort of thing they ban. I’m a walking disaster, I’m a demolition man.” The former lead singer of the Police could well be singing about the false teachers in Jude. Jesus’ kid brother screams for everyone to hear about a crew of con artists that are tearing churches apart from the inside out (Jude 4, 8-13, 16, 18). He lets us know that they ultimately try to tear God’s people apart by causing division. They don’t give a rip about anybody but themselves. They’re spiritually bankrupt. They’re demolition men.

Jude begins by referring to a very specific group of people. He’s not just writing in general terms. He’s got his laser-guided weapon locked on a posse of false teachers. “It is these” (v19). The author has been very intentional in calling them out from the crowd. Remember, they’ve worked hard to weasel their way into local churches. Time after time, Jude wants us to know EXACTLY who they are and what they do. “These people…relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones” (Jude 8). “These people blaspheme all that they do not understand” (Jude 10). “These are hidden reefs…waterless clouds…fruitless trees…wild waves of the sea…wandering stars” (Jude 12-13). Jude writes that Enoch, the hall of famer in Genesis, predicted God would judge “these” folks (Jude 14-15). “These” are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage” (Jude 16). Are we clear who “these” people are? Good.

These spiritual hucksters are all about tearing people apart. They “cause divisions” (v19). This is the Greek verb apodiorizo, which means to separate, divide, mark a boundary, set up distinctions, and instigate division between people. The false teachers draw lines that aren’t really there. They pull people apart when Jesus brings them together (Gal 3:26-29; Eph 2:12-22, 4:3-7; Col 3:11). They build walls when Christ is all about knocking them down. They are all about division when Jesus is all about multiplication (Jude 2). They are all about destroying the church that our Savior has promised to build (Mt 16:18). They are demolition men. Let me step back for just a moment. Am I driving a wedge between people? Are my words and my actions paving the way for folks to know Jesus? Am I allowing God to use me as a uniter and not a divider (Phil 2:2)? Am I a demolition man?

Jude goes on to slap the false teachers with the label of “worldly people” (v19). He drops the Greek word psuchikos. This describes a creature driven by appetites and lust apart from God’s Spirit, a being concerned only about the material life. The New King Jimmy translates this as “sensual persons” (v19 NKJV). It’s a term the writers of the New Testament use to talk about folks who don’t see things from God’s perspective. “The natural person (Gr. psuchikos) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1Cor 2:14). Jude’s other brother James warned about phony wisdom that is “earthly, unspiritual (Gr. psuchikos), demonic” (James 3:15). These spiritual snake oil salesmen only care about themselves. They leave a trail of destruction in their wake. That’s why they’re called the demolition men.

Just to make sure we’re clear on just how sensual and unspiritual the false teachers are, we see that they’re “devoid of the Spirit” (v19). Throughout Scripture, we read that every last one of God’s people receive His Spirit. The Holy Spirit began showing up in a big way in that upstairs bonus room at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). When Jesus saves us, He drenches us in His Spirit. He’s not an option or accessory that’s added later. You have the unlimited power of God living inside you as a believer (1Cor 3:16-17; 6:19). Tony Stark’s arc reactor ain’t got nothing on you. The false teachers are just the opposite of the recipients of Jude’s letter. When it comes to God’s Spirit, these con artists have a big, fat zero. Meanwhile, the followers of Jesus are “praying in the Spirit” (Jude 20). The Apostle Paul wanted his friends in Rome to know the difference too. “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him” (Rom 8:9). We’ve got Spirit, yes, we do! We’ve got Spirit, how ‘bout you? When it comes to God’s Spirit, the false teachers have a big, fat zero. Without the Holy Spirit, the false teachers are spiritually bankrupt. 

These infiltrators are out to sabotage the local church. They try to tear God’s people apart by causing division. They don’t give a rip about anybody but themselves. They’re spiritually bankrupt. They’re demolition men.

It's Time to God-Man Up

"When are you gonna grow up?!?"  Can't tell you how many times my parents, teachers, coaches and other adults (including my lovely bride) inquired about the rate of maturity.  They certainly had reason to ask the question.  Most of my life has been spent out on the playground.  Instead of accepting any responsibility, I lived much of my life at recess.  But eventually it was time for me to man up.

Paul pleads for his Ephesian friends to grow up.  He reminds them that Jesus sent personal trainers in God's Word to pump up His people and prepare them for ministry (Eph 4:11-12).  The result of this is a strong and healthy body of Christ.  We are to build up each other "until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (v13).  The goal is for the local church to mature.  Grow up.  Man up.  Or should I say, God-Man up.

Paul pleads for the Ephesians to be united.  That's how he began this section.  Unity in the church is one of the results of walking worthy of Jesus' calling (Eph 4:4).  We fight for unity by being humble, not throwing our weight around and being patient with other believers.  This starts when we all have the same foundational beliefs about who Jesus is, what He's done and His Word.  Sure there are going to be issues that we don't agree on.  Let's face facts.  There are HUGE differences among the various churches over key stuff like the baptism and the Lord's Supper.  There's a Grand Canyon of disagreement over whether we choose Jesus (Arminianism) or He chooses us (Calvinism).  

Mark Driscoll talks about "open handed" and "close handed" issues.  "Open handed" issues are certainly worth discussing but not worth fighting over.  "Close handed" issues make up the foundation of our faith that cannot be compromised in any way.  Each church needs to determine what's worth fighting for.  Paul's call for Ephesian unity is urgent and necessary.  Not more than 100 miles away, a group of spiritual hucksters have caused a lot of pain and anguish.  They've duped followers of Jesus in places like Colossae, Hierapolis and Laodicea into believing a heresy.  The lie: Jesus is good but not God.  He might be able to save you, but it's up to you to stay saved.  Just before he wrote this note to Ephesus, he fired off a letter called the Colossians to stop the madness over there.  He let people know that Jesus is not only God (Col 2:9), but He's more God than we can wrap our brains around (Col 1:15-20).  Paul knows that "the unity of the faith" (v13) in Ephesus is the only way to keep folks from falling for the same counterfeit gospel that trashed the Colossians.

So what should we believe in order to have this unity?  I'm so very glad you asked.  First of all, it's NOT trusting in our own efforts to save ourselves.  We can't start it.  We can't finish it.  It's only by placing our trust in what Jesus has done that we could NEVER do.  He lived the perfect, sinless life that we failed to live.  He died the brutal death as punishment for our sin that we should have died.  He rose to a spectacular new life that we certainly do not deserve.  We can't do it.  He did it perfectly and completely.  We trust in who He is and what He's done.  We can't add anything to what Jesus has done.  That's why Christ cried out from the cross, "It is finished!!!" (Jn 19:30).  Let's be unified in Jesus.  When we set our eyes on Him and head toward Him, we'll end up going in the same direction no matter where we are.  Let's "all attain to the unity of the faith" (v13).

We're unified when we grow up.  We’re unified when we God-Man up.

From the big house in Rome, Paul knows the importance of "the knowledge of the Son of God" (v13).  He's NOT talking about simply acknowledging the existence of the Carpenter from Nazareth.  Being able to answer a few questions on the final about the radical and risen Rabbi won't get you into heaven.  The apostle knows that a real and personal relationship with Jesus is essential.  Not long after this note to his Ephesian friends, he wrote to folks in Philippi about the importance of really knowing Christ.  He chucks everything else in the dumpster compared to "surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Phil 3:8).  He goes so far as to say that anything other than his relationship with Jesus is a big steaming pile.  Yeah, the Greek REALLY says that!!!  The more we apply His Word to our lives and obey His truth, the deeper our relationship with Jesus.

We're mature when we grow up.  We’re mature when we God-Man up.

Paul then uses a very interesting phrase that most translators scratch their heads over: "to mature manhood" (v13).  He literally writes that the goal of each believer is maturity "to a full-grown man."  God's goal is for each one of us to grow up.  To man up.  We're all in process.  God's process.  He started it.  And He promises to finish it (Phil 1:6).  He's given us folks like the apostles, prophets, evangelists and shepherd/teachers to play a big part in growing us up.  When we stand unified in our trust in Jesus and in a personal relationship with Him, we grow up.

Man up.  God-Man up.

While it's important for each one of us to have that personal relationship with Christ, Paul's point here is that the local church be unified and mature.  That only happens together.  That only happens because we need each other.  Remember that the bulk of the apostle's letters are written to churches, not individuals.  Following Jesus is a team sport.  From the very beginning, God talked about the importance of community and our need for each other (Gen 2:16).  We're only united in community.  We're only mature in community.  Only when the different parts of Christ's body come together to support each other and function as a unit do we have any chance of God-Manning up into the image of Jesus (Rom 12:3-4; 1Cor 12:14-27; Phil 2:1-11).

Man up.  God-Man up.

Here's the whacky paradox of spiritual maturity.  We grow up not by learning to rely on God less and less but by realizing that we really need Him more and more.  I man up when I raise the God-Man up.  I mature when I realize that in Christ I already have absolutely everything I'll ever want or need.  

So what do I do with all this?  How do I apply this?  How do I God-Man up?  First of all, am I united with the other members of my church?  Am I fighting for the unity?  Do I stand up for my brothers and sisters when they come under attack?  Am I willing to take one for the team?  Do I submit myself to the teaching of the pastors and leaders of our church as they seek to unify us as one?  Am I involved in the ministry of my church by using the gifts and skill set that Jesus has blessed me with?  

It's time to man up.  It's time to God-Man up.