TOPIC:‌“The Three Lives of the Believer”

                 by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap

 

TEXT:‌Ephesians 1:1-7

 

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus” (1:1).

 

‌As we begin this message I want us to realize that there are not two different classes of believers Paul is writing to here in verse 1 as indicated by the King James Version: “to the saints...and to the faithful.” It should read as the New International Version has it: “To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” In other words, the believers in Ephesus were faithful Christians.

 

‌What a beautiful word to describe the believers at Ephesus. Faithful! The Ephesian believers were not only saints, but they were faithful saints. I wonder can that be said of us? Faithful to God's Son. Faithful to God's House. Faithful to God's Word. Faithful to God's work. I believe that word is often absent in characterizing today's crop of Christians.

 

‌Now in those words of Paul in verse 1 we find the three different lives of the believer. Paul writes of believers as being “in Christ Jesus.” This is our SPIRITUAL life where we are empowered by His presence, comforted by His love, guided by His Spirit and sustained by His power. Paul writes “to the saints.” This is our CHURCH life where we live together in fellowship with other believers. It is here we are encouraged and strengthened by each other.

 

‌Paul further writes of believers as being “in Ephesus.” This is our GEOGRAPHICAL life where we are to work and witness for Christ. But it will not be easy! “In Ephesus” we will be encompassed by evil, tempted by Satan and persecuted by unbelievers. At Ephesus stood that magnificent temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world, like a magnet drawing many into this house of prostitution.

 

‌Here, then, are the believer's three lives. I want to talk with you about each one of them.

 

I.

 

‌First of all, Paul writes of believers living the SPIRITUAL life. This life is lived according to Paul in verse 1: “in Christ Jesus.” Do you really know what that means?

 

‌The average man today has not the slightest idea of what it means to live one's life “in Christ.” They live in sin. They live in open rebellion against God. And yet, in the early church these were the words that described those early Christians. As a matter of fact, the . . .