The Communion of Saints

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Ephesians 4; Lord's Day 21
Psalters: 227, 51, 348, 369
  1. The meaning.
    1. Sin disrupted and destroyed the unity of mankind as God created it (Acts 17:26).
    2. God re-created a positive spiritual unity in Jesus Christ.
      1. This unity involves, not all men, but only (and all) those in Christ.
      2. They are “saints” because they are sanctified in Christ.
    3. There is diversity in this unity: “many members,” “Jews or Gentiles,” “bond or free”
      1. The diversity consists of natural differences, diversity of gifts and difference in the measure of the gifts.
      2. The diversity is manifested in each member of the Body having their own place.
      3. The purpose of the diversity is to manifest the greatness of God’s grace and the breadth of His love.
  2. We are to practice our faith in this blessed truth: serve Christ (the Head) by serving the other members.
    1. The first duty is to partake of Christ and of the blessed friendship with God.
    2. Be consciously aware of this communion by serving (edifying) the other members (4:12b,16).
      1. Be conscious of Satan’s efforts to separate.
      2. We are to serve “to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them” (Belgic, Art. 28).
      3. Delight in the assembling of the saints together (Hebrews 10:25).
      4. No saint will want to exalt himself above others because of lowliness of mind (Phil. 2:2-5; Eph. 4:2).
    3. The more excellent way to exercise the communion of saints is to love.
    4. Every conflict is to be siezed as a God-given opportunity to serve God and the body.
    5. Great blessing and edification arises from the proper exercise of the communion of saints.