I Believe in the Communion of Saints
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 9/20/2015 AM |
Text: | Ephesians 4; Lord's Day 21 |
Psalters: | 170, 333, 348, 371 |
- The marvelous unity.
- God establishes this unity, first a unity of mankind in Adam (Acts 17:26), but Adam’s sin destroyed it.
- God re-created a positive spiritual unity in Jesus Christ.
- First, in election God united to Christ all the elect.
- Second, in redemption God made peace.
- Third, God sends the Spirit of Christ to communicate to each member the life of Christ to each of the elect (Eph. 4:3b).
- They are all “saints”, i.e., justified in Christ’s righteousness and sanctified in Christ.
- There is diversity in this unity which has a wonderful purpose.
- Our calling is to practice our faith in this blessed truth by serving Christ (the Head) by serving the other members.
- The first duty is to partake of Christ (His riches and gifts) and of the blessed friendship with God (covenant).
- Second, consciously strive to serve (edify) the other members (12b,16).
- Note that the more excellent way to exercise the communion of saints is to love (I Cor. 13).
- What are we to do when there is conflict?
- Great blessing and edification arises from the proper exercise of the communion of saints.
- Through each other we show and receive evidence of God’s love (John 13:35) and show Jesus is divine (John 17:23).
- Thus we participate in the glorification and praise of God, as the Body of Christ functions on the earth.