I Believe in the Communion of Saints

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