The Vessel Formed

Christian Living Series 2 of 9

  1. Knowing Jesus Better
  2. The Vessel Formed
  3. Mystery
  4. The Church as Community
  5. Keeping Power Switched On
  6. Real Solutions to Real Problems
  7. Don't You Know There is a War On
  8. The Hope The Glory The Power
  9. The Dynamic for Holy Living

September 20, 1987

Imparting of Life; Means to God's Purpose in THE VESSEL FORMED.

Introduction: God wants us filled, but first we have to be formed.

Two weeks ago we began this study of Ephesians with the text (3:19) "That you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." This is the PURPOSE of this entire epistle!

[We said that everyone is already FULL of something (even if it is just hot air), but that if we are to be filled with GOD it will be a deliberate choice on our part.]

Being filled with God is the ONLY way to go! Without the fullness there will be failure. With the fullness we will be FULLY ALIVE!

But before we can be FILLED with God, we need to be FORMED in spiritual life. Before we can learn to walk we have to be born. Before we can dedicate our LIFE to Jesus we must have a LIFE to dedicate!

I. SALVATION AS A WAY OF LIFE

Look with me, if you will, at salvation as a complete way of life. Some people think of being saved mostly in terms of a fire escape. I'm glad IT IS THAT! But I'm also glad it is much, much more.

[ I certainly don't want to miss God's best for all eternity! to be 'shut out' from fellowship forever! ]

But if salvation is ANYTHING at all, IT IS LIFE!

Eph.2:5 "(God has) made us alive together with Christ...") The"Theology" of the New Birth is exciting:

[ Do you know what the Bible tells us takes place when we come to Jesus for 'salvation?' ]

  1. Regeneration: (v 5 Even when we were dead.. He has made us alive together with Christ) The reality of a new kind and quality of life. If there is not new life there is not salvation. This life is evidenced by appetite; and by growth; and by continued development.
  2. Justification: (Eph 2:13 Brought near by the blood of Christ) also [Romans 5:1 Therefore being JUSTIFIED...] The satisfaction of sin's guilt. The breaking of sin's power. The freedom to choose right.
  3. Adoption: (Ephesians 2:18.19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's HOUSEHOLD.] also [ Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are Tchildren of God.) HOW near are we to God? We are FAMILY! We have spoken of "adoption", but "Citizenship" ALSO applies. There must be a sense of COMMUNITY or salvation is not complete as God intended. NO LONE RANGERS! Family! Access to the refrigerator!
  4. Sanctification: Being made HOLY! Christ.likeness begun! Begun the instant we belong to Jesus in surrender; continues to crisis of entire sanctification; continues in growth, Christlikeness to glorification, when we receive a spiritual body; continues to all eternity in God's Presence.

II. THE LOWEST LEVEL OF SALVATION is PEACE WITH GOD!

All these wonderful things happen when we come to Jesus - [even though none of us fully realizes how wealthy we are in becoming God's children] - but usually THE FIRST OF what we understand is just ONE THING: WE ARE AT PEACE WITH GOD!

The wonder of peace; it is what we crave even when we don't realize it. {It is a luxury that cannot be bought with money. It is a pure and quiet conscience, with the knowledge of sins forgiven. It is the basis for real happiness and contentment. It is the foundation of the Christian life.}

Jesus is the Prince of Peace! That is what the angels sang when He was born! (2:14) And Jesus HIMSELF is our peace! THE ENTRY LEVEL OF SALVATION...is PEACE with GOD; being in harmony with Him, accepting HIS Word as true; seeking to live by HIS judgments, by FAITH - even though we can only SEE what we can see.

Being justified by faith we have peace with God: our life in Christ starts with peace.. peace with God

["I didn't even know I was at war with God!" "Rebellion is more like it...or anarchy!" Rebels can't dictate terms. Rebels can't make deals. Rebels can only surrender. But JESUS HIMSELF is our peace!]

[How so??]

III. THE DOOR OF ALL SALVATION IS JESUS

"I AM the Door!" At every level of spiritual LIFE, Jesus is the DOOR!

  1. His death on the cross gives us access: (2:16 Jews and Gentiles alike! have access to the Father!) But that access is first of all access for salvation. . then filling!
  2. Access by His Spirit - Convicting, convincing - speaking to you about sin!
  3. Access in the "now!" When God speaks about salvation, His time is always in the present! The "Door" is not something which you can search for and find all on your own. In God's Providence it may well be here tomorrow when you seek it...but there is no guarantee, and presumption is a deadly enemy of eternal life!
  4. Access in the context of the Church! [We are "being built together..."]

Conclusion: COME ALIVE TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF LIFE!

Do you know the high privilege of peace with God? Are you at peace with Jesus? I'm not sure what all is involved by NOT having peace with God. But there is an interesting figure here, when we combine the truth expressed about 'existence before we find Christ and are saved:'

  1. We are DEAD in trespasses and sins, but also
  2. We are WALKING AROUND doing like the world tells us; doing what 'the prince of the power of the air' has dictated TO the world at large!
  3. So.. until we are born to new life in Jesus we are WALKING DEAD! Zombies!
  4. But we are invited to COME UP to Christ's THRONE; and to SIT DOWN with Him! in PEACE!

Jesus Himself is the DOOR to Peace with God, and to LIFE and to Life "MORE ABUNDANT!" ... Come (1) confessing your sin(s)! And come (2) believing Christ's MERCY! (Romans 10:9,10. !) ....and that Door to LIFE is ajar for YOU this evening! You can be filled with all the fullness of God! That is God's best and perfect will for you!

#230 - Come, Just as You Are