Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 266, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1913 — The Church: Her Glory and Walk [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Church: Her Glory and Walk

B y REV. WILLIAM EVANS, D. D.

Moody Bibb Intitule, Chicago

TEXT—Ephesian* (whole Epistle).

—The great theme of the Epistle to the Ephesians is the Church heavenly callings earthly life. After the greeting and salutation the Epistle sets before us its two great divisions: the glorious call- \ Ing of the Church, chapters L 3; and the earthly life of the Church, chapters 4-6. Under the first

main division presented to us, the conception of the Church in the mind of God, as ah invisible organism whicb only God can see; in the second main division, the Church as a visible, organization, such as the world can see. The bringing together of these two thoughts is the sum total of the message of this book. Under the conception of the Church we have presented to use first from the divine side, the Church as it was in the mind of God, just as the plans and specifications of a building are in the mind of the architect before a single stone Is laid (1:3-14). Second, from the human side: The conception of the Church as It should be in the mind of the Chruch ltßelf (1:15-23). This division takes the form of a prayer to the Father that thfe Church man consciously realize and appreciate this divine conception. The object of the prayer is threefold: That believers may know what is the hope of their calling; what the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance In his saints; and what the exceeding greatness of his power In those who believe, which power is Illustrated in the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ Having briefly considered the conception of the Church, let us now glance for a moment at its construction, the account of, which we find In chapter 2:1-22. Note here the description of the material out of which the Church is formed, and how this material is described (2:1-12); dead in sin, children of wrath, ruled by Satan, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, without Christ and hopeless, afar oft without God, and strangers to the covenant of promise. The Church is now conceived of aa a spiritual structure (2:20-22). Jesus Christ, the apostles and prophets are its chief corner-stone and foundation. Each believer is a living stone in the living temple; each aggregation of be- .. lievers also constitutes a dwelling place of the Spirit. The next great point to be considered la the Constituency of the Church, which is set forth in chapter 3:1-21. In this chapter are set forth the personal relations existing between the writer and his readers. In the same connection is declared the kind of people out of which the Church is constructed,.not, however, as to the Individual, as In chapter 2, hut with regard to the two great divisions of mankind: Jew and Gentile. The second division of the book, namely the earthly walk of the Church, (chapters 4-6), is presented to us In the following fourfold way: First —There is the walk of the Church, which should be a united walk (4-1-16). The graces that maintain unity are described aB meekness, lowliness, longsuffering, forbearance, love (4:1-3). j Then those fundamental unities on which the unity is based are described: one body, one Spirit, one calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God who is over all, through all, in all (4:4-6). The fact is further emphasized that the unity which should characterize the Church is not monotony, but consists in a diversity of-m gifts (4:7-11). Here are described the ’ various gifts and offices in the .possession of the membership of the Church, all of which are bestowed by the Di vine Spirit. The end and aim of these gifts is set forth in 4:13-16—they are pll to be used for the building up of the body of Christ. Second —God would have the world see not only a united Church, but also an unblameable membership (4:17 5:21), so he portrays to us vividly the walk of the Individual believer, which should be characterized by purity, and consistent with his profession in Christ. The old life is described; then the new life, first in general, second then In detail Is set before uh In glowing terms. Third—God would have the world see an Ideal family life (5:22 —6:9). The walk of the Christian family should be one of reciprocal love and willing service for each other. Here are set befdre us the relation of husband and wife; parents and children; masters and servants. Fourth —The dynamic power for the realization of these Ideals is rescrlbert In 6:10-18. The Christian must put on the whole armor of God, which is here delineated piece by piece.. Thus irmed. victory is certain. The "Epistle concludes with a reuest for prayer by the apostle and vith final salutations, 1:19-74.