Ephesians 1.1-6 (2)
Pray Psalm 119.145, 146.
I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O LORD!
I will keep Your statutes.
I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
Sing Psalm 119.145, 146.
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
With my whole heart I cry; hear me, O LORD, I pray.
Your statutes I will not deny but keep them every day.
I cry to You, O LORD; save me, O LORD I pray:
Your testimonies and Your I keep and will obey.
Read Ephesians 1.1-6; meditate on verse 1, on the word “apostle”.
The word “apostle” is, in the Greek language, a compound word which would literally mean “sent from”. How can you see that Paul as “sent from” Jesus Christ? To what or whom was he sent? What did that being “sent from” entail? How did Paul’s being an apostle help in fulfilling the will of God?
Preparation
1. How does Paul describe himself in this verse?
2. How does he identify his relationship with Jesus and God?
Meditation
Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. As he will point out in chapter 4, there is an office of apostle, one specially commissioned and sent by the Lord Jesus to do the will of God—to advance His Kingdom and glory—in a particular place or among a particular people. In our day, this office compares somewhat to that of a missionary, for both derive from roots meaning “sent out.”
In another sense, however, every believer—ever saint of the Lord, called to holiness—is sent out as well. Though we may not be called as apostles we all have an apostolic calling to take the Gospel to our sphere, our area of activity and influence (cf. 2 Cor. 3.16-18; 1 Cor. 11.1). Jesus was sent to “bring near” the Kingdom of God by His lifestyle and His teaching. He was sent to the people of Israel in the land of Palestine. But in fulfilling His apostleship He brought salvation to the world.
Each of us is appointed a particular sector of God’s world in which we have been sent to make disciples, build the church, and advance the rule of King Jesus. We are the “sent ones” of Jesus with each new day (Jn. 20.21). Our mission is to spread the grace of God and embody the rule of King Jesus for righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. To our fellow disciples we offer encouragement in the work of love and good works (Heb. 10.24). To our unsaved neighbors we offer the Good News of new life in Jesus (Matt. 28.18-20).
The issue is not whether we have been sent by Jesus as He was sent by the Father. The issue is whether, having been sent, we are making disciples as we are going.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Apostles? Us? Why not?
If we have been gifted for Kingdom work; then it’s altogether possible to do it.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…” (Eph. 1.3, 4).
That looks like a positive calling to Kingdom work.
Blessed with every spiritual blessing?
Chosen by Him before the foundation of the world?
Instructed to be holy and without blame?
Living it all out before Him in love?
All of that. Yes.
Amazing, right?
Elijah was a man minding his own business, pleasing the LORD in all that he did. Available to serve God in whatever capacity God had for him. An Old Testament Prophet/apostle. He, as we recall, is who New Testament people kept thinking had reappeared on the scene in the body of John the Baptist and Jesus (Jn. 1.21; Matt. 16.14).
But suddenly, God came to this man and gave him an additional job. One that had been planned for him before the foundation of the world. One that his other faithful work had prepared him for (Lk. 16.10).
There was, at that time, a very wicked and deadly king on the loose named Ahab (Jezebel’s husband). God had some profound warnings He wanted delivered to Ahab, and Elijah was the man God tapped to do this work for Him. This was the message He wanted delivered: “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” Not a message that would endear him to awful Ahab. God knew this too, so His next instruction to Elijah was this: “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there” (1 Kgs. 17.1-4).
Called to be an apostle, by the will of God.
With Elijah, as an example, we see that apostolic Kingdom work can be daunting and dangerous. And yet, God was there with him throughout all his years. And God will be with us. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13.5).
The writer of the book of Hebrews, and Paul writing in Ephesians, both give us work to do along with our apostleship. Work that brings our heart into alignment with our actions. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have” (Heb. 13.5); and “Be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1.4).
“We have an apostolic calling to take the Gospel to our sphere, our area of activity and influence.”
Our Personal Mission Field. Sent out from Jesus Christ to do it in a way that is pleasing to the LORD.
Just like Elijah. And Paul. And all our forebears in the faith. Quite a calling, no?
Reflection
1. To whom is God sending you today? How will He use you for His glory?
2. Whom will you encourage in their apostolic calling today?
3. How should you prepare for this calling each day?
The disciples of Christ should endeavor to build up one another in their most holy faith, both by repeating what they have heard to those that were absent, and by making known what they have experienced. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on John 20.21
Pray Psalm 1119.147-152.
Pray, as you meet with the Lord, that His Word will revive your soul and illuminate the path He is sending you along for this day. Call on Him for mercy and grace in all your times of need.
Sing Psalm 119.147-152.
(Festal Song: Rise Up, O Men of God)
Before the dawn I rise; LORD, hear me when I cry.
I hope in Your unfailing Word and will until I die.
I seek You through the night to contemplate Your Word.
Bring my poor soul into the light; teach me Your Law, O LORD!
LORD, hear my plaintive voice, revive me by Your grace;
in justice let my soul rejoice before Your holy face.
Those who forsake Your Word draw near in wickedness;
yet You are near, O God my LORD! Your truth will save and bless!
Your Word has been from old, established by decree.
More precious than the finest gold, Your Word gives life to me!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” turns to consider the unique “currency” of the divine economy. In our Read Moore podcast this week, we begin a new series of readings from our book, Such a Great Salvation. Our Crosfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert finds him heading back to Ireland, confused and disappointed—but faithful. Click hereto see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
