SERMON: "Gospel Grace, Faith, & Love (Benediction)" (Eph. 6:23–24)
Gospel Grace, Faith, & Love (Benediction) (Eph. 6:23–24)
Series: Ephesians:
Building the Church Text: Ephesians
6:23–24
By: Shaun
Marksbury Date:
September
17, 2023
Venue: Living
Water Baptist Church Occasion:
PM Service
I.
Introduction
These verses serve
to close Paul’s letter in a way relatively familiar to the New Testament. In fact, ancient letters typically had similar
benedictions, with an expressed desire for the wellbeing of the reader. These pagan letters sometimes invoked the
blessing of the gods. Paul doesn’t break
with this convention, but he obviously applies it to the true God.
The one oddity about
his letter that we noted last week was his lack of personalized greetings to
the Ephesians. This was probably because
he intended it for general circulation, to be read by all the churches
(even into the future, which now includes us).
In the previous two verses, Paul said he sent Tychicus along to the
Ephesians with a personal greeting.
So, with that, we
might think that Paul is done, believing these remaining two verses to be mere
pleasantries. Instead of throwing them
away from our reading, however, let’s note how Paul uses them to circle back around
to his primary themes in Ephesians. Consider
them in terms of the breakdown of the letter — the first half focuses on
theology, and the latter on the practical issues of the Christian life; so too,
Paul calls us to remember first the realities and results of the gospel (v. 23)
and our response to the gospel (v. 24).
II.
Remember the Realities and Results of the Gospel
(v. 23)
Peace be to the brethren, and love with
faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Both these verses
call us back to the first two verses of Ephesians, where we read, “Paul, an
apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are
at Ephesus and who are faithful in
Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.” We see familiar terms there,
and here, Paul highlights three that are part of our gospel vocabulary — peace,
love, and faith. Let’s consider the
first of these.
A.
Peace — A Reality for Christians
As you think about peace
in this context, you might consider the Jews’ use of the Hebrew word shalom as
a greeting. It’s still a common but
ancient term used to express desire for one’s general welfare. In fact, we see both Paul and Peter use it as
a benediction in their writings (Rom. 15:33; Gal. 6:16; 2 Thes. 3:16; 1 Pet.
5:14). Even so, more is meant here than
a simple wish. What might he mean, then?
To answer that
question, first remember how Paul reminds us of our sin. For instance, in 2:1–3, we read, “And you
were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according
to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the
lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and
were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” Another reminder comes in 4:17–19, and such
verses remind us of the condemnation and wrath we deserve from God.
Yet, because Paul
is writing to Christians, he doesn’t start the letter on that note. Again, we read, “Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:2). It’s possible for sinners to have peace with
God because of the atonement Jesus Christ provides for our sins. The next verse in that chapter two passage of
Ephesians reads, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with
which He loved us” (2:4). Later in that
chapter, we read, “For He Himself is our peace” (v. 14). These verses remind us about the cessation of
the enmity, the ending of the conflict, the peace we sinners can have
with a holy and gracious God!
We not only have
peace with God, but also with other believers.
Whereas the Jews and Gentiles were hostile toward one another, the God
of peace “made both groups into one
and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (2:14), “establishing peace”
(v. 15). Because of these truths,
Christian churches already have peace that they must seek to guard (4:3). We don’t need to create a climate of
peace through man-made means but unify around the truth about what Christ
already accomplished. Because “we are
members of one another” in Christ (4:25), gospel peace results in the cessation
of enmity between peoples.
Obviously, these
are truths that we don’t always feel.
Sometimes, you as a Christian might worry about the eternal condemnation
of God that results in hell, and you might not sense the kind of unity with a
brother or sister that you believe you should.
Still, the peace of God is an objective reality, real regardless
of how we feel, and we should trust it exists (even when doubts assail).
Of course, that
doesn’t mean that we should be lacking a subjective sense of this peace,
especially with God. So, where do we get
this sense of peace? First, from knowing
the source of this peace. Elsewhere,
the apostle refers to the “God of peace” (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thes.
5:23), “the Lord of peace” (2 Th 3:16), and the “God of love and peace” (2 Cor.
13:11).
Sometimes, we’re
tempted not to think of God in these terms.
Paul opens Ephesians talking about the grace and peace of God, yet we
sometimes remained fixated on His holiness and wrath. We don’t always remember that He’s a loving
and forgiving Lord for those who trust in Him.
He grants peace, for as we read here in the benediction, “Peace… from
God” (6:23). Trust God’s Word when He
says this about Himself.
So, remember these
objective realities, and if this peace still feels elusive, seek Him in prayer
concerning it. There are countless
reasons why peace may be wanting. It may
indicate sinful thinking, for instance, either due to lack of regeneration or
simply getting our mind off God and His promises. Satan can also so distract, as can numerous
internal issues. That’s why it’s so
important to know and believe the objective realities for when the subjective,
internal realities don’t seem to line up.
Know that God is gracious to us even here!
Peace isn’t the
only part of this verse, though, so we need to keep moving. Paul also says here, “Peace be to the brethren,
and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let’s consider these other realities.
B.
Faith and Love are also Realities for Christians
God gives peace
according to this verse. Yet, if we
follow what the verse is saying, then we read here that God also gives “love
with faith” to the brethren. Let’s
consider these terms separately for a moment.
Love was also a
major theme of Ephesians. For instance,
Paul highlights their “love for all the saints” (1:15). He still implores them to practice a loving
tolerance for one another (4:2), “speaking the truth in love” (v. 15) and
building up one another in love (v. 16).
He also calls husbands to love their wives (5:25, 28, 33).
Still, this is
based on the love of God. For instance,
when Paul commands husbands to love their wives, he compares that love to the
love Christ shows for the church (vv. 25–27).
Elsewhere, again, Paul speaks of the “God of love and peace” (2 Cor
13:11) and ends that letter with the desire that “the love of God… be with you
all” (v. 14). The love we have for one
another must come from the same Lord who pours it out on us.
Faith is another
major theme of Ephesians. This is a
subjective reality, referring to your individual trust in what Scripture says,
and Paul also highlighted the Ephesians’ faith as a point of praise (1:15). He described it as the vehicle for our
salvation, part of the gift of God (2:8).
Again, in 3:12, we read that we have confident access to God in Christ
“through faith.” In v. 17 of that
chapter, we read that Christ dwells in our hearts “through faith.”
It is also an
objective reality. Again, it is the gift
of God, not something we generate within ourselves. In 4:5, we read that there is “one faith”
uniting us, not many faiths or multiple points of trust that can lead us to
God. Indeed, we should strive for “the
unity of the faith” (v. 13), and a few weeks ago, we saw that this faith is a
shield in the armor of God (6:16). This
faith is a reality whether you believe it or not, but you must personally
believe if you are to experience the salvation of God.
That brings us to
another word here: “with.” Paul says
“love with faith” meaning that the love comes “by the means of” faith. As we noted a few minutes ago, the love we’re
to show one another, must first come from God, and the vehicle for that is our
faith or belief in God. We must trust
in the God of love if we are to know the love of God and show it to
others. Let’s consider that in greater
detail.
C.
God Provides these Realities for Christians
We read peace and
love come “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” which is why faith
is so important. This brings us back
around to the original premise, one we’ve revisited throughout. This fits the opening of the letter as well as
the themes found throughout Ephesians.
One aspect that we
haven’t spoken much about yet is how Jesus factors in this verse. Paul says these originate “from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Now, again, consider the opening in 1:2; “Grace
to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” His statements elevate Jesus to the same
level as God; the Son and the Father give both give to believers grace, peace,
love, and even faith.
Moreover, note that
Paul uses the title Lord, kurios. That’s
the same term used by the Jews and early Christians to speak of the God of the
Old Testament — Yahweh is kurios or Lord. Note also the next verse, where a special
love for Jesus is indicated. Within this
setting and context, there can be no doubt that Paul intends believers to see
Jesus as more than a man, as someone equal with the Father.
It’s essential that
we understand who is the source of these blessings. It matters if you believe Jesus simply to be
a wise teacher or to be God incarnate.
It matters if you don’t believe Jesus is God’s Son. Just as the wrong faith means that this
blessings are not for you, seeking to come to God without Jesus or with the
wrong Jesus invalidate these truths. The
peace and love with faith originate in both God the Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ only.
Still, this isn’t a
warning passage or a rebuke. Those who
have been tracking with the apostle’s words throughout Ephesians already
understand these realities. These words
simply solidify the gospel realities.
All that is left, then, is for one final exhortation.
III.
Remember the Response to the Gospel (v. 24)
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
Just as the
structure of the Book of Ephesians divides evenly, so does this
benediction. The first half of the book reminds
us of the gospel, and the last half of practical matters. Whereas v. 23 reminds us of what God gives to
us, this verse also speaks to our response.
With the last
verse, we noted that love is only found in God.
Here, we see that there is a kind of love that manifests in the lives of
the children of God. In other words,
those who God saves are transformed by His love, and so they can love
differently. As such, they should love
the Lord.
In the Ten Commandments, we see clear
references to the need to love God and keep His Word (Exod. 20:6; Deut.
5:10). That’s not just an Old Testament
reality, for Jesus said the chief commandment is to love God (Matt. 22:37; Mark
12:30; Luke 10:27). We see this as a
theme throughout the New Testament (Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 2:9, etc.), and sadly, as
we’ve discover in Revelation, the Ephesians’ love did wane (Rev. 2:4).
The word
“incorruptible” here speaks to its eternal nature, something that won’t corrupt
or molder over time. In fact, in that
great chapter on the resurrection, Paul uses this term to speak of the new
bodies we’re going to receive (1 Cor. 15:42).
Attaching this word to love, then we are reading about a love that is
unable to die.
If God loves us
enough to give us eternal life, then we should respond with an eternal
love. Think about the parable of the
four soils (Mark 4:1–20). The Word goes
out as seed, and some falls on the hard road, taking no root. Some takes root, but the soil is rocky and
persecution and discouragement causes it to wither. Other seeds take root among the thorns and
gets choked. Yet, some falls into good
soil, takes root, and bears fruit. Those
who respond rightly to the gospel bear the fruit of an eternal plant, yielding
the fruit of love for God in all seasons.
However, the truth is that the love
Christians have ebbs and flows like the tides; it is stronger at points, and
weaker at others, even within the same day and hour. The love we manage is hardly incorruptible. The only incorruptible love is in the blood
of Christ (Rom. 7:3).
This kind of love
cannot come from within; it must come from the Lord. Elsewhere, we read that Jesus Christ
“abolished death and brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10), the same word used here. If we are to have an incorruptible love (that
is to say, an immortal love), it must be through the one who brings eternity to
us through the gospel.
Consider again how
this verse starts — “Grace be with all.”
There’s an article here in the Greek, meaning that a literal rendering
here would be “the grace,” indicating a particular grace is in view here. This kind of grace can and will be with all
so loving Christ, for it is only by the grace of God that we can respond in
such a way.
To sum this up, our response to the gospel is
to have an incorruptible love for God.
Whereas we can’t generate this kind of response in ourselves — loving
God immortally — God’s grace is present to ensure it happens. Even though we stumble in our love for Him
like the Ephesians, God will ensure that we never so stumble as to see our love
turn to hatred or rejection. The
evidence of gospel transformation is a life that perseveres to the glory of
God.
IV.
Conclusion
The epistle ends as
it begins. We receive grace from God the
Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. As a
result of our faith in Him, we can know and experience the peace and love of
God in our lives. We can even live
demonstrating it to others.
Consider this again within the context of prayer that Paul was just speaking about a few verses ago. I had a pastor who always asked, “What do you pray for when you pray?” Well, if you do not know the peace and love of God through Jesus Christ, will you ask Him to open your eyes to it? Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” In James 4:2, we read, “You do not have because you do not ask.” What do you pray for when you pray?