Saints & Faithful in Christ

Introduction -

Importance of recognizing to whom the letter is written. It is written to ordinary Christians, not specialists!

Paul's crowning achievement, Ephesians, was written to people like ourselves!

We will consider 'The Irreducible Minimum of what Constitutes a Christian'

Our lack of influence in the world is due to our lack of similarity to the NT.

Three points -

1 - A Christian is a 'Saint'
2 - A Christian is 'Faithful'
3 - A Christian is 'In Christ'

1 - A Christian is a 'Saint'

'Set Apart' 'Separated'

The Church is a gathering of Saints - separated from the world to God!

We are separated Inwardly and Outwardly.

Inwardly, because we are cleansed from sin.

This applies to every Christian!

Falsehood of Rome's view of Saints.

People in real need do not come to us because they do not see a real difference in us.

2 - A Christian is Faithful.

Two meanings -

I - A Christian is a Believer

A Christian is one who believes in something specific, he believes in Christ!

The vital question is not are we a church member but are we believers in Christ!

II - A Christian is Faithful

'Reliable' 'Dependable'

There is a price to pay for following Christ!

3 - A Christian is 'In Christ'

The Body joined to Christ - Eph 4:12

Romans 5 - In Christ

We have all the blessings that we have because we are 'In Christ'

The Church is the Oasis in the midst of the desert that is the world.

'No one is a believer who is not holy, and no one is holy who is not a believer' - John Calvin.

'We must not separate Justification from Sanctification'