Lesson 401 - Senior
Memory Verse
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
Cross References
I Comparing the Natural Man with the Spiritual
1. Paul points out their present state as compared with former conditions, [EPH:2:1-3]; [EPH:4:18]; [COL:2:13]; [1JN:5:12]; [ROM:8:2-6].
2. He shows by what virtue they were saved and for what purpose, [EPH:2:4-7]; [ROM:5:6], [ROM:5:8]; [ROM:6:4-5].
3. They were saved by grace and created unto good works, Ephe-sians 2:8-10; [1CO:3:9]; [2CO:5:17]; [2TM:1:9].
4. By the Blood of Christ the middle wall of partition was broken down, [EPH:2:11-14]; [GAL:3:29]; [COL:1:20].
5. Both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father through Christ, [EPH:2:15-19]; [2CO:5:18]; [GAL:6:15]; [COL:1:20-23]; [COL:2:14].
6. All are built from the same foundation and grow together unto a holy temple, [EPH:2:20-22]; [2CO:6:16]; [HEB:12:22-23]; [1PE:2:5]; [REV:21:14].
Notes
The Two Deaths
Paul compares the natural man with the spiritual. He shows what we are by nature and what we are by grace. Man is a triune being, composed of body, soul and spirit. There is the physical death of the body, and there is the spiritual death of the soul. Temporal death is the separation of the soul and spirit from the body. Spiritual death separates man from God while man is on earth; and if he continues in that state, he will be condemned to eternal punishment, which is the second death. Spiritual death is the result of sin. Adam's disobedience brought physical and spiritual death to the human race. Before Adam sinned there was no death. Christ has power over both natural and spiritual death.
When we think of the death of the body, we think of an enemy that enters our homes and takes away a loved one. (Read [1CO:15:26].) We behold that death with our natural eyes. However, eternal death, or damnation to the soul, we cannot see with our eyes, but the Lord beholds it and realises the awfulness of it. He sent His Son to make a way to escape it. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" [JHN:3:16]).
Jesus said: "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" [MAT:10:28]). The Lord takes note of our bodily suffering, for in the Word we find, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" [PS:116:15]). If a soul has been born again and is right in the sight of the Lord, when the body dies the soul takes its flight to God who gave it, and lives on eternally. Jesus frees us from the bondage of sin and death and gives us life eternal. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" [JHN:5:24]).
Resurrection of the Body
When a body dies, if the soul is right with God and spiritually alive, it will be reunited with the body, for there is a resurrection of the body. "For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" [1CO:15:52-55]. Read also [ROM:8:19-23].)
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Jesus tells us about the rich man and Lazarus. Both men died. The rich man had lived in all the pomp and glory of this world. He provided sumptuously for his body, but gave no thought for his soul. Possibly, as many others, he said, "Time enough yet." He was buried with the pomp and splendour that this world affords. But the Word tells us that in hell he lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus afar off in Abraham's bosom. The rich man's soul that he had neglected was in hell -" lost, eternally lost, spiritually dead.
Lazarus was poor but he had prepared to meet God. His soul was alive -" eternally alive.
Abraham's Seed
The Lord chose Abraham's seed to become a nation in which His Son could be born to bring redemption to a lost world.
The Jews thought they alone had a right to the Kingdom of God. The Lord called Paul and made him an Apostle and revealed to him the Gospel more fully, that it was to the "whosoever will." Through the death of Jesus Christ the door of mercy was flung wide open and all the Gentile world could enter in if they sought the Lord.
The Ephesians
Paul spent some time preaching the Gospel in Ephesus, a Gentile city. The church that was raised up became one of the chief fortresses of Christianity. These Ephesians were steeped in idolatry, but when they heard the preaching of Paul, many believed and their souls were quickened by the Spirit of God. They had been dead in trespasses and in sins, but were now made alive in Christ Jesus. The new birth had transformed their lives. Until we are born again both Jew and Gentile walk according to the desires of the flesh. But when we are saved our desires are changed and we no more walk after the flesh but after the Spirit, doing the things that are righteous in the sight of God.
It was in Ephesus that the great temple of Diana was built, one of the seven wonders of the world. The silversmiths made their living by making small models of Diana and selling them. So many Ephesians believed in the Gospel that the trade of the silversmiths became endangered. They made an insurrection against Paul and he had to leave the city (Read Acts 19.)
Mercy
It is God's great mercy that He loved us when we were sinners and quickened our spirits through Jesus Christ and made both Jew and Gentile sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. The Gospel brings fellowship. How can two walk together except they be agreed? What communion hath light with darkness? Or what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
Saved by Grace
"Not of works, lest any man should boast" [EPH:2:9]). The Lord planned this great salvation that it should be wholly by grace. Man has tried through the ages by every means possible to free himself from the powers of sin, but to no avail. Through Jesus' Blood, and His Blood alone, can sin be destroyed out of the heart of man.
If good works could bring us into favour with God, many would readily do them. There would be no need of a Saviour. God honours the work of His Son. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" ([1JN:5:12]). God ordained that good works should follow our lives when the heart is changed and we have passed from death unto life. It is the natural walk of a Christian to do the things that are righteous. Good works are spontaneous acts from a heart of love to God, and not deeds performed to try to win God's favour.
Salvation from sin is the gift of God to this world through Jesus Christ our Lord; so no man can boast of having contributed anything toward his redemption.
Afar Off
The Jews were said to be "nigh" to God because of the Law and the covenants and their access to Him through their offerings and blood sacrifices. The Gentiles had no access and they were said to be "afar off."
As the Blood of Jesus Christ flowed from that cruel cross, nature was thrown into convulsions, and burst forth in its fury. The heavens became black, the rocks were rent and graves were opened. The veil of the Temple was rent in twain from top to bottom. The Gentiles were bidden to enter in. "Rejoice, ye Gentiles, . . . and laud him, all ye people". Both Jew and Gentile can now approach the Living God through the Blood of Jesus Christ.
The Jews are no longer said to be "nigh" and the Gentiles "afar off," but all have access by the Spirit unto the Father.
Temple of the Lord
Jew and Gentile are fellow citizens of that heavenly country, and all belong to his household of faith. They have the same foundation, that of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone and the medium by which, both are united in the same building.
Both are being fitly framed together by the Holy Spirit into one great temple of the Lord. The building is not completed yet but is growing day by day; and some day the last saint will have entered in, and the glory of the Lord will lighten the temple and the saints will dwell there. Death will be swallowed up in victory.
Questions
1. Do soul and body exist after death?
2. What was the condition of the Ephesians before they heard the Gospel?
3. Do good deeds save us? If not, what brings us into favour with God?
4. What brought separation between Jew and Gentile?
5. Does the middle wall of partition still exist?
6. What kind of building are the saints compared with?
7. Upon what Foundation is the Gospel built?
8. When death comes where do soul and body go?