Chapter Two

Scofield Referenced Notes

•  Key SRB = Scofield References SRB = Introduction JFB  = Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary JFB = Introduction AC    = Adam Clarke Comentary AC    = Chronology by Adam Clarke 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: world kosmos = world-system. Colossians 2:20; John 7:7. (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8") . 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) dead Death (spiritual), Summary: Spiritual death is the state of the natural or unregenerate man as still in his sins. Ephesians 2:1 alienated from the life of God Ephesians 4:18,19 and destitute of the Spirit. Prolonged beyond the death of the body, spiritual death is a state of eternal separation from God in conscious suffering. This is called "the second death." ; Revelation 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8. saved (See Scofield "Romans 1:16") . 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: grace Grace (in salvation). Ep 5,7,8 Colossians 1:6; Romans 3:24; John 1:17 (See Scofield "John 1:17") saved See note, (See Scofield "Romans 1:16") 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. created (See Scofield "Ephesians 4:24") . 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: world kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8") . 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; new man Here the "new man" is not the individual believer but the church, considered as the body of Christ in the sense of Ephesians 1:22,23; 1 Corinthians 12:12,13; Colossians 3:10,11. (See Scofield "Hebrews 12:23") . 1251_e; Ephesians 2:2, according to the course of this world Greek word: kosmos = world-system, Colossians 2:20. (John 7:7; Revelation 13:3-8; Ref. Note Page 1342_2 1251_f; Ephesians 2:2b, according to the prince of the power of the air Evil one. John 12:31; 1 John 5:19. 1251_g; Ephesians 2:2c, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: sons. 1251_h; Ephesians 2:3a, also we all had our conversation in times past Jews Ephesians 2:3b, in times past in the lusts of our flesh flesh, = behavior, pleasure. Ephesians 6:12. (John 1:13; Jude 23.) 1251_i; Ephesians 2:3b, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind James 1:21; 2 Peter 2:14. 1251_j; Ephesians 2:3c, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind Cf. Colossians 2:8; Ephesians 2:3. 1251_k; Ephesians 2:3d, were by nature the children of wrath Romans 1:18; Ephesians 5:6. 1251_l; Ephesians 2:4, God, who is rich in mercy Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:7; Psalm 103:8-11. (Ref. Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:7.) 1251_m; Ephesians 2:4b, for his great love wherewith he loved us John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10. (Ref. John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10.) 1251_n; Ephesians 2:5, Even when we were dead in sins Spiritual Death, Cf. Epehsians 2:1-5; Genesis 2:17. 1251_o; Ephesians 2:5b, hath quickened us together with Christ Colossians 2:13; John 5:25, 26. 1251_p; Ephesians 2:5c, by grace ye are saved Romans 1:16. (Ref. Romans 1:16; Note Page 1192_1.) 1251_q; Ephesians 2:7, in the ages to come he might shew Ephesians 1:21; 3:21; Revelation 20:4; 21:1-4. 1251_r; Ephesians 2:7b, his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus not out to get us. Titus 3:4. 1251_s; Ephesians 2:8, by grace are ye saved through faith Grace in salvation. Cf. Colossians 1:6; Ephesians 2:5-8. (Ref. Colossians 1:6; Romans 3:24; John 1:17; Note Page 1115_1.) 1251_t; Ephesians 2:8b, by grace are ye saved through faith Faith, Ephesians 3:17. (Genesis 3:20; Hebrews 11:39.) 1251_u; Ephesians 2:8c, it is the gift of God God written here most emphatic. John 1:12, 13. 1251_v; Ephesians 2:9, Not of works, lest any man should boast Romans 4:4, 5; Romans 11:6. 1251_w; Ephesians 2:9b, Not of works, lest any man should boast Romans 3:27; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. 1251_x; Ephesians 2:10, we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus Ephesians 4:24; Ref. Note Page 1253_3. 1251_y; Ephesians 2:12, having no hope, and without God in the world Greek word: kosmos = mankind. (Matthew 4:8.) 1251_yb; Ephesians 2:14, For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us Salvaton, [he= Christ Jesus]. In this writer's opinion verse 14 is the key to the entire book of Ephesians. The veil torn asunder makes possible everyone's salvation (Jew & Gentile alike) in Christ Jesus. ~ b craig Cf. verses 17-18. In these two verses (17, 18) we see a vivid demonstration of the Trinity. And b>he came . . . (v. 18) we have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 1251_z; Ephesians 2:15, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances Law of Moses, Philippians 3:4-9. (Exodus 19:1; Galatians 3:1-29.) 1251_aa; Ephesians 2:16, that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross Reconcilliation. See Colossians 1:20, 21. 1251_bb; Ephesians 2:18, through him we both have access by one Spirit Holy Spirit, Cf. Ephesians 3:5, 16; Ephesians 2:18; (Ref. Ehesians 3:5; 3:16). (Matthew 1:18; Acts 2:4.) 1251_cc; Ephesians 2:19, but fellowcitizens with the saints The True Church, Cf. Ephesians 3:1-10; Ephesians 2:19; Ref. Ephesians 3:1-10.) (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:23.) 1251_dd; Ephesians 2:20, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone Christ (as stone). [Greek: Cope stone, or Final stone.] Romans 9:32-33. (Exodus 17:6; 1 Peter 2:8; See Isaiah 28:16.) 1251_2; Ephesians 2:15, to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace One New Man Here the "new man" is not the individual believer but the church, considered as the body of Christ [one body] in the sense of Ephesians 1:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Colossians 3:10, 11, Hebrews 12:23; See Ref. Ephesians 1:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Colossians 3:10, 11. (See Ref. Note Page 1304_1.). = New Adam, New People. 1252_a; Ephesians 2:21, fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. 1252_b; Ephesians 2:21b, fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple Holy, sanctify (Persons, New Testament), Cf. Ephesians 3:5; Ephesians 2:21. (Ref. Ephesians 3:5; Matthew 4:5; Revelation 22:11.) 1252_d; Ephesians 2:22, In whom ye also are builded together "are [being] builded The local church is in process in this age of Grace. Cf. verse 21, groweth unto an holy temple. 1252_c; Ephesians 2:22, builded together for an habitation of God Habitation with no hatred, no prejudice, no conflict! Exodus 25:8; 1 Kings 5:3, 5; John 2:19-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16. (Ref. John 2:19-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16.) The Church: God's Workmanship ; Ephesians 2:1-10. Ephesians 2:1-10. Introduction: In Ephesians chapter one Paul blessed us with his account of all of the riches and power given to us by our Father in Heaven through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In chapter two Paul reminds us what we were and what we had to deal with before God intervened in our life to give us hope. Do you sometimes feel like you have no hope? Is life getting you down? God has done great things for you. I. Dead A. Read Ephesians 2:1-2. What was our condition when God "found" us? (We were dead.) 1. Why were we dead? (Our transgressions (lapses) and our sins killed us.) B. Ephesians 2:2 tells us that we "used to live" in our transgressions and sins. What does it mean to "live" in sin? Why not just say we sinned in the past? What added meaning comes from the statement that we lived in sin? (Sin is an attitude, a pattern of living. Sin is not so much a specific time that we failed, as it is a pattern and practice of our life.) 1. Paul connects our pattern of sin with "the ways of this world." When I was a young man in Christian schools, it seemed the goal was to have me look "different" from the world in ways that seemed meaningless. What does it mean to avoid following "the ways of this world?" How should we avoid following the "world's ways?"(Just because the world does something, does not mean it is forbidden to us. Paul links the "ways of the world" with the ways "of the ruler of the kingdom of the air." When these two coincide, as they often do, we need to stand clear. Paul sharpens the picture by describing the dead as "those who are disobedient." If looking and acting like the world involves disobedience to God, then you are dead.) Read 2 Corinthians 4:4. Can we trust our own judgment on the ways of the world? II. Air Satan A. Ephesians 2:2 is obviously speaking about Satan. Why is Satan described as the "ruler of the kingdom of the air?" Is this a warning against using wireless microphones at church? (The IVP Background Commentary explains that in Paul's Jewish culture people believed that "evil spirits dominated the lowest realm of the heavens (i.e., the atmospheric realm) far below the realm of God's highest angels and His throne.") 1. Are Paul's words an example of bad science, or can you relate them to the world today? (We can relate this statement in two ways. First, the idea that Satan dominates in the minds of the people of the world seems absolutely true. This reflects Jesus' statements in Matthew 7:13-14. Second, the influence of Satan on the world is revealed in Satan's domination of the "airwaves" today - television and radio.) B. When Ephesians 2:2 refers to "the spirit," is Paul calling Satan a "spirit" like the Holy Spirit? (The Greek word ("pneuma") used here sometimes refers to the Holy Spirit. Demons are often referred to as "spirits." See, e.g. Mark 1:26-27; Matthew 12:45. However, I think the word here is used to describe the attitude of the people. For example, Matthew 5:3 ("poor in spirit") and Mark 8:12 ("sighed deeply in His spirit" [RSV; KJV and ASV]) refers to an attitude or inner thought and not Satan.) 1. As an aside, when I was studying this I noticed that this same Greek word was used in Mark 1:12-13 to describe "the spirit" which drove Jesus into the wilderness to suffer 40 days of temptation by Satan. I have previously taught the Holy Spirit was driving Jesus into the wilderness, and tried to explain what seemed illogical. However, after looking at the way this word can be translated, I now think it was Satan who is the "spirit" who drove Jesus into the wilderness.") C. Are Satan and the evil angels able to be in more than one place at a time like the Holy Spirit? (Compare Revelation 12:10-12 with Matthew 12:43-45; Ref. Revelation 12:10-12 with Matthew 12:43-45. A "spirit" that is present everywhere could not be "hurled down." An omnipresent spirit would not be described as moving to live in a specific person. Satan and his angels have the power to be invisible, but they are not omnipresent (present everywhere at once) as is the Holy Spirit. But see, John 15:26.) 1. What comfort is there in this fact? (You and I are unlikely to have been directly tempted by Satan. He is limited in much the same way we are limited. I can only be in one place on Sabbath physically teaching this lesson. The Internet allows my influence to be felt world-wide. However, no one is influenced by the lesson unless they choose to be. We voluntarily allow into our lives much of the way in which Satan spreads his influence.) D. Read Ephesians 6:12-13. How does this help us to understand Paul's statement in Ephesians 2:2 that we used to follow the ways of the "ruler of the kingdom of the air?" (Our spiritual battle is not against fellow sinners -- people who are like we used to be -- but rather against the influence of evil spread by Satan.) 1. If this is true, how should we act as God's allies? (It seems that condemning individuals in the world (as opposed to sin)is the wrong battle. The right battle is to be sure the influence of our lives and our words and our works is for the truth.) What is your influence at home and at work? Have you considered it? III. The Solution to Trouble A. Read Ephesians 2:3. Whose "wrath" are we talking about? (God's wrath.) 1. What triggers God's wrath in our life? ("Gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.") Do you understand what Paul is writing about? Are you able to identify your "sinful nature" with its "desires or thoughts?" How much of these desires and thoughts can you trace back to allowing "Air Satan" (information over the airwaves) into your life? B. Read Ephesians 2:4-5. When did Jesus save you (us)? (When we were dead.) 1. Would exerting an effort to avoid letting "Air Satan" into our life give us life? (No. God's mercy to us is unmerited. It originates in God's love for us, not in our works. However, when Paul states in Ephesians 2:2 that we "used to live" in ways that followed Satan, he means that changes in our lifestyle are expected.) C. Read Ephesians 2:6-7. Why did God show grace towards us through Jesus? (God is kind to us.) 1. When will we reap the full reward of God's kindness to us? ("In the coming ages." Sometimes we do not feel that life is being kind to us. God gives us life and hope for ages to come when sin will not be part of our everyday experience. It will not then be giving us "bad days.") D. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Is any part of our salvation our responsibility? (In this famous text, Paul tells us that grace is a gift from God and not something that we earn. We, however, have a role to play in it. That role is "through faith." Salvation is not from us, but we must accept it by faith.) E. Read Ephesians 2:10. What role do "works" play in our life? What role does obedience to God play in our life? (We were dead in our sins. Out of His kindness God the Father, through Jesus, gave us eternal life. We did nothing to earn this. We simply accept it by faith. God gave us this new life with the expectation that we would do good works ("created in Christ Jesus to do good works").) F. Friend, God saved you from death and your old life. Will you accept His offer of grace and enter into a new life of service to Him? IV. Continued: The Church Without Walls. The Church Without Walls Ephesians 2:11-22 Introduction: Have you ever felt like an "outsider?" How about in high school? I took my driver's training at a local public high school. I recall walking up to the classroom and seeing a knot of guys standing outside the door. I knew I was an outsider, but I thought I knew one of them. Gathering my courage, I walked up to the group and introduced myself. I did not like the feeling of being an outsider, and wanted to move "in" as quickly as possible. Our lesson today is about moving from an outsider to an insider. I. Outsiders A. Read Ephesians 2:11-12. What is the significance of circumcision? (Read Genesis 17:7 and Genesis 17:11. Circumcision was a sign of agreement between God and an individual. (Specifically Abraham and his descendants.) They agreed on personal loyalty between God and man.) 1. What, then, did it mean (Ephesians 10:11)to be called "uncircumcised." (You had no relationship with God.) 2. Why would a group call themselves "the circumcision?" (They considered that act so important to their spiritual life, that they were known by that name.) a. Is that a problem? b. What about being called a "Baptist?" c. What about being called a "Methodist?" d. What about being called a "Seventh-day Adventist?" e. What problem can arise from over-emphasizing one portion of your beliefs? 3. Notice Paul's aside in Ephesians 2:11: "that done in the body by the hands of men." What would motivate Paul to add this note? What point is he making?(In contrast to those who identify themselves by this single act, Paul downgrades the importance of the act by pointing out it is done by men.) 4. Paul has tossed some insults in the direction of the "the circumcision," but who really is (was) in trouble? (The Gentiles.) a. What were the problems of the Gentiles? (They were without hope and without God.) (1) Consider this for just a moment. In prior times, was salvation only open to the Jews? Make a mental note of your answer. II. Insiders A. Read Ephesians 2:13. What changed everything for the Gentiles? (Jesus.) B. Read Ephesians 2:14-15. Paul tells us the two are now made one. Since he has been talking about the condition of the Jews and the Gentiles, are Jews and Gentiles now one? (Yes - amazingly.) C. How did Jesus convert the "two" into "one?" (Paul tells us: "By abolishing the law with its commandments and regulations.") 1. Wait one minute. What has the law got to do with being a Jew or a Gentile? 2. Aren't we talking about people, not rules? D. Read Acts 10:9-16. What is this vision about? E. Read Acts 10:19 and Acts 10:28. What was at the base of the problem between Jews and Gentiles? (The Gentiles were "unclean" in the eyes of the Jews.) 1. How did the rules (regulations) separate Jew from Gentile? (The whole Mosaic system separated the Jew from the rest of the world. The point of all of these regulations was to be a "clean" and separate people. See, e.g. Leviticus 20:25-26. Being separate from the Gentiles had everything to do with the regulations. Gentiles were "unclean.") F. What subject started our discussion today? (Circumcision.) 1. Was that a "dividing wall" (Ephesians 2:14) between Jews and Gentiles? (Yes.) G. The NIV translates Ephesians 2:15 [Eph. 2:15, KJB] ~ [Eph. 2:15, NIV] a little differently than many other translations. It appears to me that the Greek text says Jesus "abolished in His flesh the hostility, the law of commandments in ordinances." How did Jesus' death on the cross abolish the "ordinances?" (The Jews thought they were superior because of their various ordinances, such as circumcision. Paul is saying that Jesus fulfilled these ordinances and thus they no longer serve as a point of distinction between Jews and Gentiles.) 1. Can an ordinance be commanded by God? Or, are ordinances just some things the Jews thought up to make sure they did not violate God's law? (Since the specific point of discussion is circumcision, let's go back to Genesis 17. Read Genesis 17:9-10. This was a command direct from the mouth of God. This was not something cooked up by Jews as a "good idea.") 2. If an "ordinance" comes straight from the mouth of God, is it any different in importance than one of the Ten Commandments? III. Now One A. Let's review for just a minute so we can dig deeper. Re- read Ephesians 2:15-16. Who is the "one man?" (The combined Jew and Gentile. There is no more conflict between Jew and Gentile. We are now to be at peace.) B. You remember that mental note I asked you to make before? Tell me what salvation looked like for the Jews before Jesus came? (They had no hope of salvation either since they had all sinned. Romans 3:23.) 1. If that is true - Jews also had no hope - why was Paul saying (Ephesians 2:12)that they had all these advantages when it came to salvation? Why would he imply that the Jews had hope and had God? (The Jews had the hope of a coming Messiah (Jesus) and they literally "had" God in the sense that Jesus was one of them. However, in many respects they were just like Gentiles. Without the Messiah they had no hope.) C. What does Paul tell us in Ephesians 2:16 was done for the "one new man" (Ephesians 2:15). (That "one new man" not only has internal peace (between Jew and Gentile) he also has been reconciled to God. Jesus not only fulfilled the ceremonial law - thus eliminating the wall between Jew and Gentile, but Jesus fulfilled the obligations of the Ten Commandments - thus eliminating the wall of hostility between God and us. Romans 8:1-4.) D. Is this "one new man" a clean or unclean man? (Do you follow Paul's line of argument? The Jews said the Gentiles were unclean because they did not follow the Mosaic law (given by God.) Paul tells us that Christ cured that problem. But Jew and Gentile both still had this problem that they were "unclean" in the eyes of God. They were all sinners. Paul tells us that God cured that problem, too. This new man has, to use a computer term, a "virtual clean." He is likely not "clean" (obedient) under the Mosaic law, and he certainly is not "clean" (obedient)under the Ten Commandments (especially as explained (expanded) by Jesus - see Matthew 5:27-28). Jesus did the impossible, He made us all clean in the eyes of God.) E. Read Ephesians 2:17-18. Were Jews nearer to God? (It seems that is what Paul is saying.) 1. Did it matter? (No!) 2. Friend, notice this. No matter how far (or how near) you are to God, with Jesus it does not matter. Not only do those who are far away from God now have access to Him through Jesus, but those who are near need Jesus for their access. You cannot be too bad or too good to be eligible to come. All must repent of sin and claim the salvation made available through Jesus.) IV. A New Church A. Read Ephesians 2:19-22. What is the real church of God? 1. How many walls does this church (household) have? (See Ephesians 2:14 - it has none!) B. What does this text teach us about arrogant "remnant" claims made along denominational lines? (When you start thinking that your little group is "clean" and the rest of Christianity "apostate," then you need to re-read this chapter. God has a remnant all right, a remnant of "God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone." That is the remnant church! C. Friend, God's church is completely open to you. Will you repent of your sins, and become part of the household of God? V. Continued: God's Mystery: The Universal Fellowship. M_69; Ephesians 2:3, we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts Seduction Of The Saints Contemporary Christian Music embraces many different contemporary music styles with a heavily syncopated beat, such as soft rock, smooth jazz, rap and pop/rock, but the father of them all is rock and roll. Rock and roll is a musical style that was created for immoral purposes by immoral men, and has always been used by the world to express its immoral attitudes in song. You have probably heard this before but it is worth repeating here. The name 'rock and roll' originated from a slang phrase for having sex. Rock music is the overwhelming preference of the sexually immoral, of wild partiers, of the strip joints, of drunks, and of drug abusers. Why do you think they all prefer this style to others? The answer should be obvious to any who know rock music. Be honest with yourself as I have. We prefer it because we like the beat, the driving rhythms. Rock music and its offspring have the power to make our flesh and our minds do something. That 'something' must be conducive to the list of immoral behaviors we have just noted, or else these people would simply not use rock music. They would find something else to suit their fleshly desires. It should be no surprise then that this music, which emphasizes sensuality and rebellion, often gives rise to other behaviors that evidences a spirit of immorality. But as a Contemporary Christian Music leader, I fought against anyone who dared to suggest this was happening. One of my favorite comebacks was: 'Well, I don't see any orgies breaking out during the worship set!' Like other Contemporaries, I was blind to the subtle sexual influences creeping into my worship teams and unwilling to admit that my worship music could possibly be tainted by sex. If it was, I honestly could not have used it to usher people into the presence of a holy God. To satisfy any nagging doubts in our consciences, we also had to deny the corrupting power of the music itself. How did we do that? We deceived ourselves into believing that all music is amoral. All we had to do was separate the rock music from the immoral words, musicians and environment, and it would be 'safe' for Christians. Once we were taken in by that clever, relativistic argument, the floodgates were opened and we could enjoy the music guilt-free. We could use our rock music for the glory of God. I now believe that we have been completely deceived by that argument. We are allowing Satan a wide-open door to seduce the saints, to keep our attention on what feels good to us, and to keep us walking in the flesh not walking by the Spirit. Satan wants to diminish what God says is appropriate, and he has tricked us into public practices that used to be considered shameful. If he can get us to do this in our worship service, of all places, he has won, hasn't he? Like Israel, aren't we then guilty of mixing true worship with idolatrous practices? Of course, we don't think we are being immoral or idolatrous. It's all about how we feel. We believe we can handle rock music safely and clean it up, because we are saved and we ask God to use it. Wrong! We cannot separate the style of music from its immoral associations. Rock music inevitably corrupts Christians. Look at what Paul says in Ephesians. See Ephesians 2:3; Ephesians 4:22-24. M_70 Christians still have a sinful nature (the old man) that constantly competes against our new Spirit-filled nature. Rock music is an example of a former conduct that fulfils the desires of the flesh and mind, and feeds the old man that grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts. When it comes to the desires of our flesh, we are supposed to put them off, not put them on. We are supposed to starve the old man, not continue to feed him. Instead, today in the name of worship we are seeing behaviors that once was considered shameful or immoral being displayed publicly on a regular basis in the church. Lei me give you some specific instances of what I mean. Immodest dress Am I the only one who has noticed that some of the ladies in the worship teams or performing special music are wearing provocative dresses or tight, revealing clothing, and doing so on the platform in full view of the congregation? They are imitating secular female artists who dress that way purposely to tease and tempt men. Ladies, the apostle Paul commanded you to dress in 'modest apparel, with propriety and moderation' (1 Timothy 2:9-10). He also said we are not to have even the slightest hint of immorality in our lives (Ephesians 5:3). My wife Judy tells me that a woman's style of dress can do much more that just 'hint', it can advertise. I admit that my old sinful nature retains certain lustful tendencies and I continually have to guard my eyes in order to starve such desires. I am not alone. So do millions of other Christian men and boys. Ladies, please do not put a stumbling block in front of us with your immodest apparel. Sensual movement Is it proper and modest for Christian ladies or gentlemen to dance and sway in a worldly manner, while they sing praise and worship songs to God? No. They are doing this because of the rock music style and beat, not because they want to dance before the Lord like David did. When you combine the sensual dancing with the immodest dress of the women on the platform, you place a very large stumbling block in front of the men of the congregation. The danger of misplaced passion Passion is an important ingredient in worship and praise � but this same passion can become a snare to unwary participants. Does your worship team mix single or divorced men and women together with those who are married? That is an open door for sexual immorality. If you put hot-blooded males and females into a passionate rock music group, there will be strong temptation for sexual sins. Contemporary Christian Music styles facilitate an atmosphere where a female's innate desire to have emotional intimacy with a man can easily be achieved. The problem is, most of the time that man is not her husband. This leads to something called emotional adultery, a problem that can later lead to physical adultery. A cosy mix of men and women in a worship team can also be enough to cause a division between a spouse who is on the team, and one who is not. It invites jealousy and mistrust. Judy saw a unity between the men and women in my groups that did not exist between their spouses who were outside the group. This is a stumbling block to the spouse on the outside. Even if there is no actual physical sin between the members of the worship team, this type of atmosphere is still wrong because it can weaken the marriage bond, leading it to break down in the future. Sadly, this has happened in one of my former groups. I'm sure there must be at least one Contemporary worship leader who is now thinking, 'Come on, Dan, you're being a Puritan! My people can handle this without sinning.' Be very careful, friend. As leaders of the church, we are never to lead the saints into temptation or any hint of immorality. Why would you even permit an environment of potential sexual temptation and emotional adultery to exist in your church service? Of course, this type of sin can rear its ugly head in any musical environment, but Contemporary Christian Music creates an atmosphere that actually fosters it. Extreme personal intimacy in public worship We all desire intimacy in our relationship with the Lord. When we worship together, some of us like to see it displayed in others. This makes us feel good. We all want to reach a point of heightened praise and emotions that tells us, 'Yes! God is here!' So we use Contemporary Christian Music to create this atmosphere. We dim the lights, we design the music to move people where we want to take them and we create the special mood, the right atmosphere. What is wrong with this? It is exactly what the world does to create sexual intimacy. Secular musicians use the same music styles and environmental methods to draw people into sexual intimacy with them. It is all about bringing sensuality into the public forum and breaking down all of our sexual inhibitions. Satan has used this approach for years to encourage people to commit sexual immorality. We cannot use these unholy methods to manipulate God into 'drawing near' to us or fooling ourselves into believing we are drawing closer to him. In fact, what we are really accomplishing is to give Satan more opportunities to ensnare and bring about the spiritual downfall of many unsuspecting victims. A. W. Tozer was blunt in his assessment of this pseudo-intimacy: Much of the singing in certain types of meetings has in it more of romance than it has of the Holy Ghost. Both words and music are designed to rouse the libidinous [lewd; full of lust]. Christ is courted with a familiarity that reveals a total ignorance of Who He is. It is not the reverent intimacy of the adoring saint but the impudent familiarity of the carnal lover (emphasis added). When our worship style imitates the world so closely, we give Satan too good an opportunity to replace the truth with feelings. Just as the intimacy of a marriage relationship should be kept private, I also believe that demonstrating deep spiritual intimacy with the Lord is best kept private. Contemporary Christian Music's baggage Contemporary Christian Music is stuck with this stigma of immorality, because the music styles carry with them the baggage of the world's immorality. It does not matter if you change the lyrics. It does not matter if you change the musicians. It does not matter if you change the record labels. It does not matter if you ask God to sanctify it. Rock music and all its children, and by association Contemporary Christian Music, can and will corrupt the morals of everyone who practices it. Contemporary Christian Music proponents should stop trying to defend their actions and accept what the rest of the world already knows: rock music produces an atmosphere that has no place in the church! Let's not continue to give Satan a foothold in our worship services to seduce the saints. It is time for all of us to accept this reality, to repent of our actions, and to stop allowing any hint of immorality or opportunity for sexual temptation into the worship service. We need to remember that we are worshiping the almighty God, the Holy One of Israel, and his Son Jesus Christ, who now sits at the right hand of the Father in the throne room of heaven. Keys to Family Unity Ephesians 2, Matthew 5 and 22, 1 John 3, Hebrews 13 Families in the Family of God Introduction: There is a very interesting book that presents a new theory on how our brain functions. The book suggests that our brain handles the input for sight, touch, sound, and smell in much the same way. Most scientists (including the writer of my book)seem unable to grasp the obvious - that this points to a Master Designer with a master design. Master designs are also found in the spiritual world. If God's creation is a series of repeating patterns, why should we be surprised that God uses overarching patterns or theories of life (laws)to guide our day to day life. This study of the Bible explores some of these laws! I. One In Jesus' Love A. Read Ephesians 2:11-13. What has Jesus done for the Gentiles? 1. How did He do it? B. Read Ephesians 2:14-16. What was the dividing wall that separated Gentiles from Jews and humans from God? (The law.) 1. How do you explain that the great law of God could separate Jews from Gentiles and humans from God? (The Jews used the law as a basis for considering that they were superior to all other humans. The law separated humans from God because the law showed our sinful nature before a perfect God.) a. How did Jesus "fix" these problems? (By fulfilling the requirements of the law for everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior. Jesus both made us perfect in the sight of God and eliminated the basis for pride among those who "obeyed" the law.) C. Let's analyze this for just a minute . . . just as if we were scientists. What overall theory of life (law of life) has Jesus put in place? (Jesus has shown us that reliance on Him gives us the gift of acceptability. We are sufficient if we rely on Him. Personal pride goes out the window because what Jesus has given us is more than any of us could "earn" by keeping the law.) D. We started out saying that God has "theories of life," . . . which we call "laws" which apply to different aspects of our life. Wasn't the law which separated Jews from Gentiles a "theory of life?" 1. Did one law replace another law? 2. Let's look at a couple of texts. Read Matthew 5:21-22 and Matthew 5:27-28. What is Jesus teaching here about the Ten Commandments? (They reflect deeper principles.) 3. Read Matthew 22:37-40. What does this teach us about the Ten Commandments? (It summarizes the deeper principles.) 4. What do you say now: Did Jesus replace the Ten Commandments with a new theory of life? A new law? (I think the correct answer is that the Ten Commandments were simply ten applications of the fundamental theories of life. They were not themselves fundamental theories of life.) II. One In The Church A. Now let's apply fundamental theories to the church. How appropriate are feelings of superiority or inferiority? (People should be respected for the role that God has given them in the church, but the idea of inferior and superior members is alien to the "fundamental theory" that reliance on Jesus alone makes us all sufficient.) 1. When I was young, my parents pointed out to me in this small church that we visited all of the "professionals" sat on one side of the church and all of the "laborers" sat on the other. Did the members of this church understand the fundamental theory that reliance on Jesus makes us all sufficient? B. Read 1 John 3:16-18. What theory of life do we find here? (We started out saying that reliance on Jesus makes us all sufficient in God's eyes and in each other's eyes. We became sufficient because Jesus died for us. The idea that we owe an obligation of love to others because Jesus loved us is another overarching theory of life.) C. How does John say this fundamental theory of life should apply in the church? (Since Jesus loved us enough to die for us, we should love each other in the church with deeds, not just words.) III. One In The World A. Let's take our theories of life outside the church. Does this same rule (that our worth comes from Jesus) apply to society in general? Does it apply even to people who do not believe in Jesus? (A candid book, The Bell Curve, revealed that a person's income and "professional" status are generally a predictor of intelligence. Thus, certain levels of intelligence are necessary for certain jobs. We often "rank" people in the world according to their money and position. What person chooses their own intelligence? Relative intelligence is a gift from God, it is not the result of personal choice. Thus pride should, once again, go out the window.) 1. If intelligence is not based on a choice, and thus not a basis to "rank," on what basis should we rank people? (Loving others is a choice. The extent of our ability to love is not something determined at birth. If we want to rank people we should rank them according to their love for others.) B. Read Hebrews 13:5-6. We discussed how our reliance on Jesus levels the playing field when it comes to salvation, pride and status. What other benefit comes to us from following the theory of life of reliance on Jesus? (Jesus will be with us in the practical challenges of life. We can rely on Him and put away our worries.) 1. Why does Hebrews speak of "love of money" and being "content?" What has that to do with relying on Jesus? (Humans rely on their wealth to protect them from the world. The Bible says, "The wealth of the rich is their fortified city." Proverbs 10:15. Jesus says that He is better than wealth for protection against the problems of the world.) a. Have you found this to be true in your life? C. Read Philippians 2:3-4. Is this a new fundamental theory of life? Or, is it simply a reflection of one of the fundamental theories that we have already discussed? (It reflects the fundamental theory of loving others as much as we love ourselves. It reflects the fundamental theory of reliance on Jesus for both our self-worth and for solving problems in our life.) 1. How can we ever get ahead in the workplace with this kind of attitude? (Read Philippians 2:6-9. This teaches us that true success in life comes from the actions of God in our life.) IV. One In The Family A. Let's apply these theories of life to our family. Parents are entitled to respect. But, are they entitled to believe that they are superior to their children? 1. I've seen situations in which the father was jealous about the success of his son. What fundamental theories of life does that violate? (It hardly seems to show self-sacrificing love. It does not recognize that value comes from reliance on Jesus.) 2. What about jealously over the success of a sibling? (If we love our children, if we love our brothers and sisters, we want them to succeed. If we realize that we are all sufficient in Jesus, then there is no need for competition in the family. If we are content in Jesus, then competition fades away.) B. Does this theory of life apply between husband and wife? (Yes, this gets back to one of my favorite texts in the Bible: Ephesians 5:28, "He who loves his wife loves himself.") C. Friend, making Jesus the center of our life, recognizing the theory of life that reliance on Jesus makes us sufficient and provides protection against the problems of life, alters our perception of others and the world. Will you try to apply the fundamental theories of life to your everyday experience? V. Next: Homes of Peace and Healing. Related Topics: Conscience Labor Lust Stealing The Eighth Commandment Trust Work Work Ethic Additional Resources  • Adam Clark Commentary  • Burton Coffman  • Barnes' New Testament  • Darby's Synopsis  • Gill's Exposition  • Geneva Study Bible  • David Guzik's Commentaries  • Jamieson, Fausset, Brown  • Matthew Henry Complete  • Matthew Henry Concise  • People's New Testament  • Robertson's Word Pictures  • Treasury of Scripture  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes Top of SRB References ^ Top of JFB Comentary ^ Top Of Adam Clarke Commentary ^ Top of Page ^ Copyright Statement These files are considered public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available in the Online Bible Software Library. Bibliography Information Scofield, C. I. "Scofield Reference Notes on Ephesians 2". "Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)". <http://www.studylight.org/com/srn/view.cgi?book=eph&chapter=002>. 1917.