The Core Values of the New Society

Ephesians 6:21-24

Introduction:

In preparing for joining the WTO, the Chinese government declared last Thursday as its first "?????". Expressing that as it enters another era in the global economic community, the Rule of Law will be one of its core values. For the last 5 years the Talibans had ruled Afghanistan according to the strictest interpretation of the Islamic Law. Every society at different time has its own set of core values.

Different families and individuals have their own specific core values. After 911, many of the younger generations have readjusted their values in life. In our study of the book of Ephesians during the past few months, we have learned about the characteristics of God's new society on earth, that is His church. It tells us that Christ has brought peace between men and God and men with men. Paul also provides us with detailed instructions on how to live out such peace in a sinful and broken world. We learned how to live with other believers in the Christian community. Husbands and wives live in a relationship that expresses submission and unconditional love. In his conclusion, Paul reminds us of the reality of the spiritual warfare. Our enemy, the devil, is doing his best to pull us away from God, destroying harmony in the Christian community. Besides warning us about the ferocity of the warfare, he also points us to victory through Jesus Christ.

This morning we come to the last 4 verses of this letter to the Ephesians. Even though the concluding remarks are similar to other letters, yet they reflect some of the core values in a Christian community. In this passage we shall see a simple truth: when we affirm the basic core values, we'll begin to see God's reality and presence among us.

I. A Community that treasures People.

Tuesday's Houston Chronicle's headline news read: Enron lay off 4000. During the last several months, especially since 911, over 300K workers had been laid off. One can't help but wonder that in the modern society, employees are just another resource. Like buildings and equipments, people are just another commodity. They are important only when they are useful to the company. No wonder so many of the laid off employees felt angry and betrayed.

I remember shortly after I came to HCC, there was a schedule conflict between the staff meeting and visited someone going through a difficult time. I asked Pastor Chan what to do. Without any hesitation, he responded, "people are always more important than meetings." From the few words in verses 21,22, we also see how Paul values individuals. That one of the core values in any Christian community is that People are important. How is this expressed?

1. We are loved in the Christian community.

Listen to how Paul addressed Tychicus. "My dear brother". The one whom I love. This word 'beloved' is also used to describe how the apostle John is loved by Jesus Christ.

In our society, we are treasured for our contribution to the organization. When our contribution ceases, then our value to the group also disappears.

But in God's household, a person's value is not to be determined in terms of his/her contribution. We treasure each other because we are all bearers of God's image. And because of God's image in us, we have dignity and value, therefore we are to love one another. We love you not because of your wealth, health, appearance or contribution. We love you because you are God's image bearer.

Recently I was talking to someone undergoing a difficult time in life. He expressed his thankfulness when he knew many in his fellowship group were praying for him. How he appreciated their love and concern. Sharing like this always deeply touched me. You see, by showing our love, we demonstrate how we treasure People.

2. Affirmation

Paul also addresses Tychicus as: faithful servant. First, we are all servants in God's household. Secondly, Paul did not say, Tychicus the successful servant. For he had completed so many projects for me or had brought so many people to Christ. No, simply a faithful servant. A faithful servant is one who does his best in what is entrusted to him. The focus is not necessarily on the result, which is important, but more important is the process. By addressing Tychicus as the faithful servant, Paul was also publicly affirming him. He is saying, I want you to know that he is a faithful servant. Isn't that refreshing? How do you feel when someone affirms you, saying that you are a faithful servant. It makes you feel good, right?

In God's family, we should be generous with our words of affirmation. Our society is very cynical. We doubt and question those in authority. We try to find faults in others to make us feel good and superior. Sometimes we even hear Christians say, if I affirm him, he will become proud. No, this is not right. When we treasure people in our community, we learn to be generous in affirming them. When I treasure my spouse and children, I will be generous in affirming them, privately and publicly.

3. Encouragement.

Apparently this letter will be hand delivered by Tychicus to the church at Ephesus. Besides delivering this letter, Tychicus will also be telling the Ephesians about how Paul is doing under house arrest. What is the purpose of this letter and information? To encourage them. One can certainly think of the problems in the church at Ephesus. There must be tension among the various groups of believers, therefore Paul has to remind them that Christ has broken down the walls between them. There are conflicts and problems in family life, therefore Paul reminds them what a Christian home is like.

Instead of laying guilt on them, Paul wants to encourage them. You see, when we treasure People, when we think relationship is important and people are very valuable, we won't lay guilt on them. Instead, we do our best to encourage them, telling them to move on, with the help of the Holy Spirit, they can be victorious over temptations and sins. We are like cheerleaders, clapping hands and cheering them on towards the finish line.

Isn't this also true in our family life? When we treasure each other, when we treasure our spouse and children, we won't make them feel guilty. We do our best to encourage them, to move them along. Words like, "you are doing good, you can make it, you are almost there" are encouraging words. On the other hand, "how come you are so stupid, can't even do this, why are you so lazy" are discouraging words, making them feel guilty and useless. In this community of believers, we are to be generous with encouragement.

4. Transparency.

Another characteristic of a community that treasures people is transparency. Here, Paul mentions twice that Tychicus will tell them how he is and how he is doing. Earlier in our study we learn that Paul asks the Ephesian Christians to pray for courage and clarity of speech. He is not afraid to let others know his weaknesses, so they can pray for him.

In this community of believers, we also need to create an atmosphere where people feel free and comfortable to admit their weaknesses without the fear of being looked down on and feeling guilty. We learn to respond with kind and encouraging words when others share with us their fears and frustrations.

A community that treasures people provides an environment where individuals can feel secure to be transparent.

II. A community that treasures Peace.

In Paul's final greeting, he wishes peace, love and grace to be with the Christians at Ephesus. They are important values in the Christian community.

In the early chapters of this letter Paul focuses on the peace that is from God. It does not mean that there will be no troubles while on earth. This is about our peace with God. Jesus Christ is the peace. He is the one that brings peace between men and God. Through his death and resurrection, we are reconciled with God. There is no more hostility between God and us. Therefore, we can also be at peace with ourselves.

And because of Jesus Christ, there is also peace among men. We can begin to live harmoniously with each other. However, because of sins and personality differences, we still experience conflicts, strained and broken relationships among us. But we must not see this as the norm, rather as obstacles we need to overcome. We learn to appreciate those who are different from us. We learn that God will use different people, different personalities and behavior styles to sharpen us, causing us to become more Christ like. With the help of the Holy Spirit we do our best to mend those broken relationships. For in this community, our peace with God is always manifested in our peace with others.

III. A community that treasures Love.

The third core value is love. In the Chinese translation, we have love and faith separated. In other translations, it is love with faith. It means that we already have that faith when we put our trust in Jesus Christ. So here the emphasis is on Love. What is the source of peace? Love. God loves us and wants to have a loving relationship with us. So he sent his son to die on the cross for our sins so that we can be at peace with him. It is love that brings Jesus to earth and die on the cross. It is love that brings us peace with God and peace with men.

In this Christian community, we also need God's love. Without God's love, we are selfish and self-centered. We only think of our interest and needs. We care little about relationships. Yes, we care, but too often we use those relationships, including marital relationships to satisfy our own needs.

As I experience God's love, as I know and feel loved by God, I also learn to love others. When I love you, then I care about our relationships. I will care about the unresolved conflicts between you and me. I will take the risk and take the initiative to reconcile with you. Yes, some broken relationships are difficult to restore. But what a joy and peace when we can live in harmony with those we love, with those who are close to us. Yes, we are all loved by God. But is this love expressed in our living in harmony with those that God brings into our lives, those in this community of believers?

IV. A community that treasures Grace.

Another core value of this Christian community is grace. Paul writes, "Grace to all who love our lord Jesus Christ with an undying love." In some translations, this undying is used to qualify Grace. God's undying Grace will be on those who love him. The emphasis is on God's grace. Grace is that which we do not deserve and yet God in his love has given us. God's love and peace are his grace, for we don't deserve any of them. Being loved by others, our family, our job, health and ministry are all evidences of God's grace. In other words, as sinners living in this sinful and broken world, everything I have is God's grace. Grace is like that big umbrella, under which we have love, peace. We constantly live under God's grace.

The older I grow, the more I realize how much I am dependent on God's grace. Like that familiar hymn, "its all grace".

Having experienced God's grace, then what is my response? First of all I am to love him by listening to and obeying his instruction. Secondly, having experienced God's grace, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I also learn to be gracious to others. Meaning loving those that are not so lovable, forgiving those who have hurt me, getting rid of bitterness and resentment towards those who have wronged me. Conclusion:

What are some of the core values of this Christian community at HCC? It is a community that treasures People, Peace, Love and grace.

Last week George Harrison died. He was the youngest of the Beatles and yet the most spiritual. His life and career was described as one that pursues peace and love. He pursued something that the other Beatles could not teach him. His songs such as Sweet Jesus, Everyone needs Love expressed his search. He tries to find God and peace through meditation in the eastern religion.

In our study of the bible, isn't it clear that God is the only source of peace and love? Yes, we can tell George Harrison and others like him to come to God. But you know what, God has chosen you and me, chosen this and other Christian communities to demonstrate the reality of love and peace. When others come into this community and experience the value and dignity of individuals, the reality of peace, love and grace, they too will begin to see God's reality.

Rev. William Hsueh   Dec.09 , 2001    Houston Chinese Church,  Houston, Texas