All Things Reunited in Christ
A Sermon on Ephesians 1:10
Originally preached Feb. 6, 1955
Scripture
10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Sermon Description
How does one make sense of today’s world? What message do Christians have for those around them? According to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Christians have been given the ultimate revelation that gives an unique, supernatural perspective of everything. What natural humanity cannot see or understand, God has revealed to the Christian this profound mystery: God is reuniting together all things in Christ. In this sermon on Ephesians 1:10 titled “All Things Reunited in Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expands upon this cosmic theme. While he maintains the orthodox position in rejecting universalism, Dr. Lloyd-Jones also pushes against the narrow view that only the redeemed and angels are part of God’s universal purpose. Instead, he argues, all of creation, excluding fallen people and fallen angels, will be united in Christ in perfect harmony at the end of the ages. Christians are face to face with a reality beyond personal salvation. Paul is taking the reader to a place finite minds can barely consider. Hear Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain this great truth and see what it means for engagement with the world.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Ephesians 1:10 which talks about God's ultimate plan to reunite all things in Christ.
- The word "dispensation" refers to God's plan or economy. In this verse, it refers to God's ultimate plan.
- The "fullness of times" refers to the time following Jesus's incarnation. We are now in the last days where God's plan is being carried out.
- God's plan is to reunite all things in Christ, both in heaven and on earth. This means reuniting everything under Christ's headship.
- There are different views on what "all things" refers to. It does not refer to universal salvation of all beings or universal redemption of all intelligent beings. It also does not just refer to Jews and Gentiles or just the redeemed.
- The correct view is that "all things" refers to the good angels, the redeemed on earth, creation, and the earth itself.
- Originally, all things were under Christ's headship in perfect harmony. But this harmony was destroyed by the fall of angels and men.
- God's plan is to restore this original harmony. For men, this happens through redemption in Christ. For angels, the good angels will be brought into harmony but the fallen angels will remain outside. For creation, there will be a new heaven and new earth.
- We have the privilege of being part of this great plan of God. We should focus on these eternal truths rather than passing world events. God's plan will be carried out regardless of what happens on earth.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on God's Ultimate Plan for Unity in Christ
What is the "mystery of God's will" that Paul refers to in Ephesians 1:10?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the mystery of God's will is His ultimate plan to "reunite all things in Christ." This is God's grand, comprehensive, final purpose - not merely for world unity, but for the unity of the entire cosmos. The mystery that has been revealed to believers is that God has a great plan, a tremendous economy that He's bringing into play. This plan began at the incarnation of Christ and continues to be worked out until its final completion.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say is the significance of the word "dispensation" in Ephesians 1:10?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "dispensation" has two main meanings: from the standpoint of one in authority, it means "a plan, a scheme, an economy"; from the standpoint of one under authority, it means "an office, a stewardship, or an administration." In this verse, since it refers to God, it clearly means God's plan or economy. He states, "We have been given this knowledge and this insight, says the apostle, this knowledge of God's great plan, that's the mystery. The mystery that has been revealed is that God has got a great plan."
What does the phrase "fullness of times" mean according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "fullness of times" refers to the climax of the ages that happened at the incarnation of Christ. He points out that the same expression is used in Galatians 4:4 regarding Christ's coming into the world. Time has been divided by Christ's coming, and everything since then is referred to in Scripture as "the last times" or "the last days." God's great plan began to come into operation at the birth of Jesus, and is being worked out in these "last days" until it is finally completed.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the most important word that is often left out in translations of Ephesians 1:10?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the word "again" as critically important but often omitted in translations. The Greek word used by Paul is a compound word beginning with "Ana," which means "again." So rather than simply "to gather together" or "to sum up," the text actually means "to bring together again" or "to reunite" all things in Christ. This indicates that things were once in a unified state under Christ, then fell into disharmony, and will be restored to harmony once more.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones interpret "all things in heaven and on earth" in Ephesians 1:10?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones rejects several interpretations, including universal salvation of all beings, the view that it refers merely to Jews and Gentiles, or that it only refers to believers who have died and those who remain alive. Instead, he argues that "things in heaven" includes the good angels that kept their first estate, and "things on earth" includes not only the redeemed people but also creation itself - the earth, animals, and all creation. The plan involves restoring harmony to the entire cosmos under Christ's headship.
According to the sermon, what was the original state of the universe before sin?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the original state as one of perfect harmony under Christ. Everything was created by Christ and for Christ - not only the world, men, and animals, but angels, thrones, principalities, and powers. There was a perfect, complete state of harmony with Christ as the head of all. Everything worked downward from Christ and everything worked upward back toward him in perfect harmony.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say this original harmony was broken?
The harmony was broken in two main stages. First, there was rebellion in heaven when the devil rebelled and fell, taking many angels with him, creating discord in heaven itself. Second, this fallen devil tempted humans, who also fell, resulting in discord among people (quarreling, warfare, bloodshed, jealousy). Even creation itself suffered as a result, as the earth was cursed following man's fall.
What comfort does Dr. Lloyd-Jones offer to Christians living in troubled times?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers the comfort that God's ultimate plan is certain and cannot be thwarted by world events. He states: "There is no bomb that can be invented... no bacteria that can be cultivated... no chemicals, no gases that can be invented by the inferno itself that can ever touch to the slightest extent these things. That's God's plan. And God's plan is going to be carried out." Christians can remain calm in world crises because they know God's ultimate purpose will be accomplished regardless of immediate outcomes.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the final restored harmony?
The final restored harmony will include: redemption and reconciliation of believers to God and to one another; good angels joining with the redeemed in praising Christ; the earth itself being renewed ("a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness"); creation being "delivered from the bondage of corruption"; humans restored to their intended position as lords of creation; and peace throughout nature (as described in Isaiah's prophecy of the wolf dwelling with the lamb). Most importantly, this restored harmony will never be undone again.
What practical advice does Dr. Lloyd-Jones give to believers in light of this teaching?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones advises believers to: 1. Read less of newspapers and more of the Bible 2. Avoid frittering away Scripture by trying to reduce it to terms of contemporary events 3. Focus on God's ultimate plan rather than being overly focused on interpreting current events 4. Rejoice in the certainty that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ 5. Find comfort in knowing we have a part in God's eternal plan regardless of world circumstances
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.