The Cross and Emancipation From Circumscribed Horizons — T. Austin-Sparks

Lord, we can only pray from our heart, under the very deep sense of need, of dependence, of longing, that Thyself will stand fully possessed of every moment of this time and of this day, to give Thyself with great application, wisdom, love and power to securing the completion, so far as this time is concerned, of thought.

Have in mind, in bringing us together, Thou didst say, after feeding that multitude, gather up, gather up. Remains over, nothing be lost, nothing be lost. Believe that this is Thine own desire, that nothing be lost.

And we pray that Thou would bring this very definitely into this day, that nothing be lost. We ask, in the name of the Lord Jesus, occupation with the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through this week, and our tracing of its application to different situations and conditions, represented by letters of the Apostle Paul.

The Cross in the Letter to the Ephesians

So, we have this morning arrived at the letter to the Ephesians, and the place, the place and the meaning that the cross has in that letter, may have read it before the meeting, or that some knowledge of it exists in your minds, so that it is not necessary for me to give you the content of the whole letter.

We are not concerned with that at this time, but with this one focus, what has the cross to say to us through this letter. The mention of the cross in the letter is infrequent, but references to it, by way of implication, are very ethical.

So, recall that early the Apostle addresses these believers as those who have been quickened together with Christ, and raised together with him. That thought occurs more than once in the letter, implying that these believers had come by way of the death and the burial, the resurrection, and that they now stood on the other side of the cross.

The cross had had its place, largely done its work in them. They, standing on resurrection ground, were now able, at least to be shown, the meaning of the cross is in its greater fullness. Again, we are impressed with the spiritual sequence of things in these letters.

We have said the divine arrangement of them, so different from the human chronological arrangement, that you move in real spiritual sequence in these letters, they are given to us by the Holy Spirit in this present order.

What I have just intimated is very apparent and patient. In the movement from Galatians to Ephesians, in Galatians something had to be got out of the way, head of that giant, that Goliath, Judaism, and every other ism represented by it, had to be cut off, that giant had to be decapitated.

Put aside all legalisms of every kind, everything that makes Christ smaller than he is, makes the gospel smaller than it is, everything speaking of limitations had to be put out of the way, before you can get to Ephesians.

Because, we are going to see, Ephesians is the emancipation from circumscribed horizons, the cross and emancipation from all serpents. You move in a big realm, aren't you? When you come into this letter, and of course, anybody who knows this letter, knows what a boundless it represents.

I'm not going to recapitulate a lot of things, that I have said in the little book, with which some of you may be familiar, the stewardship of the mystery, but I can remind you that this is the letter, more than any other in the New Testament, of superlative.

Indeed, this man of such tremendous ability, intellectually and in other ways, was hard put to it, when he wrote this letter to find language, to express what was in his heart, what he had come to think.

His superlatives just topple over one another, and spoil all his grammar. He will just build it up, speeding abundantly above all, and so on. It's the letter of superlatives, and therefore we can rightly sum it up in this way, as the letter of emancipation from every limited horizon.

Mind you again, there is a real absence, in this sequence, that A .I. goes back to the Old Testament, and A .I.'s issue having been settled, and A .K. the element that would pull the people back, onto the old Corinthian ground, we have him here.

A .K. having been removed, with all that belonged to him, wife and children, it looks very cruel, very untimely, ruthless, to pull A .K. out, and his family, and stone them all to death. But you must remember, the Bible moves on spiritual principles.

Anything to do with the thing, the A .K. and any related thing, to this, that Galatians represents, has got to be, wholly and entirely, put out of the way. As Paul said, let it be anathema, and again I say, let it be anathema.

He is not having any compromise, with any ism, that limits Christ, or ground, that is smaller than Christ. And that all being dealt with, so thoroughly, now come out into these great expanses, of Christ, which this letter represents.

And if I indicate a few things, cannot do more than just indicate them, with the most restricted comment, you will have to take it away, and spread it over, for all your future time with the Lord. But it is one thing, into which all these things are gathered, with which we are concerned, on this last day of the feast, or so far as I am.

You will get more present. Here then we have in this letter, a whole series of transitions, from the limited to the unlimited. A whole series. First of all, there is the transition, from the earthly to the heavenly.

From the Earthly to the Heavenly

All who know this letter, know that the characteristic phrase, of this letter, five times repeated, is, in the heavenly. This has taken place, in the horizon, far back, from earth. From the earthly, to the heavenly.

The heavenly, in Christ Jesus. You know quite well, that that is a difficult idea, to grasp. And of course the natural mind, immediately, gets picked out there, far away. What do you mean by that? And it is said, that some people are so heavenly, that they are no earthly good.

On to this in a minute. Let us get quite clear, as to what this really means, in the heavenly. It is true, that Christ now, is in heaven. It is true, that there is, a super mundane realm, in which, principalities and powers, world rulers of this darkness, hosts of wicked spirits, operate.

And on that again. It is true, that there is a realm, but it can be very, unpractical, if it is just a mental conception. A remote abyss. The first thing said about this, is that we have been made to sit, in the heavenly, in Christ Jesus.

But we haven't. In another sense, we are sitting here, in this place. And very literally so. Possibly as the hours go on, with the talking, you feel it is very literal, to have to sit there. Very real.

And so, an element of unreality, can, come into our mentality, when we, read this phrase, repeatedly, in the heavenly. What is really, meant by that? Well of course, our names are written in heaven. In Christ, in heaven, we have our place.

And all our resources, are in him, and to come from him, as there. Our government, has to be from heaven. Many other things. But even so, this has got to be brought, more definitely, into our, knowledge, our experience, experience of being in the heaven.

That is the point. And until, we've got that settled, all this about, emancipation from limited horizons, is rather beautiful conception. What is it? Now let me say at once, it is, for all practical purposes, in the Christian life, here and now, in this world, in this life, it is an inward thing.

An inward thing. That is not, the exact, of the original language. It is born, from above, new birth. If you really, have come into, the experience of the new birth, from above, what is your first conscious, your first awareness, from that time?

Something that, you come to realize, right at the beginning. You know quite well, that you, you've parted, with this world, and this earth. That is, if you no longer belong, here. Something has happened, that has, been in the nature of, of a translation, inwardly.

Your interest. Those interests which were, no longer your interest. Your association. Your own people now, your own people, are the Lord's people. Your gravitation, is toward, heavenly things. It's an inward awareness, and consciousness.

And we all know something, as we go on, in the life with the Lord, that becomes, more and more, we are, on a spiritual pilgrimage, spiritual pilgrimage, inside of ourselves. And our pilgrimage, is away, away, away.

We find it, increasingly difficult, to be at rest, at home, in the things of this world, and the things which the people of this world, have as their ultimate. Now that's very simple, isn't it? But note, the apostle is saying this, to people who had gone, a fair way, on the pilgrimage.

He'd been with these people, in Ephesus, and he said to them, dear elders, I have not shunned to declare unto you, the whole counsel of God. They had gone, quite a way, and yet, here he is, after all, in this particular connection, as we shall see in others, saying to Christians, to Christians well on the way, your life, your life, is not here.

Don't expect, anything here. Don't look for anything here. All your resources, are outside, and to come to you, from outside. Truly as ever, the manna had to come, from heaven, in type and symbol, in the wilderness, day by day.

So you have, to, and you can, learn to live, every day, from about, I say that's almost elementary, and simple, but, what is your history? I say to you, that after, I don't want to mention the number of years, of seeking, to walk with the Lord, today, today, with all the gray hairs, and all the years, and all the experience, never a day comes, but what, more than ever before, I am conscious, that unless the Lord supplies, from heaven today, I'll not get through.

They're not words. It has to be like that. And even after the greatest fullness, you might have had, a large fullness yesterday, but it closed the day, with very, rich provision from the Lord, to begin the day, as though we never had anything, and start all over again.

It's true. It's got to be like that. That is the first, great horizon, into which, we are emancipated, from earth, our whole activity, and it is a true, spiritual life, if the cross has really, cut in between us, and this world.

If we really have reached, the sixth chapter, of the letter to the Galatians. The last word, about the whole situation, of the earth touch, and the earth bond. God forbid, that I should glory, save in the cross, of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the world, is crucified to me.

If we really have, reached that point of the cross, in a position, really in a position, to know this, wonderful, and large, heavenly sustenance, heavenly provision, heavenly fullness, with every spiritual, blessing, in the heavenlies, in Christ Jesus.

Where, inwardly we, it's an inward thing, an inward consciousness. You know, I'm tempted, to put in a big, parenthesis there, every spiritual blessing. Impossible, I think, to say even a sentence, that would be adequate.

But I'll remind you, I'll remind you, of what the apostle, mentions here. Some of the spiritual blessings, into which we have come, by reason, of this transition, inwardly, in the spiritual life. What does he say, as these blessings, chosen in him, chosen in Christ, before the foundation of the world.

Have you ever tried to contemplate that? Is that a blessing? No accident in our salvation, the working out of an eternal, chosen in him. There I mention it, predestinated, to be conformed, to the image of his son.

What a blessing. In the billow, I spent a whole conference on that alone, didn't we? Redeemed in whom, we have our redemption. Enlightened, enlightened, these are words in Ephesians. Enlightened, endowed, healed.

The finish, you know, with the twelve baskets, full over. With such a conception, an igniting conception, of that into which, we have been brought. With our horizons full, the latterly one, of the transitions, from the earthly, to the next.

From Time Into Eternity

Transition from time, into eternity, for the foundation of the world, is where it begins. And unto the ages of the ages, where it ends. Lifted completely out of, you know, in the other summaries, of the blessings, in Christ, given, by Paul, which we have considered this week.

He says about the love of Christ, shall life, or death, these are big things, the compasses of this earth, sojourn, life and death. He says, no, they lose their power. They are ruled out, here, in this horizon, of eternity.

How I'd like to dwell upon, before the foundation of the world, the counsel of God, from eternity, concerning the trust, the church. And I think I must stop back here, for this little bracketed statement.

That word, pre-death, can limit your horizon, if you're not careful. I, I, see the tragedy, spread out, of theology. I know, the companies of the Lord's people, going on, in the freedom, the liberty, the life, and the joy, all moving on, predestination, and it's theological, imperfectly, how they're going around in this, get anywhere, and it's like a dead hand, a dead hand, on everything.

Be careful, because predestination, has nothing to do, with individual salvation. Get that? It has to do, with the eternal vocation, of the church. The church, where you get the word, has intended to be helpful, to throw the horizon back, to deliver us, from this awful bondage.

From the Temporal to the Spiritual

It's one of the isms, you know. Great man, good man, the ism, be careful. From time, into eternity, we are emancipated. Thirdly, from the temporal, to the spiritual, something very helpful, we can, it really is a deliverance, this, an enlargement, to realize that, the temporal, that is, the things of this life, things of this life, and the things of time, things which make up our daily life, the events, the happenings, the permissive will of God, in so many things, and the directive will of God, in other things.

All that has to do, with our human life here, is governed, by the spirit. If we are in this comfort, in Christ, as I said, that in Romans, you have the whole thing, gathered up, comprehensively, and then the letters following, break it up.

And so out of Romans, we bring this to here, all things work together, for good. To them that love God, don't stop there, are the call, in a minute, that's the great work, this letter, so that the temporal things, your disappointment, emancipate it out, burn down to me, indicate God, give you a motive, a horizon, into which, this letter puts it, workers in the church, might just end up with me, in Hyde Park, my teens, and I was a boxer, boxing by my brother, had split, said to this fellow, look here, my friend, let me give you, a real lift, right from the shoulder, on the point of your jaw, and then you say, there's no such thing as pain, will you stand by your philosophy?

Well he wasn't alone, I think his, philosophy broke down, at that point, it never happened, do you see what I mean? Are you real? You're never given a chance, to say yes or no, I'm here, without any option, being given to me, and I do not, therefore, take any responsibility, for being here in this world, you're not surprised are you, that you have little tiny Christians, I have seen, what is it these people, with all it's nonsense, the life of this man, to be up, him out of that system, by preaching, or by persecution, man right out, into this Ephesian position, but what, he has seen Christ, the implications, and significance, of Jesus Christ, in God's universe, and one of the great implications, the church, which is his body, he's out, so out, as you find him, in Galatians, offering him, by the very thing, that he once, found his very life, this is a large horizon, this is emancipation, I don't want to call anyone's, Christian life into question, cast any aspersions, but I believe, that if the cross is known, as it ought to be, you'll be out, of your rhythms, and everything, give up, this and that, ought I?

Oh no, you won't go round, consulting with flesh and blood, the thing has been done to you, and you'll have to say, I'm out, it is out, so much is left behind, however great was, Diana of the Ephesians, and her temple, ah, what a poor, poor thing it is, that once you've seen, the heavenly, well there we are, there is one more thing, but it's all included, in what I've been saying, you notice as you come to this, letter to the Ephesians, the apostle, when he begins to, unburden his heart, in the letter, not long, after he's got it, he's almost overwhelmed, he feels the hopelessness, of this, getting this over, you ever felt like that?

Spiritual Revelation Beyond Intellectual Understanding

Why, it's good ministry, when you do feel like that, you know, your heart is so full, you've got something, so great, my how, that's what ministry ought to be, and he started out, on this, and it wasn't long, before, so to speak, I don't think he was writing it himself, he had an Immanuel, who was writing it, at his dictation, but, so to speak, it wasn't long for him, he put the pen down, and dropped on his knees, in the presence, of the overwhelmingness, of this great, dimension, as I bow my knees, unto the father's word, that he would grant unto you, Ephesians, who've had so much, know so much, whom I've given so much, yet to you, with all that you have, that he would grant unto you, a spirit of wisdom, and revelation, in the knowledge of him, the eyes of your heart, being enlightened, Ephesus, the seat of learning, the seat of all the library, of the books, of pagan mysticism, you know, when they were converted, when they came to the Lord, these believers, they gathered all their books, of the mysteries, into a heap, and the price is given, all the learning, all the mysteries, that he would grant unto you, a spirit of wisdom, and revelation, in the knowledge of him, that's why he's speaking about, the mysteries of Christ, here, other mysteries, the eyes of your heart, being enlightened, you Ephesians, who've had all this in the books, oh there is, a horizon of knowledge, of spiritual knowledge, spiritual understanding, which leaves death, as mere ashes, nothing, all that, a spirit of wisdom, and revelation, in the knowledge of him, which is beyond all human ability, to comprehend, that's what he said, I have not seen, neither have ear heard, nor has it entered, into the heart of man, which God has prepared, for them that love him, God, by his spiritual man, can never, never, in the dark, in the power, by nature, now Paul isn't, isn't a game moving, in abstract realms, don't you know something, you may say you know, very little, but don't you know something, of this, that the eyes of your heart, have seen what, you could never, have grasped, or understood, until, until you were born, from a man, you may not, be able to explain it, any more than that man, born blind, in John 9, when they, try to put him through, his faces on, explaining, his experience, how did he, explain it, define it, poor chap, he's out of his depth, as far as, and definition, the only thing is to say, well how he did it, I don't know, who he is, I don't know, but one thing I do know, I was blind, and I see, now you may not comprehend, all the truth, but it is a work, of the Holy Spirit, that is leading us, beyond all our, abilities, intellectually, or any other way, beginning to soon know, it's startling, it's very startling, that angels, you think a lot of angels, don't you, angels don't know, what is being revealed, to the church, which means angels, desire to look in, I don't want to, too much, what I'm saying is, here's an understanding, and knowledge, by all revelation, of the Holy Spirit, take us far outside, of this poor capacity, mental capacity, or any other capacity, into another realm, that's how it ought to be, it ought to be, thank God, for some of us, that has happened, through that great crisis, of the cross, it has happened, a new dimension, of spiritual knowledge, and understanding, has opened, and although today, we have to say, we're only on the fringe, the fringe, all is so much, beyond us, nevertheless, it represents, a very big transition, from what it was before, the cross planted, in our natural mind, in order to bring us, spiritual mind, taking us through death, onto resurrection ground, where there's such an extent, Lord Jesus lived, and labored under, certain, very real limitations, to him, not in himself, but those in others, his disciples, his disciples, how he tried, to make them understand, that no, no, their horizon, was just the natural one, and he cried, I have a baptism, to be baptized with, and how I am, until it be accomplished, oh, that it were all, already accomplished, the groan of an imprisoned spirit, imprisoned by, the understanding, the apprehension, the grasp, of these men around him, who said I, I long for that time, when all that will break down, give place, to the greater dimension, of spiritual understanding, it will not be until I've gone, to the baptism, oh, that that were already accomplished, and now look how dear, the change in their apprehension, comprehension, and understanding, on the day of Pentecost, is literally amazing, literally amazing, how they, regarded the cross itself, before, an appalling prospect, if ever that happened, now be it from thee Lord, this shall never, all our hopes and expectations, delighted and devastated, to the other side of it, and something, to liberate, him, in them, isn't the Lord needing, such a limitation, such a, an emancipation in us, it will only be by the same process, we die to ourselves, to our own, mind, our own, will, self life, die to this, whole life as we have been, speaking of it, and rise, and come out, on to the, ground, of resurrection, the spiritual man, which we have never seen before, the things, on which we look, at one time, as, things, could not expect, could not contemplate, are the very things, that I should look, say to the cross, you dear friends, must take this to the Lord, see I can't put you through this, I can tell you about it, tell you it's real, I can't put you into it, cannot do it, for you, you must go to the Lord, and say now Lord, I have to commit myself, I'll touch your grace, see me through the cross, that I commit to myself, you do the thing, you do the thing, and when the pinch is on, and the cost is being applied, I'm being myself, put out, by men, Christian men, and all that, hold me, hold me, only speak to it, that I come into this, great invention, leave of all that would be mental, or anything like that, even physical, and do bring us into, something of the apprehension, of the wonder, the wonder, of that cross, apprehended in a spiritual way, or we don't know how to pray, we're going to say now, if what has been said here, today, and this week, through thy servants, is God's truth, let it pass, into forgetfulness, put up, in artificial reservoirs, that do make it, a river, a spring, breaking up in us, unto life eternal, all faults, all mistakes, every defect, in presentation, and personality, may be Christ, and his truth, that abides with us, nothing else, we ask ourselves, in the name of the Lord Jesus,.