The Strength of the HOUSE

The Strength of the House

Text:            Ephesians 2:17-22 “And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:17,18 “And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”

•   It does not matter where we start, there is only One way to the Father = Jesus!

•   John 14:6 (New Living Translation) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Ephesians 2:19 (a) “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints”

•   Paul is trying to educate us on now, who we are as a result of the cross

•   When Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he addressed Gentiles who were now Christians. …..He wanted them to remember their previous condition, to provoke gratitude to God who brought them near “by the blood of Christ.” In that context he said: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” (Eph. 2:19).

•   The words “now” and “no longer” bring attention to their new, changed status as “members of the household of God.”

•    Because of the blood of Christ, their active faith in obedience to the gospel changed their status.  (With status comes privilege and with privilege comes responsibility)

•   This was a reason to celebrate – to be filled with gratitude and great joy! They were now citizens in the Kingdom, and identified with others who enjoyed the same relationship with God.

Paul is educating us on our new identity and Purpose”

THE TWO GREATEST ‘HEART NEEDS’  OF HUMANITY  ARE:

1. IDENTITY

2. PURPOSE

-                It is in these scriptures that we find the Strength of the HOUSEHOLD of God – what He has built HE will support and it will endure

-                Here we find our reason to be alive… and why we are here: the two greatest days of your life  are the day you were born and the day you discover why.

-       Eph 2:19 (LB) “Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian”

This is the first of three illustrations:

#1. Citizenship – Ephesians 2:19 (a) “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints”

- could be translated, “aliens and outsiders” = made and from different

Cit·i·zen·ship (n)

1. The state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.

2. The character of an individual viewed as a member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen:

•   The early church was referred to by locals as the “third race” = usually there is always us and them, like Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and Barbarians, but Jesus has destroyed the wall separating people and brought us together as one – eg. Of Hutu and Tutsi’s? In Rwanda after the genocide but together as one in Church

•   Like being a Canadian citizen – under authority but also protected by that authority; history is important; knowledge of your benefits and responsibilities are important

•   Eg. Traveling with Canadian Passport

•

#2 Family

:19            (b) “and members of the household of God”

•   This is Paul’s second metaphor – we are members of God’s own Family privileges trump staff, secretary of state, dignitaries, etc.

•    Story of Abraham Lincoln putting chief of staff’s mtg on hold for his son

#3. Temple ( The church)

:20-22 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

•   This metaphor illustrates intimacy between us and God and with each other

•   The chief cornerstone is the key to the whole building – He is the supporting, integral part of both walls (all God and all man), all measurements start and end with Him

•   The household of God was built on, and stands today on the truth of Jesus Christ (who He is, and what He did). “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” (1 Cor. 3:11).

•   The household of God is well built, unlike the nations and institutions of men.

•   There is no reason for any member of the household of God to fear the collapse of the structure – individual members may walk out. We must guard against any attitudes or actions that would lead us out of God’s house. But there is no justification to fear that the “building” will be destroyed. If God is building it – it will stand!

•    Structural integrity is assured by the builder.

•   As a Christian, you are not just a guest or occasional visitor – but a permanent member of the family, in a house upheld by divine power! 

And in this place; as a member of this house, we are “being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” God has made it possible for us to enter this building and dwell in Him!

•   Verse 22 is about fellowship with God. 

The impact of this passage for Christians is, this is the strength of the house we live in! Whatever may happen to us on earth, as long as we stay in the household of God, we are secure.

•   We can be part of a family and yet never see the (they live far away), but in a building where we each are the living stones built together, we are so close we touch

•   We are the temple of the Holy Spirit – operative word is WE

•   “A failure of unity among Gods people is a refusal to be part of the mission that God is doing in the world.” MBaterson

The bottom line is WE BELONG!

THE TWO GREATEST ‘HEART NEEDS’  OF HUMANITY  ARE:

1. IDENTITY = WHO YOU ARE

2. PURPOSE = WHY YOU ARE

-                It is in these scriptures that we find the Strength of the HOUSEHOLD of God – what He has built HE will support and it will endure

-                Here we find our reason to be alive… and why we are here: the two greatest days of your life  are the day you were born and the day you discover why.

-       Eph 2:19 (LB) “Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian”

-              The strength of the HOUSE is depending on YOU….together we are building something way beyond us…IT REQUIRES UNITY!

-       A failure of unity among God’s people is a refusal to be part of the mission that God is doing in the world. (Mark Batterson)

Questions: what are the forces trying to pull you out of God’s identity and purpose?

Our Example of a Real Man Eph 2:11-16

Our Example of a Real Man  Eph 2:11-16

Happy Father’s Day!

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society,” Billy Graham

“My father didn’t tell me how to live,” recalled one thankful son. “He lived — and let me watch him do it.”

Today: – We’ve been studying through the book of Ephesians and today’s passage highlights the ultimate battle that Jesus won on Calvary’s cross Making Peace between us and God and between each other

Eph 2:11-16 (NLT) “Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.”

Jesus was/is our example of a real man – God created men to:

1. Protect – Eph 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her”

• • On Calvary’s Cross, Jesus endured the ultimate to protect us
  • The price he paid required absolute commitment – purpose, focus, strength
  • Every man was created with that purpose, focus and strength
  • Love gives and the cross was the ultimate act of unconditional Love
  • We were “brought near to him through the blood of Christ”
  • A good father loves his children unconditionally. If he’s at home, he hugs them — every day. He says the words “I love you”–— every day, several times if possible. That’s not touchy-feely; it’s what your children need, even when they become obnoxious teens and pretend they don’t.
  • (? personal stories of fathers as heroes)

1. Provide - Gen 2:15 ‘Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it”

• • Jesus provided all of our greatest needs through grace, by faith (Eph 2:8)
  • Some of the greatest needs in our world today are in relationships – Marriage, Family, businesses, etc. – He broke down the wall of hostility and silenced judgment and unforgiveness
  • He ended the system of law and gave us a new system of Grace (Mercy is ‘we don’t get what we do deserve’ and Grace is we do get what we don’t deserve [we get what He deserves])
  • God’s provision is through His grace = His goodness
  • A good father provides food, shelter, physical and emotional security, etc. not out of obligation but out of his goodness
  • (? personal examples of fathers providing through grace)

1. Lead – Eph 5:1  “THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father] 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord,”

• • A good father leads and encourages his children. (Leadership = Influence)
  • He is available 24/7, regardless of the hour or circumstance. He spends time, pays attention, listens, and teaches his children right from wrong. Firstly, by example and then if need be, by discipline (not punishment!)
  • A good father can encounter failure but he doesn’t give up. He models how to get back up again and never quit
  • Every man is born for greatness… to give/live his life to the generations (for a husband, that starts with his wife)

• • Every boy needs a hero… every dad is born a hero (when a child is born, his dad is automatically his hero by birth) but the dad then needs to live up to these expectations
  • This is the life of a hero
  • (? personal examples of fathers never quitting, being available, etc.)

NEXT WEEKS VERSE: Eph 2:19 (LB) “Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian”

How Far We’ve Come – In Him

How Far We’ve Come – In Him

Eph 2:1-10

Eph 2:1-10 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

vs 1 – “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins”

“dead” is nekros = separated from life – in this case from the life of God… unable to detect and respond to the life of God.  I was a dentist for 10 years and when a tooth was dead, its pulp was nekrotic and thus the tooth needed a root canal because nekrotic tissue is poisonous… we all came from a dead existence, poisonous to others seeking life in God

“Trespasses” = deviate, wander away from the right path

“Sin” = to miss the mark – Rom 3:28, “All have sinned (missed the mark), and at present come short of the glory of God.” – sin is not so much an issue of what we do, but of what we fail to do. And man is a sinner because he fails to glorify God.

vs 2 – “in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience”

“In which” goes back to trespasses and sin -We have here the locative of sphere. Our unsaved life was contained within the sphere of inward bound… glorifying self and not God. The word “walked” refers to the whole life of the unsaved person is nothing but sin.

“world” = kosmos gives the over-all picture of mankind alienated from God during all history

“Prince of the power of the air” = The word “air” here = “the lower, denser atmosphere” The kingdom of Satan is in this lower atmosphere and he is the leader/prince of this kingdom

“spirit” refers to one’s way of thinking and acting. It is evil in that it is contrary to our purpose – to glorify God.  Satan is the one who dominates and controls this spirit in man.

“sons” = huios = this is the term given to a child who reaches the age where he takes responsibility for his actions and thus can now receive the inheritance of the family – in this case, the judgement

vs 3 – “among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others”

“among whom” = we were all numbered among the children of disobedience – this was our destiny before salvation

“Lusts” = “a passionate longing, a craving,” good or bad, depending upon the context. Here it is an evil craving since it comes from the flesh. The word “flesh” here refers to the totally depraved nature where our purpose is contrary to God’s purpose that we glorify Him.

“Children” = teknon = born to but not yet obtained adulthood/inheritance – before a child reaches the age of responsibility he does not yet receive the inheritance of the family or in this case the judgement (original sin)

“Wrath” = God’s holy response to sin – God is Holy and He is Love – Faced with man’s depravity, the two were satisfied only by the cross

vs 4 - “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us”

“His great love” = in order to satisfy his great love (agape)

vs 5 – “even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)”

“Made us alive” – Rom 6:3, 4, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” – How and when He made us alive, was the self same action and time the He raised Jesus from the dead – that is why Rom 10:9,10 states that believing that God raised Jesus from the dead is prerequisite to confessing Him Lord and receiving salvation

vs 6 “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”

“Raised us up together”, “Made us sit together” = “together” is the operative word… we can’t get saved alone and we’ll not have dominion alone = the vital importance of the local Church!

all this “In Christ Jesus”

vs 7 – “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”

“ages” = continuous succession – we know a little of God’s plans for the future but this word excites me that there is much more and its GOOD!

vs 8 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

“by grace” “through faith” – not ‘by faith’, – salvation has been made available by His grace and apprehended by faith.  Our eyes need only to see His grace for our actions to be of faith.

“it is a gift” - Rom 4:4,5 “Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness”

vs 9 “not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

- the reason = lest any man should boast… grace glorifies God, works glorify man – we were never created to carry the glory… it is a dangerous load that will destroy us

vs 10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

“workmanship” = masterpeice

“good works” are the result of our being made by Him, not the cause

“walk in them” - parallels the sphere of total depravity we came from… now destined to the sphere of relationship with God that we should live in

Eyes Wide Open – Our Glorious Inheritance Eph 1:15-23

Eyes Wide Open – Our Glorious Inheritance

Eph 1:15-23  “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

:15  “Therefore” is referring to all that is true of the saints (vs 3-14 but especially 13 – God has redeemed us and blessed us, we have His grace in super abundance and we forever sealed by His Spirit)

• “Faith” refers to their faith exercised for their daily living – Faith pleases God and it also pleases those that want to please God (Paul) (Heb 11:6)

• “Love” is “agape” which can only be produced in the heart of a believer by the Holy Spirit

:16  Pray without ceasing – Paul says this several times and it can only refer to praying in the spirit – where our spirit is in constant communion and communication with the Holy Spirit while our mind is busy doing something else (1 Cor 14:14 “For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying”)

:17  “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ” refers to Jesus in His humanity – like us worshipping and obedient

• “spirit of wisdom and revelation” – this is not another spirit – it refers to the ongoing relationship that a believer has with the Holy Spirit whereby He gives wisdom and revelation as we need it… it can’t be stored up, like manna in the OT

• “In the knowledge of Him” – this speaks of an intimate relational knowledge – in Him, through Him, by Him all our needs are met – 2 Pet 1:3 “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,”

:18  “eyes of your understanding” – He is the Light of the world… when our eyes are on Him our whole life is affected – this is what Jesus meant in Mt 6:22,23 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

• VS 18-23 is the results of seeing Him more clearly

1. Hope = vision of your future… in Him = His calling
2. Riches = joint heirs in the Family
3. Power = all heaven is backing God’s plan for our life = the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Rom 8:11)
4. Authority = the name above all names has been given to us – “seated at His right hand” = Authority – we are to ask “In His Name”
5. Dominion – He has put all things under our feet = the Church! – dominion is only through US never ME

Next weeks verse:  Eph 2:6  “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”

Heaven’s Tattoo

These are my notes from this week’s lesson teaching through Eph 1:9-14.  I’ve entitled it “Heaven’s Tattoo” out of the 13th verse.  One of the best ways to study this would be to listen to the podcast (http://familyvictory.com/church/sound_files/10/052910_PJB_ep.mp3) and follow along with the notes.

Enjoy!

Heaven’s Tattoo (Eph 1:9-14)

Eph 1:9-14 “having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory”

:9 “having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,”

• mystery = something which is not understood until revealed, and when revealed, not difficult of being understood by the Spirit-enlightened believer. God’s grace as manifested in redemption is a mystery in virtue of its riches and depth—as the expression of God’s very nature. The mystery of the redemption in Christ, belonging to the eternal plan of God, could be known to men only through revelation—making known

• The word “will” is not a desire based upon the reason, but a desire based upon the emotions. God’s will or desire here, comes from His heart of love

• This desire on God’s part is dominated by His good pleasure – Lk 12:32 “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”  The word means “will, choice, delight, pleasure, satisfaction.” In the case of God, all these are dictated by what is good or well. Thus, the delight, pleasure, and satisfaction which God has in blessing the saints is found in the fact that what He does for them is dictated by what is good for them.

• “This purpose comes from God’s own free determination, originating in His own gracious mind.”

:10 “that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.”

• “dispensation,” = bible word usually referring to a certain period of time marked by a certain method in which God administers the affairs of mankind, such as the dispensation of grace, etc. Here it simply refers to how God administers the particular time referred to in the words “the fulness of times.”
• “times” here is kairos not chronos (succession of moments) – it refers to a ‘suddenly’ moment – a epic, world-changing moment
• By the fulness of these seasons is meant the time when the succession of the ages has come to a close in the plan of God.

• “gather together” has a ‘re’ side to it – “God contemplates a regathering, a restoration to that former condition when all things were in perfect unity, and normally combined to serve God’s ends.”

• There will be a “suddenly”… as sure as there was a beginning, there will be an end and it will come “suddenly”!

• Rom 8:21 “because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of ​corruption into the glorious ​liberty of the children of God.

• God will gather all things back to HIM! – He is the THE CENTER = LORD

• 1 Cor 15:28 “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then ​the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,”

• it is better translated… “we have been made an inheritance” – we are His inheritance… which makes us heirs!

• Rom 8:17 “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”

• “all things” definitely is broader than just the saved… it goes back to vs 10 talking of the gathering of all including fallen nature

• “counsel of His will” – wisdom conducting everything according to the desire of God’s heart – wisdom is God personified (Proverbs)

:12 “that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.”

• “first’ simply means that we should not be the last – we have a purpose… to reach the lost

• “should” – This is not an obligation but our position – by His redemptive work in us, we naturally should be His billboard – Isa 43:21 “this people which I formed for myself, that they might show forth my praise”

:13 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”

• Only after the gospel has been preached can we believe and receive

• “sealed” = Tattooed – on the inside so that our behaior should show it on the outside – not about “honk if you love Jesus” bumper stickers – but a behavior that flows from believing (what we believe will determine how we behave)

:14 “who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory”

• “guarantee” = down payment = our proof that God will finish what He started in us… not just take us to heaven but to conform us into the image of Jesus – Phil 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

Next Week’s Verse:  Eph 1:18 “the eyes of your understanding[a] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,”

God Wants You Rich (Eph 1:1-8)

God Wants You Rich

Eph 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”

• We are RICH!
• We HAVE been blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing

Today we are going to begin a study of one of the richest books in the New Testament, The Book of Ephesians

• Paul wrote this, inspired by the Holy Spirit, to enrich the Church
• It is one of his only letters not written for a corrective purpose
• As we study through this, my goal is that you see your life become richer and richer

Eph 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus”

• “Apostle” = special messenger = sent one (not ‘went’ but ‘sent’)
• Paul’s credentials are simply “appointed by Jesus”
• Some may struggle with credentials… “Who do you think you are?  How can you teach/lead/serve in this capacity?  Where’s your degree?
• Our performance doesn’t qualify us… only His CALLING does
• Behavior always follows believing – when our actions come from a knowing of His calling = FAITH

1. Our Qualification Comes From The One Who Calls Us – Jesus

• Is it our performance or His performance?

• “Saints” = set apart ones – but Paul qualifies that we are set apart to follow Jesus
• He needed to qualify that we were set apart to follow Jesus because the word was welled used in their culture and just meant “religious” – we need to make the same distinction in our world
• “Religious people are better known for what they are separated from” – We need to make the distinction that we are separated TO following Jesus
• Most religious people practice holiness by subtraction but we are holy only by addition… what Jesus brings to our life
• Is it our holiness or His holiness?

Eph 1:2 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

• “Grace” is a new word that Paul spends much time trying to communicate
• The Greeks understood it as good intentions extended toward someone, the quality in a thing which causes it to give joy to the recipients – but it was always tied to their deserving – God’s grace is undeserved = a new language
• Kenneth Wuest:  “Its hardly too much to say that the mind of God has in no word uttered itself & revealed His heart more distinctly than in the word “Grace”
• All of our RICHES is a result of His GRACE
• Peace = absence of strife (Jms 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”)
• When we are in strife with our spouse/brother/friend, our riches (connection to God) are robbed (feels broken)

Eph 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”

• “Spiritual” blessing refers to the source of the blessing = the Holy Spirit
• HE is the GIFT and He’s equipped with all the miraculous ability of God
• We’ve been set apart from US = a life of what we can do/accomplish/figure out… to a life IN HIM/BY HIM/WITH HIM where all the promises of God are given
• Assurance, purpose, strength, peace, joy, healing, prosperity, love, forgiveness, fellowship, creativity, patience… = TRUE RICHES
• He is the great “I AM” = whatever we need, when we need it, He IS!
• ‘Heavenly’ refers to closeness to God – wherever God is he brings heaven with Him

2. God has called us to be holy = set apart to Him

Eph 1:4-5 “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”

• It is God’s will that none be lost but all come (2 Pet 3:9 “Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”)
• His desire is that we accept Jesus as our Lord and thereby making us holy and without blame “In Him”
• His good pleasure is that we become sons (teknon to huios) able to receive His inheritance and blessings == that is what brings God good pleasure

Eph 1:6 “to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

• People act accepted when they believe they are accepted (easy to accept them)
• Have you ever met someone with a spirit of rejection… makes you want to reject them – when we know that we are accepted, we act accepted… makes people want to accept you

3. God has made us Rich!

Eph 1:7-8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,”

• “Redemption” = to be bought back from slavery to sin; to serving Jesus; free forever from guilt and shame
• “Forgiveness” = release the debt – releases us from the past to give us a Nfuture!
• Superabundant Grace = RICH!!!

4. WITH GREAT WEALTH COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

next wks vs = Eph 1:13 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

a great quote of L. Sweet – you need to read this!

A Magna Charta of Trust by an Out-of-Control Disciple

from Sweet’s Soul Cafe (March 1996 Vol. 2, No. 1)

I am part of the Church of the Out-of-Control. I once was a control junkie, but now am an Out-of-Control Disciple. I’ve given up my control to God. I trust and obey the Spirit. I’ve jumped off the fence, I’ve stepped over the line, I’ve pulled out all the stops, I’m holding nothing back. There’s no turning back, looking around, slowing down, backing away, letting up, or shutting up. It’s life Against the Odds, Outside the Box, Over the Wall, the game of life played Without Goal Lines other than “Thy Will Be Done…”

I’m done lapdogging for the topdogs, the wonderdogs, the overdogs, or even the underdogs. I’m done playing According to the Rules, whether it’s Robert’s Rules of Order or Miss Wanner’s Rules of Etiquette or Martha Stewart’s Rules of Living or Louis Farrakhan’s Rules of America’s Least Wanted or Merril Lynch’s Money-minding/Bottom-lining/Ladder-climbing Rules of America’s Most Wanted.

I am not here to please the dominant culture or to serve any all-show/no-go bureaucracies. I live to please my Lord and Savior. My spiritual taste-buds have graduated from fizz and froth to Fire and Ice. Sometimes I’m called to sharpen the cutting edge, and sometimes to blunt the cutting edge. Don’t give me that old-time religion. Don’t give me that new-time religion. Give me that all-time religion that’s as hard as rock and as soft as snow.

I’ve stopped trying to make life work, and started trying to make life sing. I’m finished with second-hand sensations, third-rate dreams, low-risk high-rise trades and goose-stepping, flag-waving crusades. I no longer live by and for anything but everything God-breathed, Christ-centered, and Spirit-driven.

I can’t be bought by any personalities or perks, positions or prizes. I won’t give up, though I will give in… to openness of mind, humbleness of heart, and generosity of spirit. When short-handed and hard-pressed, I will never again hang in there. I will stand in there, I will run in there, I will pray in there, I will sacrifice in there, I will endure in there– in fact I will do everything in there but hang. My face is upward, my feet are forward, my eyes are focused, my way is cloudy, my knees are worn, my seat uncreased, my heart burdened, my spirit light, my road narrow, my mission wide.

I won’t be seduced by popularity, traduced by criticism, by hypocrisy, or trivialized by mediocrity. I am organized religion’s best friend, and worst nightmare. I won’t back down, slow down, shut down, or let down until I’m preached out, teached out, healed out or hauled out of God’s mission in the world entrusted to members of the Church of the Out-of-Control… to unbind the confined, whether they’re the downtrodden or the upscale, the overlooked or the underrepresented.

My fundamental identity is as a disciple of Jesus–but even more, as a disciple of Jesus who lives in Christ, who doesn’t walk through history simply “in his steps,” but seeks to travel more deeply IN HIS SPIRIT.

Until he comes again or calls me home, you can find me filling not killing time so that one day he will pick me out in the lineup of the ages as one of his own. And then… it will be worth it all… to hear these words, the most precious words I can ever hear:

“Well done, thou good and faithful… Out-of-Control Disciple.”