A Strong Church Ephesians 4:7-10

 Ephesians 4:3-7 (ESV) "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift."

God has unified us and brought us together to serve him, honor him and build the kingdom and be strong in the Lord. The way that we are strong is together. The gift is not salvation, you have been gifted to serve the church. This is talked about in Romans 12 and 1Corinthians 12.

The bible does not go into details about each gift given. It just tells us that we are to use our gifts to serve and grow the kingdom of God. The parable of the talents gives an example of this. 1 servant is given 5 talents and he doubled what he received for his master. Another servant was given 2 talents and he too doubled his talents. The servant who received 1talent buried it and he was called a wicked servant for not using his talents. The same is for us if we do not use the gifts that we have been given. Every single person has been given a unique set of gifts by God for his service and when you do not use them for his glory, you rob the God and the church.

I. Use your Gift

No two Christians are the same. You cannot be someone else, but you have to be who God called you to be to the best of your ability. When God is working through you, you can go further than you thought you can. All of us are gifted uniquely to be used for building up the kingdom of God.

Questions to ask yourself...

    1. What am I passionate about?

    2. What am I good at?

    3. What do others see in me?

    4. Where is there an opportunity for me to serve?

Find something and start doing something for the Lord. Where do these gifts come from?

Ephesians 4:8 (ESV) "Therefore it says, 'When he ascended on high he led a host a captives, and he gave gifts to men.'"

Paul is referencing back to Psalm 68. Psalm 68 was probably written after David brought the ark back to Jerusalem. David was celebrating and dancing in the streets. Psalm 68 describes God as a God of war. It says he dominates the kings of the earth. It paints the picture of a military parade, a joyous homecoming parade. The king (God) is receiving gifts, but also giving gifts and leading the captives home. He is ascending to his throne in Jerusalem. Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 and applies it to Jesus. 

Ephesians 4:9-10 (ESV) "(In saying, 'He ascended,' what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)"

Jesus stepped out of heaven and came to earth as a man and lived a perfect life. He was tempted and tried in every way that we are and was crucified on our behalf, he was buried and resurrected and ascended into heaven and defeated death and now we have victory in Jesus. But it is getting more specific than this. What happened to Jesus during the 3 days while he was in the grave?

1 Peter 3:18-20 & 22 (ESV) "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water." "who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him."

When Jesus was in the tomb, his spirit descended into Sheol, the place of the dead. In the Old Testament Sheol was not described as the place where the unrighteous went when they died. The righteous also went to Sheol.

Genesis 37:35, Job 17:16, Ezekiel 3:17, Isaiah 13:15 and Psalm 55:15

Both righteous and unrighteous expected to go to Sheol when they died. Jesus also gives this example in Luke 16 when he describes the rich man and Lazarus. One side was "Abraham's bosom where the righteous went. There was a great divide between the righteous and the unrighteous. The unrighteous could see what was happening with the righteous on the other side, but could not cross over. Everything changed at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:20 (ESV) "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."

Colossians 1:18 (ESV) "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Remember that during his ministry Jesus actually raised people from the dead. But something was unique about Jesus. Jesus was different from the others that had been risen from the dead....they eventually died again. When Jesus rose from the dead he was unlike anything else...He didn't die again! His body was glorified.

Matthew 27:51-53 (ESV) "And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many."

Something happened when Jesus was resurrected! It shook the heavens and the earth. Now the expectation is that the righteous would not go down but up when they died!

2 Corinthians 5:8 (ESV) "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

Philippians 1:21-23 (ESV) "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better."

The expectation is to be with the Lord when we die. Jesus won the victory. 

II. We have victory in Jesus

It is a big deal! Jesus conquered death and the grave and now he has victory and dominion over all of it! Before Jesus sent the disciples out he tells them that he says "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given un to me." I have it! I own it! You are mine! The point being we see a great picture of a military parade. Paul applies it to Jesus who sets the captives free and gives gifts to men. After Jesus ascends to heaven he sends us the Holy Spirit. Along with that we have been gifted to serve him. Have confidence that God is going to bless your work that you are doing for him. The American church has an Eeyore problem. He is pessimistic about everything. "End of the road. Nothing to do and no hope of things getting better." We need to have more HOPE! 

Use your gift! Jesus has already won the battle! Use your gift to glorify the Lord. 

It's Good to Get Along 8-4-26

 Church unity is very important. The church's job is to refresh the saints and reach the lost.

Transition- We were dead now we have an inheritance. A prayer of gratitude for the people.

Ephesians 4:1 (ESV) "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,"

Paul is reminding them that he is on house arrest in Rome. He was a "Prisoner for the Lord" He was winning guards for the Lord, even some from Caesar's house came to know the Lord. Paul was setting an example for the Lord. Paul was leading from the front. We are supposed to walk in a manner of your calling. There is a standard that we should live up to. (The teacher already gave you an A, so act like it!). God called you and saved you by grace. He has set you apart to do the work.

Ephesians 4:2-6 (ESV) "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

I. Why unity matters.

    1. It pleases God.

Psalm 133:1 (ESV) "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"

What touches a parent the most is when their children get along and love one another. God is no different.

    2. It is essential for effective work.

Philippians 1:27 (ESV) "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,"

We should be encouraged by one another's success.

    3. It's a testimony to who we serve.

John 13:34-35 (ESV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

One way we demonstrate we love God is to love one another.

II. Where does unity come from?

Ephesians 4:3 (ESV) "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

III. It's all from God.

The Spirit gives and we are to preserve. Three persons in one God. They are part of the one but all different. The Spirit gives life, the Son is the foundation, the cornerstone, the Father over all/through all and in all. 3 persons, 1 God...total unity.

John 17:20-21 (ESV) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

IV. Common Faith

The Old Roman Creed is found in a Greek letter written in 341 and is the forerunner of the Apostles Creed. This creed was used orally as a second-century baptismal confession and "Rules of Faith"

"I believe in God the Father almighty; and in Christ Jesus His only Son, our Lord, Who was born from the Holy Spirit and the One Virgin Mary, Who under Pontius Pilate was crucified and buried, on the third day rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, whence he will come to judge the living and the dead; and in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, [life everlasting]."

All Christians should agree with this creed. We should have unity with other churches. There are times for separations, but we should all agree about the character of God. We should agree with the authority of the Scriptures. We should agree with the seriousness of sin. We at OBC should get along.

    1. One Body

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV) "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit."

This is a universal truth.

    2. One Hope

Titus 2:11-13 (ESV) "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, "

When the Lord returns all of God's people will rejoice.

    3. One Faith

Jude 3 (ESV) "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."

    4. One Baptism

By spirit at salvation or by water. Brought in to the body of Christ.

V. How do we preserve unity?

    1. Humility

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

    2. Gentleness

One of the fruits of the spirit. Show kindness

    3. Patience

Another fruit of the spirit. Do not write people off.

    4. Bearing with one another in love.

Tolerate others. Live in harmony with others.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV) "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

The "Love" verses is not only important for marriage, but for all Christian living. Continue to try to love one another. Demonstrate love and humility.

Romans 15:5-7 (ESV) "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

9-27-26 Prayer: The Greatest Ministry!

 Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV) "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Paul started chapter 3 with "For this reason..." then he went off topic and in verse 14 he gets back to "For this reason..."

I. Bow your knees.

There are different postures used when people pray. Christians typically have their hands folded in prayer and bowed heads. Mormons cross their arms and place their hands under their arms. Old Testament Jews set Biblical president to get down on their knees in prayer. Daniel prayed on his knees.

Daniel 6:10 (ESV) "When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously."

Solomon prayed prayed on his knees when the temple was dedicated.

2 Chronicles 6:13 (ESV) "Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had set it in the court, and he stood on it. Then he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven,"

Jesus was on his knees in the Garden of Gethsemane in prayer.

Mark 14:35-36 (ESV) "And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well."

Bowing on ones knees is a sign of submission, shows seriousness and reverence. There is something about bowing before God that clears our minds become focused on God. James, the brother of Jesus, was a Christian leader in Jerusalem, he was known for his extensive prayer life. His knees were so swollen from the amount of time he spent on his knees in prayer that he was called "Camel knees". Edward Payson of Portland (1827) spent so much time on his knees in prayer that he wore grooves in the floorboards next to his bed. John Knox a preacher in the 1500's was taken captive and placed on a French ship and worked as a slave. It is said that he spent so much time on his knees in prayer would pray "Lord, give me Scotland or I die". Mary Queen of Scots said "I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe."

II. Prayer is the greatest ministry.

Prayer doesn't require a budget or approval or a meeting to discuss. It is something we can just do on our own.

James 5:16b (ESV) " The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

James 4:2 (ESV) "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask."

We can all have this ministry God can use our prayers. Prayer really works!

A woman by the name of Monica who lived in the 300's had a husband who was a pagan and very violent. She also had a wild rebellious son. She wept and prayed for 17 years for her son. It was said "It is impossible that the son of so many tears should perish." In 387 her son was baptized...her son was Augustine of Hippo, a Christian theologian and philosopher.

Another woman who prayed was Susanna (1669-1742). Susanna had 19 children only 10 survived to adulthood. Their small home burnt down and her husband was sent to debtors prison. She and her children lived in a small home where she homeschooled them, teaching them Latin, Greek and Bible. It is said that she would sit with her apron over her head to get some "privacy" and pray for her children. Two of her sons were John and Charles Wesley.

Ephesians 3:15 (ESV) "from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,"

It all began with Abraham, one family, one clan that became 12 tribes, 1 Israel. YHWH over all. All are one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:4-7 (ESV) "There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to you call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift."

III. Use scripture as a guide.

You can use the Lord's Prayer as a guide. You can copy it down and pray it to help you learn to pray. Jesus and Paul would pray scripture. 

Ephesians 3:16 (ESV) "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,"

IV. Pray for the spiritual wellbeing.

Paul cares about the peoples spiritual wellbeing more than their physical wellbeing

V. Pray that God will strengthen them to the core.

Acts 1:8 (ESV) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."

Romans 1:16 (ESV) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

    A. To be a witness

    B. Stand strong in temptation and adversity. Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV) "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

    C. Use their gifts for God's glory. 1Peter 4:10-11 (ESV) "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 3:17 (ESV) "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love,"

VI. Pray that they might be walking closely to Jesus.

John 15:4-5 (ESV) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

VII. Pray that they be rooted and grounded in love the foundation of it all. 

In agriculture plants have strong roots that feed the plants. The deeper and wider the roots go the healthier the plants are.

In architecture the taller the building the deeper the foundation must be. The Empire State building's foundation is about 55 feet (17 meters) deep. It is anchored directly into the hard Manhattan bedrock. The Petronas Towers in Malaysia has a foundation that is 400 feet (122 meters) deep because of the unstable local limestone and soil conditions.

Sometimes we can have all the head knowledge (about the Bible), but they miss the love part.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV) "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."

Ephesians 3:18-19 (ESV) "may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

VIII. Pray that God would give understanding.

God has to strengthen us for us to even comprehend His love. God can communicate to Dempsey in ways we cannot.

IX. Pray that God would fill them.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV) "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Pray for your children, pray for your family and friends. As people come to your mind, pray for them. Do not forget to pray for yourself. Pray for the church

Closing Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV) "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen."

9/20/26 Ephesians 3: 1-14

 Paul explains his calling in these verses. Paul was in prison in Rome for preaching that the Gentiles could also receive Christ. This upset the Jews.

Define terms.

1. Mystery- Biblical definition- a thing not fully understood until God grants revelation to explain it.

Ephesians 3:3 (ESV) "how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly."

There are many mysteries in the Bible like Christ living in you. The mystery in this chapter is that the Gentiles have equal access to God, they are fellow heirs.

Ephesians 3:6 (ESV) "This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

This was the great revelation in the 1st century. It was a big deal at that time. Today it is no big deal. We are so immune to the Gospel. It has lost it's wonder! 

2. The stewardship of that mystery

Ephesians 3:7 (ESV) "Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power."

A steward manages the wealth of someone else. Paul has been entrusted with the Gospel.

Romans 1:16 (ESV) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believers, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Paul was made a steward of the message, but not by his own choosing.

Ephesians 3:2/7 (ESV) "assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power."

3. The gift

Paul was gifted with the responsibility of the ministry. He had the ability and the responsibility. He did not receive the responsibility because he deserved it, but because God chose it for him.

Acts 9:15 (ESV) "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.'" (these are words to Ananias)

So far this study is about Paul... is there any application for you? Believe it or not you have a lot in common with the Apostle Paul.

1. You are called. Your calling may not be as dramatic as his, but if you have ever felt the tug of the Holy Spirit, you have been called/chosen/invited to God through Jesus Christ.

John 6:44 (ESV) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

If you are a Christian then you have something in common with the Apostle Paul!

2. You are gifted

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV) "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

Your gifts may align with talents and abilities BEFORE salvation, but now they are enhanced by the Holy Spirit. Before his conversion, Paul was enthusiastic, passionate and driven. After his conversion all of these traits were redirected and used to further the Kingdom of God.

If you have been called then you have been gifted... you have this in common with the Apostle Paul. You may not be pleased with your gift package, but that is God's choice not yours.

1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV) "All these are empowered by one an the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."

3. You are charged with using that gift(s)

Matthew 25:14-26a (ESV) "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good  and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant!'"

Here a talent is a large sum of money. Stewardship- managing wealth of another. You must manage the wealth of gifts that you have been given. You are to use whatever talents He has gifted you with, just like the Apostle Paul

4. You are unworthy of the calling and the gift.

Ephesians 3:8 (ESV) "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,"

You are created in God's image and so valuable that Christ died for you, but that image is marred by the sinful nature and behavior. Paul recognized this.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (ESV) "For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."

1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV) "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners , of whom I am the foremost."

Romans 12:3a (ESV) "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,"

You are absolutely unworthy of His calling, of His gifts, and of His trust in you. But by God's love and grace you have received those things.

5. As a Christian you have direct access to God.

Ephesians 3:11-12 (ESV) "This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."

Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV) "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

You have equal access to God as Paul did. You may not have the confidence or boldness, but you have access to God.

6. Don't lose heart

Ephesians 3:13 (ESV) "So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory."

Paul is saying when things don't work out the way you think, don't lose heart, don't be discouraged, don't get down. You may think that you do not have this in common with the Apostle Paul. 

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

This is "easily preached, but hard living". You may feel small standing next to the Apostle Paul. God is dealing with you in the same way that He has dealt with the Apostle Paul. This should lift your spirit and give you more confidence.

You have equal access to the throne of God as the Apostle Paul. You are not a second class Christian. 

Acts 10:34-35 (ESV) "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"

If you accept your calling, accept your spiritual gifts and accept your responsibility to USE those gifts for the Kingdom and recognize that you have equal access to God... then you are on a parallel with the Apostle Paul.

Closing Scripture:  Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV) "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

9-13-26 Citizens, Family and Stones

 In the beginning of Ephesians 2 we are told how bad we are, but by the end of chapter 2 we are told that by grace we are saved.

Ephesians 2:11-12 (ESV) "Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands- remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope without God in the world.

I. Be Grateful. Show compassion. You used to be a pagan too.

The Gentiles and Jews came from completely different backgrounds. The Jews did not like the Gentiles and the feeling was mutual. They avoided each other. We struggle with showing compassion for someone different than us.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Sin should disgust you. We can't blame pagans for being pagans. They are lost. It should repulse us but we should have compassion because we were once sinners too!

Romans 5:10 (ESV) "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

Matthew 9:36 (ESV) "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Luke 19:10 (ESV) "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Ephesians 2:13-19 (ESV) "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,"

II. Through Jesus... You're all on the team!

You are not second class. The only way that you can make them one is through Jesus. Some people believe that there is a "backdoor" in heaven for the Jews, but Jesus said that he was "the way, the truth and life".

Galatians 3:28 (ESV) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

We don't have the same problem, but do we evangelize? Do we welcome people we don't know.

James 2:8-9 (ESV) "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."

Outside of Jesus we were lost and in the same boat.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

III. Citizens of the City of God, Kin in the family of God and Stones in the Temple of God

Citizens- out of many one. We are loyal to Jesus Christ and his kingdom. Our number one allegiance is to God.

Family- a household, brothers and sisters. Blood is thicker than water, but Jesus' blood is thicker than all of that!

The temple- The cornerstone of the temple is Jesus. A cornerstone is the very first stone placed in the building. It is what sets everything in the right alignment. Builders use the cornerstone as the primary reference point to ensure all other stones, walls, and angles are perfectly straight and square. It provides structural unity. It physically anchors the corner where two major intersecting walls meet, binding them together.

Believers as the temple

1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV) " Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

2 Corinthians 6:16 (ESV) "What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.'" 

1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV) "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

John 4:20-24 (ESV) "'Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.' Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.'"

We are being built up as a spiritual house. What is the role in the temple? It is where the presence of God dwells and now the Holy Spirit. It is holy and set apart for special service to the LORD. The temple is to be used for righteous use. It is where true worship happens.

Are we that? Are we a clean vessel for God to use? Are we presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice?

9-6-26 What to do when everything is falling apart

 We all face storms in life. Most people fit into 1 of 3 groups... Heading into storms, in a storm, or sailing out of a storm. Things that can shake us up in life.... sickness, death, finances, marriages falling apart.

I. Examine yourself

The reason for your storm is not always your fault. We have all been affected by sin. You might be being tested (Job). God sometimes wants to move us (Joseph to Egypt). Sometimes God is discipling you (Jonah).

Hebrews 12:6 (ESV) "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."

Ask God to show you why you are going through the storm. Maybe you need to repent of something.

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV) "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

David went through some hard things that were a result of his own sin, but God restored David.

Galatians 6:1-3 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, least you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

When you see a brother stumble restore them gently. To do that you have to be invested in someone's life.

II. Cry out to God in prayer

When the people cried out to God, they were doing what they were supposed to do. Example the Exodus...the people were being treated awfully and they cried out to God and God sent Moses.

Daniel cried out to God and he was delivered.

Psalm 61:1-2 (ESV) "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy."

Psalm 62:1-2 (ESV) "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken."

    A. God does love you- (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:39, Ephesians 2:4)

    B. God does care for you- 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV) "casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

    C. God does want to be close to you.- James 4:8 (ESV) "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (Romans 5:8, John 3:16)

    D. Lord, what do you want me to see?

    E. Lord, what do you want me to do?

    F. Lord be near to me.

God really does love us, he cares for us and wants to be close to us. He really does hear your prayers. 

"When you can't trace the hand of God. Trust the heart of God." Adrian Rogers

God is the only one who can give you what you need, so ask!

    G. We all need  to be praying for each other.

James 5:16 (ESV) "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Galatians 6:2 (ESV) "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

III. Seek God in Scripture

Psalm 119:50 (ESV) "This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life."

Romans 15:4 (ESV) "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

God has a way of speaking directly to us through the Scriptures. We can be encouraged through the stories in the Bible. Hebrews 11...be encouraged through the stories of Joseph, Joshua, Daniel and Job. Pray through the scriptures. Example Romans 12:1-2, 

IV. Praise God even in the dark times.

Why, because it is scriptural and it works! Acts 16

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV) "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has give to us."

V. Lean on God's people

If we are the body of Christ we should support other believers. There is a lot of bad advice out there... Job's wife, his friends, social media.

1 Corinthians 12:26 (ESV) "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."

Galatians 6:10 (ESV) "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

We need to be good to everyone...but especially other believers. It's ok to not be ok. We all will be in need at some point in our lives.

Ephesians 2:1-10 Raised to life and put to work

 Chapter 1 ends with Jesus is so good. He is given rule and dominion over all. Christ is the head of the church...his body.

Chapter 2 is the truth about you and more about the Gospel.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV) "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by the nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

I. You were dead.

You weren't sick/sleeping/misguided, you were dead, you were not sensitive to, not responsive, cannot be resuscitated, without hope

Jonathan Edwards quote "You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary"

You were following the ways of the world...going with the flow. You went along to get along.

James 4:4 (ESV) "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Romans 8:7 (ESV) "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot."

Who controls you? Flip Wilson use to say "the Devil made me do it." Not really true. The Devil tempts/entices you. He is happy to draw you away from God and godly things. Your outward and inward sin will separate you from God. If you are being convicted, don't waste it!

Matthew 15:8 (ESV) "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;"

George Whitefield quote "You may have orthodox heads, and yet you may have the devil in your hearts."

II. You were running with the Devil.

Running from God? Living for yourself? Satan is not your friend.

John 10:10 (ESV) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

You are not just having fun, you are destroying yourself, your life, future, family and your eternity. 

III. You were destined for wrath.

Matthew 25:41 (ESV) "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

John 3:36 (ESV) "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

Outside of Christ you are destined for wrath.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV) "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

IV. But God loves you.

God stepped in!

Romans 5:8 (ESV) "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

John 3:16-17 (ESV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Although we did not deserve it, God sent His son to die in our place. We know He loves us because of Jesus. We know who God is because of Jesus.

V. God is merciful to you.

Grace is all of the good stuff God gives you that you don't deserve. Mercy is everything that you do deserve, but God keeps you from it. God is rich in mercy

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV) "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

Psalms 103:8 (ESV) " The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

That is who God is...He is merciful.

VI. God raised you to life.

You were dead and now you are alive/responsive/sensitive to things of God.

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV) "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

John 6:44 (ESV) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

If God is calling you...respond!

VII. God gave you a future hope.

Immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward un in Christ Jesus. When this life is over we have hope that this not all there is. God will show us the immeasurable grace.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV) "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

VIII. God saves you by grace.

Romans 3:23-24 (ESV) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"

Romans 11:6 (ESV) "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace."

Grace is the unmerited favor that God gives you that you do not deserve.

IX. God saves you through faith.

Romans 3:28 (ESV) "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."

Romans 4:3 (ESV) "For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

Romans 5:1 (ESV) "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Galatians 2:16 (ESV) "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law no one will be justified."

John 3:16 (ESV) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

There are 74 explicit verses that say we are saved by faith and 55 that imply that we are saved by faith.

X. God saves you to do good works.

Jesus' blood is too precious for us to sit on the sidelines and do nothing. We are God's workmanship. He does not want you to sit on the sidelines...Get in the game!