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!

Paul's Prayer for the Saints Ephesians 1:15-23

 Paul was in Ephesus for 2 to 3 years on his 2nd missionary journey. (Acts 19) He left when a huge riot broke out. Those rioting were upset about the "Way". This letter was written about 4 years later while he was on house arrest in Rome. (Acts 21-28) Word  had reached Paul that the revival in Ephesus and the surrounding area was still growing. The letter was a "form" letter that was intended to be shared with several churches in the area. Acts 19:10 (ESV) "This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jew and Greeks."

Ephesians 1:13 (ESV) "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,"

1. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit

The seal is a mark of ownership...a brand...you are branded with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:14 (ESV) "who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

2. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of your inheritance.

You are guaranteed the inheritance of the saints. The first installment of your inheritance is the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:15-23 (ESV) "For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hang in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

Paul gets excited when he writes about all that Christ has done for us!

I. Ephesians 1:15-16 (ESV) "Your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward the saints."

These verses mirror the Great Commission passage in Matthew 22. How were the Jews were supposed to obey 613 commandments? The answer was what Jesus taught...

1. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

2. "Love your neighbor as yourself"

3. "On these two commandments hang all the Law and prophets"

II. Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV) "Jesus is head over all things"

Jesus is the head of the body...the church. We are the members of the body...the church.

He directs and we do. It is not that He is inactive, but we are His hands and feet. We are his mouth!

1 Corinthians 12-14

1 Corinthians 12:1/4-7 (ESV) "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 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."

What are you doing to enhance the ministry and service of OBC? If you are called to OBC then you are called to serve! You will find fulfillment, growth and development of self in service.

Paul's prayer for believers

This is not only for believers in Ephesus 2,000 years ago. This prayer applies to all believers of all times...to you!!

III. Ephesians 1:16-17 (ESV) "May God grant you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation"

You already have the spirit (vs 13 & 14)h . "may you be granted a continually growing supply of each"

Wisdom if not practical is not wise.

Most Ephesians came from pagan background and not having the New Testament...this became an essential prayer.

IV. Ephesians 1:18a (ESV) "may the eyes of your heart be enlightened"

Opened/illuminated

1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

Pray that the eyes of your heart be opened/enlightened.

V. Ephesians 1:18b (ESV) "that you know the hope to which he has called you"

A. KNOW= certainty

B. THE HOPE= expectation

C. THE CALLING= has He called you/drawn/tugged at your heart

*The essence of this passage= That you may be confident and expectant of things He has promised you.*

for example...

VI. Ephesians 1:18c (ESV) "that you may be confident of the rich and glorious inheritance that is yours." (as a believer)

Romans 8:16-17a (ESV) "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs"

What does this inheritance include? Salvation/forgiveness/reconciliation/eternal life.

Revelation 21:4 (ESV) "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

VII. Ephesians1:19 (ESV) "that you may KNOW what is the great power of His might...toward us"

You can depend on your inheritance because of His immeasurable power and might. He can make it happen. 

Ephesians 1:20-21 (ESV)

End Note:

1. These prayers and promises are for those in Christ...it is NOT universal for all people.

2. Paul is confident in God's promises and wants you to be totally confident also.

Challenge:

1. Have you accepted Christ as your Savior?

2. Have you accepted Christ as Lord?

These promises are for you, if you will accept Him as Savior and Lord.

Closing Scripture 

1Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV) "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

Our Inheritance & Guarantee Ephesians 1:11-14

 Ephesians 1:7-14 (ESV) "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also,  when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him,  were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

I. In Him We Have it All "In Him"

"In Him" is used 70+ times in the New Testament. "In Christ" is used 76 times and "In Christ Jesus " is used 40 times.

Colossians 1:16-20 (ESV) "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Everything is Jesus! Through him, for him, by him. Without Jesus we are nothing. Even non believers have blessed by Jesus. There are a lot of lost people who have benefited from the work of Christian people.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Don't know how the lost world deals with hard times .

1 John 5:12 (ESV) "Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

The most important thing you can do in your life is to be in Christ.

II. Fantastic Fellowship

Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV) "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. in him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

In the beginning Paul is talking about the Jews (we) then the gentiles (you) and then both Jew and gentile (we).

It is believed that in the first 3-6 years after Jesus' crucifixion the gospel was only preached to the Jews. Peter had a vision that it would be taken to the gentiles. Acts 19 describes that it started in the synagogue then move to the Hall of Tyrannus.

Old Testament inheritance- Deuteronomy 32:9, 1 Kings 8:15, Psalms 78: 71-72.

Psalms 2:8 (ESV) "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession."

The inheritance is not just for the Jewish people, but for all people.

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."

You can meet anyone from anywhere who are believers. We can fellowship with other true believers no matter what denominations they are a part of. 

III. Incorruptible Inheritance

Inheritance is your portion, your share, allotted to your charge.

God's inheritance is for us!

Proverbs 13:22 (ESV) "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous."

Romans 8:16-17 (ESV) "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

We are children of God, heirs, and co heirs with Christ. Jesus shed his own blood to bring us into the Christian family.

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you,"

God Gives us amazing gifts here, but it will be better in eternity. Even better will be the New Heaven and New Earth. How do we know?  God guarantees it!

IV. Greatest Guarantee

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

V. Sadly Sealed

Persevere and protect

Ephesians 4:30 (ESV) "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

1 Peter 1:15 (ESV) "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,"

VI. Celestial Certification

God puts his stamp on us.

John 3:33 (ESV) "Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true."

By God sending the Holy Spirit he has sealed you.

VII. Divine Down Payment

Earnest money is a down payment. It is a sincere and serious promise to purchase. God will not back out of this promise.

VIII. Christian Confession

How do I know if I have the Holy Spirit?

1 Corinthians 12:3 (ESV) "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says 'Jesus is accursed!' and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except in the Holy Spirit."

If you are a believer you love to confess Jesus is Lord!

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV) "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

IX. Exceptional Evidence of Flourishing Fruit

Galatians 5:16-24 (ESV) "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the tings you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love,  joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Your life after Jesus should look different than your life before Jesus. God should be working on you. We are saved by grace through faith.