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Ephesians Table of Contents
Chapter One:
Introduction to Book of Ephesians: Stand Up and Know Who You are In Christ
Ephesians 1:1: Study of Paul the Apostle
Ephesians 1:1-3: A Love Letter to You
Ephesians 1:3-6: Predestination – The Flag of Promise
Ephesians 1:7-10: Knowledge Is Power:
Ephesians 1:11-14: Sealed and Guaranteed
Ephesians 1:15-23: Paul’s First Prayer
Chapter Two:
Ephesians 2:1-7: Your Past, Present, and Future
Ephesians 2:8-10: God’s Masterpiece
Ephesians 2:11-22: The Dwelling Place of God
Chapter Three:
Ephesians 3:1-6: The Dispensation of Grace
Ephesians 3:7-13: The Least of the Saints
Ephesians 3:14-21: Paul’s Second Prayer
Chapter Four:
Ephesians 4:1-6: Walk Worthy – and In Unity
Ephesians 4:7-16:The Equipping of the Saints
Ephesians 4:17-22: Put Off the Old Man
Ephesians 4:20-32: Put On the New Man
Chapter Five:
Ephesians 5:1-17: Be Imitators of God
Ephesians 5:18-33: Submitting to One Another
Topical Study: Now That You Date (Ephesians 4:25-5:26)
Chapter Six:
Ephesians 6: 1-9: In the Home or at the Office
Ephesians 6: 10-24: What to Wear to War
Book of Ephesians: Chapter One
Introduction to Book of Ephesians: Stand Up and Know Who You are In Christ
Intro
She had gone down in history as "America's Greatest Miser", yet when she died in 1916, Hetty
Green left an estate valued at over 100 million dollars. She ate cold oatmeal because it cost to
heat it. Her son had to suffer a leg amputation, because she chose to wait in line at a free clinic,
and gangrene set in and he lost his leg. After she read the morning newspaper she made her son
go back out on the street and resell the paper. She was wealthy, yet she lived like a pauper.
We can sit with amazement and wonder why she did what she did, but she is actually an
illustration of too many Christian believers. They have limitless wealth at their disposal, and yet
they live like paupers. The book of Ephesians is written to believers that they may stand-up and
claim the riches available to them.
I. New Heights
Ephesians has been called the Alps of the New Testament. We climb to see who we are in
Christ, and we see that we are seated in the heavenly. 5 times in this book is the reference
made…in the heavenly. This book is written to believers…it is not apologetic nor evangelistic, but
to the believer to elevate them from wherever they are to the highest place they can be.
Ephesians takes the Believer to heights they have never been before. Verse 1:3 is the Key verse
to the Book, This is where Ephesians wants to take us, into heavenly places with Christ; to show
us the treasure of riches and blessings that are for us there. (Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly
places in Christ:
What are some Spiritual Blessings? Forgiveness, justification, holiness, wisdom, acceptance,
citizenship, security….Galatians 5:22 names a few: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Love from God, an unconditional acceptance from Him that no matter what you do, he will always
love you, love that never fails. Marriages and relationships fail, but God’s love endures through
thick and thin, and into eternity. God will prove it in this book of Ephesians.
Joy, not laughing and giggling, but a joy that goes beyond that, that goes beyond emotions, a joy
that isn’t affected by the weather or my bank statement. It is the joy of knowing God’s love, and
experiencing Him in a personal and intimate way….daily. Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt show me the
path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. In
the heavenly is where God wants to take you, into the presence of the Lord, it is in His presence
that FULLNESS come.
It is even greater than joy that comes from serving Him, as great as that is. The disciples went
out ministering in Jesus name, they healed the sick and raised the dead, yet when they came
back to tell Jesus all they did, Jesus said don’t rejoice because you did these things, but rejoice
that your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life…..God will prove it in this Book of Ephesians.
Peace, an inner peace that even if the would is falling apart around you, if there is a war here or
abroad, you will have peace knowing that you rest in the palm of the One who created you, the
One who can’t take His eyes off you. God will Prove it in this Book of Ephesians.
It is such a shame how few people claim their riches in Christ. Tonight the world is going to bars,
turning to drugs, empty relationship, stroking pride and arrogance, all trying to find what we as
Christians have already been given….love, joy, peace. These are the spiritual blessing, and we
as Christians must learn how to seize them at their utmost. Whatever level you are at tonight,
God wants to take you higher, more love, more joy, more peace. Also through this book of
Ephesians, God will show us the things that rob us of the spiritual blessings available for us today,
God’s warnings to protect us.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10: But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor
have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the
deep things of God. Ephesians is the fulfillment of this; it really is the revelation of the things which
God has prepared for those who love Him
There are many remarkable correspondences between certain OT books and NT Epistles.
Romans answers Exodus (expounds on the Law, 10 commandments), Hebrews answers
Leviticus (the Priest and the Tabernacle of God), and Ephesians answers Joshua, the victorious
Christian life. Joshua after 40 years of wilderness we have the people of Israel entering upon the
possessions of their inheritance. The land was flowing with milk and honey, they needed to have
2 men with a pole to carry the cluster of grapes (fruit). The fruit of the Spirit is available to all who
will seize it in the Book of Ephesians.
Do you possess your possessions. Or are they like castles in Spain about which we dream of, but
never really make our own. I trust the Spirit of God may lead us into the present enjoyment of our
portion in Christ
This book is about perspective, God showing us the big picture, we experience what few people in
the world experience, we get to see the world and ourselves, as God himself does.
II.
Again the Key to this whole Book, Verse 3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
God is talking about Spiritual Blessings. I like to take this verse and just meditate on it, chew on it
over and over again, and I always come out refreshed. I see 4 things in this Key verse that
unlocks the rest of the book for me, and convinces me that every promise and blessing in this
book are mine for the taking. They are…quantity, quality, locality, instrumentality (actually
“source”, but “ity” helps me remember)
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Quantity - how much?…..most?, 70%, 90%….ALL…..nothing is left out, God holds nothing
back from us. What we will study is how to seize all of them.
Quality – Spiritual, can not be taken away. So often we ask for the temporal, cause we get
caught up in the materialistic, new car, better job, or we let the urgent preamp the important
(debt, health, etc). Though they may be necessary, they fall short, and we sell ourself short
by settling for them instead of reaching higher for the spiritual blessings. We can seize these
today, we do not have to wait until heaven.
Locality – Heavenly Places. Address is everything, from the Stone Age to the Information
Age, address is everything, if we do not get the right address, then we get no response or the
wrong response. As we study this book, we will see from God’s perspective, we are already
seated in heaven with Him, because we are in Him. Heaven is our Home, when we focus on
heaven, this life on earth will not have such a hold on us. Meditate on that.
Instrumentality – the source from which we receive these blessings? In Christ. All blessings
flow through Him, all based on His finished work on the cross. Since it is His work on the
cross, there is nothing for us to add. We don’t need to work or strive to gain His favor. We
only respond, and we only respond in gratitude. He is the only path for blessing. And
because He is our Source, and we are in Christ, we do not have to wait until Heaven to
receive these blessing
III.
2 Divisions in this Book
 1st division gives us our inheritance chapters 1-3 - what God has done for us, our
position in Christ - that's Doctrine.
 2nd the behavior that should characterize those who are so richly blessed chapters 4-6 what our response to chapters 1-3 should be, our practice - that's Duty.
(Eph 4:1 KJV) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith ye are called,
(Eph 5:1 KJV) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Chapter 4 we see the guidelines for Christian dating/personal relationships, 5 – marriage, and 6
employment. If we do not apply these practices, then we will be robbed of our spiritual blessings
that God has for us, we lose or diminish our love, joy, and peace.
After we read about God’s abundant love for us, we can only respond in one way……….by giving
Him our life. Ephesians 5 gives the practical application, Husbands, love your wives, even as
Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; When such great love is demonstrated we
can only respond by saying….I give you my life, all that I am.
Too often the church emphasize Duty before the people understand the Doctrine. Duty then
becomes a burden, a works deal. If see study chapters 1-3 and see all that God has done for us,
we will want to serve and obey. If you don't understand 1-3, then 4-6 will be a burden.
IV.
The Order
Here is the order of Ephesians.
Chapter 1 - Seated with Christ in heaven
Chapter 4 - Walk worthy of the calling
Chapter 6 - Standfast (steadfastly)
Today we reverse the order. We tell people to standfast, then walk worthy, and then you will be
seated in the heavenly.
There is something special about being seated in the Heavenly’s, we loosen our grip on this
present world. I have an eternal perspective, the here and now we think are so important, the light
of heaven illuminates on them and we see how petty they really are, how in the scheme of
eternity, they are but a scratch. My job, my debt, my …….
The Apostle John illustrates to us being in the heavenly:
Revelation 4:1-2 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice
which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will
show thee things which must be hereafter. V.2: And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a
throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
I love it, when we go up there, we are immediately in the spirit, and immediately we see Him, on
the throne, in His glory. How small the world looks when we see His greatness.
Divine order; instruction in the truth first, practice in accordance with the truth afterwards. The
resultant, a victorious Christian Life filled with love, joy, and peace.
End of Introduction to Book of Ephesians
Ephesians 1:1: Study of Paul the Apostle
(Ephesians 1:1 NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints
who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Can we believe all these things promised to us, our first assurance of that is given by the man
who wrote this. A premier example of God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy. Paul…from murderer to
apostle. Only God could do such a thing, lets look at this man and see how his life relates to our.
4 Things here: The man, his calling, his power, his authority.
1. The Man - Paul
Paul - The first 19 times we read of this man in the Bible his name is Saul.
But the 20th time, in Acts 13:9, he is called Paul. His name was changed, and we all know him as
the Apostle Paul. From that point on in the Bible, the only time you hear him refereed to as Saul,
is when it is a reference to the old man, the man before he met Christ.
I like this, the first time he is called Paul, it said he was filled with the Holy Spirit Verse 9 in Acts 13
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. When your
filled with the Holy Spirit, things are going to change, for the glory of God. If you want to be filled
with the Holy Spirit, all you have to do is ask.
Paul is a Greek name, this may signify his ministry to the Gentiles. It was pretty much from that
point on (Acts 13) Paul was set apart to minister to the Gentiles. Paul was prepared from the
beginning. He sat under the great Jewish teacher Gamiel, he know the Old Testament, he knew
the law, he knew legalism. Who better to teach about grace.
We are in that same place, for many of before we were saved we knew all about dead religion,
pain from chasing the flesh, emptiness and vainity to name a few…..who better to tell about God’s
love, mercy, and grace…His gentle hand that reach down to touch us, His loving arms that never
turn us way.
2. His Calling – An Apostle
Paul and apostle . Apostle ..sent one - Somehow today, people consider that ministers and
missionaries are the highest calling of God. Whatever God has called you to is the highest calling
of God. Don't be bummed where the Lord has you. Serve God where you are at. The world
needs policeman, engineers, teachers, janitors. God wants ministers everywhere. The Lord has
stationed His people in places where they an minister to those around them.
Let me ask you this? Who told Paul that he was an Apostle? Nowhere in the Scriptures is Paul
ordained as an Apostle.
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the
Father who raised Him from the dead),
Of course we know that he is because the Scriptures are inspired. Romans 11:13
The apostles were chosen by Jesus:
(Luke 6:12 KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and
continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of
them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Some people get so caught-up with what is my calling (for some - what is my title), where should I
minister, that they never get out and minister. They use 2 Peter 1:10, Make your calling and
election sure. But in the context that is really talking about growing in the knowledge and faith of
our Lord.
I went to a conference were my Pastor was teaching, and so the pastor hosting thought I was
Rick’s assistant, he treated my real special until he found out I wasn’t ordained or on staff.
Paul's ministry identified what his calling was. As we grow in the Lord, our life just becomes a
progressive revelation of His will for us. You will naturally be lead down paths that God has for
you and you will be ministering all along the way. I'm not saying you shouldn't pray before you take
a job, or serve in a ministry, or move to a new town; you should do that always.
It is like the word "martyr". That word doesn't mean to die for what you believe. It means to
"witness". They get killed because they were a witness. The young girl Cassie Burnel was killed
in Columbine for her faith in Jesus Christ. (By the way that was the question: do you believe in
Jesus Christ, not do you believe in God). You see the killers didn't say who here believes in Jesus
Christ? They already knew she was Christian because of her witness all the days before that
tragic morning.
The life you are living will reveal your calling
Some people leave the church because they don't get the title: Elder, Deacon, Assistant Pastor.
They missed it, if your already doing those things then what is the difference what your title is.
Some men quit because they only have 10 after 6 months. Then some get so caught-up in there
numbers that they quit ministering to the individual but the numbers.
Spurgeon was questioned why his church was 3000 and the man's was only 30. Spurgeon said I
think 30 is enough to give an account for before the Lord. The man never ministered again the
same. The words will be well done they good and faithful servant, not good and successful.
Our calling is multi-faceted, yet singular. We are called to be Christ-like, yet we have multiple
roles like being a spouse, parent, employee, or Sunday school teacher.
If you're married, then your called to serve your spouse and children. If you work you're called to
be a bondservant to your employer. You have neighbors, you are called to love them. The
bottom line is, Bloom where you are planted. How do we bloom where we are planted? Number
3.
3. His Power – of Jesus Christ
Men write books and frequently pad them in order to give quantity as well as quality. But there is
nothing like that in the Bible. God’s words are tried as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified
seven times, therefore we may well give our most careful attention to every item and every
expression used. There is power in His Word. The Word of God is living and Powerful Hebrews
4:12.
(Eph 1:19 KJV) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power,
(Eph 1:20 KJV) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at
his own right hand in the heavenly places,.
This verse says the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available for every believer to
sieze for the day…..Paul says I am speaking from experience. We have been given the power to
defeat sin in our lives, and to minister in God's name. We have the power to control our tongue,
love our enemy, minister to our spouse; all the power in heave is available to us today for use
today.
4. His Authority – by the Will of God
Ephesians 1:11. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the
purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
By God’s will He chose us for eternity with Him. God’s will is for us, always, never against us.
This is the same Greek word for will as used in the Lord’s prayer. Yes we are submitting but we
see here in Ephesians we are trading our will always for something better. We so often think we
are being humble by saying Lord I really want this, but not my will, but yours. It is so freeing when
you just say, take care of it.
Ray living in Baltimore by the will of God. As long as you are in the will of God, whereever you
are, you rest in knowing that's where God wants you for now. How do you know if you are in
God's will?
(Matthew 22:36-40 NKJV) "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and
with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like it: 'You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the
Prophets."
And know that bad circumstances don't necessarily mean that you are out of God's will remember Paul is writing this from prison. Ephesians 6:20 he doesn't whine, instead he calls
himself an ambassador in chains.
How does all this tie in with Ephesians? As you study Ephesians, you will see what God has done
for you and you will naturally want to serve.
I like what Paul says here, by the "will of God" . He knew it wasn't by striving. Don't try to be
someone your not, enjoy where God has you now. Remember, The word "will" is the same word
used in the Lord's prayer
END STUDY PAUL THE APOSTLE EPHESIANS 1:1
STUDY EPHESIANS 1:1-3 – A Love Letter to You
I. Mr Postman please deliver this letter to: God’s love letter to us.
(Ephesians 1:1 NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints
who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Saints in Ephesus: If you are a Christian, then you are a saint. Believe it or not, that is what God
thinks of you. Saint means to be set apart. When a sinner trusts Christ as his Savior, he is taken
out of this world and placed “in Christ”.
Man always gets it reversed. Man doesn't make Saints, God does. It is not three miracles
performed by a man, but one miracle performed by God. The definition of miracle is "a
supernatural event". What greater miracle could there be then the Almighty God going to the
cross for our sins so that we might have rebirth.
If you are born-again then you are a saint. Don't think you are being humble by saying you are not
a saint. You are insulting God, He went to the cross to make you a saint.
Believe it, receive it, and when you do, guess what? You'll start living like one. When you believe
you are a saint, then you will have a whole new respect for your body. I remember doing street
ministry in California and a prostitute got saved, we had to call her parents cause she said she
can’t do this to her body any more.
Faithful: How did they become saints? They were faithful in Christ Jesus. These people were
not saved by living faithful lives, rather they put their faith in Christ Jesus and were saved.
In Christ Jesus" you have the heart of the message. All that God has done for us and to us is
wrapped up in Christ.
(Rom 8:1 NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who
do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
….you can't improve on that
This first verse is really the underlying tone of the whole epistle, and it is in the Word, in Christ
Jesus. So as you go through this epistle it will be helpful if you will take your pen and you will
underline all of the things that you have that God has done for you in Christ, through Christ and
you will find the phrases, in Him, by whom, in whom, through whom, though Him, and all of these
things that you are and have through and in Jesus Christ. And you find this reoccurring throughout
the entire epistle. And so this almost becomes the key words that will unlock the epistle as he tells
you all that you are, all that God has done for you, all that God is going to do for you, all that God
wants to do for you, in Christ Jesus. So do underline as you go through and it will help you to be
drawn back to your memory.
27 times is used “In Christ” Our spiritual position. All our blessings are in Christ.
II. Let Them Know It is From Dad: God and Father…nothing higher or greater than God, yet
nothing more intimate than Father
(Ephesians 1:2 NKJV) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Grace, the Gospel of grace, without God’s grace then there would be nothing more to say.
(Rom 5:1 NKJV) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ, (Rom 5:2 NKJV) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace
in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
No grace, then no salvation. Without God’s grace then we would not have peace with God,
because our sins would not be forgiven and we would still be at war with Him.
(John 1:17 NKJV) For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus
Christ.
Grace: You will never have real peace, until you get a handle on grace.
G - God's
R - Riches
A - At
C - Christ's
E - Expense
Grace. First mentioned in Genesis 6:8, Noah found grace in God's sight. Noah was spared
God's wrath. Grace is last mentioned in the last verse of the Bible. Revelation 22:21, may the
grace of God be with you always……………..God promises us His Grace will keep us from wrath,
and will keep us in His peace always.
Peace: When we understand His Grace is never ending, then we will quit wondering and
doubting if He is upset with us. We will always know that he is for us, and then no matter what we
have done we will run back into his arms, say we are sorry, and let Him comfort and hold us.
When the trials come, we won't worry what will become of us, we will trust that He is using them in
our lives to shape us and mold us into His Image. As we realize we are in His hand, the Peace of
God, like a military garrison, keeps our hearts and saves us from all doubt and fear.
III. Read Receipt Requested - Contents Extremely Valuable
(Ephesians 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
God and Father…nothing higher or greater than God, yet nothing more intimate than Father.
Paul knows and understands the Grace and Peace of God; he knows his position in Christ, and
then he immediately starts looking heavenbound. Paul can’t contain himself, and from verses 314, he traces God’s love for us from before time to eternity future.
(1 Cor 1:5 KJV) That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
(2 Cor 9:11 KJV) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us
thanksgiving to God.
in the heavenly places in Christ This is where Ephesians wants to take us, into heavenly places
with Christ; to show us the treasure of riches and blessings that are for us there. In the heavenly
5x in this epistle.
Blessed: Paul doesn't make it very far into his letter before he can't contain himself and break out
in praise to God. What is most interesting is where Paul is writing this letter from - prison. Paul
didn't say "woe is me, please pray for me." Paul understood that true blessings are spiritual. The
church in America needs to understand this verse.
Spiritual blessing: Many people cite the Old Testament as evidence that Christians are to
prosper materially, but they have missed the true meaning behind those Scriptures. Now it is true
that God wants to bless His children, but He doesn't promise us that we will all be rich. God does
promise us right here in this verse that we will all be rich spiritually.
The Old Testament stories are types. They are truths to help us understand how we gain spiritual
victories. The spiritual OT truths are shadows of things to come - Jesus Christ. For example the
sacrifice of animals were shadows and example of the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ.
Material blessings in and of themselves will not satisfy. Remember the story of Potty Green. She
died in 1916 and left an estate worth 100 million dollars. She made her money doing shrewd
business deals. She was so cheap, that after she read the morning paper, she made her son go
out on the street and sell it, why waste 5 cents. She would not allow her son to boil water to make
oatmeal, so he had to eat it cold. She would not turn lights on or burn a fire. Her son lost his leg
because after breaking it in Central Park she waited in-line at the free clinic for 6 hours, infection
set in and he lost his leg.
When she died, not one person attended her funeral, not even her son. She lived a miserable life.
JD Rockefeller, the oil tycoon spent the last 30 years of his life only being able to eat saltine
crackers and water. Why? Because his stomach was in knots worrying about his money. People
will be broke without Jesus Christ.
You may say, But name some of these things that are ours. He has blessed us with the blessing
of forgiveness of our sins, with justification from all things, with sanctification in Christ, with a robe
of perfect righteousness, with a heavenly citizenship, by giving us a place in the Body of Christ, by
making us heirs of His riches in Christ Jesus. And yet how some of us struggle along eking out a
poor, wretched, miserable existence! We act as spiritual paupers when we ought to be living like
millionaires.
I am blessed in Him and all the treasures of heaven are at my disposal, and I am to draw upon
them as I have need in order that I may have joy, and rejoice as I go forth in His service down
here.
How do I get into the heavenlies? Go to the cross, in the midst of all that goes on around us in
this world: wars, work, everyday life, sometimes it is hard to see clearly…that is when we need to
go to the cross. The clearest view we will ever have of God’s love for us it at the cross. How do I
get there? I take time on a regular basis, and read the account of the crucifixion and resurrection
of Christ (John 18-21). I get alone, usually in my car, and just drive around listening to my favorite
praise CD, all these things bring me back into perspective, back into the view of the cross, and
then I can see clearly God’s love for me, and then my life is back in balance, and any problem is
put into perspective.
Church tradition tells us that the Apostle John was placed in boiling oil for his faith, it didn’t kill him,
so he was exiled to the Island of Patmous, probably n his 80’s. Maybe he felt slighted by the Lord
for this being his reward of service, maybe he was angry at the world for the way he was treated,
but what does the Lord say?
(Rev 4:1 KJV) After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice
which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will
show thee things which must be hereafter.
(Rev 4:2 KJV) And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and
one sat on the throne.
God calls him out of his present state, into the heavenlies….and once there, notice he was in the
spirit. And he sees and records one of the greatest events to ever happen in this world
And Paul, he writes this from prison. After a life of service, a life of missions, church planting, soul
winning, beaten left for dead, ship wrecked….he ends up in prison. What does God do, He takes
Paul up into the heavenlies, and says let me show you things from where I sit.
The book of Ephesians, God’s Word, that’s where we go….let me show you things from where I
sit.
(2 Corinthians 1:19-20 NKJV) For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you
by us; by me, Silvanus, and Timothy; was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the
promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
END STUDY EPHESIANS 1:1-3 – A Love Letter to You
Ephesians 1:3-6: Predestination – The Flag of Promise
Intro: New Heights
Ephesians has been called the Swiss Alps of the New Testament. We climb to see who we are in
Christ, and we see that we are seated in the heavenly. 5 times in this book is the reference
made…in the heavenly.
Ephesians takes the Believer to heights they have never been before. Verse 1:3 is the Key verse
to the Book, (Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. This is where Ephesians wants
to take us, into heavenly places with Christ; to show us the treasure of riches and blessings that
are for every believer.
Tonight, if you will, God wants to take you up into the heavenlies, and show you things from where
He sits. In tonight's verses, He wants to show us our position in Christ, adopted as sons, and He
guarantees the believers position with the word…predestined. Predestined, pre-determined, God
planned these things before you were even born. He shows we are guaranteed to receive His
spiritual blessings…..and His guarantees are spiritual blessings in themselves.
Tonight He says to you if you are feeling down, depressed, dry………….then tonight let these
words lift your soul, let them be Living Water that refresh your spirit, let them be a reminder to you.
And God wants to remind you, that so often your mana for today, is also to share with other
believers who need to hear this good news.
God right from the start of this epistle wants to establish in us the security of our salvation. If you
struggle with your salvation, then you’ll never have the power to seize all your spiritual blessings.
Tonight we will see 4 promises for us as God shows us things from where He sits. 4 promises
that will refresh your spirit, and show you your salvation is secure.
(Ephesians 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
(Ephesians 1:4 NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
(Ephesians 1:6 NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us
accepted in the Beloved.
The day was September 13, 1814, from the embankments of Fort McHenry looking out
into the entrance to Baltimore harbor one would see British war ships determined to bring the
infant nation to its knees. Although America had only recently miraculously won her independence
from royal tyranny that sought to enslave the colonists into a world controlled by a hot-headed
monarch determined to quash freedom of religious expression, Great Britain still controlled the
seas with the largest, most powerfully Navy on earth - a Navy she used regularly to interdict
American shipping, pillaging cargo and forcing sailors into involuntary sea duty aboard brutal
frigates owned by the crown. Britain never imagined the infant America would dare to declare war
to stop the oppression, but we did - boldly and justly, but with no real hope of victory.
Preoccupied by war with France, Britain paid little heed until, in 1814, having settled
matters in Europe, she turned her attention and naval wrath on her former colonies, sailing with a
mighty irresistible armada up the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, landing in Washington,
where citizens fled in terror (including the Madisons), leaving the Brits to burn the White House
and Treasury buildings to the ground. The armada then sailed back out to the Bay and north to
Baltimore, planning a devastating crush that would bring the states to their knees and make them
subject to the king once again. However, the Baltimoreans did not run; instead, embarrassed by
their Washingtonian fellow citizens, they dug in and determined to fight valiantly to the last man if
necessary. In preparation (in those days, people knew for weeks an invasion was on its way, and
America had no Navy to stop the British armada) the commander of Fort McHenry, which guards
the entrance to Baltimore harbor, ordered the largest American flag ever made sown for him - it
measured 42 feet by 30 feet and was finished in a near-by warehouse by a team of seamstresses.
When the British armada opened fire on the helpless fort - the range of the ships' guns
was far greater than that of the fort's - with a barrage of nearly 1,800 heavy rounds, the smoke
blocked out the light of day, but, as you know, when it cleared, the giant fifteen stared banner was
still waving in defiance. Meanwhile, a British invasion by land was met with the fierce determined
opposition of the Baltimoreans and turned back. Each time the ships sailed closer to the fort,
McHenry's guns drove them back. Finally, they gave up and sailed home, freedom was preserved,
and British sea-going piracy ceased. The infant nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created equal, not only survived, but also triumphed.
FT McHenry ----a great battle fought to take back this nation, but victory was America’s. As we
look at this flag we are reminded we are free because the battle won there. For America, this flag
is a daily reminder of the freedom we enjoy, and has lasted for over 200 years.
God gives us a flag, in a sense, one that has lasted for over 2000 years and will never fade or
tatter, He gives us this word – predestined, pre-determined– he spoke it before the foundation of
the world. He says when you hear this word, remember this word, let it be a reminder to you of
the battle that was won on Calvary, and the promise of your freedom, and your destiny, forever.
Maj George Armistead, commander of the Fort, said I want Ft McHenry’s flag to be large enough
that the British will have no difficulty in seeing it from a distance. God says I'm giving you a word
large enough that you will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance. When the enemy and this
world attack. When all seems hopeless, when the day seems like night, and the attack seems
like it will never end, when you question if you are saved, may we remember this
word….predestined, pre-determined….guaranteed we are adopted.
Ephesians 1:4 NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Promise 1: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to be chosen in love
Before the foundation of the world, before the earth was without form or void, before He created
out of nothing, Before God said let there be……..He said I love you Ray, I've chosen you.
Love can not live alone, true love has to be shared.
"Chose us, ..In Love" We were chosen in love, there was an emotion tied to this action by God.
When we say we love someone, there is something in our heart that stirs, it is from that stirring in
our heart that make us say these words. And if we could step away from the black and white
pages, and just hear the heart of God, hear Him saying because my deep love for you, I want you
to be with me for ever, come live with me
Sadly, instead of predestination being a love story, many men in the church have removed the
emotional tie, and turned it into an argument. For 100’s of years men have argued If God chose,
then can I reject or am I forced to receive, this is the great Calvinism vs Armianism debate. When
I was in Bible college students would argue over it, the church I came from had a split over it.
Arguing over such foolishness, their minds took over for their hearts, and they lost the emotional
connection behind it.
You have to read Ephesians 5 to gain a feel for the emotion tied here:
(Eph 5:25 KJV) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
himself for it;
(Eph 5:26 KJV) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
(Eph 5:27 KJV) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
God says I’m choosing you like a man chooses his bride. He says when I see you something
happens in my heart. When we are away from each other my heart longs for you, things just are
not right when we are apart. You were meant to be with me. We are meant to say goodnight and
good morning. Rest in my arms, let me brush the hair off your face so I can see you, let my arms
hold you. Let me tell you how much I love you, let us walk together side by side.
Verse 4…..that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
When I look at you, I see perfection. The scriptures say love covers a multitude of sins. When
God looks at you he doesn’t see all you faults and failures, all he sees is his bride, the one who
makes his heart move.
Verse 6 says we are "accepted in the beloved"
The word accepted here means embraced. This word is "full gathering in". When God accepts
us, He accepts all that comes with us. He accepts my shame and sin - fully. It is amazing to
think, that someone would fight for that, and consider it victory when He got it.
Why does God embrace us? Because we are in the beloved. It is not only that I am in Christ, but
Christ is in me, when God looks at me, he sees me in the beloved. Jesus is lovely, without spot or
blemish, there is no make-up needed.
If people could just grasp this truth, they would run to, not from, when they fall. I like this, I think I'll
use while I'm witnessing on the streets. When it finally sinks in, we will enjoy our relationship with
the Father. God is saying I will never divorce you, I will never leave you, turn my back on you.
Yes what you may do sometimes will hurt me, but come to me and we will work through this
together.
You will throw away your spiritual thermometer on how you are gauging yourself, and enjoy your
relationship with God, which in turn will take you into a deeper spiritual growth and walk.

God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were
born that you would be chosen in Love.
Ephesians 1:4 NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that
we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Promise 2: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to be Holy and without
blame
Predestined…..You can't explain predestination, but people will try to explain it away. If you try to
explain it away you lose your heart. Predestination is a family secret.
Predestined - Greek word pro-horizon. God knows our horizon before we do. Predestined, our
destiny is already planned. We are destined for greatness, is a phrase so often used today in the
world, but for the believer, it is past tense, our destiny is a done deal, and we live it daily.
God chose us first. This verse could also read, “in love having predestined us”. Man put the
commas in, so it could read both way, and either way it is beautiful. I rest in that because the
alternative is me choosing God. I don't like that because that leaves me as the performer, and I
can't perform at a level to be accepted by Him
I don’t want to spend too much time on this, but let me point out; No where in the Scriptures does
it say that God predestined anyone to Hell. In Revelation 3 everybody starts out with their name in
the Lambs book of Life. It says their name was blotted out of the book.
(2 Peter 3:9 NKJV) Is for those who chose not to believe: The Lord is not slack concerning His
promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.
(Romans 8:29-30 NKJV) Is for those who chose to believe: For whom He foreknew, He also
predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many
brethren. (29)Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He
also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
God doesn't pick losers. He foreknew: God knows who will respond to His love. And He knows
who will reject His love. God will not force His love upon anyone. Why is the person who rejects
Jesus Christ allowed to live? Because you have to play it out. They will be given every
opportunity to respond.
The entrance to the gates to heaven read 'For whosoever will', and then after you enter you read
the back of the sign, 'Chosen before the foundation of the world.' Let the theologians wrestle this
out, but as for me, it is a promise to believe, I'm His, and He is mine.
But what happens when we blow it
Remember Verse 4 says we shall be holy and without blame; This is a done deal, a given,
God is making a statement here, not a command. We are blessed in Christ, chosen, destined to
be like Him, holy without blame.
(Phil 1:6 KJV) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
We shall be, sadly we don't seize this promise now, we go the long hard way.
Revelation 2, the church of Ephesus, God said you started off great, you had great works,
patience, and hated evil……but this I have against you, that you have left your first love.
God has predestined us for greatness, for glory, for all spiritual blessings in the heavenly, don’t
cheapen it, claim your family inheritance.
Don't live like a pauper, constantly being brought down by the same sins, claim your
inheritance……….Roll away the stone and live. Live like the Kings kid. I came that they may
have life and that more abundantly. You can't enjoy the mountain view, when your down in the
valley stuck in the mud.
Some years ago a British nobleman died, leaving an estate which, as he had no children, would
go to the nearest hier. This man living far away was the nearest heir, living in poverty, and just
eking out a struggling existence when they found him and gave him the news that the estate was
his. It was his all the time but he didn't know it. What did he do when he found out? Did he say
that’s good, I'll have something to fall back on and someday I'll go look into it. No, he went down
town, and on the strength of the estate bought a new suit and a ticket, and started to Great Britian.
The news reporter asked him where he was going? He answered, to take possession of my
estate.

God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were
born that you would be Holy and without Blame
(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Promise 3: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to Adopted as my child.
We enter into God's family by regeneration, that is by being born-again. Adoption shows not how
we enter in, but how we are involved in the family. The word adoption in the Greek means, "adult
standing."
In regeneration a Christian becomes a child of God; in adoption he receives the position of a son
of God.
(John 1:12-13 NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children
of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God
In Roman law, "When the adoption was complete it was complete indeed. The person who had
been adopted had all the rights of a legitimate son in his new family and completely lost all rights
in his old family. In the eyes of the law he was a new person. So new was he that even all debts
and obligations connected with his previous family were abolished as if they had never existed."
In old times a master would adopt a slave and make them joint heirs in ownership.A true story
from way back. A man grew up as the son of the town prostitute. The town joke was him; they
would say, "who does he look like? They would not allow him in the stores or on the walkway.
He started to go to go to church, and he met the Pastor. The Pastor said, "you know who you
look like? And the man thought to himself, the last person I expected it from was the Pastor.
Pastor said, "you look like the son of God, go claim your inheritance." He was two times elected
governor of his state.
We are all created in God’s image, but it is not until we are adopted will there be a family
resemblance.
According to the good pleasures of His will,.. God’s determination to save us and make us
Holy delights Him; it pleases God to bless us.
As adopted children we have an inheritance that we are called to claim. The whole Book of
Ephesians elaborates on what we are heirs to.
(Ephesians 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed
us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were
born that you would be Adopted as my child
(Ephesians 1:5 NKJV) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
(Ephesians 1:6 NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us
accepted in the Beloved.
Promise 4: Before the foundation of the world you were pre-determined to be the Praise of His
Glory
Why has God blessed us, predestined us, chosen us, and adopted us? For His good pleasure
and so there is no bragging on our behalf, It's all God's Grace. When people look at us they can
only praise God. God’s determination to save us and make us holy delights Him; it pleases God
to bless us ------God is always for us, never doubt that.
You can't say God is not gracious when you look at His people. I like Jon Courson's analogy. If I
was to coach the Ravens to the Super Bowl, everybody would say it was because I had the likes
of Ray Lewis, and Shannon Sharp. But if I put together a team from this church, and we went to
the Super Bowl and beat the Giant's, then everybody would be saying what a great coach I am
taking a bunch of no names, becoming world champs. It rally is amazing that the Gospel breaks
through to the world inspite of the church.
praise of the glory: Now this word glory isn't the bright-light glory, rather it means recognition.
When we recognize the grace He has shown us, we marvel, we are blown away that the Creator
of the Universe loves us that much. As we sit and reflect on that, we can't help but to break out in
praise.
praise of the glory: This word praise isn't the singing praise, rather it is the applauding praise.
The standing ovation. The, "Lets give up for the Lord" praise. I think the reason the marriage
supper of the Lamb is so long will be because of the applause. We will all be sitting at the
banquet table talking, and then Jesus is going to walk out to the head table, and then we are all
going to stand to our feet and give a thunderous applause that will just go on and on, as we are in
out new bodies, looking about heaven, we won't be able to stop. We will know why we are there,
because of His grace. To the praise of the glory of His grace.

God says when you see this word Predestined…remember I pre-determined before you were
born that you would be the Praise of my Glory
Conclusion:
How do I apply all this to my life….dwell on it meditate on it until it becomes a part of your very
being. No matter what you are going through today or tomorrow, we have a most awesome
promise from God. When we consider these things, and grasp just a piece of it, we can't help but
praise our Lord, and a revival starts in our heart, and overflows to our family, friends and the world
around us.
We are adopted sons and daughters, we have a home in heaven and here on earth. We have
been given the opportunity to touch heaven, and change earth. I see it happening here in this
church, people are excited about Jesus, and people around us are noticing.
End Ephesians 1:3-6: Predestination – The Flag of Promise
Knowledge Is Power: Ephesians 1:7-14
November 2000 Gospel for Asia article:
The old Hindu priest in his saffron-colored robe listened intently to the desperate story of the
troubled young man who was seeking his advice. When he finished, the priest told him, “To find a
way out of your problems, you must go and worship a new god.”
Omprakash politely placed the palms of his hands together and bowed reverently before the sage,
thanking him for his wisdom.
As he slowly walked down the worn out steps of the ancient temple, he felt a new glimmer of hope
in his heart. But he wondered which one among the millions of gods and goddesses he should
approach. There was no guarantee that the one he chose would be powerful enough, much less
willing, to heal him of his sickness and give him inner peace.
But Omprakash decided to obey the priest and began his search for a new god who could answer
his prayers. With sincerity he went from one shrine to another, but none of the idol gods
responded to his desperate pleas for help. Omprakash grew more discouraged and depressed
with each passing day.
That’s when he met a native missionary who shared with him about Jesus and gave him a New
Testament to read.
“With great interest I started to read the Scripture,” Omprakash recalls, “and I understood that
Jesus is the only true God who died for the redemption of sinful mankind.”
At this moment the young man knew that his search for a new god was finally over. He knelt down
and received Jesus as his Savior and Lord. The peace and joy that filled his heart was beyond
anything he ever imagined. And Jesus, in His mercy, healed his body as well.
Knowing the Savior changed his life forever.
Knowledge is power. In the Stock market, knowledge of company’s is power. In war, knowing
your enemy and where he will attackis power. For us, the knowledge of Jesus Christ as revealed
through His Word, releases power in our life.

(2 Pet 1:2 KJV) Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and
of Jesus our Lord,
Grace and Peace come through the knowledge of God, and so does Life and Godliness.
(2 Pet 1:3 KJV) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life
and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2 Peter 1:3 shows us that the release of God’s power in our life comes through Knowledge, and
that is the knowledge of Him. The whole Bible is a power-releasing center, the Book of
Ephesians is like a stick of dynamite, and verses 7-14 are the burning wick to set out His power in
our life.
God continues to assure our salvation, He assures us of our position in Him. And when we are
sure, than we are secure, when we are secure, then we can let go of our fears and insecurities
and start living in freedom and joy. As we live in freedom and joy, the world around us notices,
and they want to know how they can experience the same.
(Ephesians 1:7 NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of His grace
I. The Knowledge that He has Redeemed Us, gives us power:
Redemption, the whole reason for the gospel. The whole theme of this Bible. Creation: Look at
the different between how much space is taken in the Scripture for creation compared to
redemption. Creation is written of in the beginning of Genesis, some in Isaiah, Psalms, and Job.
Redemption however is found in virtually every passage in the Bible. Why? Cause redemption
cost God more, His only Son. He can speak a universe into existence, but must go through the
cross for redemption.
Redemption is buying something out of where it is held. 3 Greek words for Redemption.
Argarazo – go to the market and buy, to purchase; and it is yours. We have been purchased by
God, He paid the price to make us His own
Exergarazo - to buy out of the market, so that which has been purchased will never be put on
sale again. There were 60 million slaves in the Roman empire at the time this was written, and
often they were bought and sold like pieces of furniture. A man could purchase a slave and set
him free. Then he put into the hand of the slave a legal paper, which granted him complete
freedom. The person bought out of slavery was never to be in jeopardy again. We have been
bought out of the slavery of sin, and death, and will never be in jeopardy again.
Apolutrosis – the word used here means rescued by paying a ransom. Also means to deliver
from physical torture. The compound of the word is apo – means away from, or going away from
something. And the second is lutrosis, means “to be free, to be loosed from something”. We
have been loosed away from the curse of the law that once hung over us. We have been loosed
from our sins, and the judgment to come from God. Jesus was our ransom, he took our place.
Satan held us captive, his plan was to ruin our lives through the things of this world, to destroy our
families, bring diseases, wars, sickness and then finally death. And then when all that was over,
and we went to hell for our sins, he planned to physically torture us for eternity. His ransom price
for our souls was none other than the Son of God, and Jesus agreed to pay the price. Our
salvation is secured forever.
Through his blood:
One drop of blood is enough to cleanse us from every.
(1 Pet 1:18 KJV) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as
silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
(1 Pet 1:19 KJV) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot:
We will never know, here on earth, the total power of the blood. We must at least always
remember this, it is not our estimation of the blood, but God's.
II. The Knowledge that He has Forgiven Us, gives us power:
(Ephesians 1:7 NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of His grace
Forgiveness is not a feeling; forgiveness is an action, an action performed by God – proven on the
Cross at Calvary. Forgiveness of sin is a fruit of redemption.
There are three very distinctive aspects of forgiveness presented in the Bible:
Eternal Forgiveness, which is spoken of here. The believers sin, past/present/and future were all
covered when Jesus died on the cross, and when man trusts in Him.
The word forgive means to “carry away” God carries our sin away never to be found again.
(Psalm 103:12 NKJV) As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our
transgressions from us.
The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) the high priest took two goats, first he killed one and
sprinkled the blood before God on the mercy seat. Then he confessed Israel’s sins over the live
goat, and had the goat taken into the wilderness to be lost. Christ died to carry away our sins so
they may never be seen again. No written accuation stands against us because our sins have
been taken away. Sin made us poor, but grace makes us rich
The blood is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, no matter what we have done. There
are some believers who think they have blown it so bad that God doesn't want anything to do with
them. Remember, 1, you are Embraced always. God knows everything you are, and He still
loves you; why because you are in the beloved.
What happens when you fall, Satan is there to condemn you (see Revelation 12:10). What does
God say. Turn to 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is
the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
When you sin, God still defends you. I might add, God has never lost a case yet. You may say
to yourself, I can't believe I did that, and God says ohh yea, wait until you see what you going to
do next week. God isn't surprise about your sin. And just as God has bought you out of so that
you may have everlasting life, He wants to set you free from those strongholds that are holding
you down right now.
The words just spoken are to believers, if you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior,
then the charges that Satan lays against you everyday, are being recorded, and they will be used
against you as evidence on the day of judgement, and one sin is enough for a conviction. The
penalty will be eternal separation from God, Hell, but you have the opportunity right now at this
moment to ask God for forgiveness, and enter into a personal relationship with Him.
Second is Restorative Forgiveness: the judgment of sin is covered by eternal sin; but sin
affects our communion with God. As a parent child relationship is, so it is with God and us.
Restorative Forgiveness is used “Daily”, and the Christian’s Bar of Soap is 1 John 1:9.
(1 John 1:9 NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Governmental Forgiveness: I has to do with the temporal consequences of sin. Say we spent
years drinking, and our body starts to fail because of it, but somewhere along the way we got
saved. Just because our body isn’t healed doesn’t mean that we have not be granted Eternal
Forgiveness, it means we are paying the price for our past sin, reaping and sowing.
(Gal 6:7 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap.(Gal 6:8 KJV) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he
that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Gal 6:9 KJV) And let us not be
weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
In Governmental Forgiveness, God, sometimes chooses to forgive those sins and heal our body.
Just as we are subject to the laws of gravity here on earth, we are also subject to the laws of
sowing and reaping. Please do not confuse sowing and reaping laws, with an illness related to a
fallen world. When sin came into the world, the world started to deteriorate. It has been said that
Time is the rate of decay, and the clock started to tick in the garden. If you have cancer, or some
illness, don’t think that it is a result of your personal sin, and that God is punishing you, that He
has not forgiven you, know that it is due to living in a fallen world. Look forward to heaven,
(Revelation 21:3-5) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of
God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall
be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the
former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things
new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
according to the riches of His grace
Redemption and Forgiveness are according to the riches of His grace. His forgiveness is
unlimited, the spiritual gifts available to us are unlimited, His love to us and grace is unlimited.
Notice it says “according to” and not “out of”. Big difference, for one is unlimited, and the other is
limited. Lets say you are in need and tell a rich man your problem, he then writes you a check for
100K, that’s rich, but the check is still limited to 100K. He has given to you out of his riches. Also
his bank account has been lessened by 100K.
Now if he was to give you a check signed with no amount entered, and said fill in what you need,
that would be according to his riches. He has so much, that no matter what you wrote, you could
not deplete his account. That is according to his riches. That is God, His riches available to us
are a Blank check – unlimited, you keep taking and the account never diminishes. Sadly there
are people who think God has better things to do then deal with their small details in life, and miss
out that he is concerned with every detail, and has the riches to cover everything from the Few Big
things in our life, to the 1000 small details in our life. His account never runs dry, for it is
“according to His riches” we receive.
Also beware not to take His riches for granted, God wants us to claim them all, but not forgetting
Him at the same time. One way to enjoy the riches in heaven is to reflect on the poverty of ther
past. I can easily take the riches of God for granted when I forget how far he has brought me
from the pains of the past. I am thankful for my house and bed, bath…but after 2 weeks in
Nicaragua with no regular shower, no AC, a mat to sleep on, no money, beans and rice…I have a
renewed appreciation for my bed, hot shower, secured home, variety of food, and a job. Look
back at the hopelessness of your past life, and now at your position in Christ
III. The Knowledge that He has Revealed God’s Will to us gives us power:
(Ephesians 1:8 NKJV) which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
God gives us wisdom and prudence (intelligence). He does not leave us ignorant in anything
concerning the things of God.
Abound: (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality). Again God
is pouring it out for us, He is saying I’m not giving you just enough to get by, but all you will ever
need so that you can live a victorious Christian Life.
Wisdom – knowledge that sees into the heart of things and know them as they really are.
Prudence, could read intelligence; is understanding that leads to right action, it has a result.
Knowledge is power in he business world. Perspective is more powerful than details. I read the
details but perspective (wisdom and prudence) will make me a business leader. If I can see how
the market will swing (strong economy, recession, inflation) one year, five years from now, I can
position my company to be able to respond accordingly; either with downsizing, or increased
production – and be a world leader. The people who put all their stock in the Technology Stocks
are hurting today (year 2001), if they had perspective of what was coming, then they could have
responded by dumping stock before the downturn. Likewise companies like Cisco or Nortell, if
they could have seen it coming would have reduced production, went into lean operations, and
been in a great position to ride this out. Instead they have huge inventories, and needed to layoff
tens of thousands just to be able to stay in business.
God in the same way is saying I am giving you a look at what is to come, so you will be able to
react accordingly. You will be a leader of the world. While everybody is trying to figure out what is
going on, you will see things as they truly are, and have understanding that leads to right actions.
Case in point, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon. Many in the
world are panicking, but a Christian see things for what they are, and has a peace of knowing God
is in control of not just the world, but their life also, and they can trust Him fully. The world, their
money, houses, Survivor reality TV, jobs, and etc, can not bring them peace and comfort in these
times…………these next 2 verses are exactly what is going on in our world today, we as
Christians need to see it, and understand it.
(Ephesians 1:9 NKJV) having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His
good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,
(Ephesians 1:10 NKJV) that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on
earth; in Him.
The mystery of His will is that He is gathering all things together as one.
The word mystery has nothing to do with things eerie. It means a “sacred secret, once hidden but
now revealed to God’s people. A mystery is something that could not be understood unless the
Holy Spirit revealed it to us. ” We believers are a part of God’s “inner circle.” We are able to share
in the secret that God will one day unite everything in Christ. The resurrection shows us and
promises us that we will be with Him upon death, and the book of Revelation tells us how God is
going to put an end to all this madness on the earth one day by His Second Coming.
Ever since sin came into the world, things have been falling apart:
- First, man was separated from God in the garden (Gen. 3).
- Then man was separated from man, as Cain killed Abel (Gen. 4).
- People tried to maintain a kind of unity by building the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11) – the first false
religion, worshipping the stars, but God judged them and scattered them across the world.
- God called Abraham and put a difference between the Jew and the Gentile, a difference that
was maintained until Christ’s death on the cross.
- With the calling of Abraham and the Tower of Babel, we see nation divided against nation
Sin is tearing everything apart, but in Christ, God will gather everything together in the culmination
of the ages. We are a part of this great eternal program.
Things are coming together, and quickly. Matthew 24 is getting clearer everyday. Wars, nation
against nation, famines, earthquakes, but mainly – look at Israel.
Israel is the Time Piece to see the “fullness of time”. May 14, 1948 Israel became a state again
and reestablished their homeland. 2000 years without a homeland yet they maintained their
national identity, no nation has ever lasted over 200 years without a homeland ---- truly a work of
God, and prophesied in Ezekiel 36-38,
Today we see 300 million Arabs, not being able to rid 3 million Jews out of a land the size of New
Jersey. God provision and protection. We see God brings the Jews and Gentiles together, as
promised in the Book of Revelation. Here is something to get excited about, there are Jews in
Jerusalem in the process of trying to rebuild the Temple, which Revelation says will be rebuilt,
and the anti-christ will enter in and claim himself to be god, and demand worship, and start a 3.5
year attack on the Jewish people:
On Thursday 4th October, 2001, The Temple Mount and Land of Israel Faithful Movement brought two cornerstones for
the Third Temple. Despite the fact that a cornerstone could not be laid on the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av and was only
brought to the southern gates of the Temple Mount, the Faithful Movement decided this time to bring two cornerstones
and to show progress in the battle for the rebuilding of the temple. We decide to continue to bring the cornerstones until
the gates of the Temple Mount are opened, the cornerstones are laid and the great vision starts to be fulfilled.
Each marble cornerstone weighs 6 tons and they are of the same kind as those used in the Second Temple. In
accordance with Scripture they have been prepared without the use of iron implements.
Quote from Temple Mount Faithful (October 29, 2001): The campaign for the rebuilding of the temple cannot be stopped
and we shall continue with it until the cornerstones for the Third Temple are laid on the Temple Mount and the temple
rebuilt in the same place as the First and Second Temples.
Quote from Temple Mount Faithful (October 29, 2001): In reference to the whole world upset/excited about the
cornerstone being brought to the Temple Mount: All of this again showed that the destiny of the people and land of Israel
and all the world will be decided in one place which is the heart, soul and focus of Israel and the most holy place in the
world - the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the G–d and people of Israel.
dispensation of the fullness of the times
Dispensation (oikonomia ), where we get our word “Economy” . A lot of people struggle with this
word, and theologians come up with books upon books to explain it, but it simply means a “set
order of how things work.”
God saying I’m setting the order of how things are going to work and nothing can change it.
Satan, Evilness, terrorism, will not change my plan or how I run my plan, and it will all happen in
the “fullness of time, on my time table. We will talk more on this in chapter 3.
If you want to see God “gathering all things together”, watch Satan doing the same. Satan always
has his counter to the Lord, his is always just a counterfeit and a copy of the real thing.
Look at Satan's Counters in the Book of Revelation
- Jesus is the Christ - Satan has the Anti-christ
- God seals His believers - Satan seal his with the mark of the beast.
- God has 2 witnesses - Satan has the anti-christ and the false prophet.
God is bringing everything together, so Satan is trying the same. Look now how Satan is trying to
bring a one world government, one world religion, one world currency together. All this terror,
fear, wars are bringing nations together. Look at NATO, look that Russia, China, Iran, nations
that hate the US are actually bearing with us, in some cases, joining us in this fight. But the
joining is for reasons other than Jesus Christ, and eventually, as always, Jesus will be a stumbling
stone, and all this joining will be out the door, and it will all be primed for a One World Religion.
The world is split over Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity………over and over
at work I hear people say all this over religion, I don’t care about Israel, I don’t care what religion
people are, I just want to be left alone, and have peace.
Look how close Satan is to bringing all things together, and we know he is always a step behind
the Lord. his is just a counterfeit and a copy of the real thing. God wants a revival of repentance;
Satan is seeking a revival of sin.
For the world they can't see God gathering or Satan gathering. In the heavenlies is the only way to
see it coming, only through God giving us wisdom and prudence. We are Adopted, Redeemed,
and Gathered –there are no secrets in the family, God lets us know what He is doing.
Our Response and Responsibility of such Knowledge:
God has shared with us his plan and purpose of the whole universe and how all of history is
moving. I want you to know so you will have no fear, you are sealed. If you don’t understand the
signs of the times you will be confused and sacred. Remember knowledge is power.
I've been preaching the same message for 10 years. Airplanes’ flying into buildings doesn’t
change the message, Jesus is coming back soon. Israel is the timepiece, and we see the time is
near.
When I graduated Bible College people asked my why I don't become a missionary, and for 5
years I've been saying hard times are coming upon America. I said the world would grow eviler as
the days went by, and America would not be immune from it; and I believed as America turned
further away from God, the less his hand would be upon this nation protecting it from this evil. I
said I wanted to be here for the love of the Lord and my country.
These things were given to us to enter into these things, and not merely for intellectual
gratification but in order that the truth might build us up in Christ, might form us morally and make
us what God would have us to be. “And every man that hath this hope set on Him purifieth
himself even as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3). There are people who can quote 100 Scriptures, but
live one of them; people who can preach the gospel, but never enjoy it. Let not these things be
merely intellectual. We are not to view divine mysteries simply as lines of truth upon which to
exercise our human intelligence; but we are to be sanctified through truth. The revelation that
God has given us should so grip our souls and exercise our conscience that it shall lead us to
behave as a people who are truly strangers and pilgrims down here, looking for that glorious era
which Christ will bring in when He returns.
All things are moving towards Christ. In Him, through Him, of Him, now of any time in this life is
the time to present our bodies a living sacrifice. Rom 12:1.
People keep saying God Bless America…….we should be saying America, Bless God, for He
deserves the praise for our salvation; being redeemed, adopted, chosen, and forgiven….it is our
reasonable sacrifice to present our bodies to Him, doing the things that bless him, no matter the
cost to us.
Ephesians 4:1, the beginning of the second part of this Book (1-3 Doctrine / 4-6 Duty) says to
"Walk worthy", God is saying you know all these things, do something about it - it is all coming
together.
A walk is moving it is not stagnant. Everyday your walk with the Lord is not moving ahead, then
you are backslidden. Everyday we must look at our walk and say how can I make it stronger than
yesterday.
God asks, Ray what is separating in your life, God says I’m bringing it all together, let me bring
together what is separated in your life right now. Is it my attitude, a sin, discouragement,
pride….God is saying it is keeping you from being gathered unto me - don't wait until tomorrow or
heaven to be gathered, let Him gather you closer today.
As he gathers us, let us be used to gather others to Him at the same time. We know what is
happening in the world, and why, let us be the voice in the world today that God wants to gather
people to Himself.
End Study Knowledge Is Power: Ephesians 1:7-10
Ephesians 1:11-14: Sealed and Guaranteed
As God gathers, He wants you to know that you know, that you will be a part of His gathering and
not satans. Predestination, adopted chosen, redeemed, forgiveness, and just to make sure that
you get it, He says let me tell you about being sealed and guaranteed. You see, if you He didn’t
assure to us about being adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and all the above we would never believe
these next four verses about being sealed and guaranteed.
These four verse continue talking that Knowledge is power:
 The Knowledge that He has made us an Inheritance gives us power:
 The Knowledge that He has Sealed US gives us power:
 The Knowledge that He has given us a Guarantee gives us power:
I. The Knowledge that He has made us an Inheritance gives us power:
Ephesians 1:11 NKJV) In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined
according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
The greatest mistake a Christian can make is to exchange God’s will, for our own will.
Inheritance: kleroo, klay-ro'-o; to allot, i.e. (fig.) to assign (a privilege):--obtain an inheritance.
Notice, “a privledge”…a privilege is something we really haven’t earned, just something receive,
passed on to us. An inheritance is giving after the owners death, and specified in their will. Here
in the counsel of God’s will, through the death of Jesus Christ we receive an inheritance. Our
inheritance, is everything Jesus owns.
(Rom 8:16 KJV) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(Rom 8:17 KJV) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that
we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Notice the In Him, In Christ: See where the promises are, see where our inheritance is? They
are in Christ. They are not in a program but a person - Jesus Christ. They are not in a religion,
but a relationship. They are not in your works, but the Creator. Do you want a spiritual blessing?
Then you have to be in Him.
Inheritance: The inheritance that we receive is Christ, that's all we will need, that's all we desire.
Our Bridegroom, when you get married you receive all the other possessions.
Lord give me bread - Jesus says I Am the bread.
Lord give me life - Jesus says I Am the life.
Lord give me peace - Jesus says I Am the Prince of Peace.
Lord show me the way -Jesus says I Am the Way
Lord let me see - Jesus says I am the Light
The prize is Christ, everything else is just an add-on. If life is tough, hang in there, your
inheritance is coming. We all crave something. Jesus is that craving, but if you're not careful you
will buy into that Hollywood deception/illusion. That some guy or some girl here on earth will meet
your craving. And if you are married don't fall into that deception that if you could just bail out of
your present marriage, everything will be ok.
It is a lie from Satan. Marriage is not primarily based on a feeling, but on your word/commitment.
Better or worse. You will not find that total satisfaction in any relationship. You will only find it if
you lay hold of your inheritance - Jesus Christ
You are programmed by God to crave Him, God's love calls you closer and closer to Him, and
until you are physically present with Him in heaven, you will have that craving - but people get
confused, and think that craving is something else. More money, a relationship, fame,
recognition.
Christian, claim your inheritance and all the power that comes with it……in Him.
II. The Knowledge that He has Sealed US gives us power:
(Ephesians 1:12 NKJV) that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His
glory.
(Ephesians 1:13 NKJV) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy
Spirit of promise,
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth:
Chosen versus Evangelism:
The entire process of salvation is given in this verse 13, so we had better examine it carefully. It
tells how the sinner becomes a saint. First, he hears the Gospel of salvation. Hearing means to
not just hear the sounds of words, but to hear with understanding. This is the good news that
Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again (1 Cor. 15: 1ff). The Ephesians were Gentiles,
and the Gospel came “to the Jew first” (Rom. 1:16). But Paul, a Jew, brought the Gospel to the
Gentiles as he shared the Word of God with them. Notice Paul heard the gospel first, “We”, and
then he went out to preach it to others.
The Ephesians “heard the Gospel” and discovered it was for them—”your salvation” (Eph. 1:13).
Even though the Bible teaches election, it also announces, “Go ye into all the world and preach
the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). A soul-winner does not discuss election with unsaved
people, because it is a family secret that belongs to the saints. He simply announces the truth of
the Gospel and invites men to trust Christ, and the Holy Spirit does the rest. D.L. Moody used to
pray, “Lord, save the elect—and then elect some more!” The same God who ordains the end, the
salvation of souls, also ordains the means to the end, the preaching of the Gospel in the power of
the Spirit.
Having heard the Word, the Ephesians believed; and it is this faith that brought salvation (Eph.
2:8-9). This pattern follows what Paul writes in Romans 10:13-15, so read that passage carefully.
It is God’s plan for evangelism.
(Rom 10:13 KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom 10:14 KJV) How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom 10:15 KJV) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is
written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
the gospel of your salvation:
Scriptures shows that man has a choice in the matter but remember verse 1:4. He chose us.
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you. (John15:16). The lost sinner left to his own way
does not seek God (Rom 3:10-11); God in His love seeks the sinner (Luke 19:10)
He made it known to us, and we responded. How do we know if we are chosen; by our reaction to
the gospel? No one is in hell for his or her sins, people are in hell for rejecting God’s provision for
their sin – Big Difference.
Does a sinner respond to God’s grace against his will? No, he responds because God’s grace
makes him willing to respond.
His choosing and our response both show up in John 6:37:
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast
out. This is probably the clearest it gets in the Scripture on this subject: All that God calls will
come…and all who come will be received. A memory verse for all of us.
having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Here in this verse and the next are two wonderful words that come with wonderful promises:
Sealed and Earnest (some Bible say guarantee).
Sealed from the Greek: sphragizo, sfrag-id'-zo; means to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for
security or preservation. Sealing a document was equivalent to the signature of the owner of the
seal.
Ephusus was a seaport, the readers of this letter would immediately pick-up what Paul is saying.
At the port the owner would pour wax on the object they were shipping and press his signet ring
onto the wax. Everybody would know that was his.
There is a twofold purpose in the sealing work of the Holy Spirit:
First purpose of the sealing is to denote rightful ownership:
2 Tim 2:19 KJV) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord
knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from
iniquity.
This Sealing is based on a “Finished Transaction”. Even today, when important legal documents
are processed, they are stamped with the official seal to signify the completion of the transaction
Jeremiah 32…when Jeremiah bought land: (Jer 32:9-11 KJV) And I bought the field of Hanameel
my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of
silver. And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the
money in the balances. So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed
according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
As Jesus spoke the parable of the treasure in the field, everybody would identify the meaning from
Jeremiah chapter 32. (Matt 13:44) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a
field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he
hath, and buyeth that field. ---- After you bought the field, you would seal the document proving
the “evidence of the purchase”. Jesus “Seals us” proving the "evidence of the purchase."
God has put his seal on us because He has purchased us to be His own (1 Cor. 6:19-20). It also
means security and protection. So, the believer belongs to God, and is safe and protected
because he is a part of a finished transaction. According to John 14:16-17, the Holy Spirit abides
with the believer forever.
The Transaction has been PAID IN FULL: Colossians 2:14…. Certificate of Debt. If you were
convicted of a crime, you went to prison and upon serving your sentence you got a “Certificate of
Debt” which said “paid in full”. They would roll it up and giver it to you. As you traveled through
the Roman Empire you could never be charged for that crime again cause you had your
certificate. (Col 2:14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was
contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
The Certificate of Debt was Paid in Full on the Cross at Calvary by Jesus. All of our sins past,
present, and future were paid there at Calvary. The sentence of Death against us, lifted never to
be brought against us again. If satan would come, we throw our Certificate in his face.
(John 19:30): When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he
bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. It is Finished – from the greek word “teleo (tel-eh'-o);
means to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt):--accomplish, make an end,
expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform”, ----- Bottom Line: PAID IN FULL
Jesus said teleo, it is finished….Paid in Full.
When Finished it can't be Reversed:
The Scriptures want us to know it can not be reversed either:
Daniel 6:17 the Lion’s Den sealed: And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den;
and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose
might not be changed concerning Daniel. When it was Sealed with Kings Ring, the Kings word
may never be reversed
Ester 8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the
king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may
no man reverse.
We are sealed with the Kings Ring, King Jesus seals us with the Holy Spirit, and it may never be
reversed. The transaction is complete, PAID IN FULL.
Second purpose of Sealing is to implants the Image of God upon the heart:
You know a seal that is put down on a document has an image on it. You would look at it and
recognize the image and say that is so-and-so seal, this belongs to him. As the world looks at us,
we being Sealed by the Holy Spirit, bear and reflect the Image of God. When the world looks at
us and they say, "he/she is one of His."
2 Corinthians 3:18, But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:49, And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image
of the heavenly.
The seal is a mark of authenticity. Bearing the Image of God in our lives testifies and confirms
that we have made a commitment to Him. Just as a signature on a letter attests to the
genuineness of the document, so the presence of the Spirit proves the believer is genuine. “If any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Rom. 8:9). It is not simply our lip profession,
our religious activity, or our good works, but the witness of the Spirit that makes our profession
authentic.
John 3:33 “He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true” This gives
reality to the believer, authenticity to our belief in God.
Have you ever noticed how you can meet a person and without a word being said, just feel in your
heart that person is a believer? That is the his/her spirit testifying to your spirit that they are
sealed, they are an authentic believer. I have traveled on mission trips and met other believers,
and within a minute have a bonding friendship that still lasts today. That kindred spirit draws us
together, and it is my spirit recognizing the spirit of God in them, it is a most beautiful thing.
But not everyone likes us, do they? Do you know why satan hates you? Because you look like
Jesus, he can't stand it. Every where he looks, there Jesus is. We are a constant reminder to him
about his defeat at Calvary, that he is not God, and that someday soon he will be cast into the
Lake of Fire. Rejoice that Satan hates you, because that means when God looks at you, even in
your gunk and junk, all He sees is Jesus. But beware, if nobody in the world can see it, you
probably need to examine your life, and ask yourself why is that.
III. The Knowledge that He has given us a Guarantee gives us power:
(Ephesians 1:14 NKJV) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
He has given us an earnest (V. 14).
Guarantee - (earnest) of our inheritance, our downpayment.
Earnest is a fascinating word! In Paul’s day, it meant “the down payment to guarantee the final
purchase of some commodity or piece of property.” Earnest: is a pledge, obligation with no option
to back out that the full amount will be paid, you will complete the transaction. Even today you will
hear a real estate agent talk about earnest money. The Holy Spirit is God’s first installment to
guarantee to His children that He will finish His work and eventually bring them to glory. The “redemption of the purchased possession” refers to the redemption of the body at the return of Christ
(Rom. 8:18-23; 1 John 3:1-3). Although the debt has been Paid In Full, our Inheritance will not
fully be received until we are out of these sinful bodies, and in our new heavenly bodies
“Redemption” is experienced in three stages:
 We have been redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:7).
 We are being redeemed as the Spirit works in our lives to make us more like Christ see
(Romans 8:1-4).
 We shall be redeemed when Christ returns and we become like Him (Rom. 8:18-23).
But the word-translated earnest also means “engagement ring.” In Greece today you would find
this word being used that way. But, after all, isn’t an engagement ring an assurance—a
guarantee—that the promises made will be kept? Our relationship to God through Christ is not
simply a commercial one, but also a personal experience of love. How much does God love
you? As much as He loves Jesus: (John 17:26 NKJV) "And I have declared to them Your name,
and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
He is the Bridegroom and His church is the bride. We know that He will come and claim His bride
because He has given us His promise and His Spirit as the “engagement ring.” What greater
assurance could we want?
The Longing:
The Difference between Seal and Earnest (guarantee) is that the Seal is assurance that we will be
kept safely for our Inheritance; and the Earnest (guarantee) is that the Inheritance will be kept
waiting for us.
Verse 14 of this chapter says we only have a downpayment, we have yet to experience it all. That
leaves us longing for more.
2 Corinthians 5:1-2 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we
groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
Earnestly desire: means to intensely crave possession:
Life is short, no matter how dismal your life may be, it is only a short time. Don't cash out now and
miss out on all the great things God has in store for you.
Chapter 1:1-14 Refresher:
3-6 deal with the work of the Father
7-12 deal with the work of the Son
13-14 deal with work of the Holy Spirit
We have looked at God's plan from eternity past to eternity future.We have examined a number of
basic Bible doctrines in this chapter, all on the theme of our riches in Christ. It would be profitable
for us to review what these verses teach us.
1. True riches come from God. It is a source of great encouragement to know that Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit are all working on my behalf to make me rich. God not only gives us “richly all
things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17), but He gives us eternal riches without which all other wealth is
valueless.
A distraught wife sought out a Christian marriage counselor and told her sad story of a
marriage about to dissolve. “But we have so much!” she kept saying. “Look at this diamond ring
on my finger. Why, it’s worth thousands! We have an expensive mansion in an exclusive area.
We have three cars, and even a cabin in the mountains. Why, we have everything money can
buy!” The counselor replied: “It’s good to have the things money can buy provided you don’t lose
the things money can’t buy. What good is an expensive house if there’s no home? Or an
expensive ring if there’s no love?”
In Christ, you and I have “what money can’t buy,” and these spiritual riches open up to us
all the wealth of God’s vast creation. We enjoy the gifts because we know and love the Giver.
2. All of these riches come by God’s grace and for God’s glory. Did you notice that after each of
the main sections in Ephesians 1:4-14, Paul has added the purpose behind these gifts? Why has
God the Father chosen us, adopted us, and accepted us? “To the praise of the glory of His grace”
(Eph. 1:6). Why has the Son redeemed us, forgiven us, revealed God’s will to us, and made us
part of God’s inheritance? “That we should be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12). Why has
God the Spirit sealed us and become the guarantee of our future blessing? “Unto the praise of His
glory” (Eph. 1:14).
We often have the idea that God saves sinners mainly because He pities them, or wants
to rescue them from eternal judgment, but God’s main purpose is that He might be glorified. His
creation reveals His wisdom and power, but His church reveals His love and grace. You cannot
deserve or earn these spiritual riches; you can only receive them by grace, through faith.
3. These riches are only the beginning! There is always more spiritual wealth to claim from the
Lord as we walk with Him. The Bible is our guidebook; the Holy Spirit is our teacher. As we
search the Word of God, we discover more and more of the riches we have in Christ. These
riches were planned by the Father, purchased by the Son, and presented by the Spirit. There is
really no need to live in spiritual poverty when all God’s wealth is at our disposal.
END Ephesians 1:11-14: Sealed and Guaranteed
Ephesians 1:15-23: Paul’s First Prayer:
The Book of Ephesians is about all the spiritual riches available to the believer. Ephesians 1:3 the
theme of the whole book says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: For the first fourteen verses the
Apostle Paul talks about how we are "born rich" when we trusted Christ. But he says that being
born rich is not enough, for we must grow in our understanding of our riches if we are ever going
to use them to the glory of God. God desired that the Christians in Ephesus understood what
great wealth they had in Christ. After talking about Knowledge is Power through the fist 14
verses, Paul goes and starts to pray for them that they would seize this Knowledge and have the
Power to use in their daily walk. Two thousand years later, God desires the same for us here
tonight.
This isn't a Bible Study just to encourage you for today, but a powerful prayer for life. A prayer,
that if you will pray daily will change your life, and the life of those you commit to pray for. For this
is a prayer that asks for God's power to be supplied to your life and those you pray for. With
God's power in your life, then there is nothing that can keep you from "being the glory of God."
Do you want a ministry like Paul’s? Then follow his examples we see of him in the Bible – here
we see him as a man of prayer. Prayer is something we are all capable of doing. We may not be
able to teach like Paul, evangelize like Paul, but we can all pray like Paul. I believe that it is prayer
first that equips us to do the rest. You can’t do anything until you pray, but you can do anything
after you pray. Do you want an abundant Christian life, then this prayer is for you. Parents do
you want to see your children living and walking for the Lord, pray this prayer daily for them.
Husbands and wives, do you want a marriage that glorifies God, then pray this prayer daily for
your partner
God seeks those who seek Him in Spirit and Truth.
In Ezekiel 22 God explains why He would bring judgement against Israel, because of their sin.
God was also sickened by Israel's wicked leader who led the people into sin.
(Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV) "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in
the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
All God was looking for was someone to simply pray, but he found none. Can you pray? Can
you? Can you stand in the gap? Your voice matters in heaven. You can be a missionary in a
dozen countries and never leave Baltimore. You can heal the sick; snatch a sinner from hell's
flames all without leaving your knees. Today God is still looking for men and women to stand in
the gap.
As you pray this for others a beautiful things happens within you, God will move in your heart to do
something about it in their life. As we pray for others, God places a burden in our heart for the
person we are praying for. As we pray for them, God starts to form our mind with His mind, and
we take on the mind of Christ and intercede for them as Christ Himself does. We will be so
moved we can't sit and idly watch, we have to be more involved in their lives, it is impossible to
truly pray for someone without becoming emotionally involved.
There are 4 main points in Paul’s prayer, we can use his outline and pray for each other (and
ourselves). We hear so much about the Prayer of Jabez, a great book if you ever get a chance to
read it. Well here is a prayer of equal power. When my mind can't focus, I go to these prayers in
the Bible. The 4 Prayer Points are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
That they will know God More. (v.17)
That they will know the Hope of His Calling (v.18)
That they will know they are His Inheritance (v.18)
That they will know the Power Available to them (v.19-23)
(Ephesians 1:15 NKJV) Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and
your love for all the saints,
(Ephesians 1:16 NKJV) do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my
prayers:
Notice this example also, for it is vitally important: See how Paul prays for the people who are
doing well. after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, these
people were doing great, yet Paul still prays for them. We tend to pray for the people who are not
so well. Sick, depressed, unemployed troubled kids - which is all-good to pray for; But Paul said
after I heard how well you were doing I prayed for you.
For centuries the old Chinese health program. You paid doctors up front to keep you well. If you
got ill they had to pay you back. If a person died the person had to put a lantern outside the shop
to show how many he didn't keep well. We need to pray for each other while we are doing well, to
keep us doing well. Follow Paul, pray that God keeps the strong, strong. Satan saves his heavy
artillery for the people who are walking with the Lord and doing damage on the gates of hell.
Parents pray this prayer everyday for your kids, husbands pray this for your wife, wives likewise.
Get a prayer partner and each pray this prayer for each other….and watch what happens……..or
better yet, what doesn’t happen.
Prayer Point 1: That they will know God More. (v.17)
(Ephesians 1:17 NKJV) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
Remember verse 8, Wisdom – is the knowledge that sees into the heart of things and know them
as they really are. God has given us superabundant wisdom, and now Paul prays that we will
seize it. That we will see into the heart of God and see Him of how He really is, that we would
know Him more and more everyday. Remember verse 16 Paul said he does not cease making
mention of you in his prayers….he prays this daily.
Every believer needs to grow in the knowledge of God. A believer can't just be satisfied in
knowing Him as their Savior. Never settle for, "that will do." I come on Sunday and Wednesday.
Multimillionaire William Hearst, invested a fortune in art works from around the world. One day
Mr. Hearst found a description of some valuable art work he felt he must have, so he sent his
agent abroad to find it. After months of searching the agent reported that he finally found it. They
were in Mr. Hearst’s warehouse. Hearst had been searching frantically for treasures he already
owned. Had he read the catalog of his treasures, he would have spared himself much trouble.
The catalog of our treasures is right here at our fingertips, all we have to do is read it.
We need to know Him deeper and more intimately everyday. Ask this daily, and God will show
you daily, guaranteed He will answer this prayer We need to know Him as Father, Guide, and
Friend. Too many times we forget the simple fact, that He is our friend. Yes we must reverence
and respect Him for his Holiness, but He also wants us to go with Him for walks, a hot fudge
Sunday, and quiet drives to watch the leaves change. We build friendships by spending quality
time together.
Now the root of this word “knowledge” means super-knowledge, or full-knowledge.
Paul is praying here for believers, the Holy Spirit is already dwelling in them, for they/we are
sealed with the Holy Spirit. Paul is praying that we will let the Spirit do is work in us. The Holy
Spirit delights in His special work opening up the things of Christ and revealing them to His saints.
How does He do that, By giving insight into the truth already revealed in the Word of God. 2
Timothy 3:16-17 – all Scripture is giving by the Holy Spirit:
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
That word “perfect” there in verse 17 means: complete, or perfect. All the full knowledge of God
can be found in the Scriptures. Paul doesn't pray for them to kick bad habits or entangling sins,
He prays that they will know Him more. As we know God more, those things know us less, for we
are too busy fellowshipping with Him, to be bothered by the cares of this world.
When studied and preached simply and purely, verse by verse, book by book, the Bible can
change lives and transform history.
(Isa 28:9-10 KJV) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand
doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be
upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
If you need proof on the power of verse by verse studying, just ask Ulrich Zwingli.
Ulrich Zwingli was born on January 1, 1484, in a Swiss shepherd’s cottage in the Alps. His parents instilled in
him a love for God. The young man proved a brilliant student, and following a brief stint as a schoolteacher he entered
the priesthood. For ten years he labored in the village of Glarus, and there he began corresponding with the famous
Greek scholar Erasmus.
The Swiss church was bubbling with corruption during this time. In 1516, when Zwingli moved to the city of
Einsiedeln, he, too, was struggling hard with sin. In his new village, the young priest fell into an intimate relationship with
the barber’s daughter. But it was also in Einsiedeln that he borrowed a copy of Erasmus’s newly published Greek New
Testament. Zwingli copied it. Carrying it everywhere, he pored over it continually and scribbled notes in the margins and
memorized it. The pure Scripture began doing its work, and Zwingli’s life and preaching took on new vigor. Soon he was
invited to Zurich as chief preacher in the cathedral.
He arrived on December 27, 1518, and began his duties on his thirty-sixth birthday, January 1, 1519, with a
shock. He announced that he would break a thousand years of tradition by abandoning the church liturgy and the weekly
readings as a basis for his sermons. Instead, he would teach verse-by-verse through the New Testament, beginning
immediately. He proceeded to preach that day from Matthew 1 on the genealogy of Christ. Such preaching was radical in
its day, but the city of Zurich loved it. Zwingli’s concern for the city’s youth, his courage during the plague, and his
cheerful temper dispelled initial doubts about his reformation ideas. Later, when opposition arose, Zurich’s City Council
and 600 other interested citizens gathered to evaluate his actions. The assembly (the First Zurich Disputation, 1523)
affirmed Zwingli and encouraged his work. Lives were changed; history was made. The Swiss Reformation had begun.
Pray for yourself and others that daily: Pray they will fall in love with the Word, and That they will
know God More. Pray that a Reformation will start in their heart.
Prayer Point 2: That they will know the Hope of His Calling (v.18)
(Ephesians 1:18 NKJV) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may
know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in
the saints,
EYES: Buenos Aires, Argentina. An 86 year-old blind women held off four thieves with a stick
yesterday when they broke into the house where she lives alone in a small Argentine town. One
of the men tried to attack Julia Castillo after smashing in the door of her house before dawn. But
she fought back with her stick and made so much noise that neighbors awoke and called police.
The buglers were arrested. There is more to seeing than meets the eyes. God calls us to look
past what we see immediately in front us physically, but to look forward to what is coming.
The believer's hope is of course is that we are heaven bound (John 14:2 KJV) In my Father's
house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
But God wants us to live for heaven today, and not wait until we die or are raptured. Once your
eyes have been opened and you are enlightened to the fact that you are already seated in
heaven; you will be able to clearly see God's plan for your life, His power, and the person of God.
When people have revelation in their heart that they are going to heaven, you won't have to
preach to them about being worldly or entangled in habitual sin. People won’t be striving to get a
faster car, bigger bank account, or any of those other things. You won't have to preach about
service because it will come naturally to them.
If you are living for heaven, you will have peace and contentment in your heart. If you are living for
this life you will not have contentment, it will always be just as soon as I get a new job, graduate
High school or college, or move here, or get out of this relationship, or into a new relationship. It
is a lie because once you get there, you will want more. If you have a heavenly perspective, then
you will be comforted with what you have.
This word “know” used here in verse 18 (Gk “eido”)” comes from the Greek root word: optanomai,
op-tan'-om-ahee; which means to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable;
and thus differing from G991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from G1492, which
expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; and G4648 a watching from a distance).
It means to experience first hand, jump in there and see and feel for yourself.
Betsy Ten Boom had it right. She and her sister were put into a Nazi concentration camp for
helping the Jews escape persecution in Holland during WWII. While in prison she was a faithful
witness for Christ even in the midst of the horrible holocaust going on around her. She held Bible
studies in the camp, and led many people to the Lord. What stands out most about her to me is
what a fellow prisoner said about her. She said Betsy talked about heaven, like she had already
been there.
We have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light: (1 Pet 2:9 NKJV) But you are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may
proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
We have been called to His eternal glory: (1 Pet 5:10 NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who
called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish,
strengthen, and settle you.
Some callings offer no hope, but for Christians hope (elpis, el-pece)' means; from a prim. elpo (to
anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation, or confidence, The word carries with it the
assurance for the future. We know it is coming, and we anticipate it with great pleasure.
The hope that belongs to our calling should be a dynamic force in our lives, encouraging us to be
pure (1 John 2:28-3:3), obedient (Hebrews 13:17), and faithful (Luke 12:42-48). The fact that we
shall one day see Christ and be like Him should motivate us to live like Christ today.
The Hope of “His calling” is quite possibly the number one failure of Christians.
How do we get to that point and stay there? We have to keep our focus.
Put this in the forefront of your mind everyday, and watch how when the things of the world comeup against you, you will say, "it's not worth it, He is coming back, there isn't much time." I say if
Jesus doesn't come back today, then He is coming back tomorrow; and if you ask me tomorrow,
I'll tell ya the same thing.
(Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
On the sixth day of the ill-fated mission of Apollo 13, the astronauts needed to make a critical
course correction. If they failed, they might never return to earth. To conserve power, they shut
down the inboard computer that steered the craft. Yet the astronauts needed to conduct a thirtynine second burn of the main engines. How to steer for that long? Jim Lovell, the commander,
determined that if they could keep a fixed point in space in view through their tiny window, they
could steer the craft manually. That focal point turned out to be their destination - Earth. For 39
agonizing seconds, Lovell focused on keeping the earth in view. By not losing sight of that
reference point, the three astronauts avoided disaster. Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that to finish
your life mission successfully, Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Need a little help fixing your eyes on Jesus? Then look at your prophetic timepiece; Israel: Heaven
is Nearer than you think
Today’s News: 4//03
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Northrop Grumman, the 3rd largest defense contractor has halted all travel to Israel. You become #3 because you
make money, yet even they won't send employees for business.
There have been six attacks over the past six days, three within the interior of the country including last
Wednesday's Passover massacre in Netanya, Saturday's cafe bombing in Tel Aviv, and Sunday's restaurant
bombing in Haifa. Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon told Israelis on Sunday evening that the "State of Israel is in a war."
Sharon has closed all access to the West Bank and ordered international journalists to leave as the offensive in that
area continues to expand.
At least 43 Israelis have been killed and more than 100 wounded in the attacks since Wednesday night
Since September 2000, 420 Israelis killed, 3606 seriously injured.
Israel has called up 20,000 Reservist, the highest number in 20years.
Egypt has suspended contacts with Israel
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said yesterday that Iran, Iraq and Syria are "inspiring and financing a culture
of political murder and suicide bombing," linking all three Middle Eastern nations to terrorist attacks against Israel
The statement was made unanimously by the 53 members of the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC) "Israel's terrorist actions and aggressive practices, posing a threat to international peace and security and
dragging the region towards an all-out war
The region is ready for the Man of Peace to come, the Anti-Christ as spoken of in the Book of
Daniel chapter 9:27. But before he can come, we must go, raptured (2 Thess 2:6-9).
Folks, the Lord’s return is soon. The clock is ready to strike midnight, the trumpet is polished,
Jesus is driving the final nails on your mansion, and He is changing into His – “I got family coming
over clothes.”
When the hard times come, remember the hope of your calling. Hard times will make you look
forward to the hope of your calling.
Pray for yourself and others that daily: That they will know the Hope of their Calling.
1. That they will know God More. (v.17)
2. That they will know the Hope of His Calling (v.18)
Prayer Point 3: That they will know they are His Inheritance (v.18)
(Ephesians 1:18 NKJV) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may
know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in
the saints,
Notice the structure of this sentence - "the glory of "HIS" inheritance in the saints". Not only do we
have an inheritance, verse 14, but Christ considers us (the saints) "HIS" inheritance. An
inheritance is something of value and wealth.
God's plan isn't just to get us into heaven, but that we are "His Inheritance", His prize, His joy, His
treasure.
(Matt 13:44) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a
man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that
field
(Matt 13:45) Again the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who when
he found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
God considers us His treasures. God has invested in us, and considers us part of His great
"riches". See that in verse 18b, the riches of the glory - of His inheritance. You are valuable to
God, a treasure, don't treat His treasure like a common item, or worse some piece of junk. When
a person sees himself or herself as the treasure of God they are, they will be disgusted with the
thought of polluting it with pornography, fornication, drugs, and those types of things.
You young ladies, trading sex for companionship, you are too precious to God for that. You men
sticking drugs in your body, you are a pawn in satan’s game.
We have all suffered defeats in our lives, set backs, sometimes the same defeat over and over
again, and we begin to lose focus on the big picture, the Great Victory. And when you do fail, and
satan comes to tell you that you are a piece of trash and unworthy of God's acceptance. Rebuke
him, and say I may have fallen, but failure is only complete if I quit, I am God's treasure, and I will
turn from this sin and live unto my Savior like the inheritance I am.
(Exo 19:4-5) You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and
brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be
my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine,
When she was young, Queen Victoria was shielded from the fact that she would be the next ruling
monarch of England lest this knowledge spoil her. When her teacher finally did let her discover for
herself that she would one day be Queen of England, Victoria’s response was, “Then I will be
good!” Her life would be controlled by her position. No matter where she was, Victoria was
governed by the fact that she sat on the throne of England.
Know that we are His Treasure should lead the believer into a life of dedication and devotion to
the Lord.
Pray for yourself and others that daily: That they will know they are His Inheritance.
1. That they will know God More. (v.17)
2. That they will know the Hope of His Calling (v.18)
3. That they will know they are His Inheritance (v.18)
Prayer Point 4: That they will know the Power Available to them (v.19-23)
(Ephesians 1:19 NKJV) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who
believe, according to the working of His mighty power
(Ephesians 1:20 NKJV) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and
seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
(Ephesians 1:21 NKJV) far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
(Ephesians 1:22 NKJV) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over
all things to the church,
(Ephesians 1:23 NKJV) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Paul wants you to see what you already have – “born rich”. He wants you to see all the power that
is available for you to claim the riches in Christ. He doesn't pray that people will be broken of their
lust, anger, profanity, alcohol, etc; instead he prays that they will see the power available to them.
When you see all the power available to you, then you will have all that you need to overcome
these things in your life.
How much power do we have? As much power, as God used to raise Jesus from the dead, is
available for us today.
(Ephesians 1:19 NKJV) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who
believe, according to the working of His mighty power
(Ephesians 1:20 NKJV) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and
seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
A sin that continually ensnares us is bondage, it is like a coffin. It robs us of the full joy God
intends for us, it impacts our family life and church life…..it takes life away. God says I released
Jesus from the tomb, and I can release you from your tomb, whatever it is that is stealing life from
you.
Look at the 3 Fold Power of God:
Power of the Resurrected Christ. Verse 20
Power of the Ascended Christ. Verse 20b
Power of the Dominating Christ. Verse 21
(Ephesians 1:20 NKJV) - (Resurrected – R) - which He worked in Christ when He raised Him
from the dead
(Ephesians 1:20 NKJV) - (Ascended – A) - and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly
places,
(Ephesians 1:21 NKJV) - (Dominating – D) - far above all principality and power and might and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Remember these three things in hard times. Resurrected – R, Ascended – A, Dominating – D.
RAD
IF you see the power in you, then nothing can overpower you and defeat you. If you are in
bondage to anything it is not that you need more power, but that you failed to use the power
already available to you. You don't need a program, you need the person – Jesus Christ
The riches can only be claimed on the strength of His power. Satan is countering always, and has
greater power than you to keep you from the riches, but not the power that Jesus has to give you
all these riches. When the temptation comes we have to cry out to the Lord, give me the same
power to overcome this as you used to raise Jesus from the dead.
Remember, The Christian really operates in two spheres: the human and the divine, the visible
and the invisible. Physically, we are on the earth in a human body, but spiritually we are seated
with Christ in the heavenly sphere—and it is this heavenly sphere that provides the power and
direction for the earthly walk. The President of the United States is not always seated at his desk
in the White House, but that executive chair represents the sphere of his life and power. No
matter where he is, he is the President, because only he has the privilege of sitting at that desk.
Likewise with the Christian: no matter where he may be on this earth, he is seated in the
heavenlies with Jesus Christ, and this is the basis of his life and power
.
How dominating is this power? God has put all things
(Ephesians 1:22 NKJV) And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over
all things to the church,
(Ephesians 1:23 NKJV) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
How dominating is this power? God has put all things – what kind of things? Meanness,
depression, addiction, laziness, gossip, bad relationships, pornography, Satan’s dominions and
principalities….All things, do you get it? All are under His feet, the person, Jesus Christ.
In Revelation 1:15 it says Jesus' feet are like fine brass. Brass throughout the Scriptures signifies
judgement. So everything under Jesus' feet has been judged. Lets see what he has judged and
conquered.
(Psalm 110:1 NKJV) 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies
Your footstool"'.
Who is Jesus' enemy?
(1 Corinthians 15:25-26 NKJV) For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
What else has Jesus' conquered?
(Colossians 2:14-17 NKJV) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against
us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over
them in it. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or
Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Jesus has conquered sin and death, and defeated Satan. He is victorious. Also note that it says
that Jesus is the Head of the church.
(Revelation 14:14 NKJV) Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like
the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.
The crown on Jesus' head I suggest to you is a crown of victory. Under His feet are the spoils of
victory, on his head is the crown of victory. Where are we? We are above his feet, not to be
judged, and under his head enjoying His victory.
Pray for yourself and others that daily: That they will know the Power Available to them.
Conclusion:
How do you apply all this to your life? Always know this. We are fighting from Victory, not to
victory. The battle is over, Jesus won the battle on the cross. Maybe you have failed in that you
started to drink again, or you fall into sexual sin - you are not defeated, just a temporary set-back,
victory is yours to be claimed over it. Maybe you have been diagnosed with a terminal disease,
Jesus has defeated death, you will reign with Him in glory.
Pray in Victory, Lord you have all the power to do all these things in mine and our life:
1. That they will know God More. (v.17)
2. That they will know the Hope of His Calling (v.18)
3. That they will know they are His Inheritance (v.18)
4. That they will know the Power Available to them (v.19-23)
(Luke 18:1 KJV) And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray,
and not to faint;
Christian don’t faint or tire in your prayers. I know at times it seems like they are bouncing off the
ceiling and falling to the ground, it is times like that you need to continue through. We think it is
hopeless, and then we tire and quit…ultimately we slowly start to lose our heavenly perspective.
The days we live are hard times. Planes flying into buildings, war, and anthrax – remember to
keep the hope of your calling, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and heaven to come.
1982 the University of Wisconsin Badgers were hosting the Michigan State Spartans. 60,000 fans
came to watch the badgers win. It didn't take long for the crowd to see that the Badgers weren't
going to win as the Spartans started to rout the Badgers early in the game. The game went from
bad to worse for the badgers.
But as the game progress the fans started to get happier and happier. Every now and then they
would break out into a loud cheer, even as their team was getting trounced. The coaches were
scratching their heads, they said we're playing terrible yet they continue to cheer louder and
louder.
The reason was, because 70 miles away, in Milwaukee, at Brewers stadium, the Milwaukee
Brewers were cleaning up on the St Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the 1982 World Series. So all
the people at the Badgers game had their walkman on, their headphones plugged in, they were
watching the baseball score up on the Scoreboard. As they watched the Brewers whoop up on
the Cardinals they were getting happier and happier.
The football game was painful to watch, but the baseball game was a joy. You know the problem
with the Christian community today is that we have taken out our earphones, turned off our
walkman, tuned out our radios, and quit looking at the scoreboard. We are no longer tuned into
the game that really matters. The game that really matters isn't here in America, our bank
accounts, and our jobs. The game that really matters is in heaven, and God has already won it,
and He continues to win because He is fighting from victory. Christian we are fighting from
victory. The score is getting better and better every day. The game may be painful, but the thing
that matters is that our citizenship is in heaven, so let us set our minds on the things that are
above.
END Paul’s First Prayer: 1:15-23
Book of Ephesians: Chapter Two
Ephesians 2:1-7: Your Past, Present, and Future
Remember the 2 Divisions in this Book
- 1st division gives us our inheritance chapters 1-3 - what God has done for us, our position in
Christ - that's Doctrine.
- 2nd the behavior that should characterize those who are so richly blessed chapters 4-6 what our response to chapters 1-3 should be, our practice - that's Duty.
In Chapter 1 we see the promises of spiritual blessing available to us. We seen all these
wonderful things God has done for us: Chose us before foundation of the world, makes holy and
without blame, adopted as sons, accepted us in the Beloved, redeemed us, forgave us, gave us
an inheritance, sealed us, and guaranteed all the above. But, in the first 3 verses of chapter two
the Lord reminds us of what we once were, of how hopeless we were. Chapter one shows us all
of our spiritual blessings. Chapter 2 will show us what God has done for us, but before we can
see and appreciate God's work for us, Paul shows us sin's work against us. These next three
verses sum up the lost state of every person; Paul is painting a picture, and he is soaking the
canvas in a deep black, a picture of gloom.
(Ephesians 2:1 NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
(Ephesians 2:2 NKJV) in which you once walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience,
(Ephesians 2:3 NKJV) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of
our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of
wrath, just as the others.
The Bleak Picture…………………….it is important to remember from where God has pulled us –
OUR PAST – Dead, separated from the Holy God, and on our way to hell.
In these 3 verses we see man’s 3 enemies.
The world (v.2): you once walked according to the course of this world
The devil (v.2): according to the prince of the power of the air
The flesh (v.3): we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh
All three working together bring us down.
The World – the external foe….with all the consumerism, materialism, and everything else we are
bombarded with daily.
The Flesh – the internal foe… the selfish desires of the flesh:
The Devil – the infernal foe…..who energizes the flesh and world.
(Ephesians 2:1 NKJV) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
We were dead, although the body was alive, the spirit was dead. To be spiritually dead is to not
be able to understand and appreciate spiritual things. Because of their sin, a person is separated
from God, and they are spiritually dead. Just as a corpse has no appetite for food, so the
unsaved person has no appetite for spiritual things. The unsaved is more interested in feeding
their flesh than they are with feeding their spirit.
We were Dead in Trespasses and sins: we are guilty on all charges.
(Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
To “trespass” is to deliberately violate the will of God. We see the no-trespass sign, which
means that we cannot pass a certain boundary without being guilty of trespassing, yet we still do
so. The root of this word is from “parapipto, (par-ap-ip'-toto)”, which means to fall away,
apostatize. Apostatize means to forsake principles, faith, or political party. We said I’ll do it my
way. America says we don’t need you God in our schools, or government houses, or in our lives,
we are fine on our own, then one day in September, we as a nation saw that that we are not so
fine.
To “sin” is to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize). It comes from the Anglo-Saxon
game of shooting an arrow through a ring – if it didn’t go through the ring…you sinned. You tried
your best, but still failed. This is an un-deliberate act, you didn’t purposely try to miss, yet it still
counts as failure. So there goes the excuse “I didn’t know”, God still says guilty. God’s standard
is perfection, James 1:9 says if we break one of God’s law once, we are guilty of them all.
I like how Pastor Chuck puts it:
If we decided to go sailing, out in the channel and maybe sail the 25 miles to Catalina, but half way across the
channel we sprang a leak in the boat and it starts to go down, and some of you can't swim go down with the boat. Others
who are novice at swimming may swim a few feet and then go down. Some who are strong swimmers may swim for a
mile or two before they go under. And there may be a marathoner in the group that will get within a mile of the shore,
before he goes under. Someone may even make it almost to the pier, a hundred feet off of the pier and gulp, gulp, gulp
you know.
Now you have all come short, no one made it. That is what God says about us, you may come closer than
others but we have all come short of the glory of God. We have all sinned; we have all missed the mark. There is none
righteous, no not one. That means that we all need help. None of us can make it on our own. The mark that God has
established for you is perfection. Be ye therefore perfect, even as you Father in heaven is perfect. Then the scriptures
say, none of you are perfect. Now do you agree with that or not? If you don't your wife does. All of us have sinned, all of
us have missed the mark even though we may be trying our best to hit the mark, we have come short of the glory of God.
And as the result the soul that sins shall surely die. The wages of sin is death. The loss of fellowship with the holy God.
(Rom 6:23 KJV) For the wages of sin is death……
The unbeliever is not sick, he is dead! He does not need resuscitation, he needs resurrection. All
lost sinners are dead, and the only difference between one sinner and another is the state of
decay. It has been said that “time” is the rate of decay, and the clock started to tick in the garden.
We are all sinners, but don’t all sin equally. The lost derelict on skid row may be more decayed
outwardly than the unsaved society leader, but both are dead in sin – and one corpse can not be
more dead than another. This means that our world is one vast graveyard, filled with people who
are dead while they live. God says in these 3 verses, remember this is what you once were. He
will spend 3 chapters of this book showing us all that He has done for us, then say, “now walk
worthy”. After we are reminded of our past, and reminded of all that God has done for us…we
can’t help but to live for Him.
(Ephesians 2:2 NKJV) in which you once walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience,
Enemy #1 The World – the external foe.
in which you once walked according to the course of this world: this was all of us, we are not
better than the non-believer, just better off. The word used here for walk is meander, to be blown
like the wind. It is the word used for a weathervane, it just turns where the wind blows it.
Whatever is happening that is hot, that is where we went. The wind force that blew us around?
The prince of the power of the air – The devil.
We are bombarded with consumerism, materialism, excessiveness, over indulgences all because
the world is saying that is what you need. I went to college in Daytona Beach Florida; MTV would
come to town every year for the month of March, and promote their agenda of music, sex and
partying; millions around the world would tune in to watch us party; So MTV, the world, ignited the
party, and then we were used as the catalyst to ignite millions around the world to do the same.
I should note the definition for “world” used here is kosmos, kos'-mos; meaning: orderly
arrangement, i.e. decoration. Decoration means to add beauty to, to make more pleasing,
attractive, impressive. Satan has his arrangement of how he wants things to go here on earth,
how we are to respond and behave, he dresses it up and makes it so attractive, and I’ll tell ya, I
bought it hook line and sinker………I lived it for four years, but one day I remember I looked in the
mirror and I saw emptiness, it was like I saw right into my soul and something was missing….what
I couldn’t understand and I remember always saying to myself, what can be wrong? I have
everything the world says is great. Money, friends, parties, expensive toys, sun and fun. That
lasted for almost 5 years, living in a secret semi-depressed state, until one day I picked up the
Bible and read it from cover to cover (in 30 days - I was consumed by it) and found out why there
was a void in my life….I had no relationship with my Creator.
(1 John 2:16-17 KJV) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Vs.2 according to the prince of the power of the air
Enemy #2 The Devil (v.2): - The Devil – the infernal foe…..who energizes the flesh and
world. Even in the Scriptures here he is (satan) right in between the two, the world and the flesh
– energizing both them in order to make them conform to his orderly arrangements.
(2 Cor 4:3-4 KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this
world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The prince of the power of the air, Satan is energizing the world, his works are evident, even
more apparent to us here since September 11th. The unbeliever is a pawn of Satan, even though
they think they think they are the Captain of their ship. The Prince of the Air blew us about,
directed us. It is like Satan is sending out a radio signal, and anyone who has their dial set on his
station, receives his signal. We fell for all the lies that told us to put a huge emphasis on outward
appearance, that the ends justify the means….no matter who we hurt. We fell for the lies of
Hollywood, MTV, and the American Success Story, we believed that it was always a happy
ending; but for many of us, it took going to the bottom before we would look up.
Look at Solomon, he tried so many avenues in his life:
Riches – he became the wealthiest man in the world.
Wisdom – People traveled from far to seek his guidance.
Buildings – he built the great temple, and many other monuments
Possessions – He lived in a great palace
Power – leader of the greatest nation at its time.
Women – had over 1000 wives.
Yet he finally concluded: (Eccl 12:8 KJV) Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. (Eccl
1:9) …..and there is no new thing under the sun.
Vs. 2 the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, Disobedience, the beginning of
death – Genesis, in the beginning God…..yet in the beginning Adam and Eve said, lets try things
my way.
(Ephesians 2:3 NKJV) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of
our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of
wrath, just as the others.
Enemy #3 The Flesh (v.3):
we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh
Conducted ourselves, would better be translated “the manner of living”. We were totally caught
up trying to satisfy our flesh and minds; these were the motivation of our life.
Lust: don’t be confused with how we apply that word today to mean a sexual drive. Lust is any
unlawful desire: sex, pride, vanity, self-will, covetousness, independence from God, etc. The word
used today would be “self desires”. Desiring things that are self-centered, rather than Godcentered. Desiring things that are not lead by God, but self. That’s all of us. Galatians 5:19-21
gives the best description and definition of “lust of the flesh”
(Gal 5:19-21 KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell
you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the
kingdom of God.
Children of wrath, we were Doomed. The wrath of God abides in the person who has not
received the gift of salvation. That was our destiny.
When I pray for non-believers, I pray that God binds these 3 enemies of man, so they can see the
state of depravity they are in, that they are doomed, and their need for a Savior. I can’t pray God
save them, cause then I would be guilty of violating their free-will, instead I pray these three
enemies are bound, so the person can see the wretched state they are in. (1 Cor 2:14 KJV) But
the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him:
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The world (v.2): you once walked according to the course of this world
The devil (v.2): according to the prince of the power of the air
The flesh (v.3): we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh
The Resultant of these three enemies, “We were dead!”
Death is a time of memories, when some dies we remember their life. But death is also a time of
questions.
In the Bible a man named Job asked God some 4000 yrs ago, “If a man dies, will he live
again?” (Job 14:14)
It is a valid question, for man is made up of body, and spirit. And though the body may cease, the
spirit lives on for eternity.
Whether by age, accident, or circumstances, death comes to all. Death has never screamed so
loud, than it has screamed this past weeks in our Country.
There are two deaths spoken of in the Bible. Physical death, which is the spirit separating from
the body; and Eternal death, which is the separation of the spirit from God for eternity. If a man
dies, will he live again.
The canvas for this picture is black and bleak, and hopeless…..But God starts to add color and
life. The reds, the blues, the greens and yellow….and the picture turns from sorrow to joy.
Verse 4.
But God………. Anytime in the Scriptures you see “But God” know that something big is coming.
Paul throws color and life onto the picture. He takes this black picture and starts putting strokes
of white, yellow, blue and green, and turns the picture from death to life. When I go to a believer’s
deathbed, here are the three verses I take for comfort. This is the passage I preach at believer’s
funerals.
(Ephesians 2:4 NKJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which
He loved us,
(Ephesians 2:5 NKJV) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with
Christ (by grace you have been saved),
(Ephesians 2:6 NKJV) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly
places in Christ Jesus,
Notice 3 things in these verses:
Verse 4: He loved us
Verse 5: He made us alive
Verse 6: He seated us in the heavenly places with Jesus.
We saw man’s three enemies, and now we see God’s three promises to those who overcome
these enemies by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Upon death man say’s…….- Rest in Peace.
But you know, man does not enter into rest at his/her death, but man enters into rest the day
he/she asked Jesus Christ into his life. The issue of eternity is settled the day a person asks
Jesus Christ into their heart.
Notice these 3 are all past tense. Loved, Made, and Seated. God has us seated in heaven
before we even die. From God’s perspective those that receive Him are already home with Him,
for God is not bound by time, and the physical…he lives outside of time, and in the heavenly.
Verse 4: He loves you, past, present, and future. He is not a distance far off God, He is a intimate
personal God who wants to fellowship with you now. He is the God who say’s He knows the
number of hairs on your head, that He stores your tears in a bottle. He is the God that said He
formed us while we were in our mothers womb.
Verse 5: Made alive – the original Greek word means to “raise from the dead”
We will be raised from the dead because Jesus rose from the dead, and proves that we will too.
Jesus is not on the cross anymore, the cross is empty, the tomb is empty, because He has risen.
A brother at the men's prayer breakfast was telling how He was raised Catholic and could never
understand the so-called Born-again believers. He said a friend told him about the death and
resurrection of Christ, and he said he already believed that and can’t understand why they made a
big deal about it…but all the while living in sin. But as time passed he struggled with it more
knowing that something was wrong in his life, he cried out to God one day coming home from
Ocean city, he said show me what the cross means. When he got home he found his cross with
Jesus on it had fallen to the ground and Jesus had broken off of it. He tried repeatedly to get
Jesus back on the cross but he wouldn’t stay on it. He called his friend and told him the story, and
his friend said that is what I have been telling you, Jesus is no longer on the cross, he has victory
over sin and death and is seated in heaven…then he got it, and gave his life to the Lord.
The believer in Christ will face physical death, but never eternal death, they will never be
separated from God because – Verse 6
Verse 6: seated – means to reline in the company with. – we will never be separated from Our
Lord for next to Him is where he wants us
The Bible tells us in (2 Cor 5:8) that for all those who believe on Him: that to be absent from the
body is to be present with the Lord.
Jesus speaking to His disciples said, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe
also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go
to prepare a place for you. (John 14:1-2)
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have
passed away; behold, all things have become new.
If it wasn’t for the Gospel, then death wouldn’t be a celebration, there would be no hope, and we
would have no comfort. BUT GOD
Romans 5:8: BUT GOD, demonstrated His love for us that while we were still yet sinners, Christ
died for us. The Holy and pure God, the Creator of the universe, took our place in death, that we
may have life.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou
this? (John 11:25-26) - and therein is the power of the gospel, Jesus rose from the dead, and that
is a demonstration and promise that we too will rise from the dead
I’m told the story of a young boy named Jeremy Forrester, he was born with a twisted body and a slow mind.
At the age of 12 he was still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher, Doris Miller, often became
exasperated with him. He would squirm in his seat, drool, and make grunting noises. At other times, he spoke clearly
and distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated the darkness of his brain. Most of the time, however, Jeremy just
irritated his teacher.
One day she called his parents and asked them to come in for a consultation. As the Foresters entered the
empty classroom, Doris said to them, "Jeremy really belongs in a special school. It isn't fair to him to be with younger
children who don't have learning problems. Why, there is a five year gap between his age and that of the other students."
Mrs. Forrester cried softly into a tissue, while her husband spoke. "Miss Miller," he said, "there is no school of that kind
nearby. It would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it
here."
Doris sat for a long time after they had left, staring at the snow outside the window. Its coldness seemed to
seep into her soul. She wanted to sympathize with the Forester’s. After all, their only child had a terminal illness. But it
wasn't fair to keep him in her class. She had 18 other youngsters to teach, and Jeremy was a distraction. Furthermore,
he would never learn to read and write. Why waste any more time trying?
As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. Here I am complaining when my problems are nothing
compared to that poor family, she thought. Lord, please help me to be more patient with Jeremy. From that day on, she
tried hard to ignore Jeremy's noises and is blank stares. Then one day, he limped to her desk, dragging his bad leg
behind him. "I love you, Miss Miller," he exclaimed, loud enough for the whole class to hear. The other students
snickered, and Doris' face turned red. She stammered, "Wh-why that's very nice, Jeremy. N-now please take your seat."
Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. Doris told them the story of Jesus,
and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg. "Now," she
said to them, "I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life. Do you
understand?" "Yes, Miss Miller,” the children responded enthusiastically all except for Jeremy. He listened intently; his
eyes never left her face. He did not even make his usual noises. Had he understood what she had said about Jesus’
death and resurrection? Did he understand the assignment? Perhaps
she should call his parents and explain the project to them.
That evening, Doris' kitchen sink stopped up. She called the landlord and waited an hour for him to come by
and unclog it. After that, she still had to shop for groceries, iron a blouse, and prepare a vocabulary test for the next day.
She completely forgot about phoning Jeremy’s parents. The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and
talking as they placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Miller’s desk. After they completed their math lesson,
it was time to open the eggs. In the first egg, Doris found a flower. "Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life," she
said. "When plants peek through the ground, we know that spring is here." A small girl in the first row waved her arm.
"That's my egg, Miss Miller," she called out.
The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris held it up. "We all know that a
caterpillar changes and grows into a beautiful butterfly. Yes, that's new life, too." Little Judy smiled proudly and said,
"Miss Miller, that one is mine." Next, Doris found a rock with moss on it. She explained that moss, too, showed life. Billy
spoke up from the back of the classroom, "My daddy helped me," he beamed. Then Doris opened the fourth egg. She
gasped. The egg was empty. Surely it must be Jeremy's she thought, and of course, he did not understand her
instructions. If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents. Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly
set the egg aside and reached for another.
Suddenly, Jeremy spoke up. "Miss Miller, aren't you going to talk about my egg?" Flustered, Doris replied,
"But Jeremy, your egg is empty." He looked into her eyes and said softly, "Yes, but Jesus' tomb was empty, too." Time
stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him, "Do you know why the tomb was empty?" "Oh, yes," Jeremy
said, "Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father raised Him up." The recess bell rang. While the children
excitedly ran out to the schoolyard, Doris cried. The cold inside her melted completely away.
Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid there respects at the funeral home were surprised to see 19
eggs on top of his casket, all of them empty.
Job asked, If a man dies, will he live again. He answers it later in his life, he says, For I know
that my Redeemer Lives, and I shall stand with Him on that Day, and though my body may
be destroyed, yet with my eyes I shall see God: (Job 19:25-26)
(Ephesians 2:7 NKJV) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His
grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
God will spend all of eternity showing us how much He loves us. The “ages to come” we will be
reclining beside Him, side by side, in His ever loving arms.
The tragedy of September 11, 2001 has caused our world to change greatly, things that seemed
so far away, are here before us, …..Certainty’s and security are not what they use to be. At these
times may we cling to and take comfort in these words of God, these promises to us.
END of Ephesians 2:1-7: Your Past, Present, and Future
Ephesians 2:8-10: God’s Masterpiece
Verse after verse in this book we see God’s love for us, it is indisputable. The reason it is
indisputable is because love is the very nature of God; it is His very being. With all this love He
wanted an object to pour it all out on. An object that would respond to His love, and return love;
thus He made you.
In verse 10 it says we are His workmanship. The Greek word for "workmanship" is "poiema", from
where we get our English word "poem". You see that is exactly what we are, we are God's poem,
a love poem at that. Another way of putting it is that we are God’s “Masterpiece.”
In this study we will see:
God creating His Masterpiece.
God saving His Masterpiece.
God using His Masterpiece.
(Ephesians 2:8 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God,
(Ephesians 2:9 NKJV) not of works, lest anyone should boast.
(Ephesians 2:10 NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Verses 8,9 and 10 are the bedrock of the Christian Faith. These three verses are the clearest
statement and summary, of God’s plan of salvation.
To understand salvation, one needs to understand creation, the creation of man that is. If/when a
person can see how precious they are to God, how intimately interested he is in them from
forming them in their mother's womb, to birth, life, death and eternity….then they can understand
why He would go to the length and pain of the Cross at Calvary to redeem them; why He would be
willing to give His only begotten son to suffer the shame and pain of the cross.
I. God creating His Masterpiece.
So he made this masterpiece, you and I. God is a wonderful artist; consider the beauty of a
sunset, a sandy beach, the Shenadoah Valley; yet in all their beauty, God considers them nothing
compared to us.
The definition of Masterpiece in Websters dictionary is, “a persons greatest piece of work, as in
an art; a fine example of skill or work. I like the compound structure of this word Masterpiece,
master and piece – the Master’s Piece. A masterpiece is made by the Master, not some
underling or junior apprentice.
This masterpiece – the human body:
- is made up of 60 trillion cells.
- The nose can detect 10, 000 different smells
- The tongue has 6,000 taste buds
- The brain has 10 billion nerve cells
- The blood vessels linked together would circle the earth 2.5 times
- It would take 200, 000 pages to print out our DNA code.
- The Brain stores enough data to fill 7 million books.
If you want to see the Master at work, we have to go back to the beginning – Genesis. In the
beginning God…
We see the repeated statement: it was good.
(Genesis 1:1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
(Genesis 1:4) And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the
darkness.
(Genesis 1:10) And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called
he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1:12) And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the
tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1:18) And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the
darkness: and God saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1:21) And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the
waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God
saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1:25) And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and
every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
But now notice in verse 31, God creates man and He says…..it was very good
(Genesis 1:26 NKJV) Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;
let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over
all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
(Genesis 1:27 NKJV) So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created
him; male and female He created them.
(Genesis 1:28 NKJV) Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill
the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over
every living thing that moves on the earth."
(Genesis 1:29 NKJV) And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is
on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.
(Genesis 1:30 NKJV) "Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything
that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was
so.
(Genesis 1:31 NKJV) Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very
good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
At the end of every day of creation God said "it was good", until the sixth day, when God said "it
was very good". The word "very" as used here is used often with other words to intensify them; in
this case it would mean especially good, exceedingly good, great. Why did God say it was so
good? Because in His final act of creation, He created man.
The Hebrew word for man used here is "adam", but it is used in its generic sense meaning
"mankind". So here we see God is talking about the entire human race, and that includes you and
me. And God said it was VERY good. The creation of man was God putting the crowning jewel
on top of His creation. And He said "it was VERY good" Adam was first, but it very well could
have been us, for we are man, created in God's image.
(Gen 2:7 NKJV) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
God spoke the world into existence, but to create man He got His hands dirty. God didn’t create
from a distance, He was intimately involved with each detail.
Man became a living soul: When I read the Bible I like to put myself in the story, like I was
standing right there, I leave the black and white pages and enter into the story. So picture the
day, a semi tropical climate, the lush green garden, a cool mist coming out of the ground, and
along comes the Lord. We know from Scripture that wherever the Lord is, all eyes are upon Him.
When Jesus walked the earth everywhere He went all eyes were upon Him. When Jesus returns
all eyes will turn to see Him, God is the center of His creation. So can you picture all the animals
in the garden? When God passed every eye turned to Him, but He didn't just pass, He stopped
and started to do something in the dirt. The attention of all the animals are locked in on what He
is doing. A lion comes over cocking his head in wonderment, two beavers leave the water to get a
closer look, a giraffe uses his height advantage to get a better look, some squirrels hang out on
branches to get a bird’s-eye view, and a few rabbits hop over to watch. They all watch in silence
as God puts some dirt here, some dirt there, and begins to shape it.
The word used here in Genesis 2:7 for "formed" is the exact same Hebrew word used for "potter"
in Jeremiah 18. The picture it brings to mind here in the garden is God forming Adam just as a
potter forming a piece of clay. God knew specifically what He was going to make when He started
to form Adam.
(Jeremiah 18:1-6 NKJV) The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: "Arise and
go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." Then I went down to
the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he
made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it
seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "O house of
Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's
hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!
(Isaiah 64:8 KJV) But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and
we all are the work of thy hand.
Mike Rozelle and his wife Pam do the “Potters Field Ministry”, they go around the world
ministering at churches. Pam sings, and Mike gives a teaching about this verse, while he gives a
live demonstration on how to make a pot. One thing I'll never forget Mike saying, who is
considered to be a Master Potter, which is no small claim, in other words he is considered one of
the best in the world. Mike said that every time he begins with that lump of clay, he doesn't even
see the clay, but only the finished product, he sees that beautiful finished product. So too with
God, for he is the Master of Master Potters.
Now, picture it, with every move of the Master's hand a distinguishable form begins to appear, can
you imagine the joy God had as He formed Adam's face, the face He would look at and fellowship
with for 930 years. Then after all the shaping was complete I picture God leaning back to stop
and admire what He had fashioned. All the animals remain silenced wondering what is it, and
then the Creator of the universe leans forward, possibly chest to chest, and breaths life into the
nostrils of Adam. The Creator stands, then He extends His hands and lifts Adam to His feet and
presents him to the rest of His creation. At this point the garden erupts into a euphoric cheer,
lions are roaring, monkeys screeching and shaking the trees, squirrels chattering, and birds
singing. All of creation rejoicing, the animals in amazement at the beauty of God's creation, the
crown of God's creation, MAN.
How precious we are to God for we are the crown of His creation. Am I being a little too dramatic
here? I don't think so, we may argue over what is the most beautiful species on the planet, a
man, a lion, kola bear, etc; but never what is the most precious. For it was man that Jesus Christ
became, and it was for man that Jesus Christ died.
God didn't stop creating with Adam, but He is active in the creation of every one of us. And the
same love and interest that God put into Adam, He puts into us.
(Psalms 139:13-16 NKJV) For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's
womb. (14) I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. (15) My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in
secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (16) Your eyes saw my substance,
being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as
yet there were none of them.
In verse 15 the word “wrought” means "embroiderer, needlework", the picture it gives us is God
with a needle and thread, ever so patiently making us. God being so interested in every little
detail of how he makes us, bringing the fabric together into a beautiful piece of art. For that's what
needlework is, it is art. God considers us His piece of art, His poemia.
Now that we have seen and understood the work of art, the Masterpiece we are to God, now we
can see why He would go to the length and pain of the Cross at Calvary to redeem us; why He
would be willing to give His only begotten son to suffer the shame and pain of the cross. We are
the object that God wants to pour all of His love out upon. Just as we did no work in our creation,
we do no work in our salvation….we just freely receive this gift.
II. Ephesians 2:8-9, the work of salvation; God saving His masterpiece:
(Ephesians 2:8 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God,
(Ephesians 2:9 NKJV) not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Side Note: For those who are active in the ministry, absorb these next few minutes, and the next
time you ask someone why they are going to heaven, and they say cause I do this, this, and
this…then you can walk them through these verses.
God precedes these verses with verses 1-3. He reminds us of our past, how hopeless we were,
how we were a pawn in satan’s hand just being slapped around where he chose, and how we had
no chance escaping if it wasn’t for verse 4…..But God.
For by grace you have been saved through faith: Grace…God’s Riches At Christ Expense.
The biblical definition of Grace is, unmerited favor on the infinitely ill deserving. Grace is getting
what we haven't earned or deserve. Add that with mercy, which is not getting what we deserve,
and we see that salvation all rest upon the works of God. The price of salvation cost us nothing,
but God everything. All we had to do was believe.
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: even the faith we have is a gift from God.
Salvation is a gift, not a reward.
not of works, lest anyone should boast: This phrase puts to rest any thoughts of selfrighteousness, any possibility that there was something good within, that would draw God to us, or
earn our right before him. It is not church membership, attendance, confirmation, tithing, baptism,
good Samaritan, or living a good moral respectable life.
To attempt to earn salvation through something we have done (works), is to add to what Christ
has completed on the cross----that’s blasphemy. That would be saying that Christ death was not
fully sufficient. There is no room for boasting God will not share his glory. We were not there
during our creation in our mother’s womb, nor did we hang on the cross with Jesus. As the Lord
got His hands dirty during creation, He went much further in redemption as He sweat drops of
blood, and instead of dirt, it was nails that soiled His hands this time…..who would dare boast.
If man could be saved by works, then Christ prayer in Gethsemane was not answered. (Matthew
26:39 NKJV) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is
possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Three times he
prayed and asked if there be any other way, any way other than the cross, but there was none,
and Jesus obediently went to the cross for us, instead of us.
If we could keep the 10 commandments (which we couldn't), then we could be saved through
them, but we can't. That would be the argument that I am a good person: (Galatians 2:21 NKJV)
"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died
in vain."
If man could be saved by his own works, something he could do to please God, then he becomes
his own savior……..think about that one…..
So then where do works come in? Works are the fruit (outcome) of salvation, not the root. (John
15:5 NKJV) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much
fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Fruit bosoms on the branches, they hang and are picked
off the branches, but the life giving nutrients for both the branches and fruit are delivered from the
root.
(James 2:14 NKJV) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith
save him?
(James 2:15 NKJV) If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
(James 2:16 NKJV) and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the
things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
(James 2:17 NKJV) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
(James 2:18 NKJV) But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works,
and I will show you my faith by my works.
(James 2:19 NKJV) You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!
(James 2:20 NKJV) But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
(James 2:21 NKJV) Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
(James 2:22 NKJV) Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
Works emerge as a result of faith. But if you want to talk about works, then look at the work of
God as He created this Masterpiece He calls me and you, and then look at His work on the cross
to buy us back from sin.
A childhood story sums all this up. A little boy made a sailboat one-day with the help of his father.
He got the wood from a tree, he used his dads tools to shape the boat. He made the sail with
some fabric. Then he sanded and sanded the hull until it was smooth. Then he painted it his
favorite color. The day came and he took out to the stream, put it in the water and watched it
float. Pride and joy filled his heart. But a sudden wind came and pushed the boat out into deeper
water and the boy couldn’t get it, then it drifted out into the current and started down the river. The
little boy followed as long as he could, but eventually it drifted out of sight. A heartbroken boy.
Weeks later he and his father are downtown, and they pass a hobby shop, and there in the
window was his boat. He said father I want to buy my boat back, his father said son at that price it
will cost you everything you have….the boy said it will be worth it. As he walked home with his
boat, he held it tight in his arms, joyful that it was his again, and he said, “I made you and I bought
you, you are twice mine.”
This is what Jesus would say to us today, “I made you and I bought you, you are twice mine.”
III. Ephesians 2:10, God using His Masterpiece.
(Ephesians 2:10 NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
God creates His Masterpiece, He saves His Masterpiece, and then He uses His Masterpiece.
After all we have studied tonight, how can’t we give Him all glory and honor. Our lives bring God
glory, the world can’t deny His Love, grace, and mercy. (Matthew 5:16 NKJV) "Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
With all these great things we have seen up to this point, God says I’m still not done with you.
Lets look back at (Psalms 139:16) Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in
Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of
them. In verse 16, “days fashioned” is the same word used for "formed" in Gen 2:7. God
doesn't just make you and let you go, He is actively shaping your future, before you are even born,
God is preparing your future for you. A future of good works.
How are we to know what are good works, and when and where should we perform them:
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
As we mature in our faith from the study of the word, (Romans 10:17) So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God; so then will our good works increase. Chapters 4-6 will
give us an abundance of good works we are called to. Remember chapters 1-3 are doctrine, and
4-6 are duty. And as we see all that God has done for us, it will become natural for us to produce
good works, fruit. He is the Vine we are the Branches, as we stay attached to Him we produce
fruit.
Friends if you feel discouraged or defeated right now because maybe your are not producing good
works, please know that God is still actively involved in your life, and He is still forming and
shaping you. You are precious to Him. We are a work in process, Philippians 1:6 says, Being
confident of this, that he (God) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until
the day of Christ Jesus. Remember it is God working in you (Philippians 2:13 NKJV) for it is God
who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Yield to the Master Potter, and let
Him continue His Masterpiece.
Take comfort in:
- Jacob becoming Israel
- Simon becoming Peter
- Saul becoming Paul
You will become that man or women God has prepared you to be. He makes all things beautiful.
God sees us for what we will be. Corrie TenBoom tells the story of when she watched a weaver
who makes tapestries the size of walls. She asked the weaver what happens if halfway through
you make a mistake; the weaver said then I make it part of the master pattern, as if I designed it
that way, and when it is done people look at it and say how beautiful it is. God weaves us unto the
master pattern. He takes mistakes and works it into his tapestry, and when He steps back, no
one can see the mistakes, for they think it is part of the beautiful master pattern, and they say,
“how beautiful.”
Now our position in Jesus Christ will never live up to our experiences because we are here on this
earth. What God does in your life may be very contrary to what we expect, just stay obedient and
faithful to Him, and then trust and know that He is using you, and will use you for good works.
His Workmanship, created for good works: Story of 3 trees.
THREE TREES
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said
"Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with
intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will
take
kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the
strength of my hull." Finally the third tree said. "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People
will see me on top of the hill and look up to my
branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time
and people will always remember me.. "
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one
came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and
he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure
chest. At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The
second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship. When the woodsmen came
upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.
One of the woodsman said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one" and he cut it down. When
the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled
with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His
dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left
alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She
gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he
could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event
and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from
the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the
tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said
"peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings in its boat. Finally,
someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was
carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill.
When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to
God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it
When things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you
place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just
not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just
know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
3 Trees: 1.) a great treasure chest. 2.) Great ship to carry Kings and Queens. 3.) Great tree to
point people to the heavens.
Hang on the best is always yet to come, God is not done working in your life.
Each and every one of us are blessed to be all 3. We don't have to settle on being just one. We
are in Christ therefore the Creator of the Universe lives in us, we hold this precious treasure in
these earthen vessels. Secondly we have the opportunity to carry the King from here to the outer
parts of the world. From Baltimore to Ireland. Thirdly we can point people to Him so that they too
may be seated in the heavenly with Him.
Conclusion:
As God creates His poem a whole new shaping takes place, and a whole new audience is
present. When we give our life to Jesus Christ God starts to shape us from the inside,
conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. And now the audience has changed from creation
to the heavenly angels. They watch on, and much like on day six all they see is some dirt here,
some dirt there, but the Master begins to shape it. Now, picture it, with every move of the
Master's hand a distinguishable form begins to appear, can you imagine the joy God has as He
forms us knowing what the finished result will be? The Creator stands, then He extends His hands
and lifts us to our feet and presents us to the host of angels in heaven. And heaven as in the
garden erupts with euphoric cheers as they rejoice in the great work of God, they stare in
amazement at the masterpiece of beauty God has created and all of heaven exalts God for His
greatness.
End of Ephesians 2:8-10: God’s Masterpiece
Ephesians 2:11-22: The Dwelling Place of God
Today:
- If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to
sleep…..you are Richer than 75% of the world.
- If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and change in a dish…..you are in the top 8% of
the world’s wealthiest.
- If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…..you are more blessed than the
million people who will die this week.
- If you are not experiencing the hunger pains of starvation at this moment…..you are ahead of
500 million people in this world right now.
- If you can read……..you are more blessed than 2 billion people in this world.
- If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or
death…….you are ahead of 3 billion people.
And on top of all this……..we are seated in the heavenly with Christ Jesus. As Americans it is so
easy to lose our perspective of how materially wealthy we are, because we just look around us in
America, and don’t take the whole world into account. The same holds true for us spiritually, for
we forget how so many other people in the world do not have the religious freedom we have. And
on top of all that, we forget that we are spiritually rich, and continue to live like paupers: We forget
where God pulled us from, and what our position with Christ is today. These verses remind us
where we once were, and where we are today.
The theme of verses 11-22 is God preparing a body for Him to dwell in. There are several studies
just in these twelve verses, but we will look at it as the whole theme, which will be tough
considering how rich this text is. Ephesians is such a rich book, it is like Paul turns on this fire
hose, and it is hard for us to take a small drink from it for it is flowing so strong.
We will see that God has made one body out of the Jew and Gentile.
For some people this is just a review, but always remember; We are not just going through the
Bible, but the Bible is going through us. (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
We were Hopeless:
(Ephesians 2:11 NKJV) Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh; who are
called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands;
(Ephesians 2:12 NKJV) that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and
without God in the world.
Look at our condition in these verses:
Without Christ: called Uncircumcision…. you were without Christ.
Without Citizenship: being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.
Without Covenants: strangers from the covenants of promise.
Without Hope: having no hope.
Without God: and without God in the world.
The temple in Jerusalem is still standing at the time of this writing. The temple was destroyed
around 70AD, and this epistle was written around 60AD. In Acts 10-11, Peter is given the vision
that salvation is for the Gentile also, and that God tells him to go witness to him. This happened
approximately 35AD. So we have only about 25 years here, and Paul is writing this letter to
reassure, and counter any thoughts that the Gentiles are not called to God also. Consider
America, and how long it took to brake through the racial walls in this Christian nation. There
were slaves in Jamestown in the 1600, a civil war among the states in the 1860’s, and Martin
Luther King Jr. in the 70’s. And even still, today there is a remnant of racism. Consider how
radical it was for the Gentile to accept that God has called them just as He calls the Jew; think
how radical it was for the Jew after 4000 years. Paul writes so that all may know.
For the Jew:
- It was forbidden to give good advice to a Gentile (according to the Talmud).
- If Jew married a Gentile their family disowned them.
- The Jewish mentality was that the Gentiles were made to keep the fire of hell hot.
- The Jew would burn their clothes if they touched a gentile, and then go through ceremonial
cleansing afterwards.
The Shepherd boy David, before he became King, sums up circumcision:
(1 Samuel 17:26 KJV) And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done
to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this
uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
To call someone uncircumcised is to put them in the category of Goliath, a Philistines (who in
Biblical typology represent the flesh), an enemy of God who deserves a rock in his head.
Imagine the excitement running through the Gentile world as they read this letter, God has
opened His arms up to them, the great Apostle Paul, (once a leader among the Jewish religious)
says so. Paul writes this epistle from prison. A gentile prison, he is at the mercy of them, yet he
will write of their position in Christ. If you go to Rome today you can see the ruins of those ancient
prisons, the kind Paul would have stayed in. They were rock cells, side by side, with a common
sewer running through all the cells. Day and night, never ceasing he would endure the stench of
his living condition, yet he still wrote about the blessings given to all believers, even the gentiles
that were holding him.
Maybe after being raised in America all of our lives it is hard to believe that we were not always
called, but it is true. God reminds us of our past, so we can cherish our present and future. The
fact being, before we had accepted Christ, we were Without Christ, Without Citizenship, Without
Covenants, Without Hope, Without God. So these verses were not that far off for us. Imagine
this story:
One night a Pastor falls asleep on Christmas Eve. He dreams He is awakened by a knock upon the door. He is
summonsed to a deathbed. Upon the way on the street he thinks it is odd that he sees there are no children playing with
Christmas toys, no wreaths on the door, no Christmas trees in the windows, no church bells ringing, no carolers singing,
no smell of Christmas turkey and hams. As he arrives to the hospital, opens his Bible to read the encouraging words of
Christ that brings hope and peace; but instead he opens his Bible and finds no New testament, rather it ends with the
Book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. He looks at the dying person and sobs, for he has no words of
comfort, any promises of eternal life. He runs home and looks for all his commentaries he has on the New Testament,
Matthew, Ephesians, Revelation; but finds nothing, and realizes that it is not Christmas Day, cause the Christ child was
never born, the Messiah never came - no Messiah, no hope.
Just this thought alone should be breaking forth our hearts with joy and thanksgiving; I also want
to always remember that there are people around me today who think that God will have nothing
to do with them. They say or think, “look at me, I’m dirty, rotten, I’ve made a mess of my life, God
doesn’t want people like me”. We have to show them that they are wrong in their thinking, and
show them the Word. Also, inside this church, we have to always remember that for some people
this is their last stop, they have tried everything else to get their life right; Programs, and peoples,
and even churches where they were not welcomed, and in their last hope they try your church.
Brethren leave your comfort zone and clicks, and look for them every time you come to
church……and when you are out living in the world outside these church walls.
Dispelling the Past:
Look at what both the Jew and Gentile had to overcome after 4,000 years of conditioning:
The Jews were the chosen nation of God, but they confused the calling of being a witness, to
being better than the gentiles, looking down at them, thus becoming prideful and arrogant. The
sign of circumcision was given to set them apart, but not above the Gentile. The Jews should
have looked at the Gentiles as an opportunity to communicate the true and Living God to them,
but instead looked down upon them.
God commanded the nation Israel in the law to love all strangers who lived among them:
(Leviticus 19:34 NKJV) 'The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among
you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the
LORD your God.
Circumcision means to, cut off, destroy. The covenant was given then as a symbol of not
following the flesh, but living for the spiritual; much like baptism is today for believers.
Gen 17 – tells the story of the covenant of circumcision between God and Israel.
(Genesis 17:11 KJV) And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of
the covenant betwixt me and you.
Side Note: Genesis 17:12, They were commanded to circumcise the child on the 8th day. Doctors
have confirmed that it is on the 8th day that the body reaches it mature level of Vitamin K, which is
necessary for blood clotting. God never does anything in vain; He always has a purpose in His
ways. Some may look at circumcision as a cruel requirement from God, as if to be with Him, pain
is a prerequisite……….not so. Circumcision comes with a great health benefit; a study was done
back at the turn of the 19th century when it was recognized in New York City a high rate of women
dying from cervical cancer. As they did their study they found the rate was high among all women
except Jewish women. So they looked at the Jewish and non-Jewish husbands and saw the
difference came down to circumcision, and found that non-Jewish men carried more bacteria, and
it in turn was infecting their mates.
So this is who we, the Gentiles were……. Without Christ, Without Citizenship, Without Covenants,
Without Hope, Without God.
From Far Off - To Brought Near
(Ephesians 2:13 NKJV) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been
brought near by the blood of Christ.
But now in Christ Jesus….you have to love the BUT, in the Scripture. (Ephesians 2:13 NKJV)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
you who once were far off have been
We were "Far Off", which means a distant journey. The word picture here is like wandering in the
Sahara desert, you keep walking, and walking; the heat pounding down upon you, your body
thirsting for water but your canteen is empty. You see a hill far off thinking beyond that hill the
journey ends, but when you reach its peak, all you see is sand and more sand. That was the
Gentile, "meandering", just being blown around (as we studied in Ephesians 2:1-3).
have been brought near.
“brought near”, literally means “in the hand”. We are in God's hand, He holds you at this very
moment. Isaiah 49:15-16 Yet I will not forget you. See I have inscribed you on the palms of my
hands. Beloved, the Lord is holding you in the same hands that were pierced with nails on
Calvary, yet it wasn't the nails that held Him to the cross, but His love for you.
by the blood of Christ
It is only by the blood of Jesus that man can be redeemed. People say that is too narrow; they are
offended that the way to God is too narrow if Jesus is the only way…they say that is too narrow.
They miss it, the world should rejoice that there even is a way…..how narrow it may be….yet still
wide enough that whom so ever shall believe, shall be saved. Man has offended the Holy God of
the universe, yet He still provides a way to be right with Him.
Why blood, why a sacrificial system? That is how serious sin is to God, that only blood can take it
away. Hebrews 9:22….without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.
(Romans 3: 23-25 NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified
freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a
propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His
forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Propitiation means complete emotional satisfaction. God has no ill feelings towards us. The work
of Jesus Christ on the cross completely satisfied God’s penalty for man’s sin. We can rest now
and have peace with God, there are no works that we have to do to satisfy God.
(Ephesians 2:14 NKJV) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has
broken down the middle wall of separation,
For He Himself is our peace
Jesus reversed the rolls. For us to be brought near, He had to be far off. (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?"
that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" God in His holiness can not look upon
sin (Hababkuk 1:13 / Isaiah 59:1-2),
(Habakkuk 1:13 NKJV) You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on
wickedness……
(Isaiah 59:1-2 NKJV) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear
heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins
have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
God had to turn His back on His only begotten son while He bore our sins on the cross. It was the
only way to bring us to peace with God. Isaiah 53:4-6.
(Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJV) Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed
Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we
are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And
the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
has broken down the middle wall of separation,
When Jesus died on the cross man had peace with God, and peace between the Jew and
Gentile. The temple divided the Jews from the Gentile. The Gentiles were allowed in what was
called the “Outer Court or Court of the Gentiles”, but they could enter into the temple itself.
Archeologist have discovered the inscription from Herod’s temple, and it reads like this:
No foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the
sanctuary and enclosure. Anyone who is caught doing so will have
himself to blame for his ensuing death.
God is saying throw that sign away, there is no longer a wall separating the two, both have equal
access to me.
(Ephesians 2:15 NKJV) having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of
commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the
two, thus making peace,
(Ephesians 2:16 NKJV) and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through
the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
Jesus broke down the Ethnic Walls, and the Sexual Walls:
Ethnic Wall broken down: (Colossians 3:9-11 NKJV) …….since you have put off the old man
with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the
image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Sexual Wall broken down: (Galatians 3:28 NKJV) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
God brought all, Gentile, Jew, Male, Female, Free, and Slave together into one new man. When
Jesus was on the cross what was he wearing? Forget the pictures you see, go to the scriptures,
He was wearing nothing. Clothing in our culture signifies where we are from.
- A sombrero - Mexico
- A kilt - Scotland
- That big hat - China
- That furry hat - Russia
- Blue Jeans - America
- Grass skirt - Tahiti
- Dhoti - that colorful headwear - India
- Saree - that colorful clothe wrap - India
When Jesus was hanging there naked, he was saying He is cross- cultural, He brings together
groups that are against each other culturally, racially, by birth and he brings them together. He
can bring them together because they have one thing in common - Sin, and he destroyed sin by
taking it upon himself. Jesus in one act removed our separation from God, and the walls built
between men.
(Ephesians 2:17 NKJV) And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to
those who were near.
Harrison Ford, the wealthiest and most successful actor in Hollywood, when asked what he lacks,
he said peace. Dennis Rodman, the bad man of the NBA, known for his crazy antics on and off
the court, when asked in an interview that aired on Dateline in April 1999 what he didn't have, he
said peace. No Jesus, No Peace….Know Jesus, Know Peace.
(Ephesians 2:18 NKJV) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Notice the trinity (v.18) here at work in our salvation, and coming before the Lord.
Access is from the Greek word, prosagoge – it is where we get our word “Protocol”. Today when
the government announces a dignitary entering a room, they ring bell, or in Britain they stomp the
staff on the floor, and announce, now entering …..Mr. so and so. The honorary looks forward to
with great anticipation and excitement of the person coming. The door is opened to them 24
hours a day, seven days a week. This is the word God is using here, "Protocol".
This verse, this word "Protocol", has revolutionized my prayer time. The thought that God is
anxiously waiting for me to come to Him, like I am some dignitary, makes me look forward to our
prayer time together. I have access right into His presence. The Creator of the Universe has
been waiting, and is ready to hear…..the bell rings, the angel stomps his staff, now
entering……and God says I've been looking forward to our time together. Andrew Murray said,
"this is the glory of the inner chamber, to converse with God the Holy One."
(1 John 5:14 - 15 NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know
that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Remember the theme of this book is spiritual blessings, Paul is saying don’t live like paupers
when you are millionaires. What is at my disposal?
(Isaiah 9:6 NKJV) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the
government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I have fellowship with someone who is Wonderful, a great Counselor, Mighty in Power, a Loving
Father, and brings Peace. Prayer focuses all of our attention on God, lifting its burden off of us.
Prayer is a specific divine appointment with God.
Now verses 11-18 all lead up to this point…the dwelling place of God.
(Ephesians 2:19 NKJV) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but
fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
(Ephesians 2:20 NKJV) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
(Ephesians 2:21 NKJV) in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a
holy temple in the Lord,
(Ephesians 2:22 NKJV) in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of
God in the Spirit.
(v.22)for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
In past times God dwelt (meet the people) in the Tabernacle in the wilderness, then the Temple in
Jerusalem, then from the Throne of Heaven he came and dwelt in a dirty manager in Bethlehem.
In a sense, He still dwells in dirty managers, He takes the dirty managers of our hearts, cleans
them up, and now dwells in them.
The “HOLY OF HOLIES” was the innermost sanctuary of the Temple. Separated from the other
parts of the Temple by a thick curtain, the holy of holies was specially associated with the
presence of God. The High Priest, and only the High Priest, would enter only once a year to make
atonement for the people. When Jesus died on the cross the veil was ripped in two, showing that
man no longer needed a High Priest to come before God: (Matthew 27:50-51 NKJV) And Jesus
cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple
was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
But, God still dwells in that Holy of Holies today. There are two different Greek words translated
"temple." Hieron refers to the entire temple complex. The naos is the Most Holy Place in which
God uniquely dwelt in the O.T. tabernacle and temple. This verse speaks of the local church as
the naos, the unique dwelling place of the Spirit of God. In 1 Cor. 6:19 Paul speaks of each
individual believer as a temple of the Holy Spirit of God.
(1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of
God dwells in you?
(1 Corinthians 6:19 NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who
is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
(1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and
in your spirit, which are God's.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the
saints and members of the household of God,
God says your are a citizen of heaven, members of His household, and that you are seated in the
heavens;……… yet, while you are living here on earth, he considers your body the Holy of Holies,
and that He dwells there. God is saying my glory will radiate from your very being as you live out
your calling here on earth.
If I am a citizen of heaven, then that makes me an Ambassador here on earth.
Webster’s definition of Ambassador is, Diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one
sovereign or state to another as its resident representative; or sent on a special or temporary
mission; an authorized messenger or representative. Paul ends this book speaking about being
an ambassador: (Ephesians 6:19-20 NKJV) and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that
I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself
being the chief corner stone
These promises are true and time-tested. We have the Word of God to back all these promises,
with Jesus’ resurrection as the final proof that His Word will never fail. It has been said that the
Bible is the anvil that has broken all the hammers. (Ephesians 3:5 we will look more deeply into
this statement about apostles and prophets).
being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
First a new man, now a new building. Verse 22 is in the present and on-going tense. The building
is growing, we are growing as we each grow in the Lord. Now since the people next to me are
growing also, there will be some friction, rubbing together as we grow. We may rub each other
the wrong way. God will put people in your life to knock the rough edges off so that we might fit
better together. Don’t try to run from people who rub you the wrong way, stay and let God work in
your life.
1 Kings 6: As they were building the Temple, all the hammering and chiseling went on in the pits,
away from the temple mount. Jesus is building the perfect body. I would suggest to you that the
hammering and chiseling for the new temple is going on right here on earth, as we are being fit
together in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion:
So this is who we, the Gentiles were……. Without Christ, Without Citizenship, Without Covenants,
Without Hope, Without God…………….BUT GOD. Heaven is reality, and this is what God thinks
of you. Forget the world’s view of you, and what they think. Einstien said, I wish I knew the mind
of God, for everything else is just details. Here we have the mind of God, His Word, and He
considers you His temple, He has broken down the separation between man and God, and man
and man. He has provided access for us to come before Him and have fellowship with someone
who is Wonderful, a great Counselor, Mighty in Power, a Loving Father, and brings Peace.
Hopelessness, God can make a way, when there is no way. We were hopeless, yet God in His
Love, broke down the walls and brought us hope through His son Jesus Christ. Today, whatever
seems hopeless to you, whether it is your job, relationship, finances, he still brings hope, and He
still brakes down walls. What is that troubles you today, whatever it is, Let Go and Let God.
Stand on these promises that we have been brought near, we have peace with Him, nothing
separates us from Him, we have full access to Him, and that we are His temple, His dwelling
place.
End Ephesians 2:11-22: The Dwelling Place of God
Book of Ephesians: Chapter Three
Ephesians 3:1-6 The Dispensation of Grace
Remember the 2 Divisions in this Book
- 1st division gives us our inheritance chapters 1-3 - what God has done for us, our position in
Christ - that's Doctrine.
- 2nd the behavior that should characterize those who are so richly blessed chapters 4-6 what our response to chapters 1-3 should be, our practice - that's Duty.
Paul continues on the theme from 2:11-22, that God will bring the Jew and Gentile together to
make one new Body, a dwelling place for Himself. Here in chapter three Paul explains how he
was given the revelation that the Jew and Gentile will come together (3:1-6), and the effect that
this revelation had upon his life, the world, and even the angels (3:7-13), and then he launches
into another one of his beautiful prayers (3:14-21). Chapter three expounds and solidifies our
position in Christ, and all that God has done for us. When chapter four comes, and God starts the
chapter by saying, walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, we will be ready.
This study will focus on 3:1-6, the “dispensation of the grace of God”.
Dispensation (oikonomia ), is where we get our word “Economy” . A lot of people struggle with
this word, and theologians come up with books upon books to explain it, but it simply means a “set
order of how things work.” God saying I’m setting the order of how things are going to work and
nothing can change it. Satan, evilness, terrorism, prosperity, will not change my plan, or how I run
my plan, and it will all happen in the “fullness of time, on my time table (remember 1:10). Paul will
show in these verses that the fullness of time has come, and the church is now in the period “of
the grace of God.”
(Ephesians 3:1 NKJV) For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you
Gentiles;
For this reason/cause: the cause is that the Gentiles and Jews are one. This cause changed
Paul’s life, and the world forever.
Paul was a prisoner because he believed in God’s new program of uniting Jews and gentiles into
one body, the church. In Acts 21:30-33 Paul was arrested for what they thought was bringing
Gentiles into the temple. Paul tried to defend himself by giving his personal testimony, the crowd
listened to him until he said the word “Gentiles” and then they rioted (Acts 22:22-23). The rest of
the book of Acts explains how Paul got from Jerusalem to Rome as a prisoner.
Paul said I’m a prisoner of Christ for you Gentiles; he was saying Christ knew I would become a
prisoner because of this, yet He allowed it for your betterment. Whatever situation we are in, it is
because God (barring sin on our behalf) ordained it. If we are complaining about it, we are
actually complaining about God. In verse 7 Paul will call himself a minister, not a victim, he saw
that God was using situation (however uncomfortable for Paul) to do His work. How
uncomfortable are we willing to be, so that God may do His work among the unsaved, and even
those who need to mature in the Lord.
Had Paul comprised his message and yielded to the religious and self-righteous, he most likely
would have been released. He could have had his own little church somewhere is Asia, had a
nice little salary, with a nice little house, a wife and some kids; but he chose to “preach (v. 8)”. I
wonder how different the world would be today if the man called of God would not bend to the
pressures of this world, and just preach the word.
For Paul it was impossible to do anything else: (1 Corinthians 9:16 NKJV) For if I preach the
gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not
preach the gospel!
Paul had the glorious message of Love and Forgiveness to tell the world. God gave him to the
Gentiles, to tell them that they have full access to God, and He is waiting to fellowship with them.
How could Paul keep this message to himself…how can we?
(Ephesians 3:2 NKJV) if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God
which was given to me for you,
dispensation of the grace of God
Again “dispensation” (oikonomia ), is where we get our word “Economy” . It simply means a “set
order of how things work.” God saying I’m setting the order of how things are going to work and
nothing can change it. Satan, evilness, terrorism, prosperity, will not change my plan, or how I run
my plan, and it will all happen in the “fullness of time, on my time table (remember 1:10). Paul will
show in these verses that the fullness of time has come, and the church is now in the period “of
the grace of God.” Ephesians chapters 1-3 expound on all that comes with this period of grace:
Predestined, adopted chosen, redeemed, forgiven, sealed, and guaranteed, just to name a few.
This period of grace is freedom; we can Let Go, and Let God. How wonderful to live in these days
of grace. There are no doubts, no need for second-guessing, the view is clear from the cross.
(Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Sadly, not everyone receives this grace, Mankind has a tendency to say I don’t need God.
- If we could just get the right party in office, then everything would be great, we wouldn’t
need a spiritual revival but a political revolution.
- Or if we could improve our environment then everybody would live in peace. If I could
just get away from my weird parents, then I’d be ok, they are the problem. I am a victim of being
raised wrong and abused, if I had good parents then Id be happy.
- Then others say I can’t believe this whole faith deal, if i could see Him touch him, hear
him, then I would believe.
So God says I have given you all these over the ages, and have shown you that even when you
have these things, you still won’t be happy; it will only be a personal relationship with me that will
make you happy. So he marches us through these periods of dispensations in the Bible.
#1 Dispensation of Innocence: (from creation to fall). They say, "you see if I just didn’t have
lousy parents I wouldn't be so messed up". Well Adam was made perfectly and had no parental
influence, except by God the father. People can’t blame their parents, Adam and Eve had the
perfect parent and they still chose to sin. In Ezekiel 18:2, God said I want this proverb no more
heard in the land, our fathers ate sour grapes so my teeth are on edge - in other words don’t
blame your family for past problems, if you are grinding your teeth it is your problem. Our
generation and culture needs to understand this. Quit the blame shifting, trying to excuse their
actions because of the parents. It is one of the leading defense cases now, murders and rapist
are trying to claim dysfunctional family caused their horrible behavior. Adam and Eve represented
you and me, and proved man will mess up, even in a perfect environment- because we are
sinners.
#2 Dispensation of Conscience: (from fall to flood,) They say, "If we can just do what is right in
our own sight, then everything will be alright. Live and let live. Do what is right for you, and I’ll do
what is right for me and we will all get along". Look what happened when everybody followed his
or her own conscience. They became so vile, sex with fallen angels (demonic spirits), etc, the
world was so perverted, only Noah was righteous. (Genesis 6:5-6 NKJV) Then the LORD saw
that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his
heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and
He was grieved in His heart. God had to flood the earth and start over.
#3. Dispensation of Government: (from flood to Babel) They say, "the government will make
everything right". Babel was a government works program. Lets all pull together, become one,
and we can achieve anything, and everything will be great. (Genesis 11:3-4) And they said one to
another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and
slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top
[may reach] unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face
of the whole earth. They said, "We will ascend up into heaven built with bricks and mortar. The
mortar was made from asphalt, but in those times the word was "slime" (how fitting as we see so
much corporation in our governement). Their government works program couldn't get them into
heaven and they ended up being dispersed throughout the world.
#4 Dispensation of Promise (Vision): (from Abraham to Exodus). They say, “If I just had a
vision, something to look forward to, if I could just get out of this mess, then everything would be
ok. If I could just have a fresh start”. How many times I have seen women with this vision, “if only
I can get a breast enhancement, then my husband would love me, or men would notice me, then
I’d be happy.” But vision doesn’t go as planned, for what they find out is that it doesn’t bring them
closer to God, but into the world. Men have their same; whether it be hair on their head, six pack
abs, a sports car. Whatever it is, they find that their vision takes them away from the Lord, and
into a bondage.
God gave Abraham a promise/vision that was passed down the line.
(Genesis 15:1 NKJV) After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision,
saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
(Genesis 15:7 NKJV) Then He said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the
Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it."
(Genesis 15:5 NKJV) Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and
count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants
be."
(Genesis 15:18 NKJV) On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To
your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River
Euphrates;
But somehow with this great vision promised, the next generation begins to fail, and so on, and so
on. Abraham’s son Isaac was promised the same vision, but he plans on passing this blessing on
to the next son Esau based off of food (Genesis 27:4); but the younger son Jacob steals the
blessing from his brother by tricking the aged Isaac (Genesis 27:19); Jacob favors his son Joseph
over the other brothers, so they in turn sell him into slavery in Egypt.
The whole family ended up going down to Egypt. We had just read that they were promised land
from the river of Egypt, not in Egypt. They never did see their vision come to pass, instead they
ended up baking bricks in Egypt for 400 years of bondage. (Genesis 15:13 NKJV) Then He said
to Abram: "Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and
will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.
#5 Dispensation of the Law: (from Exodus to Calvary - The law was given). They say, “If we
just had some rules to live by, some do’s and don’t.” The problem with the law was that man
couldn’t do it, he couldn’t keep them. People think if I can just get the 7 habits of effective people,
and get that down. If I can just get the “how to’s” from the “who’s who”, I would be happy and
successful. So people read this book and listen to that tape, the problem is it might be good stuff,
but we just can’t do it. We see history repeat itself over and over. Israel does well, then they fail,
they do well, and then they fail. They go from the mighty kingdom under David and Soloman, to
being captives to the Babylonians. They go from rebuilding their nation and city after the
Babylonian captivity to being under Roman rule.
The law is good but we are sinners and just can’t do it. The law was to show us how short we fall
from God’s standard, and the need we have for Him. (Galatians 3:24-25 NKJV) Therefore the
law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come,
we are no longer under a tutor.
#6 Dispensation of Grace: (the one Paul is speaking about here – Grace; from Calvary to the
Rapture) We realize that it isn’t living in innocence, or our conscience, or government, nor a
vision thing, or rules and regulations – but just grace. I love you, I died for you, I rose again, if you
will just embrace me by faith, confess your need for me, you will be saved. This period goes from
the resurrection of Christ all the way until the next period – The Tribulation
#7 Dispensation of Tribulation: (7 year period) They say, “I’m not going to believe something I
can’t see”. During the Tribulation people will see and still not believe. In Revelation 6- 19, angels
fly across the earth proclaiming the gospel (Rev 14:6-7), the moon turns to blood (Rev 6:12), the
rivers and seas turn to blood (Rev 16:3-7), the two witnesses rise from the dead (Rev 11:1114)…….. talk about seeing it, yet people still won’t believe. After seeing all this, people cry out to
the mountains - fall on me (Rev 6:12). They will not cry out to the Master, the Rock of Ages. The
whole idea of seeing before you believe is false. God says believe it and then you’ll see it. You
believe in me, and it will be amazing what you see.
#8 Dispensation of Millennial Kingdom: (1000 yr period). People say, “if I could just live in a
good environment. If we didn’t have pollution and disease, and crime, well then we would be
happy and content, and live in harmony.” The world will have 1000 years of perfection, the lion
shall lie down with the lamb, with no more sickness or wars. Things will be right and fabulous, the
environment will be right, yet people still won’t believe. At the end of the 1000-year millennial
reign, there is a rebellion against God. 1000 years of perfection, yet still people rebel against God
You can through the Bible, and see all the various scenarios. Innocence, conscience,
government, vision, rules, seeing it, right environment ……. Yet people still don’t come to the
Lord. All the excuses are still just excuses. The only answer is Jesus Christ, through grace.
(Ephesians 3:3 NKJV) how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have
briefly written already,
The word mystery has nothing to do with things eerie. It means a “sacred secret, once hidden but
now revealed to God’s people. A mystery is something that could not be understood unless the
Holy Spirit revealed it to us. God revealed to Paul this mystery that the Jew and Gentile shall be
His body which He will dwell in. The Jew and Gentile were at such enmity with one another the
thought of being friends would blow their minds, but throw in that they will be so close that they will
be one, they would have a mind meltdown trying to grasp that……but the greatest revelation, the
greatest mystery for all man is that God would no longer dwell in the temple made with hands, but
in the hearts of all men and women who would receive Him -----only through the Holy Spirit could
man ever be able to grasp such a wonderful thing, our natural minds can’t comprehend such
things.
God had to bring the Jew and Gentile together as one, cause He is only building one temple, but
He is using many living stones fitted together to comprise it.
(Ephesians 3:4 NKJV) by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ),
(Ephesians 3:5 NKJV) which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it
has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
(Ephesians 3:6 NKJV) that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and
partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
Paul was taught by Gamaliel, ancient writings tell us he was the greatest teacher of his time. Paul
was well studied in the Old Testament writings. (Acts 22:3 NKJV) "I am indeed a Jew, born in
Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the
strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
Notice again, my knowledge: It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit filled Paul that he could see what the
Old Testament prophets were talking about. Here are verses Paul would have read over and over
asking himself what do they mean, never realizing they all pertained to God calling the Gentiles
through the Messiah. All these verses are Messianic prophecies.
(Isaiah 11:10 NKJV) "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner
to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious."
(Isaiah 42:1 NKJV) "Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
(Isaiah 42:6 NKJV) "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will
keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,
(Isaiah 49:6 NKJV) Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To
raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a
light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
(Isaiah 60:3 NKJV) The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your
rising.
Paul must have pondered these verses as a Pharisee, and then boom……the Holy Spirit opened
them up to him, and He said “wow”, I can’t keep this to myself.
I use to do Street Ministry on Orange Blossom Trial (OBT) in Orlando, Florida. I would sit out front
of an abandoned Psychic House (now a crackhouse) and told people I can tell them their future.
They couldn’t resist, they would have to stop and listen. I would quote (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
to give you a future and a hope. At one time the Bible and the plan of salvation was a mystery to
me, I couldn’t understand what John 3:16 meant, but then one day God revealed the mystery to
me through the Holy Spirit, and I see it clearly now. John 3:16, and so many other Scriptures I
couldn’t understand, now I can see them, and know the truths in them.
We aren’t so much different then Paul than we think, we have the same opportunity to tell people
this great mystery that they do not understand, that will blow their mind. A message that will
change us and the world………forever. The Dispensation of Grace, what a great time to be alive,
and living for Jesus.
End of Ephesians 3:1-6: The Dispensation of Grace
Ephesians 3:7-13: The Least of the Saints
As you recall, Ephesians chapters 1-3 are about what God has done for us; one of the gifts God
has given to us, is the Apostle Paul. Paul given the greatest revelation of all time, one of the
greatest callings of all time (to be an apostle to the Gentiles), God personally came to meet him
on the road to Damascus. How he reacts is important to us, because each and every one of us
has a “calling”. And, if you are willing to believe and receive it, each and every one of us are a gift
given to the church today and the world around us (just as Paul was then).
As we study this gift God gave us, the Apostle Paul, we have to remember up front Paul is writing
this from prison; yet in these seven verses he still uses words like gift, power, unsearchable
riches, boldness, confidence, and glory. How can he say such think from the wretched prison that
binds him? His love for life, the life that comes through Jesus Christ.
My dog Winnie watches TV, she just stares at with her head tilted. One day we were watching the
news and they showed a Bin Laden, I kid you not she got up on all fours and started to bark…she
knew evil. Bin Laden says the difference between him and President Bush is that he loves death,
and Bush loves life. Bin Laden says the radical Muslims followers love death, and will defeat
America cause we love life. But where he is wrong is that we love life……. so much so that we
will die for it, We love life and freedom so much when we will fight today we don’t want to die,
because we want to be able to fight again tomorrow. Over the exit of the West Point Academy’s
football locker room, there is a sign that reads: “now I lay me down to bleed, but for a moment, for
tomorrow I will rise and fight again”.
We fight for life, to the death if need be, to bring life and freedom to others,……we are only
following our Lords example. Paul is too. Paul writes this letter of Ephesians so that believers
can stop living like paupers, and claim their riches promised them. Jesus said, I’ve come that
they may have life, and that more abundantly (John 10:10). Paul follows Jesus on this, and he
preaches so that we may have life and that more abundantly. According to church tradition, Paul
later gives his life because of this message.
Picking up here in verse 7, Paul continues speaking of this mystery that was revealed to him
from the Lord, that Jews and Gentiles will be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His
promise in Christ through the gospel, (Ephesians 3:6 NKJV)
(Ephesians 3:7 NKJV) of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of
God given to me by the effective working of His power.
of which I became a minister
God calls us for a cause: Good works. Let me note here, good works is not just serving the Lord,
but obedience also. We will never be effective ministers if don’t purify ourselves from habitual sin.
(Titus 2:11 NKJV) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
(Titus 2:14 NKJV) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed
and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
according to the gift of the grace of God
Paul calls his calling a gift of grace, yet he writes it from prison. Forget the prison we hear about
today with air-conditioning, TV lounge areas, basketball courts, and baseball fields. This in the
newspaper this week:
Washington Post today (Feb 4, 2002)RIVERSIDE, Calif. –– About 50 inmates brawled at a county jail over the
Super Bowl, leaving five hurt. Inmates at Riverside County's downtown Robert Presley Detention Center had watched
the game in a lounge Sunday evening. An argument flared after the New England Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams 2017.
Prison was different in Paul’s day. The cells had different ceilings in them. If you were six foot,
they put you in a cell five and a half feet high, if you were five and a half, then you got a five foot
cell so you could never stand up straight. A sewer ran through the middle of each cell, thus
causing the rodents to come in looking for food. These are the conditions Paul lived in, yet he
considered his calling a “gift of grace of God”.
Remember chapters one through three are all that God has done for us, and in four through six
we are told, “therefore walk worthy.” It is important to see that spiritual gifts a given from God, and
are used to build up the body of Christ, not to exault ourselves ------ as Paul will go on in the next
verse and call himself the “least of saints”.
God gave gifts to the church when he ascended:
(Ephesians 4:8 NKJV) Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men."
Chapter 12 of Romans is about Spiritual gifts and the whole context is about the body of Christ
being one, which Paul has expounding on in the last verses we have studied. (Romans 12:4-5
NKJV) For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same
function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
Paul tells us in Corinthians that all the gifts we receive, are to be used for others edification. (1
Corinthians 14:12 NKJV) Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the
edification of the church that you seek to excel.
God still gives gifts to the church today……you, have you ever considered that you are a gift to the
world.
It has been said, “Why be King when you can be a missionary”. You don't have to leave the
country to be a missionary. A missionary isn't someone who crosses the sea, it's someone who
sees the cross. We are all ministers and missionaries because we have all been commissioned
by Jesus to "Go" Missionaries say they are a bunch of nobody's try to exult someone - Jesus
Christ. We are beggars who found bread and are leading other beggars to the bread – the Bread
of Life.
Every morning at the crack of dawn the rooster crows. When the rooster sees the sun just begin
to peak he lets his yell out for all to hear, faithfully, morning after morning. If the rooster was to
speak in human language every morning do you know what he would be saying? I see the light, I
see the light, everyone get up, everyone come see the light. That is all witnessing is, a bunch of
people who are saying to the world, I see the Light, I see the Light, everybody get up, everybody
come see the Light.
We can tell the world around us about the unsearchable riches in Christ.
(Ephesians 3:8 NKJV) To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was
given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Paul was given the greatest revelation of all time, one of the greatest callings of all time (to be an
apostle to the Gentiles), God personally came to meet him on the road to Damascus. How does
he react? He reacts with humility. When you see God’s greatness, you will be humble.
When Isaiah in a vision was taken to the throne of God, what did he say, (Isaiah 6:5 NKJV) So I
said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of
a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."
Peter said depart from me when he knew he was standing before the Almighty God. (Luke 5:8
NKJV) When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am
a sinful man, O Lord!"
John the Baptist said I’m not worthy to tie your shoe, let alone baptize you. (Matthew 3:14
NKJV) And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming
to me?"
who am less than the least of all the saints
Paul says he is the least of the saints. Now you know Paul isn’t going to the porno shops or
snorting cocaine, but Paul is like a white shirt with an ink spot on it. The closer you get to the
Lord, the more obvious your sinfulness will be to you. Understanding the deep truths of God’s
Word does not give a man a big head; it gives him a broken and contrite heart.
Paul starts off as a Pharisee, chief honcho among the religious. Here is his resume:
(Philippians 3:4-7 NKJV) though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks
he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel,
of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning
zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But
what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Blameless in the law, there were 613 Jewish laws if you wanted to be blameless, and that is not
just keeping them, but you would have to had memorized them all in order to know what to keep.
But he met the Lord, and look at the progression of how he saw himself:
Least of the apostles – (1 Corinthians 15:9) written around 56AD.
Least of the saints – (Ephesians 3:8) written around 60AD.
Chief of sinners – (1 Timothy 1:15) written around 62-63AD.
(1 Corinthians 15:9 NKJV) For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an
apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
(1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
The more Paul saw his sinfulness as he matured in the Lord, the more he saw God grace. It
seems the more Paul preached this message of grace, the less and less he saw of himself. He
starts by saying I’m the least of the apostles, so as I read that he is still in the top twelve. Then
least of the saints, that still means he is in around the top 25 percentile, cause he is above all the
heathen. But then he says I’m chief of sinners, I’m number 1, but it is a number 1 that doesn’t
come with any prizes. Be encouraged, for Paul was saved somewhere around 35AD, and it was
twenty years before he said he was the least of the saints, twenty-five to become least of the
saints and almost thirty to become the chief of sinners.
Paul was committed to his calling and cause:
When a person grasps how much they have been forgiven, they naturally become committed to
the things of God (remember Titus 2:11-14). Luke 7:47, whoever has been forgiven much, loves
much. As we have studied, we were all dead, just the rate of decay was different. We have all
been forgiven much, it is just who truly sees how much. How often we think we are sacrificing to
God by going to church, or serving in Sunday school. Look how we can jump up to go to work,
answer the boss man because it means payday for us; but then feel like we have to drag
ourselves to do the things God calls us to do.
Paul knew from the beginning of his Christian Life that God had called him to take the gospel to
the gentiles (acts 9:15, 26:13-18) because he was the “apostle to the gentiles” (Rom 11:13, 15:1516, Eph 3:8, 1 Tim 2:7)
Look at Pauls commitment to serve the Lord, now how does ours compare to his, do we need to
reexamine ourselves and ask are we truly giving our best. (2 Corinthians 11:23-30 NKJV) Are
they ministers of Christ?; I speak as a fool; I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above
measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty
stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was
shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in
perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in
perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in
sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness; besides the
other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and
I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will
boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
The question for us is, “How committed are we to our calling.”
Are you committed to:
Giving eight hours work for eight hours pay.
Your Ministry
Your Marriage
Your Chidren
Your Friendships
Your Word
that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
That I should preach, Paul had to preach, he was committed to his cause. In Acts 14:19, Paul got
stoned and left for dead, but he gets up, dusts himself off, and goes back into the city to preach
some more. You can’t keep a man like Paul down. His examples are gifts from God to aid us in
our walk.
Paul tells his underling Timothy, Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV)
"Be ready." That's preparation. "In season." That's taking the opportunity when it's convenient.
"Out of season." That's taking the opportunity even though it's not convenient.
Francis Bacon said, "A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." Abraham Lincoln
expanded the idea: "I'll study and get ready and be prepared for my opportunity when it comes."
But the apostle Paul gave us the original principle in 2 Tim. 4:2: "Preach the word; be ready in
season and out of season."
We so often say, I want to share, but I don’t how to get started. The best example I can give is in
Genesis, Abraham sent his servant out to find a wife for Isaac. The servant went out, prayed for
God to bless his effort, and he started on his way. It was while he was out, that the Lord brought
Rebekah across his path. After this successful service he says, (Genesis 24:27 KJV) Blessed
be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and
his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
All we have to do is put ourselves in the way, and say use me Lord. In our day, many different
styles of evangelism have been tried
"Friendship evangelism" has been extremely effective and popular.
"stadium evangelism," has been and remains effective and popular
"church service evangelism," - great
"door-to-door evangelism," - great
"standing on the corner and giving out tracts evangelism," - great
"just walk up to them and let 'er rip evangelism," -great
And a multitude of other methods
Interestingly enough, the Bible does not promote one methodology over another:
- Jesus, Paul, Peter, and others befriended people and worked with them to lead them to the
kingdom (Zacchaeus in Luke 19; sinners and tax collectors at Matthew's house in Matthew 9).
- But they also approached others "cold turkey" (Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8);
- Talked to people off the cuff in the marketplace (Paul in Acts 17:17);
- Stood up when a crowd gathered for some reason (Peter's explanation of tongues-speaking in
Acts 2);
- Searched out people in unusual spots – (the women Lydia at a church service on the river bank
in Acts 16);
- Responded to a person's need on the spot (the Philippian jailer in Acts 16);
- Or went to places where they knew a crowd would be (Paul on Mars Hill in Acts 17).
The connecting principle for all of this relates to Paul's words in 2 Tim. 4:2. The idea seems to be,
"Take the opportunity whenever and wherever it occurs, and if no opportunity arises, make the
opportunity happen!" When you get the "opportunity" mentality, it's amazing how many different
chances arise to share the Gospel, in whole or in part. It doesn't even have to be a specific verse
or a full-blown explanation; you might simply "plant a seed" that will later result in questions,
conversations, and discussions that lead to a complete sharing of the Gospel.
the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Unsearchable means, “past finding our”. And of course this is true, look who the source of our
riches are – Jesus Christ. Notice how many times in this book we see, in Christ, through Christ,
with Christ. Jesus’ public ministry was only three years, yet we are told (John 21:25 NKJV) And
there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose
that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. Can you
imagine how many books it would take write about the riches available to us from a God who
promises here and today, and into eternity.
(Ephesians 3:9 NKJV) and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through
Jesus Christ;
Christ in you,
(Colossians 1:27 NKJV) To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
(Ephesians 3:10 NKJV) to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made
known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
(Ephesians 3:11 NKJV) according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ
Jesus our Lord,
Notice God’s plan is always eternal versus the temporal. How much time we waste investing in
the temporal.
Wisdom – is knowledge that sees into the heart of things and know them as they really are. God
has allowed us to see into the heart of this mystery, and understand. The angels didn’t even
know, they had to learn it as they watched us. They (the angels) are in awe that God resides in
man. (1 Peter 1:12 NKJV) To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were
ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the
gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven; things which angels desire to look into.
(Ephesians 3:12 NKJV) in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through
faith in Him.
Remember, Access is from the Greek word, prosagoge – it is where we get our word “Protocol”.
Today when the government announces a dignitary entering a room, they ring bell, or in Britain
they stomp the staff on the floor, and announce, now entering …..Mr. so and so. The honorary
looks forward to with great anticipation and excitement of the person coming. The door is opened
to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is the word God is using here, "Protocol".
This statement of being able to approach a King with boldness and confidence would have blown
their mind in those days. The reader of the day would be able to grasp this much greater than we
can, cause they lived with Kings and Queens. Remember the book of Ester, she said I’m his wife,
but I can’t just go walking into the throne room unless he first calls me, to do so would mean
death. Today it would be the equivalent of you or I trying to stroll into the Oval Office, we would be
shot. Yet here, we are told to come boldly and with confidence, God says I will never turn you
away.
The angels are in awe that we can boldly come to the throne. (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV) Let us
therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in
time of need. We need not got through anybody to approach God, no priest, no saint, no icon, we
can just come. V9, Paul wants everybody to see this, that we can access God.
We can boldly access the throne, His arms will always be open for us. No matter what you have
done, or will do in the future will ever change that. When you have fallen that is more the time to
run to the throne, not from the throne. People will say I can't believe that I did that. God isn't
shocked, He says wait until you see what you do next week.
(Ephesians 3:13 NKJV) Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for
you, which is your glory.
Paul, the least of the saints, says don’t feel sorry for me. Whatever it takes to further the gospel,
Paul was yielded to it. It all is for a cause greater than this temporal world we live in, it has eternal
bearings on it. Paul was committed to his cause.
(Philippians 1:12 NKJV) But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me
have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
Paul knew suffering, therefore he could relate to all who suffered. He took his lesson in this area
from Jesus Himself.
Back in the 50’s the GM Executives parked their free cars in the company lot in the morning. A
mechanic would come by and pick them up, service them, fuel them, and clean them. The
executive went out to the same spot in the afternoon, picked them up and went home. They had
no idea what was involved in servicing them, changing the oil, tires, tune-ups, etc. They had no
idea on the time it took, or the expense. Of course being serviced daily they never had a
breakdown, called a tow truck and have someone to pick them up. And of course they never had
to break open their wallet to pay for gas. What happened, they no longer could relate to the
people and their needs. Toyotas on the other side knew through experience that a car could be
built cheaper, more reliable, better gas mileage. The gas crunch came…. Japanese cars
overtook American.
Paul knew he was in God’s hand, and that everything that happened in his life was allowed by
God. (Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV) Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to
suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. What an important example
for each and everyone of us to know and following. Enjoy the good time, but have peace in the
not so good times. Grasp this “Life Key”, and as Paul says, so will you, “I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.”
Paul was and is a gift given to the Church. We saw how he progressed from the least of the
apostles, to least of the saints, to the chief of sinners. But in what was probably his last book, 2
Timothy, written around 67AD, Paul says,
(2 Timothy 4:6 NKJV) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my
departure is at hand.
After some thirty years of walking with the Lord, and serving Him, Paul says I’m ready to be
offered. He didn’t say it is time to retire, time to write a book about 7 keys to effective ministry,
have book signings at the local Barnes and Nobles. He didn’t say I served, I deserve; instead he
says I’m ready to be offered. I believe Paul was offered up while in prison, his will was prepared
to meet his death while he was in prison.
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering: Are you ready to be offered? If you are
then when tribulations come in your life, you will not be surprised or upset, but take the comfort in
knowing that God counts you worthy to be put through them for the furtherance of His eternal
purposes. Tell God you are ready to be offered; then let the consequences be what they may be,
there is not one strand of complaint now, no matter what God chooses. God puts you through the
crisis in private, no person there to help you. Externally the life may be the same, the difference is
in the will. Go through the crisis in will, then when it comes externally there will be no thought of
the cost. If you do not reach it in will, when the time comes for your crisis, you will have sympathy
for yourself. Tell God you are ready to offered, and God will prove Himself to be all you ever
dreamed He would be. (Oswald Chambers)
Church tradition says that Paul was released from jail a few years after this writing, only to be
martyred. In 2 Timothy 4:6, it appears Paul’s will was already at peace for dying. When the time
came to die, Paul probably said, “I’ve been waiting for you, and the Lord is waiting for me – lets
go.” The progression of Paul’s walk with the Lord took him from the least of the apostles, to the
least of the saints, to the chief of sinners, to pour me out, like pouring water into sand, the water is
just absorbs in the sand and goes away – I’m nothing.
God gives gifts to the church, Paul was one of them, may we be one of them.
End of Ephesians 3:7-13: The Least of the Saints
Ephesians 3:14-21: Paul’s Second Prayer
Interesting, Paul is going through tribulation, but he prays for others. Verses 1-13 he is talking
about the calling he has to preach the message of grace, and the glorious revelation that God
Himself will come and dwell in the hearts of His people, and it is like he can’t contain himself
anymore and he breaks out in prayer for others. A Ministry key here, you can’t preach without
prayer, and your Ministry will never exceed your prayer life. Also, a Ministering key here, if you
want to ease your current tribulation, whatever it is (illness, job loss, relationship, addiction), then
pray for others. As you give of yourself for others, God fills you with Himself.
So many people are looking for heaven to bring so many radical changes in their lives. But God
wants to make radical changes right now. God is working in us now. God wants us to experience
all that He is right here and right now. This prayer is the summation of chapters 1-3. Paul prays
for believers to enjoy and receive all the spiritual gifts; that we don’t have to live like paupers, but
that we claim all the spiritual riches He has promised to us.
This is a great prayer to pray for others, but it is a prayer that we must pray for ourselves on a
regular basis, if not daily. If we don’t first receive these things, then we can’t give them to others.
If we don’t understand the meaning behind the words, then our prayers just become vain
repetition, and the Lord commands us not to do that. (Matthew 6:7 NKJV) "And when you pray,
do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many
words.
I like to study the prayers in the Bible, for they help guide me in my prayer life. But also, when I
am struggling in my prayer, my thoughts are distracted, or my mind just can’t focus, then I use
prayers like this one to bring my mind into order and focus.
4 Request we will see in this prayer:
1. That God would Strengthen the Inner man:
2. That Christ May Dwell in your hearts:
3. That you might Comprehend the Love of God:
4. That you would be Filled with the Fullness of God:
If we were to receive all four of these points, then we would have all the spiritual blessings
promised. And, there would be nothing that we encounter in this world that could take them away,
and rob us of the joy of being His child. Paul is saying, “I want you to get your hands on your
wealth, realize how vast it is, and start to use it.” Chapter 4-6, is the “duty” we are called to as
followers of Christ, chapter four begins with “therefore walk worthy”. If the request we ask for in
this prayer take hold in our heart, then all the spiritual blessings we have read about in these first
three chapters will be ours, and we will walk worthy. Sins and strongholds will start crumbling
down, divisions among the body of Christ will unite, marriages and personal relationships will be
healed and strengthened; but only if we first through prayer and faith allow God to have His way
with us.
There are four requests in this prayer, but they must not be looked on as isolated, individual
petitions. One request leads into the next one, and so on; and each builds off the other. He prays
that the inner man might have spiritual strength, which in turn leads to a deeper relationship and
experience with Christ. This deeper experience will enable us to “comprehend the love God”,
which will result in us being “filled unto all the fullness of God.” The fullness of God is for us to let
God take control of our lives, and allow God free reign to do as He sees best for us.
Pauls Introduction into the Prayer:
(Ephesians 3:14 NKJV) For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
(Ephesians 3:15 NKJV) from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Before the prayer starts, Paul establishes the address. Address is important is sending a letter,
and so is with prayer. Our Father who art in heaven. Not that God needs to know, “ohh it’s for
me”, but that we will immediately focus for ourselves, “wow, I’m talking to the God of the
universe”. When we realize that, the belief that our prayers are being heard take on a whole new
meaning.
Refresh our minds on what we studied about access (protocol)(Ephesians 2:18). God is waiting
for us, anxiously looking forward to us coming to Him. That thought is mind blowing, but this very
prayer asks that we can comprehend the love of God. If you have caller ID, and when the phone
rings, it says “out of area”, you’re like ughh another telemarketer. But when it rings, and you see
the name of that special someone, you get excited. You pick-up the phone with your special
“hello” voice, Well that’s God, He has caller ID, and when He sees it is from you, He is excited,
and He has that special hello voice…….”It is so good to hear from you, I’ve been waiting for you,
come sit with me, lets talk.
Christian know this, God doesn’t want a break or rest from you, He always wants to hear from
you. Nothing is too small to take to Him, He is deeply concerned about every little detail in our
lives. It is us who say to people give me a break, or I need a rest from them. But God wants us to
keep praying and praying until our petition comes to pass. In Isaiah 62:6-7 The Lord says give
me no rest. Continue to pray to God until what we ask for is established.
(Isaiah 62:6-7 NKJV) I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold
their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, And give Him
no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
For Paul, we can sense the urgency, the importance, and the intensity of this prayer. For a Jew to
kneel and pray means it is an extreme situation. If you ever go to the Wailing Wall in Israel, you
will not see them kneeling; you will see them standing or sitting, but not kneeling. Think of
yourself; have you ever noticed that if you are just quietly engaged in prayer you may sit in your
favorite chair, Bible open on your lap, and as thoughts come, you close your eyes and lift your
heart to God in prayer. Or how bout when we pray together as a church, we sit or stand and hold
hands in silence as someone prays. But when the situation seems extreme, when our hearts are
gripped and stirred, we find ourselves forced to our knees with our faces buried. This is Paul in
this prayer, the necessity of these things in our lives are so needed and urgent, Paul is forced to
his knees to petition these things from God to us.
Prayer Point 1: That God would Strengthen the Inner man:
(Ephesians 3:16 NKJV) that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
We have already studied the “mystery” revealed is “Christ in Us” (Ephesians 2:11-18). We are the
dwelling place of God. The moment we believe that Jesus died for our sins and we are forgiven,
and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior, God’s Spirit takes up residence in us.
The strengthening of the inner man Paul is praying for is that, the “old man” who lived for the
flesh, would be overpowered and subdued by Spirit of God. The Inner Man is the heart, the mind,
and the soul; the inner man is what controls our behavior, the outer man is the vehicle that takes
us and experiences the sensations (whether good or bad). Now we know there is a war going on
in our inner man, God is saying let me drive, but your old nature (the old man; and Paul will talk
more of the old man in chapter 4) doesn’t want to give up the wheel, The old man likes going and
doing what it wants (even if it is contrary to God’s Word). The old nature is pretty buff, it has years
of training and nourishing; it does not want to give up its control, thus is why we find ourselves
over and over failing in the same areas of our lives (temper, addictions, selfishness, etc).
No matter how long you have been walking with the Lord, there is always something that is trying
to distract us from the Lord. The old man is always trying to get the wheel. It can be anything
from pornography, to busyness. On any given day the old nature can jump behind the wheel and
take off and drive us for the whole day. Daily we must ask the Lord to strengthen the inner man.
The word for might used here in this verse is the Greek word “dunamis”, (doo'-nam-is); means
miraculous power (usually by a miracle itself). This is the word Jesus used in Acts 1:8 when He
said we shall receive power from on high. The power we need to do the work of the ministry is the
same power we need to live victorious Christian lives by overcoming sin in our lives, and yes,
even just to get through a typical day.
Ever have those days where you feel too weak to even pray? Pray this prayer. Ever feel
defeated, just in general, like your Christian walk has turned into a trudge instead of a walk? .
Then pray this prayer. Daily, ask God to put down and keep down anything that would draw us
away from the things He has planned for us that day, anything that will rob us of our spiritual
riches and joy. Some days I feel so weak it is like someone put kryptonite in my shorts; it is
spiritual warfare, we have to be in prayer to overcome, and we need the strength and power of
God to do it.
In order to overpower the old nature we have to strengthen our inner man. This means feeding
the inner man the Word of God, praying and worshipping. As we do these things the inner man is
strengthened and takes the wheel and overcomes the things that continually take us down.
We need to daily ask God to strengthen the inner man so that the Lord controls our lives, so sin
does not take control of our lives. God hates sin, but not for the reason this world and Hollywood
portray it, that He is some cosmic killjoy. God hates sin because He hates how it destroys his
children, his creation (refer back to study on Eph 2:10). God calls sin, sin to protect and provide
for us. He wants to protect us from the pain that comes with sin, and provide us the joy that
comes with following Him. Lets look at alcohol abuse; God wants to keep me from wrapping my
car around a telephone pole, arrested, jailed, etc. Instead God wants to provide for me a clear
mind in which I don’t wake-up regretting things I did the night before, my body is healthy, my
family isn’t under the stress of my abuse. Take any sin that God calls sin, and you will see what
He wants to protect us from, and provide for us. We need the inner man to be strengthened, so
we can overcome and claim all God wants to provide for us.
In Numbers 13, when the children of Israel were to enter into the Promised Land and claim their
possession, a land flowing with milk and honey, they sent spies into the land to give them a report.
Here is what they said, (Numbers 13:27-28 NKJV) Then they told him, and said: "We went to the
land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. "Nevertheless the
people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw
the descendants of Anak (Goliath’s descendants) there.
Caleb and Joshua said lets go, but the others spies said no. (Numbers 13:30 NKJV) Then Caleb
quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are
well able to overcome it." But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up
against the people, for they are stronger than we."
The children of Israel let the old nature dominate them, and they were afraid to go fight for what
God promised them. So they ended up wandering in the wilderness for forty years. Everyone
twenty-one years and older perished in the wilderness (Num 15:29), never seeing the promise
land…..all except Caleb and Joshua (Num 15:30).
Here is what the Lord said, (Numbers 14:23-24 NKJV) "they certainly shall not see the land of
which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. "But My servant
Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land
where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.
I point out to you, see here, God say’s Caleb had a different spirit in him compared to the others,
and it guided him to follow the Lord fully, it guided him to claim all God promised him. Pray that
God strengthens your inner man, that He will overcome the desires of the outward man, so that
you will be able to enter into the promised possessions God has for you.
Application and Prayer Example:
Again the word for might used here in this verse is the Greek word “dunamis”, (doo'-nam-is);
means miraculous power (usually by a miracle itself): What is it in your life that you need a
miracle, you need miraculous power to have victory over. What is it in your life that is keeping
your from the Promised Land, your riches in Christ?
Pray to the Father, Lord I pray you strengthen my inner man, take control today and keep down
the old man; and that you lead and guide me today. Lord help me to overcome these strongholds
in my life.
Prayer Point 2: That Christ May Dwell in your hearts:
(Ephesians 3:17 NKJV) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being
rooted and grounded in love,
As we have said, the moment we believe that Jesus died for our sins and we are forgiven, and
ask Him to be our Lord and Savior, God’s Spirit takes up residence in us. The word “dwell”, there
are two Greek words to convey the idea of "to live in"; one has the idea of living in a place as a
stranger, and the other has the idea of settling down in a place to make it your permanent home,
in which the occupant is to settle down and to make himself at home.
There are places where you go and you feel out of place the moment that you are there. You feel
uncomfortable, you wish you had not come, you are not in harmony with what is going on. Then
there are other places you go and you feel so comfortable, so at ease, so relaxed.
Now that Christ might be at home in your hearts means that your heart might be so in tune with
Him that as He dwells within your heart there is no strain, there is no embarrassment for Him. You
remember how that Ezekiel, how that God dealt with him in strange ways, he was taken by the
spirit to Jerusalem (Ezekial 8). There was this wall there and God said, Dig a hole through the
wall, and he dug a hole through the wall and crawled in and he looked and here was all kinds of
pornography all over the wall. Ezekiel said, "That is horrible, filthy pornography." God said, "I have
allowed you to go within the minds of the leaders of Israel, these are the things they are thinking,
these are the things they are seeing." When Christ dwells within your heart and looks on the walls,
is He comfortable; is He at home with what He sees? Or when He knocks on the door, do we say
wait a minute and stick around and try to cover everything, or turn things around backwards? Is
Christ at home in your heart, or can he only use certain rooms. Do some rooms have locks with
“do not enter signs on them”
This is a progressive prayer. As the Lord strengthens our inner man, we allow him to have more
say in our life. When Christ has free reign, he will start cleaning house, He will get rid of the
things that make Him uncomfortable, things, which He knows, will rob us of all that He wants us to
be.
v.17 rooted and grounded in love
Before He roots, so often he has to uproot the things that have to go. Two opposing root systems
can choke each other out. Let the Lord choke out the roots that will hurt us and keep us from fully
blossoming, and producing ripe luscious fruit. The tree must get its roots deep in the soil if it is to
have both nourishment and stability. We must have our roots deep in God, and God must have
His roots deep in us. (Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of
the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is
in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted
by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And
whatever he does shall prosper.
v.17 grounded in love
Grounded is an architectural term; it refers to the foundation on which we build. An architect will
tell you, “If you don’t go deep, you can’t go high.” The question for you is, “How high do you want
to go?” Your prayer life and study life are the true indicators of your answer. A friend of mine
said, "you can have all of God you want, but not one drop more."
When Christ is at home, you will be at rest and happy. Say to God, I want you to feel comfortable
as you dwell in me, show me the things that make you uncomfortable, and I give you full authority
to root them out. Let the Spirit of God start uprooting things that need to go: 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us
by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Pray this prayer daily,
don’t be content with the fact that God has cleaned out the dirty books on the bookshelf, the liquor
cabinet, and playboy channel. God wants to get rid of the cobwebs (past hurts), dust on the table
(little things that keep you from shinning through, such as your temper). He wants to clean the
dirty laundry (your ear for gossip), dirty dishes in the sink (things of the world you are taking in
everyday and not realizing how they effect you). The Lord wants to straighten those family
pictures out on the wall (but first He must restore the breaks and strains in the family). He wants
a kitchen with a table in it so that you may sit and fellowship with Him, so that you can have a cup
of coffee together in the morning and talk about the day before you, and in the evening discuss
how it went. He wants to open some windows to let fresh air in, and He wants to put blinds on
some windows to keep you from seeing things you shouldn't see. He wants to remodel the master
bedroom so you and your spouse can enjoy the bonds of a loving Christ-centered marriage. He
wants bedrooms for your kids that make them feel comfortable and secure, and that you and He
can say bedtime prayers with them. He wants a living room in that He can invite others over, and
they will feel comfortable and welcomed too. And yes, He wants a closet, not to throw junk in, but
for you to go into and pray, and see to it that all these things come to pass.
Jesus will never say----“that will do”; neither should we. The Lord doesn’t just want to clean up the
house to live in, He wants to expand the home and add additions. We will talk more of this in
Request 4, the Fullness of God.
Application and Prayer Example:
Father with your power as you strengthen the inner man, Lord I pray for you to uproot the things
that keep me from being all you want me to be. Lord that you would clean house, take out the
trash. I want you to feel at home in my heart. Lord show me what has to go. Father I want to be
grounded in love, and I want to dig deep so I can climb high.
Prayer Point 3: That you might comprehend the love of God:
(Ephesians 3:18 NKJV) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width
and length and depth and height;
(Ephesians 3:19 NKJV) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may
be filled with all the fullness of God.
Remember this is a progressive prayer. The beauty of this strengthening and uprooting/dwelling
is that as the things of the flesh are overpowered and put in submission, our minds will be freer to
see how much God loves us.
Remember how we talked about sin working against us in Ephesians 2:1-3? How All three of the
enemies were working together to bring us down?
The World – the external foe….with all the consumerism, materialism, and everything else we are
bombarded with daily.
The Flesh – the internal foe… the selfish desires of the flesh:
The Devil – the infernal foe…..who energizes the flesh and world.
These three distract us from seeing God's love in the fullness He desires for us to see it. They
choke out His voice (the Word of God and prayer), so that we can't hear His words of love to us.
The more we read, pray, and serve, the more we comprehend His love. Yet amazingly, the more
His love blows our mind. Verse 19 says that His love passes knowledge. What that means is that
we have to let go of our human reasoning, and the way we think things work, and just receive His
love, by faith. Just as we can't count the "unsearchable riches of Christ", neither can we try to
measure and quantify His love for us, we see that there are no limits. It passes human knowledge
and goes into the spiritual realm.
v.19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge
The love of Christ surpasses knowledge. If what we call love doesn't take us beyond ourselves, it
is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible,
shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe
affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love.
This love which passes knowledge, takes us beyond our finite minds, and right into the heart of
God.
The cross surpasses man's knowledge and reasoning. (1 Cor 1:18 KJV) For the preaching of the
cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Look at what the cross brings us, which the world can't understand. It brings us new life, and a
fresh start. From the cross we can have a fresh start every day. (Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJV)
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not
consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your
faithfulness. The Greek word used here in verse 19 for love is agape. It means unconditional
love, with no strings attached. It doesn't bring up the past. Agape love doesn’t remind us of our
wrongs. It doesn’t say I love you because……………and then list ten reasons. True love, agape
love, says I love you …………….period. It is not conditional, but a condition.
Because of the Spirit of God living in us, we have been given new life, restoration, a fresh start,
clean and forgiven. I love the examples that we see them all around us. A birthing center delivers
a baby - new life.. A sunrise on the beach - a new day. A fresh snow covering on a countryside clean and white. A gentle rain on a sunny summer day – freshness. And a body shop restoring a
57 Chevy – restoration. All these are analogies of the new beginning God gives us. No matter
what we did today or yesterday, God gives us a new beginning every time we need it. The cross
is the heart of God's love for us, yet it is only the beginning. God says, “I Love You”…….period.
It is important to note this comprehension does not and cannot come all at once. It comes a little
at a time, don’t get discouraged. If God was to reveal all His Love, our brains would meltdown.
Therefore God shows us a little at a time, and His love builds upon itself. Like any relationship,
the more time you spend with someone, the more you know him or her and the more they know
you. In marriage, you meet, date, and the more time you spend together the deeper your love
grows, and the more outwardly it blossoms. When you see how much this person loves you,
which leads you deeper in love with them. I love it when I talk to godly couples that have been
married for twenty and thirty years and they tell you they are more in love today than when they
first met. We have to go through the strengthening and dwelling/uprooting before we can get to
this point.
v.18 with all the saints
Everyday look for God's love in your life; look back at how far He has taken you. Notice it says
"with all the saints"? Look at what God has done in other people’s life, and you can see how great
His love is. Paul wants us to go to a higher level of experiencing God's love. Paul’s whole life
was to know Christ and His love more.
This word used here for comprehend is: katalambano, (kat-al-am-ban'-o); it means to:
 to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of.


to contain or hold within a total scope, significance, or amount.
the truth of everything which man may understand.
(Philippians 3:7 NKJV) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
(Philippians 3:8 NKJV) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
(Philippians 3:9 NKJV) and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is
through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
(Philippians 3:10 NKJV) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings,
being conformed to His death,
(Philippians 3:11 NKJV) if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(Philippians 3:12 NKJV) Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold
(katalambano) of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold (katalambano) of me.
(Philippians 3:13 NKJV) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended (katalambano); but one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
(Philippians 3:14 NKJV) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul wrote Philippians around 62AD, that is somewhere around 25 years after his experience on
Damascus Road. After 25 years Paul is saying I still haven't grasp hold of it all, and Christ hasn't
got hold of all of me……………I want more he says, I want to reach higher. God wants us to go
higher, therefore that is why we must pray these things daily.
what is the width and length and depth and height;
Paul shows us that there is no way of measuring His love in our human minds, by taking us out of
our three dimensional world, and takes us to a new dimension, a fourth dimension. He gives us
Width,Length,Height (our 3 dimensions), but adds a fourth that we don't deal with and that is
"Depth".
Amazingly, the cross pointed in four ways, essentially in every direction:
God's love is wide enough to include every human being.
God's love is long enough to last through all eternity.
God's love is deep enough to reach the guiltiest sinner.
God's love is high enough to take us to heaven.
If you ever doubt God's love, go back to the cross. A favorite song of mine has these words:
"How do I know you love me, I look around and see, the sunshine the rain, and the wind in
the trees….should these things be taken away from sight……I won’t doubt your love……cause I
fix my eyes……I look to the cross where I can clearly see….your awesome love displayed for
me…..even when I was dead in sin….you died for me……ohhhhh I look to the cross."
The beauty of the cross, how wonderful it is, yet it is just the beginning of God's love. If God's love
is immeasurable, then that means everyday we are capable of taking in more, and enjoying more
of God's love today, than we did the day before. Think about it. God's love is so much, it
overflows us, it is impossible to take it all in, yet what we do take in is awesome.
The Pacific Ocean alone covers about 70 million square miles, almost one-third of the earth’s
surface, more than all the continents combined. The Atlantic Ocean is 36 million square miles,
and the Indian Ocean is about 29 million square miles. The average depth of the Pacific Ocean is
12,900 feet, about 2.44 miles. However it’s deepest trench the Mariana Trench, it reaches to a
depth of 36,198 feet just off the Philippines. If Mt Everest could be placed in the trench, more
than a mile of water would cover its summit. That’s is how God loves us, He engulfs us and there
is still love overflowing us – if only we could comprehend this, then what could ever bring us down.
The more I comprehend His love, the more I become like God because God is Love (1 John 4:8).
This comprehension will not only change how I see myself (how precious I am to God), but it will
also change the way I see others. I will begin to look at every person the way God does. We will
see this in Request 4, the Fullness of God.
Application and Prayer Example:
Father I want to know this agape love more. Take me past my human understanding of love, past
the limitations of my mind, my three dimensional world. I want to grasp the nature of your love for
me, so much so that I become just like you, and I start loving others with this same agape love.
Prayer Point 4: That you would be filled with the fullness of God:
(Ephesians 3:19 NKJV) to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may
be filled with all the fullness of God.
Remember, "you can have all of God you want, but not one drop more." How much do you want?
So much that you are willing to bow your knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and plead
with Him that you might be filled with His fullness.
As this prayer progresses we are strengthened, God begins to uproot and make Himself at home,
then as those things that distract us from God are removed, we can see Him and His love for us
more clearly. And now this is where the fullness comes. I start to be like Jesus, I become Christ
like. The more I am filled with Jesus, the less I am filled with me……..the resultant is the
victorious Christian life, it is life and that more abundant (John 10:10).
You know the word “Christian”, wasn’t coined from the church, it was derived form the world. In
the early church era, non-believer would say, “look, there is a “little christ”. The word became
“Christian”. It actually began as a slur, an insult. The word is only used in three places in the
Bible (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16). The word in the Greek is: 5546. Christianos, khristee-an-os'; from G5547; a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ:--Christian. The root is, 5547. Christos,
khris-tos'; from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ. And that root is,
5548. chrio, khree'-o; through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil. Jesus is God, He, the
Father, and Spirit are in such contact………they are one.
I believe this prayer is just like the word “christian”. We know by now the progression of this
prayer. Now notice the progression of this word "Christian". Notice how the roots get deeper, the
deeper you go. The word starts as followers, then goes into Christ Himself, and then after this
contact with Christ…. We become one with Him. If you want to see God, look at Jesus.
(Colossians 2:1-15) If people around you want to know what Jesus is like, let them look at you.
When you are filled with the fullness of God, you will naturally act like Him and be a reflection of
Him. People were drawn to Jesus cause God emanated from Him.
State of the Union Address:
Every year the President of the United States, gives his State of the Union address. He tells his
country what shape they are in, and what they can expect in the upcoming years of his term. He
tells the country, what he plans on doing for them. Well God has a State of the Union Address;
He addresses the union between man and God. His address can be found in Colossians 2:1-15.
We will see He promises us that we are complete in Him, lacking nothing. All that we need is
found in Him.
(Col 2:1 KJV) For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as
have not seen my face in the flesh;
(Col 2:2 KJV) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of
understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
(Col 2:3 KJV) In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
(Col 2:4 KJV) And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
(Col 2:5 KJV) For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the
stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
(Col 2:6 KJV) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
(Col 2:7 KJV) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with
thanksgiving.
(Col 2:8 KJV) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
(Col 2:9 KJV) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
(Col 2:10 KJV) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
(Col 2:11 KJV) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the
sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
(Col 2:12 KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God,
who hath raised him from the dead.
(Col 2:13 KJV) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with
him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
(Col 2:14 KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out
of the way, nailing it to his cross;
(Col 2:15 KJV) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
This "State of the Union Address" promises the victorious Christian life through Him. You are
complete in Him. When we are complete, we will not desire any of the things in chapter four
through six. This prayer is the pivot of this whole epistle. We can pray and ask these things
because of the promises given to us in chapters 1-3, and we can claim victory in chapter 4-6
because we are complete in Him and lack nothing.
v.19 filled with all the fullness of God
Filled - 4137. pleroo, play-ro'-o; (lit.) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (fig.) to furnish (or
imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide
with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make)
full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
Fullness - 4138. pleroma, play'-ro-mah; repletion or completion, i.e. (subj.) what fills (as contents,
supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (obj.) what is filled (as container, performance, period):-which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fulness.
My translation of this verse: that you may be stuffed to the top with God.
What does God fill you with?
The fullness of God’s Love
The fullness of God’s Joy
The fullness of God’s Peace
The fullness of God’s Faith
The fullness of God’s Power
The fullness of all God's promises
Seated in the Heavenly - Living on the Earth
In one sense, the Christian is already "made full in Christ" (Col 2:9-10, where "complete" means
"filled full"). Positionally, we are complete in Him, but practically, we enjoy only the grace that we
apprehend by faith. The resources are there. All we need do is accept them and enjoy them.
Salvation does not mean merely deliverance from sin or the experience of personal holiness. The
salvation which comes from God means being completely delivered from myself, and being
placed into perfect union with Him. When I think of my salvation experience, I think of being
delivered from sin and gaining personal holiness. But salvation is so much more! It means that the
Spirit of God has brought me into intimate contact with the true Person of God Himself. And as I
am caught up into total surrender to God, I become thrilled with something infinitely greater than
myself.
If we are truly surrendered, we will never be aware of our own efforts to remain surrendered. Our
entire life will be consumed with the One to whom we surrender. Beware of talking about
surrender if you know nothing about it. In fact, you will never know anything about it until you
understand that John 3:16 means that God completely and absolutely gave Himself to us. In our
surrender, we must give ourselves to God in the same way He gave Himself for us—totally,
unconditionally, and without reservation. The consequences and circumstances resulting from our
surrender will never even enter our mind, because our life will be totally consumed with Him.
Application and Prayer Example:
Father I want more of you in my life, I do not want to be content with where I am at, but I want to
be filled with more of you. All I need is you, Lord fill me with more of you, and let there be less of
me. I want that perfect union with you
(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
(Ephesians 3:21 NKJV) to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations,
forever and ever. Amen.
Paul finishes by saying nothing can keep you from this spiritual wealth because God’s power is
working in you. What we have here is a cycle, each time the inner man is strengthen, God
dwelling in us is able to clean up the temple and make things the way they should be, and then
without the junk and gunk of sin in our lives, our minds can see and comprehend more of his love,
and we become more rooted and grounded, and with a stronger deeper foundation we have more
of God in our lives, we experience more fullness, we want to reach higher heights and receive
more of Him, and that leads to the inner man becoming stronger and dealing with things that are
not of God in our lives, and thus the whole cycle is started over.
Notice this closing benediction. Notice Paul doesn’t say: Now unto Him that is able to do above all
we ask.” No that is not enough. Nor did he say, “able to do abundantly above all that we ask.”
That is not enough either. Paul says, “Unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think.”
As Paul prays these things, he is overcome with joy knowing the resultant of this prayer in the
believer's lives, and his. He breaks out with praise…………..to Him be glory. As we comprehend
God's love, we can't help but break out into praise and give Him glory. As we praise Him, we are
lifted out of our circumstance and physical location, and brought into His presence.
Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Request we see in this prayer:
1. That God would Strengthen the Inner man:
2. That Christ May Dwell in your hearts:
3. That you might comprehend the love of God:
4. That you would be filled with the fullness of God:
End of Ephesians 3:14-21: Paul’s Second Prayer
Book of Ephesians: Chapter Four
Ephesians 4:1-6: Walk Worthy – and In Unity
Remember the 2 Divisions in this Book
- 1st division gives us our inheritance chapters 1-3 - what God has done for us, our position in
Christ - that's Doctrine.
- 2nd the behavior that should characterize those who are so richly blessed chapters 4-6 what our response to chapters 1-3 should be, our practice - that's Duty.
After three chapters of God telling us what He has done for us, He now will say, “walk worthy.”
Bottom line Paul is saying, “You know who you are in Christ - now live like a Christian should.”
We were caught up in sin, but God raised us up into the heavens. Before God asks us to walk the
walk, He first wants us to notice that we already sit in heaven with Him. God chose you to sit
there while you were still in your sin. You can’t walk before you sit, your walk can’t earn God’s
favor, rather it is a response to His love. God is always the initiator to our love. Christians think if
I pray more, read more, witness more, serve, etc – but the resultant is frustration because we
constantly fail; But God being the initiator says I love you still, even if you do none of these things.
It then becomes, I get to, not I have to. The Christian walk is one giant response to his love.
When we see He love for us, we can’t help but trust Him, and know that all the things He says for
us to do is the best for us.
Don’t neglect Ephesians 1-3, most Christians want to jump to 4-6 to learn to walk, before they
learn to sit. The resultant is legalism, frustration, and rebellion. We need God’s miraculous
power to be able to walk this walk He has called us to.
As each of the first three chapters build off of each other, we start believing more and more of
how much God loves us, all that He has done for us, and then we believe that there is nothing He
won’t do for us…..and we believe that what He has done in the past for us, is a demonstration of
what He will do for us in the future (chp 4-6). If I said I’m going to give you a Lexus, you may not
believe me. I can show you a picture of the car, give you a matchbox Lexus – but you will still
doubt. When I give you keys – you may start believing; but now imagine I give you the keys with a
remote, you push the alarm button and can hear it, then you turn to the sound and see it – your
interest should be kindled at this point. Now when I hand you the title deed with the Maryland
State Seal embroider on it, and your name is listed as owner – would you believe it? You now
have two choices, you can claim ownership and drive it, or you can still say I don’t believe it, and
go back to your car. God goes on for 3 chapters giving you more and more, and now in the forth
chapter he says go drive it. - Walk Worthy, He says, “I've given you full assurance in the past
three chapters that I will be with you, and I will give you all the power you need”. Again, don’t
neglect chapters 1-3 or you’ll never believe in all that you have, and you will keep driving that old
car of yours, breaking down along the highway of life.
(Ephesians 4:1 NKJV) I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of
the calling with which you were called,
I, therefore
Therefore…..Paul is saying therefore, based on everything I said in 1-3, that you are born rich, I
beseech you, I beg you, "walk worthy of your calling".
Paul amplifies this calling in Romans 12:1-2. (Rom 12:1-2 KJV) I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.
God wants us to consecrate our life to Him, every area of our life. Ephesians 4-6 will show us
areas God wants us to consecrate. Amazingly, the first word he calls us to is "lowliness"
(Ephesians 4:2 NKJV) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with
one another in love,
with all lowliness
In the first sixteen verses of chapter 4, six that we will look at in this study, the main theme is the
unity of the believers in Christ. This is the practical application of the doctrine taught in 1-3.
Remember God is building a body, a temple. He has reconciled Jews and Gentiles to Himself in
Christ. The oneness of believers in Christ is already a reality; our responsibility is to guard,
protect, and preserve that unity.
What is the key to Unity - lowliness?
The Biblical definition of "lowliness" can be found in Philippians 2:3 (KJV) Let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Having trouble with your marriage, be lowly and watch what God will do. You take any
interpersonal relationship and you esteem the other better than yourself, and watch how the
relationship changes.
After chapter 1-3, how can we not be lowly? What do we actually have that can justify us being
puffed-up and thinking that we are something? We were separated, alienated, doomed and
without hope, yet God came down, and lifted us up. Because we have studied and meditated on
chapters one through three, we are free from trying to earn God's love and favor, instead we see it
is all Him and through His Grace. When you are free from a works orientated Christianity you will
walk in lowliness. You wont say it is because of my dedication, diligence, prayers, or power. You
will see that everything you enjoy is because of Gods grace. It is because of God’s mercy, His
goodness, and love…………and it is nothing to do with you.
God gives us three more callings to help us guard, protect and preserve the unity. Apply these to
your relationships and watch the power of your God work in those relationships.
gentleness (also translated "meekness")
Meekness is not weakness. It is power under control. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), yet
see the tremendous power he exercised. Jesus was meek and lowly in heart (Matt 11:29), he had
the power of the Universe surging through His veins, yet He stayed on the Cross to redeem us. In
the Greek language this word was used for a, soothing medicine, a colt that had been broken, and
a soft wind. In each case you have power, but that power is under control. When people realize
that you have the power, yet you do not exercise it upon them, they will be softened and open to
you.
with longsuffering,
Allied with meekness is longsuffering, which literally means "long-tempered", the ability to endure
discomfort without fighting back.
(Isa 53:7 KJV) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth.
(Prov 17:27-28 NIV) A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding
is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his
tongue.
(Prov 21:23 NIV) He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
How many relationships have been ruined because someone had to fight back with words. Just
how important is it for you to be right in your arguments and relationships. I pray next time around
these words ring in your head before you speak. Once the words are spoken they can't be taken
back. Christian, once you start to defend yourself, then God can't fight your battle for you. Once
you start defending yourself, then you will waste countless time and energy do so……….let God
fight for you.
You may say, "that’s great, I might be able to do that with other believers, but how can I do it with
non-believers." We know that non-believers will take advantage of the situation….true, but are
you willing to hold your tongue and your right to be justified, so that that relationship with the nonbeliever is not severed, and someday you will be able to share the Gospel with them. Can you
imagine when someone wrongs you, and they realize they did, and they watch you still love
them………how can't they see the difference between you and the rest of the world.
bearing with one another in love,
This word bearing means, "to put up with". Simply put, to "lovingly put up with all that is
disagreeable in other people." Once of the greatest breaking points in our life, is to be able to
accept people and all their faults. We too often focus on the one thing wrong, and lose focus of
the 99 things that make that person wonderful. Remember Ephesians 1:6 , by which He has
made us accepted in the Beloved. That word accepted means "full gathering in." God accepts
everything about us, all that is good, and all that is not so good.
(Col 3:12-13 NIV) Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
God called us to a Unity with one another. Do you want to bless the Father's heart, then get along
with the rest of the family. Lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, putting up with……..all of these
will naturally produce Unity - Oneness in your relationships. When these four become a part of
your very being, then Unity will happen in all your relationships. Know the difference between
Unity and Uniformity. Unity comes from within, while Uniformity is the result of pressure from
outside - a set of rules you try to maintain. Unless you soak in chapters 1-3, the best you will get
is Uniformity. Without the power of God, I am hopeless on being any of these four, and it will
reflect in my relationships. When you pray Paul's second prayer, ask God specifically for help in
these areas. The progressive prayer in Chapter three, strengthen the inner man, Christ may dwell
in your heart, that you will comprehend His love, and then be filled with the fullness of
God………as God answers this prayer, then lowliness, meekness, gentleness, and bearing with
others in love will become a part of your very being.
(Ephesians 4:3 NKJV) endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Literally it can read, "being eager to maintain, or guard, the unity of the Spirit.
Unity. Folks we are in this together. Don’t let the tendency to creep in that we are better or more
holy than the one group or another. Keep the unity, not build the unity, no need for dividing or
splitting the body. We shouldn’t have to have "Unity get together" because we are already one.
You shouldn’t create unity, but just enjoy it. There is unity, but diversity, differences with in the
body. Each of us has a different gift, and different role to play. The hand functions different then
the foot, yet all one body.
I like no church membership, where everybody is welcome. In the church you should always be
accepted. That’s the problem with denominations, it puts wall up, you have top believe this and
do that to belong. To some people this is the last stop for them. They have been rejected or
didn't fit in anywhere else. We need to slow down, get away from our click and comfort zones,
and reach out to new faces. How many times I have heard people say, "I visited this church, and
nobody said hello to me." Folks the church greeters are nice, but someone like you leaving your
click, and reaching out them, carries far more power than a door greeter.
(Ephesians 4:4 NKJV) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one
hope of your calling;
(Ephesians 4:5 NKJV) one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
(Ephesians 4:6 NKJV) one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
you all.
We have studied that the "mystery" is Christ dwelling in us, that we make up the body of Christ – it
is a no wonder that God puts such an emphasis on Unity, when he say, "now therefore walk
worthy." Paul names here the seven basic spiritual realities that unite all true Christians. He has
been teaching on them for the last three chapters, and now he wraps them all together here in
these verses.
One Body
One Spirit
One Hope
One Lord
One Faith
One Baptism
One God and Father
These seven are the pledge/profession to the Unity of the Body of Christ. This Unity will carry
over into our personal relationship with the Lord, relationships in marriage, dating, children, and
the workplace. If you can keep this Unity in the forefront of your mind, then it will carry over into
every interpersonal relationship you have.
Note that the reason for war on the outside is war on the inside. If a believer cannot get along with
God, he cannot get along with other believers. When “the peace of God” rules in our hearts, then
we build unity (Col. 3:15). If you are struggling with other Christians, then it indicates you are
struggling with God, for you are failing to be lowly, meek, long suffering, and bearing. (1 John
2:10-11 KJV) He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of
stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and
knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Christian there is "No Civil War in Hell". Satan and his forces are united in one common cause, to
kill and destroy God's love - that's you and me. We, as the body of Christ, need to be united we
cannot be divided. A physical body divided is called "cancer", if it is not treated it will eventually
spread through the body and destroy it.
We say in America, united we stand, divided we fall. We have a Unity pledge here in America, it
is called the “Pledge of Allegiance”. The United States was and still is a melting pot for all
different kind of nationalities. When we say our pledge of allegiance, we are saying that we put
aside all our differences, and unite as a Nation. Paul here is doing the same, he is eliminating
without a doubt the division between Jew or Gentile, bond or free, and male or female. He is
saying these seven things unite us as one.
Let me give you a little history on the Pledge of Allegiance;
Our Country's Pledge was written in 1892, which is only around 25 years after the nation was
almost torn apart by the Civil War. Allegiance means, "the loyalty of the citizens to their
government. Loyalty or devotion to some person, group or cause." The pledge of allegiance is
the pledge to unity for something greater than ourselves, to something that has a higher purpose
or plan.
Francis Bellamy (1855 - 1931), a Baptist minister, wrote the original Pledge in August 1892. In
1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to
the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.
What follows is Bellamy's own account of some of the thoughts that went through his mind in
August, 1892, as he picked the words of his Pledge:
It began as an intensive communing with salient points of our national history, from the Declaration of
Independence onwards; with the makings of the Constitution…with the meaning of the Civil War; with the aspiration of
the people…The true reason for allegiance to the Flag is the 'republic for which it stands.' …And what does that vast
thing, the Republic mean? It is the concise political word for the Nation - the One Nation which the Civil War was fought
to prove. To make that One Nation idea clear, we must specify that it is indivisible, as Webster and Lincoln used to
repeat in their great speeches. And its future?
The Pledge of Allegiance - The pledge to Unity
* I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.
* Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
* Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.
* To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is
respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.
* United - - That means that we have all come together.
* States of America - - Individual communities that have united into fifty great states. Fifty
individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries,
yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.
* And to the Republic - - Republic--a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives
chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the
leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
* For which it stands - for all to see
* One Nation under God - - God is the Head.
* Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided.
* With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear,
or some sort of retaliation.
*And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.
* For All - - For All--Everyone is equal, it's as much your country as it is mine.
Here is a story for you to remember just what the American Flag means, and prayerfully you will
see the spiritual applications for us, as we pledge our Unity to the Body of Christ
Remarks by Senator John McCain before the 1988 Republican National Convention - August 15,
1988 (full text http://www.senate.gov/~mccain/88spch.htm)
Let me tell you what I think about our Pledge of Allegiance, our flag, and our country. I want to tell you a story about when
I was a prisoner of war. I spent 5 1/2 years at the Hanoi Hilton. In the early years of our imprisonment, the North
Vietnamese kept us in solitary confinement or two or three to a cell.
In 1971, the North Vietnamese moved us from these conditions of isolation into large rooms with as many as 30 to 40
men to a room. This was, as you can imagine, a wonderful change. And was a direct result of the efforts of millions of
Americans, led by people like Nancy and Ronald Reagan, on behalf of a few hundred POW's, 10,000 miles form home.
One of the men who moved into my cell was Mike Christian. Mike Christian. Mike came from a small town from Selma,
Alabama. He didn't wear a pair of shoes until he was thirteen years old. At seventeen, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He
later earned a commission. He became a Naval flying officer, and was shot down and captured in 1967. Mike had a keen
and deep appreciation for the opportunities this country -- and our military -- provide for people who want to work and
want to succeed.
The uniforms that we wore in prison consisted of a blue short-sleeved shirt, trousers that looked like pajama trousers and
rubber sandals that were made out of automobile tires. I recommend them highly; one pair lasted my entire stay.
As part of the change in treatment, the Vietnamese allowed some prisoners to receive packages from home. In some of
these packages were handkerchiefs, scarves and other items of clothing. Mike got himself a piece of white cloth and a
piece of red cloth and fashioned himself a bamboo needle. Over a period of a couple of months, he sewed the American
flag on the inside of his shirt.
Every afternoon, before we had a bowl of soup, we would hang Mike's shirt on the wall of our cell, and say the Pledge of
Allegiance. I know that saying the Pledge of allegiance may not seem the most important or meaningful part of our day
now. But I can assure you that -- for those men in that stark prison cell -- it was indeed the most important and
meaningful event of our day.
One day, the Vietnamese searched our cell and discovered Mike's shirt with the flag sewn inside, and removed it. That
evening they returned, opened the door of the cell, called for Mike Christian to come out, closed the door of the cell, and
for the benefit of all of us, beat Mike Christian severely for the next couple of hours.
Then they opened the door of the cell and threw him back inside. He was not in good shape. We tried to comfort and take
care of him as well as we could. The cell in which we lived had a concrete slab in the middle on which we slept. Four
naked light bulbs hung in each corner of the room.
After things quieted down, I went to lie down to go to sleep. As I did, I happened to look in the corner of the room. Sitting
there beneath that dim light bulb, with a piece of white cloth, a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle,
was my friend mike Christian. Sitting there, with his eyes almost shut from his beating, making another American flag. He
was not making that flag because it made Mike Christian feel better. He was making that flag because he knew how
important it was for us to be able to pledge our allegiance to our flag and our country.
If only the church could be so committed to our Pledge of Unity, our Pledge of devotion to our
Lord and Savior.
(Ephesians 4:4 NKJV) There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one
hope of your calling;
These seven are really only reminders of what Paul has already developed on in the first three
chapters, and we speak again on in the next three.
One Body: (1:23, 2:16, 3:6, 4:4, 4:12, 4:16, 5:30)
the only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable". It is a
mystery, we are all so unique, God made just one of you broke the mold so it would never be used
again, but still yet we are one body.
One body. This is, of course, the body of Christ in which each believer is a member, placed there
at conversion by the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 12:12-31). The one body is the model for the many local
bodies that God has established across the world. The fact that a person is a member of the one
body does not excuse him from belonging to a local body; for it is there that he exercises his
spiritual gifts and helps others to grow.
One Spirit: (1:13, 2:18, 2:22, 3:5, 3:16, 4:3-4, 4:30, 5:9, 5:18, 6:17-18) 12 times.
One Spirit. The same Holy Spirit indwells each believer, so that we belong to each other in the
Lord. There are perhaps a dozen references to the Holy Spirit in Ephesians, because He is
important to us in the living of the Christian life.
One Hope of Your Calling: (1:18, 2:12, 4:4) 3 times.
One hope of your calling. This refers to the return of the Lord to take His church to heaven. The
Holy Spirit within is the assurance of this great promise (Eph. 1:13-14). Paul is suggesting here
that the believer who realizes the existence of the one body, who walks in the Spirit, and who
looks for the Lord’s return, is going to be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker.
(Ephesians 4:5 NKJV) one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
One Lord: (25 times)
One Lord. This is our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, lives for us, and one day will come for us.
It is difficult to believe that two believers can claim to obey the same Lord, and yet not be able to
walk together in unity. Someone asked Ghandi, the spiritual leader of India, “What is the greatest
hindrance to Christianity in India?” He replied, “Christians.” Acknowledging the lordship of Christ is
a giant step toward spiritual unity among His people.
One Faith: (1:15, 2:8, 3:12, 3:17, 4:5, 4:13, 6:16, 6:23) - 8 times.
One faith. There is one settled body of truth deposited by Christ in His church, and this is “the
faith.” Jude calls it “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). The early
Christians recognized a body of basic doctrine that they taught, guarded, and committed to others
(2 Tim. 2:2). Christians may differ in some matters of interpretation and church practice; but all
true Christians agree on the faith”—and to depart from “the faith” is to bring about disunity within
the body of Christ.
One Baptism: (only mentioned here, but word means "The submergence into", and some 40
times we read we are in Him, or through Him, or by Him)
One baptism. Since Paul is here discussing the one body, this “one baptism” is probably the
baptism of the Spirit, that act of the Spirit when He places the believing sinner into the body of
Christ at conversion (1 Cor. 12:13). This is not an experience after conversion, nor is it an
experience the believer should pray for or seek after. We are commanded to be filled with the
Spirit (Eph. 5:18), but we are never commanded to be baptized with the Spirit, for we have already
been baptized by the Spirit at conversion. As far as the one body is concerned, there is one
baptism— the baptism of the Spirit. But as far as local bodies of believers are concerned, there
are two baptisms: the baptism of the Spirit, and water baptism.
(Ephesians 4:6 NKJV) one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
you all.
One God and Father: (God 33 times, and Father 10)
One God and Father. Paul likes to emphasize God as Father (Eph. 1:3, 17; 2:18; 3:14; 5:20). The
marvelous oneness of believers in the family of God is evident here, for God is over all, and
working through all, and in all. We are children in the same family, loving and serving the same
Father, so we ought to be able to walk together in unity. Just as in an earthly family, the various
members have to give and take in order to keep a loving unity in the home, so God’s heavenly
family must do the same. The “Lord’s Prayer” opens with “Our Father”—not ‘My Father.”
Paul is quite concerned that Christians not break the unity of the Spirit by agreeing with false
doctrine (Rom. 16:17-20), and the Apostle John echoes this warning (2 John 6-11). The local
church cannot believe in peace at any price, for God’s wisdom is “first pure, then peaceable”
(James 3:17). Purity of doctrine of itself does not produce spiritual unity, for there are churches
that are sound in faith, but unsound when it comes to love. This is why Paul joins the two:
“speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).
The Father has called us to Unity, the four keys to Unity: Lowliness, Meekness, Long-suffering,
and bearing with one another in Love.
Unity…………(Psa 133:1-3 KJV) A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the
LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
End of Study: Ephesians 4:1-6: Walk Worthy – and In Unity
Ephesians 4:7-16: The Equipping of the Saints
The previous study we saw how there is one body called to be in unity. In this study we will see
how there is one body, yet many members, all different, yet all coming together.
A man told the story of how he went to the symphony orchestra. He arrived very earlier, and
watched as a hundred men and women came out from all different wings of the concert hall and
each went to their own instrument. They were dressed up in their everyday street clothes, and
each tuned-up on their own. He said the sound was horrible; there was no melody or rhythm, just
a bunch of noise. They quit and reappeared an hour later, they all came from their different wings
again, but this time they were in full dress, white shirts and bowties. Each person went to his or
her instrument, but no one dared played it. Then the spotlight went to the side of the stage as it
caught the Maestro as he walked out. He bowed several times and there was a thunderous
applause. Then he picked up his baton and turned his back to the audience. When he lifted the
baton, you could have heard a pin drop in that large auditorium. When he lowered the
baton…………what wonderful music came from that orchestra. Every rhythm, every melody, and
every note, right on que……….beautiful music.
When you get a bunch of believers, or a bunch of churches, all just doing their own thing, it can be
a very sad sight, and sound. But you get a bunch of believers together, all unified for one single
cause…and that is to glorify Jesus Christ and bless people…..it has to be the most beautiful sight
and sound in the world today.
Jesus is our Conductor, He leads and instructs us.
(John 14:6 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.
Without the way, we have no going
Without the truth, we have no knowing
Without the life, we have no living
Jesus leads and instructs us through the working of His Holy Spirit that He leaves with every
believer. As He works through people, He also uses them to lead and instruct others as He
equips them with special gifts.
(Ephesians 4:7 NKJV) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of
Christ's gift.
(Ephesians 4:8 NKJV) Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity
captive, And gave gifts to men."
Gave gifts to men: - this is one of the ways God unifies the body.
My nephew Brett and Jason was suspicious that there was no Santa Claus, so they decided that
they were going to sleep at the Christmas tree, and catch whoever came with the gifts. So every
ten minutes Brett would get up and walk around the tree to make sure nothing slipped by him. On
one lap around he looked up the stairs and noticed his mom and dad's bedroom light was still on.
He said hey wait a minute, something might be going on here. So he said Jason, you watch the
tree, I'm gona keep an eye on that door. The whole Santa Claus thing demonstrates the cry of the
human heart for a loving Father that gives gifts. Our Heavenly Father gives us spiritual and
eternal gifts.
(1 Corinthians 14:12 NKJV) Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the
edification of the church that you seek to excel.
Romans chapter 12, and I Corinthians 12-13 talk about spiritual gifts. We are not going to go into
much discussion on them here; only to point out that they are for "edification of the church." Later
in this study we will look at four specific people that God gives to the church as gifts to the church
for the edification of the church
The gifts were given when Christ resurrected.
When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive
The picture here is that of a victorious military general returning from war. In the time of this
writing when a general returned from war, he would have either in front or behind him, a long line
of defeated enemies. Usually they would precede him, in some cases the line of captured
enemies would be miles long. They would start entering the city, and the people would start lining
up on each sides of the street cheering and rejoicing as they looked at the defeated faces of the
enemies that so tormented them. All the while, they were anxiously awaiting the end of this long
train of people, for at the end would be their King or General that brought theses enemies to
defeat, and victory to their land.
The picture here in these verses, are that the train has two groups. The enemies of God (sin and
death), and the other group is those who were set free from those enemies. Preceding our
victorious Captain of Our Salvation (as Hebrews 2:10 calls Him) is sin and death. All the enemies
of man were defeated on the cross.
(Col 2:14-15 NIV) having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and
that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers
and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
A "public spectacle" of them. Jesus said these things no longer hold you captive. Beloved, don’t
let sin make a public spectacle out of you. Live in victory. The second group of people that Jesus
is leading, those that could not ascend into heaven until the perfect sacrifice had
come………Jesus Himself.
(Ephesians 4:9 NKJV) (Now this, "He ascended"; what does it mean but that He also first
descended into the lower parts of the earth?
(Ephesians 4:10 NKJV) He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the
heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Jesus Christ spent 3 days in Hell after the cross. Hell had 2 parts in it from the time of Abel
through the death of Jesus.
1. Hades - where God rejecting people went and still go.
2. Abraham Bosom (paradise). This place was for those who died before Jesus died for their
sins.
Jesus tells the story of Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. Note, that Jesus doesn't call this a parable, it is
an actual true story He is recanting.
(Luke 16:19 -31 KJV) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared
sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died,
and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in
water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime
receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And
beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot;
neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest
send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place
of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father
Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and
the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead
No one could/can go to heaven without the shed blood of Jesus. Entrance is only by paid
admission. Jesus paid the price, but you still have to get the ticket from Him.
The other side of Hell still remains, but not paradise. To be absent from the body is to be present
with the Lord. Paradise is shut down. Houdini said he would escape death, so they put a
telephone in his crypt so that he would call when he did so, several years later the phone was
disconnected. Jesus Christ is the only escape from death.
The proof of that is given in (Matthew 27:50-53 KJV). Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud
voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to
the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many
bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and
went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Those remaining in the hell side will be resurrected after the 1000-year reign, will stand before
God’s white throne judgement, and then be cast into Gahanna, outer darkness. See nothing,
experience pain, forever and ever. Hell is real, Jesus preached that there is a heaven and hell.
John 3:16…God wishes that none go there.
(Ephesians 4:11 NKJV) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
(Ephesians 4:12 NKJV) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ,
After Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave gifts to men, yes right after he was beaten, spit on,
bruised, hung on a cross, separated from the Father, he gave gifts to men. 3 days in hell and He
gave gifts to men. Is there any question that He loves you? Is there any question that your sins
are forgiven?
We all have given gifts to people we love. We all love it when we give them that perfect gift. That
gift that we know they will love and use. It gives us great joy to give great gifts to those we love.
Where do you think we great that from? Our Heavenly Father.
The word "gift" here is used in such way that the emphasis is not on the gift so much, but more so
on the one who gives the gift. Why is this important to us? Literally, it is God saying, "here John,
this Pastor is a personal gift from me, he is the perfect gift for what I want to do in your life."
When you can keep that perspective, then you won't find yourself saying negative things about the
gift God has given you.
Should the day come that you are one of these people, then understanding that the emphasis is
on the giver (the Lord), and not on you, you will minister accordingly. The gift has no word in who
it is given to, it has purpose, but not plans. Keep this in your perspective, and you will find yourself
saying, "if I am a gift, then I need to act like one - and bless the people."
some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
some to be apostles
Apostle: one who is sent out – a governing ministry. One with authority.
3 kinds of Apostles found in the New Testament:
1. Hebrews 3 – Jesus was sent out by the Father. (Heb 3:1 KJV) Wherefore, holy brethren,
partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ
Jesus;
2. Jesus appointed the 12 apostles – that apostolic ministry does not exist today
3. Holy Spirit appoints apostles – Paul, Timothy, Barnabus, Titus. This ministry still in effect
today. God is raising men up everyday to send them out.
some prophets
Prophets - A guiding ministry – speak the Word of the Lord to people. Not just forth telling the
future, but speaking a Word from the Lord. (1 Cor 14:3 KJV) But he that prophesieth speaketh
unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
some evangelists (you missionaries fall under here)
Evangelist – A gathering ministry. Leading people to Christ, and teaching other people on how to
lead people to Christ. We are all called to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5). I was a
Christian for five years, witnessed many times, but never lead anyone to the Lord. I spent 20
minutes with an evangelist teaching me how to witness, and the first person I shared with gave
their life to the Lord. They just have a certain way of presenting the gospel in a clear and easy to
understand way.
some pastors and teachers
Notice that the word "some is not in front of teachers, so pastors and teachers go together. You
can be a teacher without being a pastor. But you cannot be a pastor without being a teacher.
Pastors – a guarding ministry. Pastor means, "shepherd". Watching for the wolves, watch over
the sheep and caring for them.
Teaching – A grounding ministry. It is the shepherd's responsibility to not only guard the sheep,
but to feed and to strengthen them. Peter do you love me, than feed my sheep. Pastors feed
their flock the Word of God. Healthy sheep reproduce.
(Ephesians 4:12 NKJV) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ,
The purpose of the church:
1. Glorifying God – exult Him
2. Edification- to build people up in faith. Teaching. Faith comers from hearing Romans 10:17
3. Evangelism – to build the kingdom, reach the world around us.
All of these function to perfect the saints. It must be in that order, any other order will be
disastrous. Remember Sit, Walk, and then Standfast.
Christian Service isn’t just at church. Teaching Sunday school, serving at church is great, but too
often that is where we leave it. The church was established so that it would go out and reach the
world around them. Ministry happens when you are at the job site, eating out, the gym, the street.
You share with people, give to people, help people. Then when you come to church you are there
to get refreshed, taught. No ministry should be a burden, nor should it be recruited, or pressured
into.
Look at Acts, they came together for fellowship, teaching, breaking of bread, and prayer…then
they went out to change the world, to turn it upside down. (Acts 2:42)
I like this Greek word "equipping" used here. katartismos, kat-ar-tis-mos; it was the word they
used to "mend and prepare" nets for fishing.
It's been said that, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke
(Ephesians 4:13 NKJV) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Remember Paul's second prayer, he prays that we will be filled with the fullness of God. Our goal
is to be like Jesus. Jesus was out in the world with people impacting people. May we all
say….My Goal Is God. We may say, "Ohhh God I’m not perfect", ok, then give all that is perfect.
Jim Elliot, missionary in Ecudor said, Wherever you are, be all there. Don’t wait until you are
perfect to serve Him. Ann Landers said, the real trick is to stay alive, as long as you live.
I like what Payne Stewart said after winning the 1999 US Open. He won after sinking a 15 foot
clutch putt on the final hole, to finish 1 stroke ahead of Phil Mickleson. He said if it wasn't for his
faith in the Lord, then he would not have faith in himself. God is good.
(Ephesians 4:14 NKJV) that we should no longer be children, tossed to and for and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of
deceitful plotting,
Don’t go chasing the latest wind of doctrine. Falling down ranting and raving, or whatever is the
weird thing today. Is that the measure and standard of Christ. Where in the Scriptures do you
see Jesus doing it. The whole goal of the church is to come into maturity/conformity to the person
of Jesus Christ. If you can’t prove it in the Scriptures, then it is not of God.
The winds of doctrine eventually blow out, but Jesus is forever, and you could never get tired of
Him. If you are not digging deep in the Scriptures, Then I’m concerned for you.
(Ephesians 4:15 NKJV) but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him
who is the head; Christ;
(Ephesians 4:16 NKJV) from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every
joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share,
causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The equipping of the saints will cause us to strengthen each other, and give us the endurance to
finish this marathon we call life.
Jesus is the head. The main library at Indiana University sinks aver an inch every year because
when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would
occupy the building. We so often over look the obvious. We have to stay together on this, and we
have to let Jesus be the head, meaning let Him do the thinking for us, and what is best for
everyone in the body.
Jesus is head over the body, the body is the church (the believers). In the church there is
teaching, encouraging, accountability. If you are not connected to the body, then you are not
under the head, and above His feet. Remember Ephesians 1:22, "all things are under Him."
You may want to stay home and watch Sienfield, rather than fellowship. You may think that is not
a problem. Well, look around and see the proof. The people who are connected to the church
have power. The whole Christian thing is community, we are in this together.
Don't fall into the thought that Sunday is enough, or you can't make mid-week because you have
softball or bowling. Don't join those things if they will keep you from the body. Parents don't let
junior's soccer game keep you (or them) from the body. Where will the children see the power of
God if they are at a soccer game week in and week out. I know there are exceptions, but you get
the point.
When the Maestro comes out, and we are in our white shirts and bowties, and he lowers the
baton, there is nothing more beautiful in this world. I remember coordinating a mission trip to
Ireland in July of 2000. We went and took this little old building, cleaned it up and cleaned it out.
We turned it into a Christian Coffee house. We went out and meet youth and the local town folk,
and we invited them down for the evening. Well its about 10 o'clock at night, and not one person
had showed up. I went for about an hour walk praying to the Lord. I had my "don't be
discouraged" speech all prepared in my mind for the next morning. But something wonderful
happened as I turned the corner, the whole team had come into the Coffee House, and just
started to sing praise and worship. The sound of it from the outside was the sweetest worship I
had ever heard. I just sat out on the corner for awhile listening……weeping. Before the night was
over, probably a half dozen kids had come over; and before the week was over, we were seeing
some 50 kids a day coming down to hear about the Lord.
Unity in the Body, it is a beautiful thing…………it is a powerful thing.
End of Study Ephesians 4:7-16:The Equipping of the Saints
Ephesians 4: 17-22: Put Off the Old Man
One day God was looking down to earth and saw all of the evil that was going on. He decided to
send an angel down to earth to check it out. So he called on a female angel and sent her to earth
for a time. When she returned she told God, yes it is bad on earth, 95% is bad and 5% is good.
Well, he thought for a moment and said maybe I had better send down a male angel. To get both
points of view. So God called a male angel and sent him to earth for a time. When the male
angel returned he went to God and told him yes the earth was in decline, 95% was bad and 5%
was good.
God said this was not good. He would send a letter to the 5% that were good and encourage
them, a little something to help them keep going.
Do you know what that letter said? So, you didn't get one either?
Ephesians chapter four is the call to "walk worthy, and in unity." These next three verses are
often used for an evangelistic message (which is good), but remember, this epistle was written to
believers. Therefore we need to understand what exactly the Lord is saying to believers, those
who are part of His Body. The Lord will tell us not to walk and live like the non-believer, but that
our lives daily lives should have no resemblance to the daily lives of the non-believers.
The definition of a Gentile is basically one who has no desire or appetite for the things of God.
Here we have a description of the Gentile: Futility of mind, darkened understanding, alienated
from God, ignorant, blind, dead, lewd, unclean, greedy, corrupt, lustful. The Lord will tell us not to
walk and live like the non-believer, but that our lives daily lives should have no resemblance to the
daily lives of the non-believers
(Ephesians 4:17 NKJV) This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no
longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
(Ephesians 4:18 NKJV) having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life
of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
(Ephesians 4:19 NKJV) who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness.
(Ephesians 4:20 NKJV) But you have not so learned Christ,
(Ephesians 4:21 NKJV) if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the
truth is in Jesus:
(Ephesians 4:22 NKJV) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man
which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
In these next six verses God "Yells Out" ----Take off the Graveclothes, and put on the graceclothes.
The Lord has called us out of this world, so much so that it will be clear to all who we come in
contact with we are different. The Lord is saying you are a new creation, “live like it.” Christian
you are an alien living in a foreign land. You don’t fit in, accept it. Don’t try to mingle and mix
it……..stand out.
(Mat 26:69-74 KJV) Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also
wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when
he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was
also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while
came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech
bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the
cock crew.
Peter wanted to be a camouflage Christian at that moment and blend right into the
surrounding crowd, but his manner of dress and speech made him stand out among the men at
that fire. Men and women in the Military do not go into battle in their dress uniform as did armies
during the Revolutionary War, but dress so they will blend into the surrounding countryside.
Hunters can find camouflage to help them fade into the surroundings ranging from the hardwood
forests of the northern states to the palmettos of the Florida Everglades. The purpose is to get
closer to the quarry without being seen for photography or hunting. Soldiers use camouflage to
hide in war, hunters use it in the woods, and many Christians use camouflage to blend into their
surroundings so their allegiance to Christ is hidden. Peter didn’t want to be known as Jesus’
follower and he tried to disguise himself as a rough character hanging around a campfire. He is
no different, however, than millions of young Christians who will not carry their Bible in their school
for fear of ridicule, or than the men and women who flock into office cubicles across America, little
corners of anonymity where their faith stands little chance of being discovered and they will never
mention their Redeemer in conversation, instead content to listen to meaningless or even rude
words among people who know and care so little about each other.
The Omish people have a saying, “they say witness for Christ, and if all else fails, use words.”
Now we are called to be witnesses for Christ, but the Lord is always more interested in the
minister than the ministry. He tells us not to live like the world because all that is in the world, the
lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the
world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth
for ever; as we are told in (1 John 2:16-17). The world is empty, has nothing to offer, it brings no
profit; its end leads us to destruction for it draws us away from the Lord, not closer to Him.
Notice verse 21, these keys words, “if indeed you have heard Him.” When you can live in comfort
with your flesh, you are in spiritual danger. The flesh is always at war with the spirit, therefore we
must always be conquering.
Jesus said blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt 5:8); who sees
Him?…………….Those pure in heart.
Why is it important to see God, because that is what you are craving, what you really desire, we
are made that way.
Moses said I want to see you. God said you have to die before you can see me. We must die to
our flesh. Jesus said pure in heart, dying to the junk and gunk of impurity and carnality. That is
what will bring real satisfaction..
David said create in me a clean heart. We need to get this down and pass it on to others….that
we can't change our heart on our own. We must change our mind, and God will change our heart.
The Lord makes it easy to see Him, for He stands in our midst.
(Revelation 1:12-13 NKJV) Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned
I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of
Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
He is in our midst today and everyday. Whether you believe or not He is there with you right now.
Jesus was in the midst of the seven churches written to in the Book of Revelation. Sadly, the first
church mentioned is the Church of Ephesus. It is only 35 years after the writing of this letter to
Ephesus, that the Lord is saying to this same church…….I have this against you, you have left
your first love. The Book of Ephesians is considered the Alps of the New Testament, three
chapters of all the spiritual wealth available to the believer. Ephesians 2:22 in whom you also
are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit; this is a direct reference that
we are not just the temple of God, but the Holy of Holies……….the dwelling place of God. It only
took 35 years for them become like the Gentiles again.
Why is he in our midst? Here seven reasons he chooses to be in our midst each day. Seven
reasons to keep us from repeating the tragedy of the Church of Ephesus. As we look at these
seven churches, we will see how they relate back to the warnings here in Ephesians 4:17-22.
1. He is in our midst to bring the loveless back to their first love
Church of Ephesus: (Rev 2:4 KJV) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou
hast left thy first love.
He is in our midst to bring the loveless back to their first love (Revelation 2:4). Not a life
of duty to him but a life of love for him. When something becomes a habit, it is no longer love.
Living like the world will rob you of your love for the Lord. v.17: This I say, therefore, and testify
in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk. Only 35 years
later.
2. He is in our midst to give encouragement to the suffering
Church of Smyrna: (Rev 2:9-10 KJV) I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art
rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the
synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall
cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
He is in our midst to give encouragement to the suffering...(Revelation 2:10) "Do not fear
these things which you are about to suffer..." The world, “the Gentiles”, has no peace or comfort it
can give you in times of suffering. All of our wealth, all of our luxuries, all meant nothing as a
nation mourned on September 11th. At best it can only offer you a Band-Aid, or a fix that will make
the matter worst. Only the Lord can bring true comfort in our time of suffering He will be with you
in the midst of all things.
The Lord never promised there would not be suffering, but he promised that he would
"...never leave you and never forsake you." In every trial the Lord promises He will give you
himself in the trial. v.17: This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no
longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk..
3. He is in our midst to warn the compromising
Church of Pergamos: (Rev 2:14 KJV) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast
there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the
children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
He is in our midst to warn the compromising. (Revelation 2:14) He will tolerate no
compromise in our life, "...don't give opportunity to the flesh, but crucify the flesh. V.17 This I say,
therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk,
in the futility of their mind
in the futility of their mind
What you fill yourself with determines your thought patterns. If you justify in your mind that what
you are doing is right, then there is no way for God to change your heart.. when you change your
mind and say that it is no longer acceptable, no longer allowable, no longer justifiable, that it is
garbage and It has to go, then God can change your heart. Important principle, God will not
change your heart until you change your mind.
Futility of mind, literally means vanity and empty headiness. Futility is vanity and depravity mixed
together. Vanity – looks nice, but has no substance, thus it is deprived, which is worthless. Soap
bubbles; ever watch a kid ohh and ahh at soap bubbles? Yes the bubbles glisten, and float so
beautifully, but when they go to grasp them…….pop. That is how so many things of the world are,
we ohh and ahh, they glisten and look pretty, but when we finally grasp them………….pop.
Do you watch the same things the Gentiles watch on TV or at the movies.
(Romans 1:29-32 NKJV) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are
whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things,
disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who,
knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of
death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Kids/students when professor or teachers ttell you that TV doesn't effect you, know they are lying.
Case in Point. SuperBowl Sunday. Ford, Pepsi, Mottorolla, etc are willing to spend 2 million
dollars for a 30 second spot. They are willing to spend that kind of money cause they are so sure
it will effect your behavior.
For Army training years ago, soldiers who couldn't kill were made to watch violent movies to
desensitize them to killing. An ABC network study found 22-34 percent of young felons
imprisoned for violent crimes said they had consciously imitated crime techniques learned from
watching television. Homicide rates doubled in 10-15 years after TV was first introduced. In a
survey of 10-16 year olds, 62 percent said sex on TV influences their peers to have sex when they
are too young. (Parents Television Council)
These things that we fill ourselves with can destroy us, and /or rob us of the joy God has for us.
Multiple partners, robs a marriage as those images of past lovers come flooding back at the worst
moment. The poet Patterson Smith wrote: "And the ghosts of forgotten actions came floating
before my sight, and the things I thought were dead things were alive with a terrible might. And
the vision of all my past life was an awful thing to face, alone, alone with my conscience, in that
strange terrible place!"
4. He is in our midst to confront the corrupt
Church of Thyatira: (Rev 2:20-21 KJV) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to
seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her
space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
He is in our midst to confront the corrupt. (Revelation 2:20) Bigger is not always better,
not if the heart is rooted in ungodly practices and compromise. Don't put your trust in false
prophets, but in the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. v.18: being alienated from the life
of God,.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put Humpty together again!
Humpty Dumpty asked for the king's horses, he asked for the king's men, but he never asked for
the king. Peoples lives are falling apart, but they are not asking for the King. People run to selfhelp books and seminars, people who say they have the answers, but in the end their words and
teaching lead people astray……….and further away from the Lord……..to the point of being
alienated from the life of God.
5. He is in our midst to challenge those that are dead.
Church of Sardis: (Rev 3:1 KJV) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things
saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a
name that thou livest, and art dead.
He is in our midst to challenge those that are dead. (Revelation 3:1) It was written, "You
are alive, but you are dead." Some people are too lazy to think for themselves and they just follow
the lead of others, especially in matters of faith. The Lord exhorts us to, "Remember and keep
remembering when you first heard the gospel..." that you might be alive. v.18-19: being
alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Past feeling has the idea of one's skin becoming callous and no longer sensitive to pain; it is the
logical result of the hardening of their heart. Hardening "is used medically to denote the call us
formed when a bone has been fractured and reset. Such a callus is even harder than the bone
itself."
Lee Strobel, is a Yale Law School graduate, an award winning writer, and legal affairs editor for
the Chicago Tribune. He covered some of the largest court cases in this country's history. His
marriage was suffering, and his wife committed her life to Jesus Christ. He didn't believe in God,
but said he could not deny the changes for the better he saw in his wife. He decided to research
the credibility of Christianity for himself, as a journalist. He used 3 points. Facts, evidence, and
eyewitnesses. Two years of study he said it would take more faith to remain an atheists, than to
become a Christian. He said compared to trials he covered, this was an avalanche of evidence.
He committed his life to Christ. His 5 year old daughter saw such a change in him that she asked
her mom, why is daddy so different? After the mother explained what giving your life to Christ
meant, the daughter said well than I want to do that too. Lee now Pastors one of the largest
churches in Illinois.
Just as God challenges those who are spiritually dead, He also challenges those believers that
are slowly fading away, dying spiritually. Be encouraged if you are dead, or feel dead the Lord
Jesus is in the resurrection business. He can and will make you alive again if you will just ask
him. Ask him now.
You may say I’ve tried, but I can’t, then let go, and Let God.
Colorado Mountain Rescue tells the story of finding a man early in the morning frozen to death
two feet from the ground overnight. If he would have just known, he could have cut his line and
dropped to safety. If believers will just let go of the world, they will find the fall isn't far, and the
drop is right into His hands. Isaiah 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying
unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Let go……. and let God
Facts, evidence, and eyewitnesses. Testimony after testimony that He is in the resurrection
business.
6. He is in our midst to assure the faithful.
Church of Philadelphia: (Rev 3:8 KJV) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not
denied my name.
He is in our midst to assure the faithful. (Revelation 3:7) "See I've set before you an open
door and no one can shut it...for you have not denied my name. Because you have kept my
commandments to persevere..." you have an open door to escape from tribulation. You have an
open door in prayer to commune with the Father. You have an open door of privilege. You are a
child of the King!! (Ephesians 4:21 NKJV) if indeed you have heard Him and have been
taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Remember (Ephesians 1:6 NKJV) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made
us accepted in the Beloved. Accepted – means full gathering in
It was a college campus, and one of the Christian leaders organized a bonfire. The purpose of
the bonfire was to burn your old sins. They were going to build this big fire, sing some worship
songs, have some personal testimonies, and then everybody who had something they wanted to
break free from was to throw it into the fire.
The testimonies were from people who were in bondage to some type of sin but God set them
free. One man told of how God set him free from drugs, and then he took his bag of drug
paraphernalia and tossed it into the fire. The whole group started cheering and jumping. Another
student cleared out his liquor cabinet and threw it all in the fire, again everybody started yelling
and cheering.
Well there was one man who wanted to be there so he could throw what he was in bondage to
into the fire. But at the last minute he had to drive 200 miles home for a family emergency. Not
wanting to miss the opportunity to purge his life of what had snared him he called his best friend
and asked him for help. His best friend just happened to be the Starting Quarterback at the
University, and was extremely popular. He told his friend that underneath his bed was a box, and
if he would throw it in the fire for him. His friend obliged.
When he showed up at the bonfire, eyes quickly turned towards him, as he opened the box his
heart sank for inside the box was dozens of Playboy magazines. He took a handful of them and
threw them into the fire. Everybody started to yell and cheer, he threw another and another, and
everybody yelled even louder for him. But every throw he yelled back, "they're not mine, they're
not mine."
Never once when Jesus hung on the cross did He yell "they're not mine, they're not mine."
He will always say, "They are mine, They are mine." (2 Cor 5:21 KJV) For he hath made him to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
7. He is in our midst to bring reality to the lukewarm.
Church of Laodiceans: (Rev 3:15-16 KJV) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will
spue thee out of my mouth.
He is in our midst to bring reality to the lukewarm. (Revelation 3:15) "Because you say
you are rich and have need of nothing, you do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor,
blind and naked..." So, quickly now, repent. That you may realize the kingdom of heaven and the
King, by whom all blessings come. v.22: that you put off, concerning your former conduct,
the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
In these six verses God "Yells Out" ----Take off the Graveclothes, and put on the grace-clothes. I
am comforted to know that He loves me enough to be in my midst. A loving Father that
desperately cares about my well-being, so much so that He is in my midst to lead and guide me,
correct and encourage me as needed.
The risen Christ wants to have fellowship with you today, tomorrow and forever. Take a moment
to talk to him he is right there with you just now, and forever.
He is risen and alive.
He holds the keys to hell and death.
He alone can give you eternal life.
John the Baptist said of Jesus of Nazareth, "Behold the Lamb of God who has taken away the
sins of the world." Are you beholding him today?
End of Study: Ephesians 4: 17-22: Put Off the Old Man
Ephesians 4: 20- 32: Put On the New Man
Remember the 2 Divisions in this Book
- 1st division gives us our inheritance chapters 1-3 - what God has done for us, our position in
Christ - that's Doctrine.
- 2nd the behavior that should characterize those who are so richly blessed chapters 4-6 what our response to chapters 1-3 should be, our practice - that's Duty.
In these next several verses, God will begin to put His finger on things in our life that will make us
uncomfortable as He does. He will talk about lying, anger, stealing, and corrupt conversation. All
of us have been and will be guilty of these things, and God is taking the Holy scalpel out, and
wants to start cutting away some of the flesh, the Old Man, so that we may Put On the New Man.
In an imperfect body, surgery is never pleasant, but always thankful. Paul said some 25 years
after meeting Jesus on Damascus Road: (Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV) Not that I have already
attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus
has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I
press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus…………….today let
us be open to the Lord performing surgery on our hearts.
We will be told to Put-Off and Put-On 4 things:
1. Put-Off Telling Tales, and Put-On Telling Truths
2. Put-Off Abusive Anger, and Put-On Accomplishing Anger.
3. Put-Off Stealing, and Put-On Sharing.
4. Put-Off Corrupt Conversation, and Put-On Constructive Conversion.
Ephesians 4:20-32:
(Ephesians 4:20 NKJV) But you have not so learned Christ,
(Ephesians 4:21 NKJV) if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the
truth is in Jesus:
(Ephesians 4:22 NKJV) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man
which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
(Ephesians 4:23 NKJV) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
(Ephesians 4:24 NKJV) and that you put on the new man which was created according to
God, in true righteousness and holiness.
(Ephesians 4:25 NKJV) Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth
with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.
(Ephesians 4:26 NKJV) "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your
wrath,
(Ephesians 4:27 NKJV) nor give place to the devil.
(Ephesians 4:28 NKJV) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
(Ephesians 4:29 NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good
for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
(Ephesians 4:30 NKJV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption.
(Ephesians 4:31 NKJV) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
away from you, with all malice.
(Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ forgave you.
The most important part of this entire section is verse 30, “and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.”
Grieve means to give pain. Give not pain to God. How may we give pain to God? By walking in
disobedience to any of the admonishments that are given in this passage. Ephesians 1:3 says we
are seated in the heavenlies; it is a poor thing to talk about living in the heavenlies, if we are
walking in this world.
In Ephesians chapter 3, we see Paul’s second prayer to this church in Ephesus. And now in this
passage of Scripture, we see the practical application of this prayer.
4 Request we see in Paul’s Second prayer:
1. That God would Strengthen the Inner man (3:16):
2. That Christ May Dwell in your hearts (3:17):
3. That you might Comprehend the Love of God (3:18:
4. That you would be Filled with the Fullness of God (3:19):
Paul says nothing can keep you from this spiritual wealth because God’s power is working in you.
What we have here is a cycle, each time the inner man is strengthen, God dwelling in us is able to
clean up the temple and make things the way they should be, and then without the junk and gunk
of sin in our lives, our minds can see and comprehend more of his love, and we become more
rooted and grounded, and with a stronger deeper foundation we have more of God in our lives, we
experience more fullness, we want to reach higher heights and receive more of Him, and that
leads to the inner man becoming stronger and dealing with things that are not of God in our lives,
and thus the whole cycle is started over.
1. Put Off - Put On. Put Off Telling Tales, and Put On Telling Truths
(Ephesians 4:25 NKJV) Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth
with his neighbor," for we are members of one another
We are being told to put-off “telling tales”:
Lying, ohh yea we all do it. We may be past the point of blatant lies woven in deep deception for
personal gain. But if we examine ourselves honestly, I believe we will still see we lie.
Lying: shadows of the truth, exaggeration, cheating, failure to keep promises, betrayal of a
confidence (you know what a secret is in the church, its something you tell one person at a time),
flattering, excuses, April 15th, the list goes on, but all equal the same…………lying.
How often we will not fully reveal all the truth when we are confronted with a wrong. How often we
find it easier to shade the truth, so that we don’t have to go through all the drama of the truth.
Case in point, I’m sick today boss; that’s easier to say than I have so much to do I’m stressing out
and need to take time-off to get it done. I have personal leave entitlement, but it is such a hassle
explaining it.
Lying, don’t expect God to be a part of any lie, and bless it. You are saying, “Lord I’m gona handle
this my way.” So the Lord says, “Ok you are on your own.”
I believe sports are a way God tries us in this area. It is so amazing that people will lie and cheat
to win or do well in a sport. What did ya get on that hole Joe? a six, I mean a four. We would be
willing to sin before God, to do well in something that means nothing, and we won’t even
remember two days from now. God doesn’t care about the stroke, he uses these things to teach
us how to loosen our grip on the world, and live in the spiritual. Parents, use sports to teach your
kids how to be honest, and how not to get caught up in the things of the world.
How about when we tell a story of somebody wronging us, and we leave the part out about how
we were guilty of this, this and this (we leave out the part of how our attitude could have fueled the
situation). We are purposely leaving those things out, to gain support for our cause.
To put lying into it’s proper perspective, John 8:44 Satan is the father of all lies. Christian, this
verse should sting us every time we lie.
(John 8:44 KJV) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When
he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
We are told to Put-On “Telling truths”:
Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we
are members of one another
Speaking the truth to member’s means we are committed to the others best interest.
Consider flattery Flattery means an insincere compliment or praise. We flatter someone cause
we want them to like us. There is a difference between flattery and encouragement.
How about withholding truths from someone, about themselves. When we withhold a truth we
robs someone of change in his or her life. When we don’t want to offend them or make them
uncomfortable, we rob them of showing a change that is needed in them to make them more like
Christ. Being afraid to say something because you want everyone to like you is wrong. Your life
never changes anyone cause you want everyone to like you (Proverbs 15:23 NKJV) A man has
joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!
There is a time of when and how to do this. You have to earn the right first. Pray about the
timing, your heart and your attitude. We will talk more on this when we get to “put-on constructive
conversation.”
Also on the note of lying, or just making promises without being serious about them; (Matthew
5:37 NKJV) "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is
from the evil one. When someone knows you are lying, besides it being a poor witness, they lose
confidence in you, and/or in an argument that particular issue never comes to resolution because
they are insulted about the wrong you did them, and then to add to it you lie.
2. Put Off - Put On. Put Off Abusive Anger, and Put On Accomplishing Anger.
(Ephesians 4:26 NKJV) "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your
wrath,
(Ephesians 4:27 NKJV) nor give place to the devil.
We are being told to put-off “abusive anger”:
Anger is an emotion, we all get angry. Anger mixed with our tongue is a destroyer. Marriages,
friendships, churches, and more broken apart because anger was kindled and the tongue was
used as a sword…………….words that could never be taken back.
Over and over in this book we have seen the call for unity and esteeming others better than self.
Why does God talk about anger, bitterness, malice, etc. in this passage? Three reasons:
1. It offends believers and causes divisions
2. it stumbles the unsaved
3. it harms us and stunts our growth spiritually – anger we keep us from being all the Lord wants
us to be.
See the link between the vulnerability of our passion, and to Satan having a foothold in our life.
Now consider this, there is enough in our flesh to get us into trouble without the help of satan.
Case in point, God puts satan in the bottomless pit for 1000 years, yet man has a enough
bitterness and resentment that when satan is released people will be ready to follow him. Now
than if man’s flesh is that evil on its own, how much more so is it when we give satan a foothold in
our lives.
When anger arises we have two choices, we can use it in an abusive way and hurt others, or we
can use it in an accomplishing way and change ourselves and others for the better.
Now Jesus gives us an example of “accomplishing anger”. In Matthew 21:12. Jesus is so
bothered He did something about it.
(Mat 21:12 KJV) And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and
bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that
sold doves,
Jesus was so bothered He had to do something about it, He had an accomplishing anger.
However let me say, leave righteous indignation to the Lord. He has more insight than we do in
the matter, and he doesn't have a sin nature. If we try to start turning over tables, we are likely to
get ourselves in troubles because we have a sin nature that keeps us from seeing everything for
all that they are.
Now David gives us an example to live by, and that is what this verse is quoted from.
(Psa 4:4 KJV) Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be
still. Selah.
(Psa 4:5 KJV) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
NIV Translation:
(Psa 4:4 NIV) In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be
silent. Selah
NRSV Translation:
(Psa 4:4 NRSV) When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
The context of 4:4 is after Absalom lead his rebellion against David. His own son, his flesh and
blood who would steal his kingdom and sleep with his fathers concubines on the rooftop before
the whole city, and set out his army to kill his own father. With all this wrong against David, he still
says in this Psalm settle down, trust in the Lord, and let Him handle it. Today's equivalent would
be your child stealing your Fortune 500 company and hiring a Hit man to kill you.
How many fights would never have happened if we could have just settled down, trusted and
waited on the Lord. If we would just get quietly into the presence of God and then you will be able
to look at things from the right standpoint, and as you think of your own failures, of the many times
that God in grace had to forgive you, it will make you very lenient as you think of the failures of
others, and instead of getting up on the judgment seat and judging another believer, it will lead
you to self-judgment and that will bring blessing, whereas the other is only harmful to your own
spiritual life. When we can settle down we can see the state of the other person, and we will have
sympathy for them rather than anger cause we will see how far away from the Lord they are.
Will I rise up in the flesh, or the spirit? You will never be more spiritual than your attitude. Anger
will change you into something you don’t want to be. Anger feels better than depression. With all
the beautiful things in this world, why do people focus on anger so much. If the person of your
anger is to make someone uncomfortable, than you are in sin.
James 1:20 wrath of man, James 1:19 swift to hear
(James 1:19 KJV) Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,
slow to wrath:
(James 1:20 KJV) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
We are told to put-on “accomplishing anger”
To deal with anger properly we need to recognize where it stems from. Anger stems from three
areas: Fear, Rejection, and Inability. When we can keep these three in our mind, when anger
arises and we recognize it is one of these three we can put things in their proper perspective.
Fear: our kid runs out into street in front of a car. Abusive anger screams and yells at him.
Accomplishing anger sits him on our lap and tells him the danger and consequences of what just
happened.
Rejection: someone hurts us with their words, we say what an idiot for saying that to me.
Accomplishing anger says, I am not going to let this defeat me, what things did they say that
might be true, and how can I change for the better.
Inability: which leads to frustration, all of which is we are not in control and it angers us. You try
to do something around the house or at work and it just doesn’t work and the next thing you know
you are throwing the part across the room. Accomplishing anger, says this is not worth it, I'm
calling someone for help. Or we just walk away from it, and come back to it later when our anger
dissipates. Ever notice how our frustration at someone or something else, leads us to vent our
anger on someone else who just happens to be there.
The inability to change someone’s mind who is damaging themselves, other, or ourselves, that
kindles anger cause we have no control. Abusive anger retaliates against them, then any hope of
resolution is most likely destroyed. Accomplishing anger hold their tongue, prays, and seeks the
Lord before taking any action…………..if any.
Now accomplishing anger is most important when anger is kindled between two people.. The
Lord says don’t let the sun go down on your wrath. Prayer relieves the pressures of anger, but so
often we chose not to pray, cause we want to continue seething over the anger and what we see
as injustice.
Not “letting the sun go down on our wrath”, remember Psalm 4:4-5, it is giving it to the Lord to
handle, communing with the Lord in prayer. What will happen? The Lord will give you the
confidence to trust in Him over the situation; thus the pressure relieves and anger dissipates.
What else happens when we commune with the Lord? So often He will ask us to be the
peacemaker. Someone’s anger has to settle to ease the situation.
Remember back to the beginning of this chapter, Ephesians 4:2 – the four keys to unity between
people:
Lowliness - esteeming others better than self
Meekness - power under control - a soothing medicine
Long-suffering - enduring discomfort without fighting back
Bearing with one another in love - putting up with all that is disagreeable in other people.
(James 3:17 NKJV) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
(James 3:18 NKJV) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
How important is it to be right. It is better to reconcile, than be right. Learn to choose your battles.
Also, when you do apologize:
I'm sorry, BUT….is not an apology. The “but” is saying, “I not totally wrong, if you hadn’t done this,
then I wouldn’t have done that. You may feel better, but the person you offended will not have
resolution over the matter and continue to be angry. Yes it is their responsibility to go to the Lord,
but you can ease the situation by a full apology……you rob them of their peace. I am sorry I said
this……….and did that………….., will you forgive me? By being specific of what you did wrong,
put closure on that issue and reconciliation can begin if the other is willing.
If I have offended you in any way I am sorry….is not an apology. “In any way”, means you don’t
see that you did anything wrong, but the spiritual person that I am is apologizing. I am sorry I said
this……….and did that………….., will you forgive me?
The Word of God will counter every situation. Ever notice how much easier it is to get angry in the
day when we have missed our quiet time with the Lord? The Word conquers all anger.
Fear - (2 Tim 1:7 KJV) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind.
Rejection - (Eph 1:6 KJV) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
Inability - (Phil 4:13 KJV) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Holding our tongue in the heat of anger is key, and we will talk about that in point four.
3. Put Off - Put On. Put Off Stealing, and Put On Sharing.
(Ephesians 4:28 NKJV) Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
Remember this is written to believers.
We are told to Put Off Stealing,
Stealing work time, witnessing on the job, pens and paper, duplicating copyrighted materials
(Music, videos, SW), tax time.
We think of object, but it is more, it is also opportunity. You can take energy from the boss by
staying up late watching television.
We are told to Put On Sharing
(Prov 22:29 KJV) Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall
not stand before mean men.
Christian you should be promoteable, considered and asset. Employers should love to have
Christians working for them. Your work attitude should be a witness for Christ, and thus share the
impact of His life in yours to the world around you.
When I was at the Space Center, me and my Christian Brother Dave were given all the dirty jobs.
If there were nine jobs inside and one outside in the rain that day, the boss sent me and Dave out
in the rain. We had to work the Launcher System, 35 tons of Steel and Grease. It held the rocket
down until the engines were full throttle, and then let it go. You can imagine how much damage
that system took after a rocket sat on top of it for 30 seconds. Filthy job. Yes at times it was a
terrible work environment, but me and Dave (both young in the Lord and witnessing) quickly
realized the Lords hand in the situation. Co-workers waited, and waited for us to be complainers,
but it didn’t happen. We become the joke on the complex. If there was a spill or mess to cleanup, they would say, “call Ray and Dave they’ll clean it up.” As for our boss, He called us his
“aces”. Every launch they took a picture of the “launch team” in front of the rocket, our boss
would stand in-between us. When Dave quit to answer the call of missions for a few years, when
they heard he had come back, they gave him his job back. As for witnessing, over that six year
period we worked there, we were able to share the Gospel with over 250 of our co-worker (never
on the clock I might add), and several now call Jesus Lord and Savior.
Your attitude can rob from your employer. If you go to work and have a bad attitude, if you
complaining about everything, your co-workers will have bad attitudes and they will spend
productive work time complaining.
Not working at work leads you to be a busybody and a terrible witness for Christ.
(2 Th 3:10 KJV) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not
work, neither should he eat.
(2 Th 3:11 KJV) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not
at all, but are busybodies.
4. Put Off - Put On. Put Off Corrupt Conversation, and Put On Constructive Conversion.
(Ephesians 4:29 NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good
for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Put Off Corrupt Conversation
Keeping our tongue in check. The tongue can be like a match in a drought condition, one word
can set the whole forest ablaze. (James 3:2 KJV) For in many things we offend all. If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Notice the three calls here. Our words are to be appropriate, edifying, and gracious. What our
speech is not to be is "Corrupt". This is the word they used for "rotten fruit". Rotten fruit stinks, it
attracts flies, it's nasty on the lips, and upsetting to the stomach.
Put On Constructive Conversion
Think before you speak..T.H.I.N.K:
T- is what I am going to say "truthful"
H - is what I am going to say "helpful"
I - is what I am going to say "inspired of God"
N - is what I am going to say "necessary"
K - is what I am going to say "kind"
Truthful: put away telling tales and put-on telling truths
Helpful: Will this build up the person. Have you ever been with someone, who every time you
leave from them you feel refreshed, invigorated, more excited about the things of the Lord. Their
conversation is lifting. They talk in such a way that it is sweet morsels to your soul. Not that they
preach, but the spirit of God flows from them. They say, you know I was thinking of such and
such a Scripture, and while I was praying the Lord gave me such and such a thought. You always
leave them feeling built up. Where on the other hand, there are some Christians that every time I
leave them I feel down, sometimes even soiled cause their conversion is so fleshly based, void of
anything spiritual.
Inspired of God: If all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16), then all that we
say should never be contrary to the Word of God. We can't tell someone to live together before
marriage, when God's Word say not to. And before we give "godly counsel" we need to pray and
ask the Lord if this is from Him. We don't have to live with the counsel we give; so realize that
person does…………..for a lifetime. Considering this every time will greatly reduce you giving out
your opinions so freely.
Necessary: We need not always talk. So of often if there is nothing to say, then people start to
gossip to fill in the space. (Proverbs 10:19 NKJV) In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But
he who restrains his lips is wise.
Kind: Am I imparting grace to the hearer, or venting.
(Proverbs 15:1 NKJV) A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
(Proverbs 16:24 KJV) Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and
health to the bones.
We have been told to Put-Off and Put-On 4 things:
1. Put-Off Telling Tales, and Put-On Telling Truths
2. Put-Off Abusive Anger, and Put-On Accomplishing Anger.
3. Put-Off Stealing, and Put-On Sharing.
4. Put-Off Corrupt Conversation, and Put-On Constructive Conversion.
In verses 30-32, Paul sums these points up again, before chapter 5:1……. Quite possibly the
highest calling verse in the Bible…………."therefore be imitators of God as dear children."
(Ephesians 4:30 NKJV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption.
(Ephesians 4:31 NKJV) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put
away from you, with all malice.
(Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
just as God in Christ forgave you
End of Study Ephesians 4: 17-32: Put On the New Man
Book of Ephesians: Chapter Five
Ephesians 5:1-17: Be Imitators of God
Remember the 2 Divisions in this Book:
- 1st division gives us our inheritance chapters 1-3 - what God has done for us, our position in
Christ - that's Doctrine.
- 2nd the behavior that should characterize those who are so richly blessed chapters 4-6 what our response to chapters 1-3 should be, our practice - that's Duty.
Ephesians chapter five starts with the highest calling I can think of, and that is to be (Ephesians
5:1 NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. In this study we will be called to:
1. We are called to Walk in love (v.2)
2. We are called to Walk as children of light (v.8)
If we do these two things, then we know we are imitators of God. For Love and Light are what
God is:
(1 John 4:8 KJV) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
(1 John 1:5 KJV) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you,
that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
I am so glad that we are called to be “imitators” of God, and not “gods” ourselves (Mormons)….. I
couldn’t take that kind of pressure……I would quickly give-up and go back to the world. An
imitator can never replace the original, and imitator wants to be like the original, but knows they
can never be the original. God knows and doesn’t expect perfection, but just as a parent takes
such pride and joy in watching their child try to imitate them, so does it bless the Father to see His
children trying to imitate Him……….walking in love and light.
1. We are called to Walk in love
(Ephesians 5:1 NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
(Ephesians 5:2 NKJV) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for
us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Therefore takes us back to (Ephesians 4:31 NKJV) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and
evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) And be kind to one
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Imitating God by
walking in love means forgiving others, and sacrificing for others.
Forgiveness means the other person was wrong, whether they admit it or not. Lets face it, if they
were right, then there would be nothing to forgive. Forgiveness is a sacrifice. God says oh that is
a sweet smelling aroma. Picture Him wafting the air as the smoke from the sacrifice ascends ahh
yes this is my child, just like the Father. Just like my son…………as Jesus hung on the cross He
said forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Forgiveness is good mental health. Look at the opposite, bitterness, anger, and malice; it will eat
you alive. God wants you to be free, those things will rob you. If you are still mad at a boss,
friend, let it go…forgive and then the healing will begin. No one can deny your love for them,
when you forgive them………….how can anyone deny God’s love for them, when they see that
God is so willing and wanting to forgive them that He sent His only Son to die so that they may be
forgiven.
v.2 An offering and a sacrifice is something that is totally given for someone us. Something that
is set apart to please another. To imitate God, then is for us to imitate Christ, thus In this chapter
and these verses God will call us to give of ourselves so freely that we will do whatever it takes for
Him. Sanctification means to be set apart,
When we pray, asking God to sanctify us, are we prepared to measure up to what that really
means? We take the word sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared to pay the cost of
sanctification? The cost will be a deep restriction of all our earthly concerns, and an extensive
cultivation of all our godly concerns. Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God's point
of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God's
purpose alone. Are we really prepared for God to perform in us everything for which He separated
us? And after He has done His work, are we then prepared to separate ourselves to God just as
Jesus did? "For their sakes I sanctify Myself . . ." (John 17:19). The reason some of us have not
entered into the experience of sanctification is that we have not realized the meaning of
sanctification from God's perspective. Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that
the nature that controlled Him will control us. Are we really prepared for what that will cost? It will
cost absolutely everything in us which is not of God.
Are we prepared to be caught up into the full meaning of this verse – to be imitators of God? Are
we prepared to say, "Lord, make me, a sinner saved by grace, as holy as You can"? Jesus prayed
that we might be one with Him, just as He is one with the Father (John 17:21-23) The resounding
evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person's life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ,
and the freedom from everything which is not like Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for
the Holy Spirit's work in us? (1 Thessalonians 5:23)."May the God of peace Himself sanctify you
completely . . ."
Giving Blood: Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a
little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of
recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously
survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies, needed to combat the illness. The
doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give
his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and
saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liz." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his
sister and he looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right
away?"…………..Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to
have to give his sister all of his blood.
In your morning prayer ask the Lord to make you an "offering and a sacrifice."
2. We are called to Walk as children of light
We will look at 3 things that Light does, so that we may walk as “children of light.”
1. Light Divides
2. Light Displays
3. Light Delights
1. Light Divides
(Ephesians 5:3 NKJV) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even
be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
(Ephesians 5:4 NKJV) neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are
not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
God is talking to believers: When we see the sign that says road work ahead, expect delays, we
do whatever it takes to avoid that road. The reason we go around is because we don’t like to wait,
we don’t like the delay, we don’t want to be delayed from our final destination. God is telling us
here are detours that we keep us from being imitators of God, and walking in the light.
Remember forgiveness? God forgives, don’t let past failures keep you from becoming all that
God wants you to be. What do we do when we blow it? In aviation pilots when they encounter
trouble they are told to do four things. Climb, communicate, confess, and conform. Gain altitude,
the higher the safer. Communicate thier problem to air traffic control, they have a picture of the
whole sky, while they only have a picture of what is in front of them. Confess, I need help, this is
no time to be pridefull. Conform, adjust your heading to two, zero, niner…..altitude 30,000,.
Climb: Remember we are seated in the heavenlies.
Communicate: Papa I need you.
Confess: If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive them (1 John 1:9)
Conform: Repent, I was wrong, your word is a lamp unto my feet. Lord help me to walk in your
ways.
Walking in light means God wants to separate us from the world, sanctify us, set us apart. To do
so, He will use light. The light proves things, it makes known what is acceptable.
But fornication
The issue is not Aids, VD, or pregnancy. It is that you are losing a piece of your soul. The world
says it is two bodies, God says it is two souls.
(Proverbs 6:32 NKJV) Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who
does so destroys his own soul.
This section is a call to walk in purity. You don’t fall into purity. You have to purpose it. Not what I
can do and get away with it. Daniel Purposed Purity. It is non-negotiable Daniel Purposed not to
eat the king’s meats.
(Dan 1:8 KJV) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of
the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the
eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel chose not to conform to the world he lived in, and it said his face was fairer than the people
who ate what the world gave them.
(Dan 1:15 KJV) And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh
than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
That reminds me of (Psalms 34:5 NKJV) They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces
were not ashamed. Live for the Lord, and the world will see our radiance, cause we will not suffer
the ills of disobedience.
(Ephesians 5:4 NKJV) neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are
not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Dividing, separating, our mouths from the world. Want a great witness, stop cursing. Just that
fact that you quit cursing, will instantly divide you, set you apart from the world.
At the United Nations they have translators. One person will speak in his native tongue, and
almost instantly it id translated into the listener’s native tongue. It is really the same here. Since
we are Christians, we don’t want to curse anymore, so we take the worlds vulgar words and soften
them, and use them. But for the world, it instantly gets translated into their native tongue. Shoot,
dang, freakin, crap, sucks, all translate for the world. I was convicted of this when non-believers
would accuse me of swearing when using these worlds.
These words are negatives, and we are being negative when we use them. Remember back to
THINK. Is what I am going to say truthful, helpful, inspired of God, necessary, and kind. It says to
“give thanks”. If your going to talk then give thanks (v.4 but rather giving of thanks), constantly be
talking about the Lord, and watch I more aware you are of His presence in your life.
I can’t remember how many bible verses I have forgotten; yet somewhere there seems to be all
these dirty jokes I can remember. I played rugby almost 20 years ago, and I can still remember
the words to every dirty rugby song we would sing in the bars after the games.
Dirty Joke theology. What once caused people to blush now is a joke. The attitude becomes, so
what if I mess around, its all a big joke anyways. Satan’s plan is to desensitize people. He figures
if he can turn it into a joke, then we will lose our compassion. Lets make jokes about the retarded,
and then we won’t have compassion for them. Elderly, homosexuals, handicapped. People even
laugh at jokes about death, people dying in freak accidents or attacks. OJ Simpson jokes. Osma
Bin Laden jokes, jokes about sex. If he can turn it into something we laugh about, then the
sanctity of sex between husband and wife become lessen, lessen so much that it is no longer
esteemed to where it should be and it. Whatever is sensitive, where compassion and respect
should be, Satan wants to turn those into jokes so we become desensitized.
(Ephesians 5:5 NKJV) For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
This you know. He is saying you already know this, you don't need a preacher to tell you this.
KJV says, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, from the greek word "pornos", from where we
get our word "pornography". This word means those that embrace a prostituted lifestyle. That
can also happen in what you read and see, not just physically act upon. Now I'm not talking about
struggles we have in the flesh, but the embracing of these things year after year.
Covetous - simply means to I want it. I want what is not mine, and what I shouldn't have.
Coveting is the root of all sin………..I want to do what I want to do, regardless of what the Lord
wants for me. Coveting is the giant in our life, deal with the coveting, and the rest of these will fall
like domino. The more set-apart we are for God, the less covetous we are.
(Ephesians 5:6 NKJV) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these
things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
(Ephesians 5:7 NKJV) Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Partake - summetochos, soom-met'-okh-os; a co-participant:--partaker. From the root - by
association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, addition, beside,
with.
Don’t partake, that means physically or even sitting in a movie theatre. If I watch fornication on a
screen, I am partaking of their activity, and supporting it if I buy a ticket. My money is saying
please make more of these.
If you are caught up and delighted by all these things you are not a part of the kingdom of God. It
doesn't matter if you are at the church every time the doors open. Don't wrestle with the once
saved always saved debate. Let the word stand on its own. Climb, communicate, confess,
conform………………..today.
People say ohh don't listen to all that legalism. People with rules and regulations. Or the "God
knows our heart.", what is right is right, or this is how I'm made I can't do anything about it.
Nobody wants to be known as legalistic in the church, but I can see Satan using that in the
church. People are so afraid to be labeled legalistic, that they over kill the grace part. I can't say
this is wrong, and I have to go along with them when, truly I think they are being kinda carnal and
in the flesh, but I don't want to say anything cause then I'll be called legalistic.
Be legalistic in your personal life, and be gracious to others. But don't let the fear of being called
legalistic let things that are un-edifying into your life, nor let it keep you from helping a brother or
sister, rise-up and mature in Christ.
Navy Seals going to battle have this battle plan, 3 words they live by. Decisiveness,
Aggressiveness, and Ruthlessness. They know the plan, and there is no changing it once they
enter into the battle. They will be on the offense, and they kill or be killed, no prisoners.
Decisiveness – you have to decide now. God said it, that settles it. Why we have to think
anymore about it is foolish. Don’t prayer about repenting………….repent. This is where you have
to take your thought life into captivity. You have decide I am not going to let this in my life
anymore, and as soon as the thought pops into your mind, you say I am not going to entertain this
thought for one second. (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV) Casting down imaginations and every high
thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ;
Aggressiveness – you have to deal with it in an aggressive, offensive manner. Christians for
some reason want to be defensive. So then we are always reacting to the attacks. Reacting
leaves us as the responder. In all military battles an offensive is always the battle plan. We went
into Afghanistan with an offensive plan, had we waited who knows how much more damage they
would have done on this country. Be aggressive, don’t wait another day……….Today.
When you are sick of the sin, then God can deal with it. But as long as you still enjoy it……..there
is nothing God can do cause He will not violate your free will. The second plague upon Egypt was
frogs. The word said that frogs covered the land. This plague was directed at Pharaoh and the
Egyptian people for enslaving the children of Israel. The hard heart of the Pharaoh would not let
them go. But finally Pharaoh called Moses, and said all right, enough, ask your God to take them
away. Moses said I will intercede for you, tell me when. Then Pharaoh said one of the most
amazing quotes in the Bible, “Tomorrow.” Basically…..give me one more night with the frogs, let
me be in charge, the King of my land, one more night, even though I’m just king over the frogs.
(Exodus 8:8-10 KJV) Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the LORD, that he may take
away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.
(Exodus 8:9 KJV) And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and
for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? (Exodus 8:10 KJV)
And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the
LORD our God.
Ruthlessness – Ruthlessness, a word you won’t hear much in the church. With all of our “Jesus
Loves you, and God Bless you”, we get too wimpy and weak-kneed, sometimes Christians are too
nice. When it comes to sin, we are not called to be nice. Sin can not be negotiated with, nor
compromises made. It has to be utterly wiped out. Also, if there is someone in your life that is
bringing you down into sin, this isn’t the place to worry about hurting his or her feeling. This isn’t
the place to worry what people are going to thing about you.
IF you see the power in you, then nothing can overpower you and defeat you. If you are in
bondage to anything it is not that you need more power, but that you failed to use the power
already available to you. You don't need a program, you need the person – Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Again, you don’t fall into purity, you have to purpose it. Do you want a fresh work of God in your
life. Purpose to meet God in the morning and not leave until He speaks to you. Unfortunately we
have competition, laziness and unbelief. Get up in the morning and spend time in the word and
prayer.
2. Light Displays
(Ephesians 5:8 NKJV) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light
(1 Peter 2:9 NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own
special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light;
Light Show: stringing lights on Christmas. We don’t do all that work to not plug them in. That
certain house at Christmas where everybody slows down to look at them.
(Isaiah 60:1 NKJV) Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon
you.
(Isaiah 60:2 NKJV) For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the
people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
(Isaiah 60:3 NKJV) The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your
rising.
(Ephesians 5:9 NKJV) (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and
truth),
(Ephesians 5:10 NKJV) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
(Ephesians 5:11 NKJV) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather expose them.
Reprove - elegcho, el-eng'-kho; to confute, admonish:--convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke,
reprove.
Not only are we not to go along with them – partakers – we are to turn the tables on the situation,
and give God glory. If they are believers they need to be corrected, back to last study on telling
truths. Chuckling at a dirty diddy is going along with it. Do what the Lord is telling you to do.
Don’t worry about being popular, cause you are not as popular as you think you are. Do what the
Lord is telling you to do and you’ll find that you will gain respect. There has to be a balance, we
can’t be judgmental sin sniffers, but also can’t let it go unchecked.
In the work place, at the ball field, with the unsaved. Get up and walk away from the dirty joke or
conversion. People ask me if I heard this joke, I always say will it hurt my ears….that usually
stops it there.
If something is blurted out in conversion that is crude I turn the table. I’ll say that reminds me
when I was in the mission field, or I’ll say I am so glad for my wife, or God has been so good to
me, I’d probably be dead by now if I continued as I was several years ago. I let the light
shine/display when someone tries to cast darkness upon me.
(Ephesians 5:12 NKJV) For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by
them in secret.
(Ephesians 5:13 NKJV) But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for
whatever makes manifest is light.
(Ephesians 5:14 NKJV) Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
(Ephesians 5:15 NKJV) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
Wake-up, quit sleeping we are slumbering in these last days. There are so many men, who could
have radically changed the world around them, but they fall into a slumber of the world, they
become infected with the things with the things we have talked about…joking, jesting.
Circumspectly. Circumspect comes from two Latin words which mean "looking around.' The
Greek word carries the idea of precision and accuracy. See that you walk "carefully, with
exactness", is the meaning. Watching where you walk, looking for stumbling blocks. We can not
leave the Christian life to chance. We must make wise decisions and seek to do the will of God.
Awake, don't be sleep walking, don't miss out on all the opportunities before us.
Not as fool, but wise - When a sailor does not know what port he is heading for, no wind is the
right wind. An associated word for circumspectly, is circle, we need to be looking all around as we
walk. Look at prophecy's of Israel, look how close we are. Look at all the people around us who
are a part of our daily lives. Watch, look around the days are evil
(Ephesians 5:16 NKJV) redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
because the days are evil
Evil days, at the time Paul writes this Israel is under and in just 10 years Jerusalem will be utterly
wiped out by the Roman army. Titus will take the Roman Army and encircle the city, so no one
could escape, then go in slaughter the Jews to what one historian said made the streets flow with
blood.
redeeming the time
Time, our most valuable resource.
"All my possessions for a moment of Time" Queen Elizabeth 1, last words.
Misspending a man's time is a kind of self-homicide - George Savile Marquess of Halifax.
We haven't the time to take our time - Eugene lonesco.
We only have so much time left to make an impact on our children. We only have so much time
left to love one another, why waste it on petty bickering and arguing. I remember what my football
coach in high school said, if it is not going to affect your life five years from now, don't worry about.
I think that is good advice when we get upset, ask ourselves, what effect will this have on my life 5
years from now…..in most cases that should put things in perspective on how small the issue
really is.
We only have so much time left to tell loved ones, and those around us that it is appoint unto man
to die once, then comes the judgment.
The days we live in are evil………….just look around - walk circumspectly.
3. Light Delights
Want to bless the Father, walk in obedience
(3 John 1:4 KJV) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Walk in Love, Walk in the Light.
End of Study Ephesians 5:1-17: Be Imitators of God
Ephesians 5:18-33: Submitting to One Another
Last study we were called to "walk in love" and "walk in the light." Before that we were called "PutOff the Old Man, and Put-On the New Man." For the first three chapters we were told of what God
has done for us. And now, we culminate all this into our personal relationships with one another,
our everyday dealings with each other. The Lord will tell us, the only way to live in harmony with
each other is by being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that
we can walk in harmony as husbands and wives, parents and children, and employers and
employees.
(Ephesians 5:17 NKJV) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the
Lord is.
(Ephesians 5:18 NKJV) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be
filled with the Spirit,
Here is God's will for our lives…..be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit is a
command here, and He expects us to obey.
First notice the contrast, he puts two things in opposition, one to another. Drunkenness with wine,
and filled with the Spirit. The point here isn’t about drinking so much, rather it is about being
controlled by anything other than God. He could have said do not be filled with lust, or chase after
money, or seek power. In the Bible "filled with" means “controlled by.” They were filled wrath
(Luke 4:28) means they were controlled by wrath and for that reason tried to kill Jesus. The Jews
were filled by envy (Acts 13:45) means that the Jews were controlled by envy and opposed the
ministry of Paul and Barnabas. To be filled with the Spirit means to be constantly controlled by
the Spirit in our mind, emotions and will.
It seems that today in the church we have over-complicated the whole matter of being filled with
the Spirit. So much so that many people have given up, thinking they could never or will never be
filled with the Spirit. Being filled is simple: we ask (Luke 11:11-13), and then………. Colossians,
chapter 3: 16.
Turn to the Epistle to the Colossians, chapter 3: 16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Notice the effect there of the Word of Christ dwelling richly
in the soul. Then turn back to Ephesians and read these verses again. Do you observe that you
get the exactly the same results in Colossians when the Word of Christ dwells in you richly that
you get in Ephesians when you are filled with the Spirit? What then is the inference? There is an
old rule in mathematics that “things equal to the same thing are equal to one another.” If to be
filled with the Word is equal in result to being filled with the Spirit, then it is clear that the Wordfilled Christian is the Spirit-filled Christian. As the Word of Christ dwells in us richly, controls all our
ways, as we walk in obedience to the Word, the Spirit of God fills, dominates, and controls us to
the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, if you would be filled with the Spirit and you know of
anything in your life which is contrary to the Word of God, if you are tolerating anything in your
private life which is contrary to the Word of God, if there is anything in your outward associations,
in your behavior before the world that is contrary to His Word, go into His presence, confess your
sins, sins of omission, sins of commission, deal with it all before Him, and when everything has
been uncovered and faced in His presence, dare to believe that He means what He says when He
declares, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1: 9). And now, seek grace from Him to walk in obedience to
His truth, cry out from the depths of your heart as the Psalmist did, “Order my steps in Thy Word”
(Ps. 119: 133), and as you walk on in obedience to the Word of God, you will be filled with the
Spirit.
Paul doesn't say anything about speaking in tongues, or raising the dead. But gives us three
evidences that we are filled with the Spirit. Verses 19-21, the Spirit filled believer will be joyful,
thankful, and submissive. It is all three of these that will bring harmony into every relationship.
Apply these to your marriage, your child upbringing, and employment, and God will do a great
work in every area.
1. Joyful
(Ephesians 5:19 NKJV) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
The Old King James says, "talking to yourself". In either case the resultant is the same. We can
lift each other up by an encouraging word from the Bible, or just a kind word from the heart. We
already discussed this in chapter 4.
But how about speaking to yourself? The world says you're strange if you talk to yourself, but God
tells us to, and how, right here…… speaking to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
The first thing I'll ask a believer who tells me they are depressed or have no joy, is this: are you
encouraging yourself through the promises of God, and entering into praise.
Turn off the world and think of a Psalm. Stay away from the junk and fill yourself with the things of
God. The result will be that you are richly blessed and productive for the kingdom. I will be
honest, when I get worn out or depressed, I check-out. I check out by watching TV, no nothing
dirty (I only get 3 stations), but I enter into futility of the mind, with no return for my time. When it
two hours later and I make my way to bed, I say what a waste of time, I could have read the Word,
or went for a walk and prayed, I could have jogged listening to praise music, but instead I'm going
to bed not strengthened or refreshed.
Once again our great example in the Bible is David, he talked to himself. Look at all the Psalms
he wrote. Psalm 18:2 he says, (Psalms 18:2 KJV) The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and
my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation,
and my high tower.
In his hard times he wrote psalms and hymns, as he did he strengthened himself and claimed
victories in his life
1 Samuel 30:6. While David and his men were out fighting, the Amalekites invaded his camp and
captured all of his goods, women, and children. Davids men wanted to stone him. David was
discouraged, so he encouraged himself. He wrote psalms and songs Verse 6 says, "But David
strengthened himself in the Lord his God." He then rallied his armies and recovered all that was
lost. Had he stayed depressed he never would have recovered all.
(1 Samuel 30:6 KJV) And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him,
because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but
David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
The power of speaking to ourselves in psalms and hymns and making melody in our heart….it
makes us joyous.
2. Thankful
(Ephesians 5:20 NKJV) giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
A Spirit-Filled believer will be a giver of thanks.
How does a grateful heart promote harmony in the house? For one thing the sincerely grateful
person realizes that he is enriched because of others, which is the mark of humility. The person
who thinks that the world owes him is never thankful for anything. The thankful heart is a humble
heart, a heart that gladly acknowledges God as the giver of every good and perfect gift (James
1:17).
Giving Thanks is a marriage key. We have such a tendency to focus on the negatives, and we
rob ourselves of all the positives, and all the blessings to be thankful in our marriage.
We need to make giving thanks a habit and lifestyle. Everyday acknowledging to God the
reasons to be thankful. Giving Thanks daily, will ward off being ungrateful.
How often we focus on the 1 negative, rather than giving thanks for the 99 positives. We always
think that one negative if changed will make everything perfect. But the fact is that soon enough
we will find another negative. When I can focus on the positives, when I think of reasons to be
thankful, my spirits are always lifted because I see how rich I truly am in Christ, and all the
blessings He has given us. This takes us all the back to Ephesians 1:3 and the whole theme of
this Book.…(Ephesians 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
IF I KNEW - written after and for those who died in the September 11th Tragedy.
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
As we counsel others we need to help them see the blessings they have, and the thankful things
they have.
3. Submissive
(Ephesians 5:21 NKJV) submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Here we are all called to submit one another, but then the next verse wives are called to submit to
husbands. Very IMPORTANT……. This verse differs from the next in this manner: A Spirit-Filled,
Word-Filled Christian is always to be subject to the Word of God. In all of our dealings with each
other, the Word dominates what are actions are to be….it doesn't matter who is in authority.
Husband/wives, parent/child, employer/employee, the word dictates what is correct. The next
verse, wives submitting, is the order of the home as established by God.
Wives Submitting to the Husband:
(Ephesians 5:22 NKJV) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
(Ephesians 5:23 NKJV) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the
church; and He is the Savior of the body.
(Ephesians 5:24 NKJV) Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives
be to their own husbands in everything.
The marriage section: Nothing will make you more like Christ, than marriage. Nothing will make
you have to die to yourself more than marriage and children.
Harmony with the spouse is based on a key component - Submission. It is a key to marriage; we
don't need volumes of books, seminars, but to submit to one another.
Notice verse 21, it all must be in the context, husbands you are to lead, but verse 21 says you are
to submit to her also in terms of treating her as the Word of God commands you to.
The message of submitting isn't a very popular one, but it is a godly one.
Louis Talbot, preaching at a mega-church in Los Angeles called the "Open Door", in the early
1900's. he taught on wives submitting to their husbands. After the service he was greeting the
people and a rather large lady in a flower dress with a big hat on got right up in his face and said,
"your message was disgusting…wives submitting to their husbands in everything." She said if you
were my husband I'd put poison in your tea, he said maam, if I was your husband…I'd drink it.
Women you have come a long way. Every where the Gospel has gone, women have been
elevated. This article from The Baltimore Sun, March 30, 2001. An appeals court said yesterday
that the Japanese government need not pay three Korean women compensation for forcing them
into wartime sexual slavery during WW2. Historians say as many as 200,000 women mostly
Koreans, but also Filipinos, Chinese and Dutch were forced into sexual slavery. The Judge said
abducting the women to use them as forced laborers and sex slaves was not a serious
constitutional violation.
This word submit was used as a military term when this was written. The soldiers were all fighting
the same battle, side by side, and each knew their role and responsibility in the battle to win. A
modern example would be this: We go to war against the Taliban, each military division (Army,
Navy, etc) gives its counsel to the war planning board. The Navy says we can launch Tomahawks
from sea, the Air Force says we have studied their defenses and feel we can knock out their
missiles, the Army and Marines say we can't fight conventional, we need to do commando raids at
first, then massive ground battles………everybody gave their input based on their experience and
strength. The Commander - in - Chief and his advisor then came up with the Final battle plan. He
then passes it down to his troops, and everybody knows what their role and responsibility is. They
submit to the final plan, trusting that leader has planned it carefully. Imagine as ridiculous as it
sounds, but the Army saying we don't like that plan, we are going in alone………our own bombs
would be dropping on our own men. Each military branch performed as directed, fought side-byside, and the resultant was victory. That is how it is to be applied in marriages. Husbands you
need to listen to your wives advice and wisdom, and then you need to go off and make a plan that
we ensure success, and wives even if you don't agree with the plan, you need to perform your role
and responsibility.
Wives maybe you think you husband is a fool, he is not all there. Ever since the garden
something has been missing. As God took something from the man, then He was able to
complete him. Wives understand your role of importance in being the completer of man. Men
don't get it cause because they are not all there. Husband you need to understand that the
women has never been alone. Ever since the garden man was always there. She needs you to
keep her from that loneliness.
Submit, how can you submit to him who does this or that. No guy can meet your expectations,
only Jesus. It is in Jesus that you will find deep deep fulfillment. In talking with Him, walking with
Him, loving on Him you will find that deep deep fulfillment. If you look to the husband to meet that
need you will always be frustrated. You will put pressure on him to be something he cant be
because he is missing something, he is not all there. When you draw from Jesus you are fulfilled,
so when you get together with your husband you won't push him to get all your needs met, and
won't frustrate him to the point where he wants to run away from you. When you love the Lord,
and look to him for all your fulfillment, you take the pressure off your relationship. Man won't
wonder is she going to be depressed, angry, frustrated….what will it be today, I don't want to go
home. But if you spend time with the Lord that day you will be at peace, and your husband will be
drawn to you. Matt 6:33, all these things will be added unto you.
A lady wanted a divorce from her husband; she said she couldn't stand him anymore. The pastor
said well doesn't just divorce him, do this instead. For the next 3 months wait at the door with a
kiss, wear that sweet perfume; make him breakfast, popcorn for him for the football game. Bake
cookies for him, put notes in his lunch bag, everything you can do to spoil him. She said but I
can't stand him anymore. The pastor said exactly, then at the end of 3 months when you slap the
divorce papers on him, you'd kill him. She loved the idea, she went out and got the cookie dough,
the nighties, she did it all. After a couple months the pastor calls and said well just a few weeks
left, have you got the papers in order? She said what are you crazy; we are madly in love with
each other as she slams down the phone. The pastor just smiled, he knew exactly what would
happen.
Trust that if you submit, the Lord will provide for you regardless of your husbands stupid actions.
Husband Submitting to the Lord
(Ephesians 5:25 NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church
and gave Himself for her,
Again it is so simple. God doesn’t want to complicate it men, love your wife. How? As Christ
loves the church, as Jesus loves you. Christ submitted to the Father sacrificially and
unconditionally so that the bride may be presented.
Sacrificially – he gave himself, all of himself. He poured out His life. Men you must die to your
plans, wishes, and dreams. We are to watch out for them and over them at whatever the cost is
to us.
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way
carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle
and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested the cane
against her leg. It had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been
rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Once a fiercely
independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on
everyone around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her heart knotted with anger. But no
matter how much she cried or ranted or prayed, she knew the painful truth her sight was never going to return. A cloud of
depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and
exhaustion.
All she had to cling to was her husband Mark. Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all of his heart.
When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and
confidence she needed to become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well to deal with
sensitive situations, and yet he know this was the most difficult battle he would ever face. Finally, Susan felt ready to
return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the
city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At
first this comforted Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the
slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized that this arrangement wasn't working—it was hectic, and costly.
Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her
made him cringe. She was still so fragile, so angry. How would she react? Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at
the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel
like you're abandoning me. Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised
Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it.
And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from
work each day.
He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to
her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made
her laugh, even on those not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her briefcase. Each morning they
made the journey together, and Mark would take a cab back to his office. Although this routine was even more costly and
exhausting than the previous one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to ride the bus on
her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge
and who would never, ever quit.
Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she
threw her arms around Mark her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with
tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate
ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better.
She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said,
"Boy, I sure envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy
a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why
do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you
are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?" The driver answered,
You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the
corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you
enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."
Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt
Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to
see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.
God watches over us in just the same way. We may not know He is present. We may not be able
to see His face, but He is there nonetheless! Be blessed in this thought: "God Loves You - even
when you are not looking." Husbands we are to do the same for our wives.
Unconditionally – He doesn’t love us if we tithe, pray or do devotions. He loves us
unconditionally. We are not to love her if she, does the dishes, pleases me, lets me do my thing.
I am to love her period. Take this Scripture at face value, lay down your life and love her
unconditionally. The women will have no problem submitting and following. All the women wants
is to be secure in knowing that you love her…always. If she doubts your love, then she will
become insecure.
A guy came to Pastor Romaine seeking sympathy. He said my wife is leaving (all weeping), and
Romaine said what, "what happened? She get sick of you loving her as Christ loves the church
and had to leave? -- Go home and love your wife."
(Ephesians 5:26 NKJV) that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water
by the word,
(Ephesians 5:27 NKJV) that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having
spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Look at these verses, sanctified, washed, presented. Jesus is preparing us. Husband its your job
to prepare your wife. Husband if you don’t like your wife it is because you have been doing a poor
job preparing her……..you have to know your responsibility, and take blame.
1 Corinthians 11:7 but the woman is the glory of the man.. The woman is the glory of the man.
Glory means reflection. Women is the reflection of man, the wife reflects the problem of the man.
The word cleanse means “to purify, to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin, to purify
internally by renewing of the soul.” And the word washing means “to pronounce clean in a
levitical sense.” The word is the Word of God (for He is faithful to keep his word). The word
present means, “to stand beside, to at hand.” Glorious means “splendid. (fig.) noble:--glorious,
gorgeous, honorable. The phrase without a spot means “without a stain or blemish, i.e. without
defect, disgrace, spot.” The word holy means sacred, without blame (blemish, fault, spot),
faultless, unblameable.
Jesus is committed to washing us up, cleaning us up. Husband when was the last time you
washed your wife with the word on a regular basis. Husbands, don’t make your wife feel dirty by
bringing up the past, or all her faults and failures. Cleanse her.
Forget the thought, she stinks I'm gona find someone else. You will stink the next one up too. It
is your job to cleanse her. Husbands most important, don't keep bringing up your wife's past, or
past failures……clean her, make her feel clean.
It's funny Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding. Marriages need miracles. He took stone pots,
filled them to the brim with water. He said do it, trust me. As the water was poured out of the
vessels it turned into wine - fine wine. Jesus came as the servant of all, husband you are to
serve. You can say all the romance is out of the marriage, the fine wine is gone, the wine of joy,
happiness is gone. We are to fill up our own vessel (we are earthen vessels) with the water of the
word. Get back into the word, study, meditate, join men's bible studies, and then as the servant
take what you have learned and serve that to your wife, and it will turn into fine wine.
Wives you can't be oversensitive and think that the husband is preaching to you, but see that God
is working in him first, and now serves it to you. Husbands share in humility.
(Ephesians 5:28 NKJV) So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies;
he who loves his wife loves himself.
(Ephesians 5:29 NKJV) For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes
it, just as the Lord does the church.
This verse is God's word and He says everybody loves himself or herself. This low self-esteem
stuff is junk, a lie. Everybody loves himself or herself. They may be insecure, but not low selfesteem. Take a group picture, and the first person we look for is ourselves.
Interesting article in the USA Today. Men who stayed with their wife have a lower rate of ulcers,
heart attacks, and cancer.. You are loving yourself if you chose to love your wife. It is better than
going to the gym, jogging…the best thing you can do for your body is to love your wife.
Husbands if you want to divorce your wife because you see something better, you will miss out in
the later years. You will miss out on the one who will give you the greatest passion and
understanding of Jesus. Jacob got tricked into marrying Leah, he didn't like her. Leah means
hurt my eyes. Jacob loved Rachaels looks, and that was his first attraction, but look how his
relationship with Leah developed over the years. Rachael was buried in Bethlehem, Leah was
buried in McPeleah. When Jacobs dies he wants to be buried next to Leah. Leah birthed Judah
who was the lineage of Jesus. Husbands if you want to divorce your wife because you see
something better, you will miss out in the later years.
(Ephesians 5:30 NKJV) For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
(Ephesians 5:31 NKJV) "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be
joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
You may say how do I love her sacrificially and unconditionally. You leave the closet to you, mom,
dad, old flames and cleave to your wife and you will be one. It is an equation, leave and cleave
equals one. That word cleave is used for gluing. It is permanent. Divorce is never a thought or
option.
Adam and Eve were married close to 900 years. Think about this either never had any
competition Adam never had any one to compare Eve to. They had a perfect relationship. Perfect
body the perfect the mind perfect relationship with God they had a love of innocence. The minute
anyone thinks they have an option their marriage is in trouble. When Satan came to Eve with the
option, saying you can have more than you have, you can be like God and be above Adam.
When the option came, trouble came.
People are asked would you marry them all over again if so what would you do differently. Adam
and Eve would've thought of this question they would have gone back to the garden and said we
never would have put God second in our lives.
(Ephesians 5:32 NKJV) This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the
church.
(Ephesians 5:33 NKJV) Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife
as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Respect: phobos, (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:--be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror. Same
word used in verse 21..Fear the Lord. Women don't fall for the liberal theology of today. Respect
your husband as the leader of the house. Husband love your wife as Christ loves the church.
When the husband loves the wife, and the wife reverences the husband, the world will see it is
how Christ loves the church.
Practical application for husbands:
Be there for her.
Accept the way she is don't try to change her
Don't preach to her.
Lead her to the Lord do not drive her out of frustration.
Keep dating to your wife a don't get to the point of comfort they you don't treat her like you did
when you first started dating as singles, and don't do anything today that you won't do for her 10
years from now
End of Study Ephesians 5:18-33: Submitting to One Another
Topical Study: Now That You Date (Ephesians 4:25-5:26)
1) Nice bible.
2) I would like to pray with you.
3) You know Jesus? Me too.
4) God told me to come talk to you.
5) I know a church where we could go and talk.
6) How about a hug, sister?
7) Do you need help carrying your bible? It looks heavy.
8) Christians don't shake hands, Christians gotta hug.
9) Oh you are cold, Ecclesiastes 4:11.
10) Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?
11) What are your plans for tonight? Feel like a bible study?
12) I am here for you.
13) The word says "Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the
hungry." How about dinner?
14) You don't have an accountability partner? Me neither.
15) Do you want to come over and watch the Ten Commandments tonight?
16) Is it a sin that you stole my heart?
17) Would you happen to know a Christian woman (man) that I could
love with all my heart and wait on hand and foot?
18) Nice bracelet (WWJD). What would Jesus date? I mean "do."
19) Do you believe in Divine appointment?
20) Have you ever tried praying at a drive-in movie before?
21) Excuse me, I believe one of your ribs belongs to me.
22) My friend told me to come and meet you, he said that you are a
really nice person. I think you know him. Jesus, yeah, that's his
name.
23) You know they say that you have never really dated, until you
have dated a Christian.
24) Yeah I predicted David over Goliath.
Copyright 1999 Mark Lowry Productions
We have seen specific instruction on how we are to be in a marriage, parenting, and work; but
how about dating. May I suggest to you that from 4:25 – 5:26 gives specific instructions for dating.
Lets look at what we have learned.
4:25 - Be truthful, no games
4:26-27 - learn to communicate, talk through your problems. You may find that you are not meant
for each other, but if you talk it out that you can break-up and still be friends. Or you may find that
you really just miss understood what the other was thinking. The devil will use those things to
drive division between the two of you
4:29 - You can't get back words once you speak them. Choose your words, even in joking.
Respect that person as a child of God.
4:30 - speaks for itself. If your relationship reaches this point, it is time to call it quits, seek
counseling if you need confirmation. This is a sign of immaturity, and one or both persons need to
not date until they are mature enough to handle a relationship.
4:32 - Be kind, kindness can make up for a lot of shortcomings
5:1 - WWJD. In all you dealings with one another, consider how would Jesus treat this person.
5:2 - A relationship is not one way, you have to be willing to sacrifice. You can't always do what
you like, or always do it your way
5:3 - Sexual purity
5:4 - Don't bring in the worlds dating mentality. Austin Powers is not your role model. Hollywood
is not where to learn how to behave on a date. Verse 6 says don't be deceived. God is going to
bring judgement down for those who have been responsible for corrupting the minds of so many.
5:11 - Do not date unbelievers
5:15-16 - Invest in your relationship. Don't spend so much time in mindless movies and TV; but in
the things of God.
5:18-19 - How can I help this person draw closer to God and become more like Christ
5:21 - Men, that girl you want to get close to is God's little girl. Lady's, God has plans for that
young man, that he will become tat man of God. Both of you must reverence god in your
relationship.
5:22 – Is she teachable – does she demand to lead. girls if you’re the spiritual leader, then there
will always be trouble.
5:23 – Can he lead, or just wants to Lord over you. Girls if he is not leading you deeper in your
relationship with Christ, then it is not of the Lord.
End of Topical Study: Now That You Date (Ephesians 4:25-5:26)
Book of Ephesians: Chapter Six
Ephesians 6: 1-9: In the Home or at the Office
2 Divisions in this Book
- 1st division gives us our inheritance chapters 1-3 - what God has done for us, our position in
Christ - that's Doctrine.
- 2nd the behavior that should characterize those who are so richly blessed chapters 4-6 what our response to chapters 1-3 should be, our practice - that's Duty.
Verse 5:18 started this section of being filled with the Spirit, and submitting to one another. It
ends at verse 9 before we go into spiritual warfare. The three areas it covers are husband/wife,
parent/child, and employee/employer. All three are unique, yet not one stands alone. You see if
any one is bad, it will affect the other two. Have a bad marriage and the kids suffer. Children
have split husband and wife up, and a bad work situation can carry over into the household. We
therefore have to hear and apply all that the Lord has to say in each area.
We have tried education, legislation, and every other approach but nothing seems to work.
Divorce continues to rise, children are rebelling against their parents, and employee and
employers still battle. God’s solution is not another program, but regeneration, a new heart from
God, a new submission to Christ.
In The Home:
(Ephesians 6:1 NKJV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
(Ephesians 6:2 NKJV) "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment
with promise:
(Ephesians 6:3 NKJV) "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
(Ephesians 6:4 NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring
them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Children, teknon, means any child that lives under the parents house. If you are 5 or 50 and still
live at home, then this applies to you.
Parents we are in a war for our childrens mind. Satan wishes to draw them to himself, and the
Lord has called us to do battle for them, and beside them. Satan is throwing it all out in these last
days. Look at what is on TV, in the movies, on these video games, in the magazines…..this is
war.
TV director apologizes for son after fatal crash
SANTA BARBARA, CA February 28, 2001
The Hollywood director whose son is accused of killing four pedestrians In a weekend car crash
offered condolences yesterday to victims loved ones. “I just want to say how devastated and
heartbroken we are for everybody who’s been affected by this — this very horrible tragedy,’? said
Daniel Attias, speaking after a brief court appearance by son David, a University of California,
Santa Barbara freshman. Attlas, 18, is accused of crashing his car late Friday near the university,
killing four people and critically injuring a fifth. Witnesses said he yelled after the crash, “I am the
angel of death.”
These four verses breakdown into 3 C's for us to remember as we raise our children.. Clear,
Caring, and Consistent.
(Ephesians 6:1 NKJV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
(Ephesians 6:2 NKJV) "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment
with promise:
(Ephesians 6:3 NKJV) "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
Be Clear.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Be clear in giving directions to your
child, they want to know the difference between right and wrong. Take time to explain what you
want and why. How can they obey if they no not what is expected of them. That is why we have
to teach them the Word, so they can see where our principles are derived from. This ties in with
but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Notice the “In Christ”. Parents
you can’t expect your child to obey if we don’t obey the Lord. If God is not in the picture, then
there is no order. There is no system of submission, no order of submission. If the child doesn’t
see you obey, then they won’t see the need to obey either.
(Deuteronomy 6:1-13 NKJV)
6:1 "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has
commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess,2 "that you
may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son
and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.3 "Therefore hear, O Israel, and be
careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has
promised you; 'a land flowing with milk and honey.'4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!5 "You shall
love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.6 "And these words which I
command you today shall be in your heart.7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when
you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.8 "You shall bind them as a
sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your
house and on your gates.10 "So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your
fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build,11 "houses full of all
good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant;
when you have eaten and are full;12 "then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
from the house of bondage.13 "You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.
Obey is the idea of a soldier about to engage in a battle, listening carefully to their orders of his
commanding officer, realizing that if he doesn’t follow the orders correctly he could ba at the
wrong [place at the wrong time and it could cost him his life, and the life of his fellow soldier. This
is what the word obey means, listen intently like your life depends on it.
In Colonial times, Max Jukes did not believe in going to church. From him came 1026
descendants from the Colonial times to 1980. 300 were imprisoned, average sentence 13 years.
190 professional prostitutes, 680 became alcoholics. The State of New York which the Jukes
family resided in spent an estimated 4 million dollars rehabilitant, incarcerating, Max Jukes direct
descendants.
The same year Max Jukes was born another man was born named Jonathan Edwards. Who later
preached the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. The great Awakening Revival
came through him in Colonial America. He was adamant and insistent on family church and
study. From him came 929 direct descendants. 430 went into full-time ministry. 86 became
university professors. 13 became university Presidents. 75 were noted authors, 7 were
Congressmen, 1 was a Vice President of the US. They cost the state 0 dollars in rehabilitation.
Both men were born in the same year, one was insistent on obeying the Word of God, the other
didn’t. Parents ignore those who say you are being legalistic, the results speak for themselves.
Days are long. The rabbi's teach "long" means "rich". Your days will be rich, abundant if you obey
your parents children. Now today, your days could literally be short if you disobey and drink and
drive, sexual sins of Aids, drug sin can and will kill. Number 1 killer for ages 18-35 is AIDS, #2
killer is accidents.
(Ephesians 6:4 NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath..
Be Caring.
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath. Be caring, not provoking. God
always encourages, not discourages us…we are to imitate our Father. Parents don’t try to live
your life through your kids, try to correct your failures through your kids. Don’t try to make them
something that you are not, something you always wanted to be. Don't torture them with
expectations. Your child is not to be the football hero you weren't. The wise man will ask the Lord
how did you design this child, help me to get behind and help along what you have designed.
When your child says "I hate you". When a child says those words a parent can't help but shiver.
But a child's mind, hate can mean anything from hate and anger to frustration, disappointment or
annoyance. Don't back off from setting limits because you fear that your child will say that he/she
hates you. Remember that it's normal for young children to feel frustrated, and that feeling will
pass quickly. Avoid coming down on your child for having those feelings. Instead, try to validate
them: I can understand why you are angry with me right now. You still have to do your chores
though. If your child is using "I hate" statements often, he may be having trouble expressing
himself. Help him learn a range of emotions, and encourage statements like, "I wish", "I hurt", or
"I'm frustrated" so that he can identify how he really feels.
Fathers you are to be there for them. They'd rather have you than a pool and a big house. In an
elementary school kids were telling what daddy does. One kid said my daddy is president of a
bank, the second said mine makes lots of money, the third said mine is a professional baseball
player, and the forth girl said, "my daddy is here right now." You could have heard a pin drop,
what she had blew all the others away.
Parents, on disciplining your child, (spank them), clearly explain to them why they are being
spanked and what they did wrong, and why it is wrong. Then after you spank them, hold them
and pray with them. Be clear, and caring.
(Ephesians 6:4 NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring
them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Be Consistent.
but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Be consistent, don’t send
mixed signals. (James 1:17 NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from
the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Parents can not
waver, rules can’t be based on your mood, be like our Heavenly father - never changing. They
have to see that no matter how you feel the rules are always the same. The Lord’s ways are
based on His Word, and His Word never changes. We are not to provoke them, but at the same
time we are obligated to discipline them. Dr. Spock said don't spank, 30 years later we have the
most violent generation ever. He now says I was wrong.
(Proverbs 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not
depart from it.
Devotion Time: Parents, develop a life pattern with your child from an early age. A pattern of
prayer, talking about the Lord, study, church, and service. Be consistent in that they see it as part
of daily life and not something that is plugged in when time permits. We have a family devotion
time every morning. We read a passage from the Bible, each person takes a turn reading a
verse, and then I give a short application to what we read, and then everybody takes a turn and
prays. The whole morning devotion is 10-15 minutes, but it is developing a pattern of life for the
children. The children need to see that as for your family, you chose to serve the Lord, and all in
that house will be governed by precepts set forth by God.
(Joshua 24:15 KJV) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye
will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or
the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the
LORD.
Parent squash disobedience in its tracks every time. Give no leeway to it, from their very
beginning of life.
Quote from Minnesota Crime Commission (secular organization), studying problem of juvenile
delinquency:
"Everybody starts life as a little savage, he is completely selfish and totally self-centered.
He wants what he wants when he wants it. Deny his bottle, mothers attention, playmates toy,
uncles watch, and he will seethe with rage and aggressiveness which would be murderous were
he not so helpless. He is dirty, has no morals, no knowledge, no developed skills. This means
that all children, not just certain children are born delinquent. If permitted to continue on their selfcentered will of infancy, given free reign to bear impulsive actions to satisfy their wants, every child
would grow to be a criminal, thief, rapist, a killer."
Look what lot disobedient kids fall into.
(Romans 1:29 KJV) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
(Romans 1:30 KJV) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
things, disobedient to parents,
Kids are a prophetic indicator of the Last Days
(2 Timothy 3:1 KJV) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
(2 Timothy 3:2 KJV) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Parents you let your child be disobedient, then you are training them up in the way they will
go…the question is, which way will they go.
In The Workplace: (this applies to school and sports for you youth)
(Ephesians 6:5 NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
(Ephesians 6:6 NKJV) not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
(Ephesians 6:7 NKJV) with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
(Ephesians 6:8 NKJV) knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same
from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
(Ephesians 6:9 NKJV) And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up
threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with
Him.
Worldcom, Enron, fifty years ago in American business morals and ethics were the basics of
business, whether you were a believer or not. The sanctity of a commitment was a given. Before
a handshake sealed the deal, today paper shredders are in the news…….your word on a piece a
paper doesn’t even stand.
USA Today Poll (16 July 2002)
Who Do You Trust?
Teachers 84%, Small Business Owners 75%, Military Officers 73%, Police Officers 71%, Youth
Sports Coach 68%, Protestant Ministers 66%, Doctors 66%, Accountants 51%, Professional
Athletes 48%, Catholic Priests 45%, Rich People 43%, Journalists 38%, Government Officials
26%, Lawyers 25%, Stock Brokers 23%, CEO Large Corporations 23%, and Managers of HMO's
20%.
What a great opportunity for us today, to be the one people trusts. We can make a
difference……believe it. Work is were the world watches, and for that cause that is where the
worth of your witness is being observed more so than any other place. Age 18-65 you will serve
your boss 97,760 hours, one third of your life spent in the work place. Your co-workers will watch
and see how you respond to stress and responsibility, deadlines and pressures.
Help me to always give 100% at work....
12% on Monday
23% on Tuesday
40% on Wednesday
20% on Thursday
5% on Fridays and
(Ephesians 6:5 NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
You think you got it tough in the workplace. Paul is writing to slaves, and he is calling them to be
obedient. There were over 6 million slaves in the Roman Empire. Often times they were treated
brutally. Caesar Nero, the Emperor at the time of this writing had a slave hung by his toes until
the blood suffocated him. Why? The slave accidentally killed his pet quail.
Vidias Polimus, wrote Roman poetry on peace and love. One of his slaves spilled water on the
manuscript, so he ordered the slave thrown into a pond filled with bloodsucking leaches, he then
went back to his desk wrote more poetry on peace and love.
They viewed slaves as less than human, but Paul still calls them to be obedient.
Be Obedient: Obey is the Christian Workers call to Duty. Obedient – means to listen attentively,
to heed or comply, to conform to the command of authority. We are to listen attentively to what
our employer wants, we don’t get paid to go against the policy and procedures but to implement
and exercise them to their fullest.
With fear and trembling: the idea here is with awesome respect. You may say I can't respect
my boss, he is a jerk. You are not respecting the person, but the position they are in.
1 Samuel 24. David was attacked by Saul, spears thrown at him, chased by his army, yet when
David had a chance to kill him, he cut his garment in the cave. Yet, he was still filled with guilt.
David said, I should not have touched the Lord's anointed. Saul was the anointed instrument God
allowed in David's life
Maybe your boss is throwing spears at you, don't touch the Lord's anointed. God will use them to
draw you closer to Himself, to mature you, give you patience, compassion, and deeper trust in the
Lord.
Have you clipped the garment of your boss, your teacher, your sports coach? God will deal with
them in His timing. God dealt with Saul at Mt. Gilboa. But for right now God is using them as an
instrument to bring you into maturity. If you cut them off, you forfeit what blessings God has for
you, and the work He wants to do in you. Remember David became the King, who knows what
God is preparing you for.
in sincerity of heart: means whole heart. Do it enthusiastically. Enthusiasm is from the greek
word "en" and "theos". En - (full of), theos (God)….so, Full of God.
This was all well and good, when you work for a good company, and a good boss. But how about
working in a hostile work environment.
How do I work in a Hostile Work Environment?
1. Understand that God anoints you for trouble. Be sure of this for you are a Christian. Put on the
armor of God before going to work.
2. Don't expect to be appreciated. Your only expectation should be to get a paycheck. Don't come
to work to have personal relationships. Don't allow what you do to affect who you are.
3. Do your job well, but remember your mission. God put you there to be a light.
4. Seek opportunities to change the atmosphere without commenting on the problems. You have
a God to talk to. You're on an assignment. In quietness and competence shall be your strength.
5. Don't let your environment get inside of you. You should influence it, not let it influence you.
Stop going to work to be fed- you didn't come to receive, you came to give.
6. Increase your capacity to work with different people's personalities. God will often bless you
through people you don't even like!
7. Remember where you are does not define where you are going. This will deliver you from
frustration. God has a plan for your life. Keep your eye on the prize. When Peter did this, he was
able to walk in what other people sank in!
8. Get the optimum results with minimal confusion. Be effective without making the environment
worse.
9. Don't be associated with one group or clique. Labels limit your usefulness. God wants you to
work with everybody but be labeled by nobody. Use all your gifts.
10. Always keep your song near you. Keep a consecrated place in your soul. Hold on to your
praise. Go back to singing melody
(Ephesians 6:6 NKJV) not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
God is watching you work, this is your chance to show off for Him and impress and please Him.
Who has the heart of God, the worker who doesn't wait to be told what to do, who doesn't just give
the bare minimum, but is looking to give over and above to his employer
We are working to store up eternal rewards. What a wasted life to work so hard today, to have
the home, the car, the extras, and then to die. A missionary couple coming back from Africa after
40 years of service is on the same ship with Teddy Roosevelt who was coming back from a big
game hunt safari. As they pull to dock in New York City, people are waiting, cheering, the bands
are playing, reporters taking pictures, the people are cheering cause he killed an elephant and
rhino. As for the missionary and his wife, nobody was there to greet them. The veteran
missionary turns to his wife and says you know I’m a little bitter, 40 years in the jungle risking life
to help people and nobody is here to greet us; Teddy Roosevelt goes game hunting and gets a
hero’s welcome, we come home and get nothing. But he writes in his journal that the Lord spoke
to Him at that moment and said………….you are not home yet.
We are not home yet, but when we do get there God will greet us, and we will be glad we served
the way we did.
Do you want to be in the ministry? A youth Pastor, missionary, Pastor, worship leader. Every time
God called someone they were not sitting around. Elijha to Elisha, Elisha was plowing in the
fields. Moses on the backside of the desert watching sheep. Peter was casting nets. Don't sit
around waiting for something to happen. Work hard until God calls you full-time into the ministry.
Be faithful in the little things. If you slack at work or school, God is not going to trust you in the
ministry with His sheep
Ecclesiates 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
In Acts 19 people are hurting, yet if people took Paul's sweat bands and work apron, and touch it
they became well. Paul taught in the afternoon break and evenings, but made tents. He lived by
the sweat of his brow,. Paul could have said if you can't support me then I'm out of here. Rather
he had such a love for people he worked and ministered. The sweat of his brow proved his love
for the people. The bands were a point of contact to activate the people's faith, there was nothing
magical in the bands. You work hard and people will be touched. There will be healing, miracles,
and salvations. It is rare today to see people work over and above what they are called to do.
(Ephesians 6:7 NKJV) with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
(Ephesians 6:8 NKJV) knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same
from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
(Colossians 3:23 KJV) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
(Colossians 3:24 KJV) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for
ye serve the Lord Christ.
We work for the Lord, not man. But be careful not to fall into some works trip, but look at the
opportunity to work as a gift from God. Remember back to the last study a Spirit-Filled Christian
will be joyous, thankful, and submissive. Be thankful for the job God has given, don't look at all
the negatives, but be thankful for the opportunity to work and provide for your family, while at the
same time actually getting to do something for the Lord
Matthew 13:45 we are the "pearl". The only thing that can ruin a pearl is human perspiration.
Don't try to prove you are worthy by your efforts and self-sufficiency – But by God's grace. When
you can see that you work for the Lord, and He is in charge of all, then you won't have to stress.
Something difficult comes your way, you just say to yourself, "I'll let my boss handle it." You can
actually go to work and be happy, no sweat.
People will notice the difference of someone working for man, and someone working for God.
Mike Rozelle told the story of a Christian man he had met. The man was visiting a large
corporation. The manager said I'd like you to meet our employee of the year, five years running.
As they walked the man envisioned he was going to meet the Vice President, or maybe the lead
research and design engineer, or maybe their computer expert. As they entered the room, there
he was, a man, mentally and physically handicapped, sweeping the floor. He tried not to act
surprised, and greeted him. He said so you're the employee of the year. The man answered
(somewhat unclear speech due to his handicap) yes I am, I sweep the floor around. I sweep from
the top to bottom. Then he said you know why I sweep so well? The man answered "No" He
said, "because I sweep for Jesus, then he paused, and he said, "who do you sweep for." The
man left there never to be the same.
Brethren, the question is, whom do you sweep for?
(Ephesians 6:9 NKJV) And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up
threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with
Him.
Bosses you are to serve your people. God is no respecter of person. CEO means nothing to
Him, titles and positions….nothing. The only title God gives us is "Servant"
End of Study Ephesians 6: 1-9: In the Home or at the Office
Ephesians 6: 10-24: What to Wear to War
We are in a spiritual war, and we need the whole armor of God to withstand the attacks of the
enemy.
In a small town there was an elderly lady who lived near the school. This lady had a beautiful
assortment of flowers in her front yard. There was a group of high school boys who drove around
in a 1949 Chevy pickup. These boys were known for their meanness. Occasionally, just to be
mean, they would back their truck up into her flower bed and do some peel-outs. Well everybody
in town knew that this lady had a semi-automatic pistol that her husband had left her. She would
always come out on her porch and wave the pistol at the old truck; this was no deterrent because
everybody also knew she didn't know how to use it.
So one day some of the officers took her out to the city dump and taught her how to load and
shoot the weapon. Nobody knew but her and her helpers. Some time later the boys came
backing up into her flowerbed and she an out and pumped 3 rounds into their tailgate. Needless
to say they never came back.
She had the weapon all the time, but because she had never learned how to use it, she was
constantly plagued.
We need to stand up against the enemy. To do that we need help; God has provided all of the
help we will ever need.
(Ephesians 6:10 NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
might.
(Ephesians 6:11 NKJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
We are to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Strength comes from the Lord. I
might add, be strong always, not just when warfare comes. Whatever the Lord puts before you,
work, play, church, Be Strong, do it will your whole heart, and unto the Lord.
The enemy attacks us in many ways.
1. Emotionally.
a. Fear
b. Despair
c. Anxiety
d. Depression
2. Spiritually
a. Doubt the word of God.
b. Doubt the love of God.
c. Doubt the faithfulness of God.
God has provided for us the armor against these attacks of the enemy. Dress for Success.
During the D-Day Invasion they didn't wear their pajamas, but battle gear. Today too many
Christians are putting on their jammy's and talking about how they feel. This isn't a slumber party
eating cookies and chips, this is war. Satan is at war with Jesus Christ, therefore that means if
our Dad is at war, then we are too. The earth is not a playground but a battle zone, and we have
better be prepared to fight, cause Satan is coming whether we want to fight or not.
(Ephesians 6:12 NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Verse 12 is our intelligence report. Every successful military campaign begins with an intelligence
report on our enemy. We study the enemy, and we know what we are up against. Our enemy is
powerful, experienced (1,000’s of years in the business), and well resourced (spiritual hosts). We
need to realize these forces exist and are against us. Refer back to our study in Ephesians 2:1-7.
Satan is the “prince of this world.” – Jesus even said so Himself.
(John 12:31 KJV) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
(John 12:32 KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
(John 14:30 KJV) Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and
hath nothing in me.
(2 Corinthians 4:3 KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (2 Corinthians 4:4
KJV) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
This is his home, earth is his, for every battle he has home field advantage. If we are to battle him
we cannot battle him here in the flesh, we have to take it into the spiritual realm, for that is where
we are seated (Ephesians 1:3 KJV: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ). He is always trying to
change the focus of the battle with you into the realm of the physical for he knows there he has a
decided advantage. He knows that in the realm of the Spirit, he is already defeated.
(2 Kings 6:8 KJV) Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and
such a place shall be my camp. (2 Kings 6:9 KJV) And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that
thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down. (2 Kings 6:10 KJV) And the king of Israel sent to the
place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. (2 Kings 6:11 KJV)
Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them,
Will ye not show me which of us is for the king of Israel? (2 Kings 6:12 KJV) And one of his servants said, None, my
lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy
bedchamber. (2 Kings 6:13 KJV) And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told
him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. (2 Kings 6:14 KJV) Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great
host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. (2 Kings 6:15 KJV) And when the servant of the man of
God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant
said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? (2 Kings 6:16 KJV) And he answered, Fear not: for they that be
with us are more than they that be with them. (2 Kings 6:17 KJV) And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee,
open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the
mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:18 KJV) And when they came down
to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with
blindness according to the word of Elisha.
(Daniel 10:2 KJV) In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. (Daniel 10:3 KJV) I ate no pleasant bread,
neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (Daniel
10:4 KJV) And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
(Daniel 10:5 KJV) Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were
girded with fine gold of Uphaz: (Daniel 10:6 KJV) His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of
lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his
words like the voice of a multitude. (Daniel 10:7 KJV) And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me
saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. (Daniel 10:8 KJV) Therefore
I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me
into corruption, and I retained no strength. (Daniel 10:9 KJV) Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the
voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. (Daniel 10:10 KJV) And,
behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. (Daniel 10:11 KJV) And he
said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto
thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. (Daniel 10:12 KJV) Then said he
unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten
thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. (Daniel 10:13 KJV) But the prince of
the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help
me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:14 KJV) Now I am come to make thee understand what
shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. (Daniel 10:15 KJV) And when he had spoken
such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
There is the “Father Filter” , only what God allows, can Satan do to us, as told in the story of Job.
Know this, Satan is always probing to see if there are any chinks in your armor. He is constantly
on the attack. He will use any guise or ruse to catch you off guard. Paul refers to the wiles of the
devil. He is cunning, clever and relentless in his attacks.
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood……so anytime we are wrestling with people (flesh and
blood) then we are in the wrong battle. If you are fighting your boss, your spouse, your kids, you
are engaged in the wrong battle.
1 Kings 22:31, King of Syria versus Israel. The king said don't fight against the men, but only the
king. He was saying you take the king down, you take his people down. We defeat Satan in the
spirit realm, then the people he uses against will either go away, or what they do won't get to us.
(Ephesians 6:13 NKJV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Paul may have been sitting next to a Roman Soldier, but this verse was prophesied way before
the Roman Army made such armor:
(Isaiah 59:16 KJV) And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no
intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
(Isaiah 59:17 KJV) For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon
his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a
cloak.
There are Six pieces of Armor and Prayer, that equals seven, and that makes sense to me being
that there are seven days in the week, and there never seems to be an off day when it comes to
spiritual warfare. All through the week, everyday of the week, I will need to call upon Truth,
Righteousness, the Gospel, Faith, Salvation, the Word, and Prayer. Warfare may sound scary,
but you need to know that if you pick-up this armor and put it on, you will not fall. It doesn't matter
who is president, what the economy is, who you are married to, you will not fall.
In order to have a quick memory recall while sharing with believers, or just to remind myself, I
made a little memory jogger for the first letter of each day of the week.
1. Girded Waist – Truth: (Monday – Memorize the Word)
(Ephesians 6:14 NKJV) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on
the breastplate of righteousness,
This is the first thing that a soldier would do before going into battle. He would gird himself. They
wore long robes in those days, which restricted rapid movement. You can imagine how difficult it
would be if you sought to run in the Boston marathon wearing a long robe. Preparing to go to
work or to run, or to fight, one would first gird up his loins. The girdle was a sash that was like a
belt around the waist, and they would pull up the long robe and tie the sash around the waist with
the excess material above the sash, so that the legs are free for movement.
The belt was 6-8 inches wide, and all the other weapons would hang off of it. Truth is what we
hang everything else on. If we don't know the Truth, have no foundation to build off of.
The first thing necessary to prepare you for the spiritual conflict is that you know the truth. I would
say that one of the great weaknesses of the church today is the lack of a strong foundation in the
truth. This is why such things as the so-called Toronto Blessing can sweep through the church
world. It is interesting to me that in all of the spiritual armament Paul says nothing about
experiences. When it comes to the real spiritual battle, the exotic experiences of the past of are
of no value. When the battle gets really heavy it is the truth that will sustain you. Get ready and
prepare yourself for the battle. Gird your loins with truth. Wrap yourself up in the truth. It is so
important that we know the truth concerning Jesus.
The belt was always prepared before the battle. Remember Top Gun and the catapult was broke,
it was going to take 10 minutes to fix, but the Commander said the battle would be over in 2
minutes. Our navy Seals train for years, for what turns out to be a 1 hour mission. We can't wait
for the battle to begin to grab the truth. Your mind will only be able to recall what you memorized.
We have to make Scripture memorization a part of our daily lives, so when Satan comes we the
attacks we can Stand on the Truth. The training manual for the West Point Cadets has in its
beginning pages, "the way you train in peacetime is the way you will fight in wartime."
Psalm 138:2, God says, I have magnified my Word above my name; and that is pretty powerful
considering that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and tongue will confess.
Jeremiah 1:12. God says He watches over His Word so that He might perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12
NKJV) Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word."
Psalm 1:2-3 God says if you mediate on His Word you will prosper. (Psalms 1:1 NKJV) Blessed
is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits
in the seat of the scornful; (Psalms 1:2 NKJV) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His
law he meditates day and night. (Psalms 1:3 NKJV) He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers
of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he
does shall prosper.
2. Breastplate – Righteousness: (Tuesday – Trade Places with Jesus)
(Ephesians 6:14 NKJV) Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on
the breastplate of righteousness,
The Breastplate was bronze metal that covered the vital organs. If the heart is not protected, then
one blow would be instant death. For us to be righteous, we have to trade places with Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21: For He who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might become the
righteousness of Christ.
Righteousness means "Right Standing with God." To be Right with God, we have to receive the
free gift offered through Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. No forgiveness of sin means
we stand alone, and are open prey to Satan.
Once we have accepted and are forgiven, and are right before God, that means we no longer
have to fight alone, we can tag-out and let the Lord battle for us. Our Breastplate is Jesus.
(Romans 13:14 NKJV) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to
fulfill its lusts.
The Duel: Aaron came home from school one day, all banged up, bloodied, and bruised. His
father asked him what on earth had happened. "Well, dad, it's like this," Aaron began. "I
challenged Larry to a duel and you know how that goes...I gave him his choice of weapons." "Uh
huh," said the father. "That seems fair." "I know...but I never thought he'd choose his sister!" ---Chose Jesus as your weapon of choice when you duel Satan.
3. Shod Feet – Gospel: (Wednesday – Witness for Christ)
(Ephesians 6:15 NKJV) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;
Roman Sandals had little hobs on them for sure footing in combat.
15 minutes a day: Some of the best advice I have received is from my evangelism teacher in
bible College. He said no matter what, at the minimum 15 minutes a day. 5 to pray, 5 to read the
Word, and 5 to share the Gospel with someone. Sharing the Gospel verbally with someone
makes the Gospel real, the challenges we encounter draw us closer to the Lord and a deeper
desire to seek him in prayer and the Word so we will be ready for the challenges that come with
witnessing. Sharing the Gospel is a gift from the Lord. Sharing the Gospel gives you strength, it
seems like a paradox considering sharing the Word is warfare with Satan, yet God says this will
make you strong……you will not fail or fall (verse 13). Listen, God's power flows through you
when you reach out for Him and with Him.
(Matthew 16:18 NKJV) "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:19 NKJV) "And I will give
you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
We can set people free from the bondage of sin and death by sharing the gospel with them.
Work it into your daily conversation. You don’t have to give them Roman’s Road, the 4 Spiritual
Laws, just witness the goodness of the Lord to unbelievers. At work today a guy ask me to
sponsor his cancer walk. He told me how he lost his sister to cancer, and how that this year he
would be taking his grandchildren to go. I said how neat, they will ask why are we walking grand
daddy. I said that reminds me of when the children of Israel crossed over the Jordan river into the
Promised Land and how God had them build a rock pile, so that every time they passed their
children would ask why are those rocks there. It just naturally opened the conversation up about
the things of the Lord. Sharing the Gospel is not walking on people, but walking with people.
4. Shield – Faith: (Thursday - Trust in the Lord)
(Ephesians 6:16 NKJV) above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Above all: doesn't mean most important, but "covering you all."
The Shield was the maneuverable part of the armor. It was 4 foot by 2 foot. The enemy would
shoot fiery arrows both at them and over them to come down on them. The soldiers would build
what was called a "tartus". A 27 man group, would have 6 in front and 3 rows of 7. They front 6
would lock their shields side-by-side, and the rest would lock them side-by-side above their heads.
They would run a chariot over them to test them. It was literally and armored tank some 2000
years ago.
The shield would be above all. The fiery darts would bounce off of them, they were protected.
Wicked one: side note, the root of this word wicked is where we get the word pornographic.
Our shield of faith is our firm confidence in the Word of God. If armed with that, nothing can touch
us. Romans 10:17 says , "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." The more
Word we take in, the more faith we will have.
Proverbs 30:5, every word of God is pure, he is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
The shield of faith is also when we have to separate our emotions from the situation. There are
times when even the strongest Christians struggle with doubts, this is when we have to Proverbs
3:5-6 the situation.
(Proverbs 3:5 NKJV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own
understanding; (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your
paths.
When things happen in my life and I can’t understand why they are happening, I always go back
to what I do understand…..and that is that Jesus loves me, and has a plan and future for me.
(Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts
of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
So what do you do when you are fighting lust, gossip, depression, anger, ….? 2 Timothy 2:22
Paul says run from them and follow faith with the brethren. Run from those things and get to the
prayer meeting, Bible Studies, because together we put a covering over us, like the tartus. Friday
night don't stay home alone, not go to the bar, or cruise the cable station….rather go be with the
brethren.
5. Helmet – Salvation: (Friday – Fend-off the Thoughts of the Evil One)
(Ephesians 6:17 NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God;
The Helmet covered the head. When we begin to talk about helmets we are obviously talking
about protecting our minds. One of the places that Satan is continually attacking in this spiritual
warfare is our minds. He seeks to plant evil thoughts. We are exposed on every side
advertisements that are designed to attract our attention by scantily clad women. The billboards,
The newspapers, Especially T.V. Most people during commercials channel surf, it is so easy with
the remote. It is amazing how much filth you come across as you look at the fare that is being
offered on T.V. People today do not have a chance of survival unless they have their minds
protected against the onslaught of the enemies attacks. Have you ever been doing something,
and then out of no where comes this horrible thought? You can be in a church service, prayer
meeting, being intimate with your spouse…then wham, some horrible thought comes…you say
where did that come from..that's Satan.
Paul warned, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap, if we sow to the flesh, we of the flesh shall reap corruption, but if we sow to the spirit,
the we of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.
If we leave our minds unprotected, Satan will fill them with all kinds of filth that will defile us.
Satan also attacks our minds with discouragement. He makes us feel that there is no use trying to
go on, that the Christian life is just to difficult.
The whole spiritual battle is won or lost in our minds. We have to take our thought life into control:
(2 Corinthians 10:3 NKJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
(2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for
pulling down strongholds, (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV) casting down arguments and every high
thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to
the obedience of Christ,
Salvation is in three tenses,
a. I have been saved from the penalty of my sin. Justification.
b. I am being saved from the power of sin. Sanctification.
c. I shall be saved from the presence of sin. Glorification
The helmet of salvation I believe is all three aspects of my salvation, but more specifically to the
third aspect, which is the hope of my salvation. We need to keep the hope of the glorious future
with our Lord in view. When we lose sight of the eternal, Satan can do all kinds of things with our
minds. Any doubts that our salvation isn't secured, if we have no real confidence that we are
saved, then when it comes to facing our foe he will wipe us up. Satan will beat you silly if you take
this off.
(1 Thessalonians 5:8 KJV) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of
faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV) For God hath
not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:10
KJV) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
The Lord is returning for you, lose focus on him returning and everything else gets out of whack.
You will worry about your job, money, and this crazy world. It is the hope of his return that keeps
our life in perspective. Comfort the brethren who are hurting with these words.
6. Sword – Word of God: (Saturday – Study the word of God)
(Ephesians 6:17 NKJV) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God;
The Sword was 24 inches, and had a dual sharpened edge. They were able to take two swings to
every one of the opponents. This isn't the big sword, rather a smaller sword. It was great for
close quarters.
The sword is the only offensive weapon, yet you still can use it as a defensive weapon. As a
defensive weapon it helps keep the enemy at a distance from you. As long as you are swinging
your sword he cannot get too close. We see how that word of God is used as a defensive
weapon against sin. David said, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against
Thee."
The Greek word used here for "word" is rehema, not logos. Logos is the Bible, but rehema is the
exact spoken word of God. We used the Truth of the Bible to defend us against the attacks such
as Satan saying you aren’t saved, God doesn't love you, your past will always keep you down. It
is there that we say, I know I'm saved cause of Ephesians 2:8-10 says I am; I know God loves me
cause of John 3:16 says I am; I know my past is wipe away cause of Hebrews 8:12. We stand on
the Truth as a part of our Defensive Armor.
Now here we use the Word to go on the offense. It is a Word rightly spoken. It is the right word,
at the right time, for the right situation. Look how Jesus used it against Satan. Jesus used the
Word as an offensive weapon in Luke 4, Jesus battles the temptations that Satan puts before Him
for 40 days when in the wilderness, and in each case he answers him with the Word. The enemy
usually attacks in three different areas. The lust of the flesh, The lust of the eye, The pride of life,
Some times in one area, sometimes in all three. In the case of the temptation of Jesus again it
was in all three.
a. Knowing that Jesus was hungry; he suggested that he turn stones into bread. The
lust of the flesh.
b. He showed him all of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. The lust of
the eye.
c. He suggested that he leap from the pinnacle of the Temple so that when He landed
safely, all the people would exalt Him because of His feat. The pride of life.
Note the defense/offense of Jesus against every attack was the word of God.
1. "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God."
2. "It is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve."
3. "It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
What was the resultant???????? Luke 4:13 now when the devil had ended every
temptation, he departed from Him.
Remembered Rome conquered the world. To use the sword took lots of practice. They didn't just
go to war and win, they had to train and practice. We have to learn how to apply this Word. We
already talked about the memory exercise, we can't grab the card catalog during a war, now we
need to know how to use it against the foe.
I have this powerful computer at work. A Pentimium 3, 1000ghz processor with 128mhz Ram.
Loaded on it is MS Project 2000, powerful software that can schedule thousands of tasks
together, all which will make my job easier. In order for me to seize all that power, I had to read
the manual on how to get all this power to work for me…………so it is with the Bible.
Statistics from a poll taken by Life magazine December 1998.
96% of Americans believe there is a God (whether it is Jesus, Budda, Allaha, )
80% believe in an afterlife.
79% say they pray to God.
72% in heaven.
56% in hell.
33% that the Bible is the Word of God.
7. Pray: (Sunday – Slowdown to Pray)
(Ephesians 6:18 NKJV) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being
watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;
Jesus exhorted the disciples to watch and pray. What were they to watch……Jesus! Be looking
for Jesus, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Watching is often associated with the coming of the Lord. This word "perseverance" means to
stay alert, don't doze-off, or get slack.
Jesus spoke parables unto His disciples that men ought always to pray and not to faint (Luke
18:1). The parable was of the unjust judge and the little widow woman that came daily for justice.
The thrust was persistence in prayer.
Prayer is our long-range artillery. If people are too far away, a loved one who moved, kids in
college, missionary in Africa; we can pray for them from a distance.
The way to be strong in the Lord is to wear the armor, the problem is people ask how do I do that
practically. Some people mentally put it on everyday. They say I'm putting on the helmet, the
breastplate…that OK.
But (Romans 13:14 NKJV) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Put on the Lord Jesus.
Each piece of armor is based on the Word. Each piece of armor is Jesus. Jesus is the Word
(John 1:1) Remember the Spirit-filled Christian is the Word-filled Christian, if you want to put-on
the Lord Jesus…be a Word-filled Christian. Each piece of armor is Jesus. He is our Belt, for He
is the Truth, He is our Righteousness, He is the Gospel, he is our Faith, he is our salvation, He is
the Word,
So as you walk with the Lord each day, say Lord walk with me, help me to walk with you. As you
walk the Lord you will find that you are naturally protected. You find yourself thinking right about
things, naturally sharing your faith, having a hope of tomorrow.
Walk with Him, start your day with Him, and then walk through the day with Him.
The Battle is daily, we need to dress appropriately, dress for success:
1. (Monday – Memorize the Word) Girded our Waist with Truth:
2. (Tuesday – Trade Places with Jesus) Put-on the Breastplate of Righteousness:
3. (Wednesday – Witness for Christ) Shod your Feet with the Gospel of Peace:
4. (Thursday - Trust in the Lord) Take up the Shield of Faith:
5. (Friday – Fend-off the Thoughts of the Evil One) Put-on the Helmet of your Salvation:
6. (Saturday – Study the word of God) Wield the Sword of the Word of God:
7. (Sunday – Slowdown to Pray) Pray in the Spirit:
(Ephesians 6:19 NKJV) and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my
mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(Ephesians 6:20 NKJV) for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak
boldly, as I ought to speak.
Can you believe it, Paul is asking for boldness. If you ever feel discouraged in your ministry as if
you are not doing enough, know that you are in good company.
Notice Paul isn't saying please pray for me to be released, no whining, rather he asks for boldness
so he can be about the Father's business. The question really is who is the captive audience,
Paul or the soldiers that have to guard him.
As for us, wherever God has you, then be all there, because obviously that is where He wants
you. If you are bagging grocery's or scrubbing floors, God will use that, if you will let Him.
(Ephesians 6:21 NKJV) But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing,
Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to
you;
(Ephesians 6:22 NKJV) whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know
our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
Paul says I'll send you Tychicus, and he will tell you that I am doing fine, so don't worry about me.
Whether it is the rising of the sun, or the risen Son, tomorrow the sun/Son will be there.
(Psalms 30:5 NKJV) For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure
for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
(Ephesians 6:23 NKJV) Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 6:24 NKJV) Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. Amen.
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given 3 months to
live. As she began getting her things "in order she called her pastor and asked for him to come to
her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted
sung at the service, what scriptures she wanted read, and what dress she wanted to be buried in.
She also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible in her left hand.
Everything was in order and as the pastor was preparing to leave, the woman suddenly
remembered one final request that was very important to her. Please Pastor, just one more
thing", she said excitedly. "Sure, What is it?" came the pastor’s reply. "This is very important to
me," the woman continued....."I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand." The pastor
gazed at the woman, with a loss for words "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. The
pastor replied, "Well to be quite honest, I'm puzzled by the request." The woman explained. "You
see, Pastor, in all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember that when
the dishes were being cleared after the main course, someone would inevitably lean over to me
and say, 'Keep your Fork'... it was my favorite part because I knew that something better was
coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with
substance to end the great meal". The pastor listened intently and a smile came upon his face.
The woman continued, "So, I just want people to see me there in the casket with a fork in my
hand and I want them to wonder....'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your
fork....the best is yet to come." The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the
woman good-bye. He knew that this would be one of the last times that he would see her before
her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of Heaven then he did. She
KNEW and trusted that the best was yet to come.
At the funeral, everyone who walked by the woman's casket saw her wearing a beautiful dress
with her favorite Bible held in her left hand and a fork held in her right hand. Over and over the
pastor heard people ask the question, "Why is she holding a fork?" and his smile began to get
larger and brighter each time. During his message, the pastor told the people about the
conversation that he had with the woman shortly before she died. He explained the fork and what
it symbolized to her. The Pastor told everyone how he could not stop thinking about the fork and
how he hoped that they would not be able to stop thinking about it either. That fork and the
meaning of it to the woman had quite the impact on everyone and they are still sharing the story
with people they meet.