Paul

Good morning, welcome to NHCC, please open your Bibles to Ephesians 1.

Thoughts on baptism.

Acts 2:37-39- Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

We are a people of proclamation- proclaim the gospel with our words, proclaim it with our lives, with our actions, with the ordinances of the church.

Ricky will proclaim the gospel to each of us this morning, reminding those who are saved of how they were saved, and setting the example for those who are not.

Have questions? Ask them. But repent and be baptized every one of you.

New sermon series- Blessed Be, first 14 verses of Ephesians 1.

Read Ephesians 1:1-14.

Pray.

A bit like CIY believe.

It’s necessary to isolate the pieces of what is being said.

Ten weeks on this glorious introduction to Paul’s letter before we begin moving a bit more quickly.

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

Ephesians- a letter written from someone to someone.

Written within a historical context, into a societal situation, to a church that faced many pressures

How did Paul view himself? How would his original audience have received him? How might we receive his writings today?

1. What is apostleship?

What is Paul claiming in proclaiming himself to be an apostle of Jesus?

Everything relates back to Jesus.

Doctrine and Practice in the two halves of Ephesians.

Paul considers himself to be in some way among the 12.

1 Corinthians 15:7-8- Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Had already identified himself as an apostle in the introduction.

So how have the 12 set the example of what apostleship is? How is Paul understanding his identification as an apostle?

Mark 3:13-15- And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Apostleship recognizes three key components to one’s spiritual life- One is saved by Jesus, Sent by Jesus and Sent for Jesus.

Saved by Jesus.

They came to Him.

Consider the calling of Jesus. Not a mere yell for someone. This is the effectual calling of God. It accomplishes its goal.

Acts 2:38-39- And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Romans 8:29-30- For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Notice the certainty. Work backwards. If you are promised to be glorified, then you have been justified. If you were justified, then you’ve been called.

Here is the calling of God, illustrated in Jesus’ calling of his disciples. Paul understood such a calling. His salvation rested on God’s grace alone.

1 Corinthians 15:10- But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Sent by Jesus.

He might send them out.

Galatians 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...

Paul has not been commissioned by his own whims, or by the whims of any man or woman, but by Jesus Christ, according to the will of God.

He is sent with the authority of Jesus, in the same way that the 12 were sent with the authority of Jesus.

Sent for Jesus.

Preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Colossians 1:15-16- He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Paul understands that everything is working toward the chief aim of the glory of God in Christ, his desire is to see that for his own life and apostleship.

Ephesians 3:7-8- Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

In all that Paul is doing, Jesus will be his aim.

Saved by Jesus, sent by Jesus, sent for Jesus.

2. How is Paul impacted by his own apostleship?

Paul is changed, he is not his own.

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

Life changed for Paul as a result of his salvation. And it changed as a result of his apostleship.

The story of Acts 19.

Ridding themselves of idols and false worship.

Acts 19:30- But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him.

Bryan Chappell- “We do not doubt the confidence of Paul, who looked at a mob breathing for his blood as a providentially gathered congregation.”

Paul’s life was shaped by the gospel. He was a slave to righteousness. He could not shake it.

Romans 6:17-18- But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

He was defined by his relationship with Jesus, His being set apart for the ministry of Jesus, His being sent by Jesus.

But that’s Paul. Are we capable of such things?

3. How are we impacted by Paul’s apostleship?

Of what benefit to us is the Paul’s apostleship?

First, we see the example before us.

Jesus was about God’s Kingdom, Paul followed closely behind.

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1- So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Second, we are reminded that we share in Paul’s apostleship.

Paul was saved by Jesus, sent by Jesus, and sent for Jesus. Is not your story the same?

This is why it’s so important to grasp the grace of God, in our salvation and our calling and sending.

If we rest in our own strength or goodness, then we will look at Paul and say I don’t have enough of it.

But Paul never rested on his own power or authority. He rested on the same grace that each of us has received.

Imagine with me for a moment. Cast out your vision with me. Imagine a church of filled with people who, like Paul, are saved by Jesus, sent by Jesus and sent for Jesus.

Who are slaves to righteousness, cannot shake their calling, cannot wander off from Jesus and His Spirit.

Who see the world around them as an opportunity for the gospel.

Where is your mission field? Where are you taking the gospel? With whom are you sharing the beauty and necessity of the cross of Jesus Christ?

We are all called and sent by Jesus. Called to a life of selfless service. Will you see the need that surrounds you? How will you be shaped by Paul’s apostleship?