The New Life, New Walk and New Warfare of the Christian (Part 6)

INTRODUCTION

The letter Paul writes to the Ephesians church and the churches surrounding the Ephesian church is, how to live above the seemingly endless darkness. How to talk the talk the walk the walk.

For those of you just joining us on this journey - The Letter is broken into three major pieces

Who you are in Christ 1-3

How to Walk in Christ 4-5 and half of 6

How to War in Christ 6

Last week we were in Chapter 2 and I called it the Chapter of Contrasts. We stopped on verse 15

from 15-22 I will let you read that on your own .

Paul speaks of Peace - the peace that assures you that your in the right camp. You are of God’s household. You are apart of a much larger community. You have brothers and sisters in every nation on the globe. When they suffer you suffer. When they are blessed so are you.

Gods household is growing - Scripture says it is growing into a Holy Temple a dwelling of God by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus being the chief cornerstone – The foundation block for the church.

Paul says the building is being fit together. Since the building is made of people - You are a very valuable piece to it.. - YOU FIT - You fit into your perfect place. Without you a piece would be missing.

Think about that for a moment.

NOW Consider the Contrast

Jesus wants to build the church and Satan wants to destroy the church. ( that means you)

Here is what is going to happen.

The church is going to rise out of the ashes and be strong and victorious.

Every church is being re calibrated every person transformed. It is rethinking its purpose, it is gaining some inner strength. It is getting out of its comfort zone. we are getting ready for the return of the Lord.

It will remember its store of unsearchable riches that are in Christ Jesus

God wants you to live above the confusion – above the darkness that surrounds you.

He wants you to be able to stand on the mountain top above the challenges and glorify him.

Ephesians 3 ESV

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 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. 8 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, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We Just read Chapter 3 and it is broken up into two main sections

The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed and the Church its Purpose and its Power

This mystery is God bringing to polar opposites together Jew and Gentile - Some of you might have thought husband and wife. He did this by grace.

vs 7 and 8 speak of Gods Grace

I said this on Wednesday - Nothing in you Merits Gods grace – it is a gift.

Paul say it was given to him so he could do something with it. Grace made a Paul world changer.

- It is what you do with the gift that makes all the difference.

In the story of the talents – God gave three people a sum of money. They were to invest it.

What God gives you – you are to invest

One didn’t invest anything but buried it. God was not happy with this person and removed the gift.

The other two had some gain – God was pleased and blessed them.

In verse 8 it says the grace was given to Paul for something – It was to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

In other words he wants you to shine brightly in this world and bless people with the good news.

If you want to have a successful walk with Christ - The first thing you must get settled is the gift given you needs to be spread. God has blessed you so you can bless others.

If you are doing nothing, I guarantee you are complaining about others who are doing something.

Gods has a Plan and it involves US

The plan involves you and me and the person next to you – what is your calling – what are you called to do.

God uses the Church (Lets read verse 10 again)

It is a picture of Gods grace – our unity changes everything

Even in Heaven

1 Corinthians 4:9 ESV

9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

This institution that we call the Church changes everything in Heaven and on Earth.

It doesn’t say he is going to use the Assemblies of God, or Bethel, or the Baptists, or Calvary Chapel, or the Foursquare church or the Vineyard Church or the many Independent churches. No Denomination or Fellowship is going to get the glory on this one. It is individuals moved by the power of the Holy Spirit who will bring great encouragement, courage, and a clear picture of Gods purpose and Character to a world that will soon come under judgement.

Today's Church will be the

promotor of faith - the standard of truth - Gods arms extended

The worlds Universities will be seen as not having the answers

The ivy league schools Princeton- Yale- Harvard are now not known as great places of theology anymore - even if I had the money I would not attend any of there theological Schools. You would be assured of losing your salvation even if you were a Calvinist.

The might make good doctors and lawyers but they don’t make great people.

Christ makes great people

Today's Church will also be the mouthpiece of Hope to a lost world

I am going to Quote Dunman, he says, “ the world may be moving toward chaos, the end may appear to be a riddle wrapped in mystery but not so. The solving clue has been made known in Christ. Redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, moves with divine determination. Nothing on earth or hell can prevail against that impelling impregnable power of God.

Bonhoeffer used Matthew 5:13-16 as his opening scripture in the chapter of the Visible Community.

Let me read it to you

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? ( what does salt do? It brings out the flavor of what the salt is on – You are Gods flavor) Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

The message of the Gospel in NOT to show the world how amazing you are, it is the message of how amazing HE is. - AMEN

CONCLUSION;

3:13 ends with the words “DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED”

It says in the verse earlier you have freedom and confidence.

You might not be confident in this government – im not- but I am confident in Christ

You are also free to worship, nothing in this world can stop you from worshipping God.

Many of you out there are discouraged.

You feel locked up, fed up and have given up.

Paul was imprisoned but very much FREE

2Timothy and Galatians says Don’t be entangled anymore in the cares of this world or the yoke of bondage.

Illustration – Crissy Story Video

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Brought near-Live for Christ- walk with Christ- At home in Christ

Healed, at peace and of a sound mind

God gives you access to Him through the Holy Spirit - AMEN

Gods love is much larger and way more superior than your sin

Conclusion;

When Love is received grace and mercy is at the door

Revelations 21:3 says : 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. NLT

Do you want to walk in newness of life?

Is Your permanent address is in heaven?

Your temporary address is where you are living right now.