7_2_2023 - Ephesians 1:1-2 - God's Desire

(Opening Prayer)

(Sermon Introduction)

Today we begin our new series entitled “Ephesians.”

(Ephesians Context)

Along with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon, Ephesians is one of the so-called “Prison Epistles.”

Paul is writing Ephesians while in prison.

There is debate about which prison Paul is in.

While some believe it was Paul’s two-year stay in Caesarea, or even an unproven Ephesian imprisonment, the weight of evidence seems to come down on the first Roman imprisonment, soon after A.D. 60.

Like Colossians, this letter was carried to the province of Asia by Tychicus (6:21-22).

This explains the similarity of doctrinal content, the same ideas being fresh in the apostle’s mind as he wrote these letters.

The main subject of Ephesians is what Paul calls “the mystery.”

By “mystery” he does not mean something that cannot be explained, but rather a wonderful truth never revealed before but now made known.

This truth, which forms the theme of the book, is the announcement that believing Jews and believing Gentiles are now one in Christ Jesus.

They are fellow members of the church, the Body of Christ.

At the present time they are seated in Christ in heavenly places.

In the future they will share His glory as Head over all things.

The mystery is found in each of Ephesians’ six chapters.

In chapter 1 it is called the mystery of God’s will, and looks forward to the time when all things in heaven and on earth will be headed up in Christ (1:9-10).

Believing Jews (1:11) and believing Gentiles (1:13) will have their share in the glory of that day.

They will reign with Him over the whole universe as His Body and His fullness (1:22-23).

Chapter 2 describes the process by which Jews and Gentiles are saved by the grace of God; how they are reconciled to God and to one another; how, in union with Christ, they become one new man; and how they form a holy temple in which God dwells by His Spirit.

Chapter 3 gives the most complete explanation of the mystery.

There it is spoken of as the mystery of “the Christ” (3:4), meaning Christ, the Head, and all believers, His Body.

In this Body, believing Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members, and fellow partakers of God’s promise (3:6).

Chapter 4 emphasizes the unity of the Body and God’s plan for its growth to maturity (4:1–16).

In chapter 5, the mystery is called Christ and the church (5:32).

The relationship between Christ and the church is the pattern for the relationship between a believing husband and wife.

Finally, in chapter 6, Paul speaks of the mystery of the gospel, for which he was an ambassador in chains (6:19-20).

Try to imagine the impact of this news on the Gentile believers to whom it was sent.

Not only were they saved by grace through faith, the same as the Jews, but for the first time they occupied a place of equal privilege with them.

They were in no way inferior as far as their standing before God was concerned.

And they were destined to be enthroned with Christ as His Body and His Bride, sharing the glory of His universal reign.

Another important theme of Ephesians is love (Greek, agapē, the love expressed through the will).

Paul starts and ends his Epistle with this concept (1:4; 6:24), and uses the verb and noun more in Ephesians than anywhere else in his Letters.

This may show the Holy Spirit’s foreknowledge, because while thirty years in the future the large and active congregation of Ephesus would still be obeying the command to fight false doctrine, our Lord tells them in Revelation that He held it against them that they had left their first love (Rev. 2:4).

(Context: Paul and Ephesus)

On Paul’s second missionary journey he planted the church of Ephesus (Acts 18:19).

After planting the church of Ephesus, Paul continued on his way, leaving Priscilla (Prisca) and Aquila to pastor the church.

A man named Apollos came to Ephesus and preached powerfully, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and “taught him more accurately” (Acts 18:24-28).

Later on, they would send Apollos to Corinth where Paul had been to pastor the church there.

Priscilla and Aquila would continue pastoring the church until Paul arrived on his third missionary journey..

On his third missionary journey Paul stayed in Ephesus three years (Acts 20:31).

In Acts 19 we see the ministry of Paul in Ephesus and the amazing things that happened there.

Paul led some believers who had not yet received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1–7).

Paul spent three months discussing Jesus in the Synagogue (Acts 19:8-9).

He had discussions in the hall of Tyrannus (19:9–10).

Unusual miracles occurred (19:11–12), strange events took place (19:13–16), sorcerers were converted (19:17–20), and the city rioted over silversmith Demetrius’ loss of business because of people who turned to Christ from worshiping the great Ephesian goddess Artemis (19:23–41).

On Paul’s return to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey he gave a moving farewell address to the Ephesian elders/pastors at the coastal town of Miletus (20:13–35).

That was his last time to see them (20:36–38), unless Paul visited Ephesus after he was in Rome (1 Tim. 1:3; 3:14).

Paul stayed in Ephesus longer than anywhere else.

He pastored the church for 3 years.

Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus.

Paul finishes his third missionary journey and stops in Ephesus to say goodbye as he made his way to Jerusalem and ultimately to prison in Rome where he is writing this letter to them.

Here is how he begins his letter to the church of Ephesus:

Ephesians 1:1–2 (ESV)

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:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Sermon Title: The Will of God)

The title of the sermon today is: God’s Desire.

(Sermon Idea Introduction)

Before we jump in to what is meant by “God’s Desire” I want define what Paul means by “apostle,” what a basic understanding of the “will” of God looks like, and what it means to be a “saint.”

(Apostle Context & Defintion)

Paul describes himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus.

What is an apostle?

Apostle — Apŏstŏlŏs — ἀπόστολος

G652. From 649; a delegate; spec. an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ — apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

G649. ἀποστέλλω apŏstĕllō, ap-os-tel´ set apart, i.e. (by impl.) to send out (prop. on a mission) lit. or fig.:— put in, send (away, forth, out).

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words G652 and G649.

An apostle was “one who was sent.”

Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

This means he was commissioned by the ascended Lord to perform a special mission.

That mission was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and to teach the great truth concerning the church (3:8, 9).

It was not a mark of pride to acknowledge himself as an apostle; rather it was an explanation of how he could speak with authority on the subject.

(Apostles Today Context)

This obviously brings up the question of whether apostles are for today or not.

In function, the work of the church planting missionary, planting churches, and preaching the gospel where it has not yet been is in alignment with the function and work of an apostle.

The Apostle Paul echoes this function when he says,

Romans 15:20 (ESV)

20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,

However, there is a difference between the function/work of apostles and the office/authority of an apostle.

The Apostle role as seen in the authority and leadership of the original 13 apostles is no longer in valid or needed.

For more information on our AG position on Apostles as well as other positions we hold as an Assemblies of God church you can visit the “What We Believe” link on our Church App or stop by the office to grab a hard copy of our AG Resources.

We believe to say that there are no more “sent ones” who establish the gospel to the far reaches of the world where Christ has not been named or known is preposterous.

The missionary work that was depicted by the apostles is active and encouraged.

This same missionary spirit was at the heart of the early church and the Pentecostal movement of the early 1900s.

In 1914, at the Assemblies of God General Council of November 1914, the Assemblies of God delegates approved a resolution to achieve “the greatest evangelism that the world has ever seen.”

Today we still believe that the reason we exist is for the desire of God that the world would hear the gospel and become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Let’s look at the second term to be defined.

(Will of God Context & Definition)

What is the Will of God?

Will — thĕlēma — θέλημα

G2307. θέλημα thĕlēma, thel´-ay-mah; from the prol. form of 2309; a determination (prop. the thing), i.e. (act.) choice (spec. purpose, decree; abstr. volition) or (pass.) inclination:— desire, pleasure, will.

G2309. θέλω thĕlō, thel´-o; or ἐθέλω ĕthĕlō, eth-el´-o; choose or prefer (lit. or fig.); by impl. to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adv. gladly); to delight in:— desire, be disposed.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words G2307 and G2309.

Another way of understanding the “will” of God is understanding that it is the “desire” of God.

Paul shows the source of his authority with these words, “by the will of God” (Eph. 1:1).

Paul did not choose his work as an occupation.

And no men appointed him to it.

It was a divine call from beginning to end.

Galatians 1:1 (ESV)

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

(The Calling as Identity)

Often in ministry I have been told, “being a pastor is not your identity.”

I have to say that I don’t believe that is biblical.

Reading the words of Paul, he uses definite language to confirm that he “is” an apostle by the work of Christ Jesus.

Jesus calls us into His service and transforms us to do His work.

He doesn’t unmake us.

He forms us to do His work.

(Pastor Alan Warneke Example)

Many of you know Pastor Alan Warneke.

He is an amazing pastor.

He doesn’t serve as a pastor anymore.

But if you sit down with him for coffee or a meal, it doesn’t take very long before you realize that he is pastoring you.

Why?

Because no matter how hard he may try NOT to pastor, he can’t help it.

He is a pastor.

Christ made Pastor Alan to do the work.

No matter where Pastor Alan is, no matter what his role is, he will always be who God has created Him to be and will naturally do what God has molded him to do.

Where and how he does it may change, but you can’t unwire what God has wired.

(Saint Context & Defintion)

Paul is writing to the “saints” at Ephesus.

What is a saint?

Saints — hagiŏs — ἅγιος

G40. sacred (phys. pure, mor. blameless or religious, cer. consecrated):— (most) holy (one, thing).

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words G40.

(The Calling of the Saints)

Now what does that mean for those who are not called to lead in the church?

Paul speaks at length in 1 Corinthians 12-14 how the body is to serve the Lord together.

Each person has a role within the body.

Paul understood that the commission of Jesus looks different for every believer.

Paul was called to do the work of the apostle.

He was called to the missionary work that was laid before him.

Listen to how he describes it the Ephesian church the last time he saw them:

Acts 20:24 (ESV)

24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul recognized that each of us has been given a task by “The Will of God.”

Paul understood that the Desire of God leads us to accomplish His mission.

As he opens his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wants for them to know the desire of God.

It is vital that we understand what God wants.

It is important that we yield to the desire of God.

Those who are not saints, cannot fulfill the desire of God.

I have identified three ways that God’s Desire impacts our lives.

1. It Is God’s Desire to Commission Us

Everyone in Christ is called to “go,” Matthew 28:19-20 tells us to:

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

(Great Commission or the Great Commandment?)

Several months ago at our Annual Montana Network Council I was challenged during one of our workshops by a discussion about the mission of local churches.

During the workshop Tyler, one of the presenters said, “many churches unknowingly cause an internally focused culture because they have focused on the wrong mission.”

He went on, “well-meaning churches declare openly their desire to accomplish the great commandment but not the great commission.”

At this point I am intrigued and recognized that we what he was about to say was going to open my eyes to a question I have always had.

“Why do churches become so internally-focused?”

What Tyler didn’t know is that as a team over the last year as we have been “digging up the DNA of Central,” in an effort to answer a series of questions.

What is our mission?

How are we called to accomplish the mission?

What is the path we are called walk to accomplish the mission?

What kind of people are we to be while we are accomplishing the mission?

We had begun to put the pieces together but I felt uneasy about our answers to those questions.

That is when Tyler’s words, that I believe were straight from the Holy Spirit to my heart were this:

“Too many churches have made the Great Commandment the Great Commission and have left the Great Commission standing outside the door of the Church in the rain.”

“We have removed the Great Commission and substituted the Great Commandment in its place, and Jesus is not happy about it.”

When Tyler said those words, the Holy Spirit began dealing with me the whole way home.

I couldn’t shake the truth of what he had said.

When I arrived home and I began asking my team about it, the Lord confirmed to me once again that what I had heard at Council was from the Lord.

It is clear in Central’s DNA that the Great Commission is the reason we exist.

Our success in the mission of God revolves around our commitment to the true mission of God: The Great Commission.

The Great Commandment is a by-product of doing the Great Commission.

The Great Commission is the goal, the Great Commandment is a by-product.

Our aim cannot be the by-product but the goal.

(Central’s Mission)

It has been a long journey of discovery as a church from the time I arrived in February of 2022.

For many of you, you have been waiting a long time to hear where we are going.

I am excited to tell you that as a Leadership Team we are in unity and agreement on the direction that God has wired us to go.

As a leadership team of pastors and deacons, as well as ministry team members, we understand that the mission of Central is BUILDING THE KINGDOM ONE DISCIPLE AT A TIME.

Everything we do, the decisions we make, the reason we gather, the property we steward, in the way we give, it is all for the mission of BUILDING THE KINGDOM ONE DISCIPLE AT A TIME.

Acknowledging the tension that happens when we shift our energy and focus from being a Great Commandment church to being a Great Commission church is important.

This is a shift of mindset from me-focused to others-focused.

It is a shift from gathering together for my sake, to gathering together for the sake of someone else.

Over the next several months leading into 2024 you are going to be hearing of the ways that we are going to be putting the mission first at Central.

Keep your eyes and ears open!

Because It Is God’s Desire to Commission Us!

2. It Is God’s Desire to Call Us

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing (desiring - connected to same word) that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (same word).

2 Timothy 1:8–12 (ESV)

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,

12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

1 Peter 5:8–10 (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

(Instrumental)

(Instrumental Music)

3. It Is God’s Desire to Change Us

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 (ESV)

1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Colossians 1:9–10 (ESV)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

(Sermon Recap)

God’s Desire:

It Is God’s Desire To Commission Us

It Is God’s Desire To Call Us

It Is God’s Desire To Change Us

(Challenge)

(Closing Blessing)

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.

26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

(Response Card)

(Response)

(Invite Prayer Team)