Rooted In Your Wealth 10

The Foundation Of Our Wealth

Text: Ephesians 2:19-22

Introduction

When J. Wilbur Chapman was in London, he had an opportunity to meet General Booth, who at that time was past eighty years of age. Dr. Chapman listened reverently as the old general spoke of the trials and the conflicts and the victories. Then the American evangelist asked the general if he would disclose his secret for success.

“He hesitated a second,” Dr. Chapman said, “and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks, and then he said, ‘I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with the poor of London, I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.’”

Dr. Chapman said he went away from that meeting with General Booth knowing that, “the greatness of a man’s power is the measure of surrender.”

1) The Unity Of Our Citizenship

A. Jesus changed where you live

(v19) “Now therefore”

Here are the words which described their pre-conversion as well as yours.

Uncircumcision

Without Christ

Strangers to God’s covenants

Without hope

Without God

(v13) “But now in Christ”

Brought near

Peace

Reconciled

By the power of Jesus’ blood, He has NOT recreated you into a Jew or a Gentile, but something BRAND NEW!

B. Jesus has changed with WHOM you live

“fellow citizens” & “saints and members of the household of God.”

This citizenship is not marked by color, race or ethnicity. It is marked by being born again.

Jesus was not interested in isolated individuals, but rather a collection of people who believe in Him.

The humanism paradigm = “It’s my life and I will do as I please.”

“Community” is how God intends for you to live our your faith.

1 Timothy 5:1-2 “1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.”

Oh how important the local church is!!!

More important than any school, work or club.

Apart from it, you are not following the New Testament pattern.

Connection of the saints in a local body is assumed in the New Testament.

You need edifying from others and the oversight of a Pastor.

It is a privilege of God’s grace.

2) The Strength Of Our Citizenship

A. Built on a solid foundation

Paul pictures the church as a temple.

Both Jews and Gentiles understood this language.

Jews — temple at Jerusalem

Gentiles — temple of Diana

Each and every believer is a LIVING STONE — 1 Peter 2:4-8 “4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

Notice the construction process:

First — the foundation material was provided (not the apostles)

Second — the trowel placed in the apostles’ hands.

THEME VERSE — Col. 2:7 “7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

1 Cor. 3:9-11 “9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

If this NEW TEMPLE is going to work, it must be built upon this particular foundation.

It must start here and remain here!!

Our unity should never rest on the preacher’s style, the style of music or the many programs we have.

It all must rest on Jesus!

1 Tim. 3:15 “15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Jesus the cornerstone gives the building proper SECURITY & ALIGNMENT.

What does being “built on Jesus” actually mean?

First — “the faith”

Second — our great commission

Third — looking like Jesus

Father’s will as first priority

Showing grace and mercy

Fourth — all in light of His return & judgement

B. Being built for a purpose

First — HOLINESS

This is to come from the saints COLLECTIVELY.

Notice the construction language; “fitted together.”

Jesus lays you like a brick/block. However you are not a brick/bock…You are ALIVE; MADE ALIVE.

Q — How does a church present itself holy?

First — Jesus must be the connector

(v21) “in whom” — raw material must be connected by something outside itself.

Jesus is how the church grows and is held together!

(v21) “whole building” — Jesus said, “I will build my church.” (look to Him to build it all)

(v21) “fitted together” — A continual work of holiness

We should never stop looking in the mirror of God’s Word.

Never stop conforming

God’s saving grace was a gift to free you to be holy.

You were created with the capacity to be holy.

Quote: “We are being made holy from the inside out by progressive sanctification. Amazingly, we are now able to live by the hight and holy standard relfected in the Law of God. With a new Spirit-filled mind, with an unshakeable promise of resurrection life, and with the power to overcome sin, we can reflect the holiness of Christ in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.” — Jerry Wragg & Paul Shirley

Second — Growth naturally occurs

If the whole is not growing in holiness, that means the “lively stones” are losing the proper shape.

Q — Do you remember experiencing growing pains as a kid?

Discomforting but beneficial.

Your new man see the benefit, but your flesh focuses on the pain.

Second — Dwelling of the Holy Spirit

“being built” — when construction is complete, Jesus will return!

You have become the habitation of God through His Spirit.

1 Cor. 3:16 “16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

If the Holy Spirit’s habitation begin individually and extends corporately, OH how we must yield to Him in our daily living.

Division corporately always begins with sin on the individual level.

Ephesians 4:30 “30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”