IN CHRIST: Make Much of Jesus

Ephesians 1:1 CSB

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will: To the faithful saints in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.

INTRO—

[[Background slides: (1) Location of Ephesus; (2) Time of Writing for Ephesus]]

Acts 20.18-21 “When they came to him, he said to them, “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and during the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews. You know that I did not hesitate to proclaim anything to you that was profitable and to teach you publicly and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.”

Ephesians 1:1a “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will”

Last Sunday at Arrow Heights Baptist Church, BA…

Pastor Dr. Ryan Smith.

We heard a great message from Psalm 49, especially verse 15

Psalm 49:15 “But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah”

AND this encouragement of challenge for this year…

MAKE MUCH OF JESUS!

IN CHRIST are the Saints [Ephesians 1.1b]

“IN CHRIST” — in my translation (CSB) = 14x in Ephesians…& another 17x when we include “in him, in the Lord, etc.”

SAINTS (Also Colossians 1.2)

The Faithful

Those who have faith in… (John 3.16; Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”)

Those who show faithfulness to… (Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.”)

IN CHRIST…So… [Ephesians 1.2-3]

GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE

Colossians 1:2 “To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

SOOOO…no matter where you are IN CHRIST (in Ephesus, Colossae, Broken Arrow, or Kansas City), Grace to you and Peace!

BLESSED US WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING

[The totality of “every spiritual blessing”…we’ll talk about next week.]

By GRACE alone through FAITH alone in CHRIST alone on the basis of SCRIPTURE alone to the GLORY OF GOD alone.

Psalm 49:15 “But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah”

“Grace to you and peace…every spiritual blessing in the heavens” inspires and enables us—in Christ—to…

M A K E M U C H O F J E S U S !

CONCL—

MAKE MUCH OF JESUS…

He is definitely worthy!

Basically because of who he is.

Also because of what he has done.

An aspect of our worship practice which reminds us of how great and good our Lord is…is the partaking of the Lord’s Supper together…

INVITATION:

Salvation

Renewal (Re-dedication)

Commitment

[Preparation to participate in the Lord’s Supper together.]

THE LORD’S SUPPER:

BODY (Bread)

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

BLOOD (Cup)

1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Ephesians 1:3 CSB

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.