Full of The Spirit
Notes
Transcript
Handout
(S1) — You’ve Got Mail
PRAY
Who still sends handwritten letters...likes receiving them?
…something special about finding a handwritten letter nestled within your pile of bills, spam mail, and coupons.
Things People Love About Receiving Handwritten Mail by Jenna Homen
The joy of receiving—It’s the thought that counts—Its handwritten—The tangible nature of it—Its not a bill
Its so much easier today...text or post a comment—but writing a letter shows thoughtful and caring effort...
(S2) —Series: Church Mail
Paul's Epistles to the churches—13...7 authentic to Paul
His intent was to encourage...correct...inform...clarify doctrine...
Four Prison Letters: Ephesians-Philippians-Colossians (Philemon)
“Paul teaches the churches of Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon to believe that God transcends difficult circumstances, gives life over death, paves the way for reconciliation, and strengthens believers through Christ’s presence”
The letters were hand delivered (sail mail)—His introductions consistent…
— His praise of God: identity as servant of Christ/Naming the recipients/Kind heartwarming Greeting
{1:1-3}
Paul’s Resume Is both impressive and controversial
— Paul was Saul...until he met the risen Christ’…(Acts 9)
— His life transformation; light to the Gentiles, guardian of the faith...
In his letters one can see the evidence of his new life in Christ,
— his conviction of spreading the Gospel to those on the outside of God’s promise to the Jewish people…his willingness to suffer for it!
The main thrust of his message; that they would know the mystery of Christ crucified…and that they were sharers of his glorious riches; their salvation!
(S3) — {3:6}
— By his death and resurrection; Jesus opened the door of salvation for all people who would receive him
His insight divinely given; Paul passes on the administration of God’s grace, he had received, to this Gentile Church
…verses 7-13
But with it came suffering...
“Paul identifies himself as a "prisoner of Christ" to emphasize that his circumstances are a result of his faithfulness to the gospel rather than the ruling authorities. His concern for the Ephesians and the church reflects Christ's love, viewing his suffering as a badge of honor and a sign of God's blessing”
Therefore, these letters are relevant and for to the church today— to encourage...correct...inform...and clarify the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The church needs this more than ever today!
Paul’s Prayer
Today we look at his second prayer…in which he pours out his soul to God; for their sakes
3:1 “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—”
Three sections:
1. Introduction {14-15}—as Paul resumes his thought from verse 1
2. The Prayer itself {16-19}
3. Benediction {20-21}—summation of his theology from ch’s 2-3
His words are penned while in captivity, under house arrest…
When you Pray…
What lead him to pray under such difficult circumstances for the church instead of himself?
— that they would be FILLED with the Holy Spirit
2:22 “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
(S4)—{3:14-15}
In verses 14-15 he clarifies who he is praying to…and who he is praying for…
First we see the posture of his prayer…
Kneeling was unusual: the normal prayer position of Jews was standing. Showing the “intensity of degree to which he was praying.”
— Jesus fell on his face to the ground in the Garden of Gethsemane
— Stephen would do the same in his own martyrdom
While there is no biblical mandate for the posture of our prayer, the degree with which we pray should always be for the will of God over our own.
His prayer is an offering up to God for all people…in three petitions
The first; that they would be...
I. STRENGTHENED by the power of God
I. STRENGTHENED by the power of God
(S5) — {3:16-17A}
...that they would be GIVEN (granted) with the ability (power) to resist the ways they previously walked, in the flesh, to live anew the ways of the Spirit.
{2:1-5}
The same grace given to Paul who previously lived as they did before encountering Christ. Jesus’ dwelling presence manifest in him now by the spirit!
Can one follow Christ without His spirit residing in them?
Lexham Theological Wordbook δύναμις
“New Testament authors portray God’s
There is no true church without the power of the Gospel (God’s word); Jesus’ Spirit as its source, and prayer as it practice!
As Methodists we call this Scriptural Holiness
How were they to receive this call to live as spirit-filled people?
(S6)
First by...
FAITH which opens the door to the heart
FAITH which opens the door to the heart
This power comes from the indwelling of Christ in the person who comes to faith
Ephesians 2:8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”
A door that was closed to the gentiles now opened by faith in Christ. Faith opens the door to the be strong in the face of temptation; of living only by the worlds ways
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
One can only follow Christ with God’s spirit residing in them?
Strength of the people in Burnsville...
Paul’s was a prayer for not their strength but for the strength of Christ in them
His second petition
That they would be...
II. ROOTED in the power of God’s love
II. ROOTED in the power of God’s love
(S7) — {3:17b-18}
The Sprit dwelling in them would reveal the immeasurable gift of God’s grace; the same grace Paul received...
The Message of Ephesians b. Rooted and Grounded in Love
“They need the power of the Spirit’s might and of Christ’s indwelling to enable them to love each other, especially across the deep racial and cultural divide which previously had separated them.”
A church on mission is an act of love; especially when it crosses boundaries...this same power given when Jesus said,
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Spirits presents would draw them not only near to God; but together as the ‘body of Christ’— the church revealing the mystery of God’s love to the world
You don’t need to to N.C. or...to share the love of Christ!
A person who has experienced the length, width, height, and depth of God’s love will be the hands and feet of Christ ‘ the presence of God’s love wherever they are.
How were they to receive and live as spirit-filled people?
(S8)
They would have to...
Grow DEEP in God’s word
Grow DEEP in God’s word
(NLT) 17 I pray that your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
The only way for them to understand the breadth of God’s love is by growing deep roots...in God’s word
— They were not to stay as they were; they were grow deep in Jesus’ words...and Paul's letters...
Paul longed for them to be strengthened in the foundation of Christ’s sacrificial love...that took him to the cross.
— A person who is not deeply rooted in the Word, cannot truly love as Jesus’ loves
John 14:23 “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”
Have trouble loving others? Being loved? Loving your enemies? Grow deep roots in God’s word?
Paul’s Third Petition: that they would be
III. FILLED with the fullness of God
III. FILLED with the fullness of God
(S9) — {3:19}
filled with the fullness of God…is hard for us to imagine; “unbelievable to our natural minds”
Though we cannot contain God’s fullness, we can receive it to the full measure of our capacity and to the degree of our yieldedness. This is what it means to be Spirit-filled or baptized with or in the Spirit: to have a relationship with God that is so yielded to Him that He comes to us and dwells with us in intimacy and power, so that we can experience in life all the things Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would do for believers.
This infilling of LOVE that comes by FAITH and grows deep...leads us to yield to God’s will and let God do what only God can do through you!
Praying with Sheila on Mission/Walt’s $100 donation
The manifestation of God through his spirit is the stewardship of the church so the fullness of God will overflow beyond ourselves
How were they to live as spirit-filled people?
(S10)
...they would have to...
III. REORIENT their life to follow Christ
III. REORIENT their life to follow Christ
{2:11-14}
As Christ dwells in ones heart by faith; is deeply rooted in God’s love; their transformation is a new orientation; a life filled with the fullness of God
2 Corinthians 5:17 “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
They begin everyday and every endeavor filled to the ‘brim with Jesus’
Driving the hilly curvy roads—Focus on Jesus!
This reorienting is not a one-time event, like coming to faith, but a life-filled with the knowledge of God’s presence.
The Message of Ephesians d. Filled up to God’s Fullness
“Paul tells us not only that God’s fullness dwells in Christ, but also that in Christ we ourselves have come to fullness.”
J.W. transformation...
In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.
I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: and an assurance was given me, that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. J.W. Journal May, 14, 1738
This change would reorient not only his life but his preaching...
Paul’s prayer was the same for the church of Ephesus the same for the church today and for you and I.
For this reason...I am a prisoner of Christ Jesus
(S11)
— so that through FAITH our hearts would be opened; STRENGHTNED by the power of God
— so that we would grow DEEP in God’s word; ROOTED in the power of His love
— So that we would reorient our lives, FILLED with the fullness of God in Christ, and follow Jesus
Where are you? What do you need the most right now?
A letter written from the heart of a changed life; so that we would know the mystery of Christ crucified…and that they we, you and I are sharers of his glorious riches; their salvation!
To God be the glory...amen!
Benediction (at end of service)
(S12)
Paul’s Doxology
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
