Living Power

Introduction

Country music singer Billy Currington had a hit song titled “People are Crazy” . Can I get an AMEN!

It’s funny, we all think other people are crazy...whilst being totally unaware of our own craziness.

But I digress…in the song...Billy tells the story of a man who bellies up to a bar and sits and talks with an older stranger over some beers. One line says, “We talked about God's grace...and all the hell we raised...Then I heard the ol' man say… "God is great, beer is good and people are crazy" (the song’s chorus).

While those three things may be true…God is great...is certainly in the proper first position...

The song’s twist comes when the old man died...and left his fortune or inheritance to… “some guy he barely knew” … “his kids were mad as heck....me...I’m doing well.” “God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.”

The old man left his inheritance to some stranger he met and had heart to heart with one day. What a shock that must have been to that man. It’s like winning the lottery! Instantly...your life is changed! Cool story...but it is just a song.

There are greater inheritances to receive.

Today’s Reading

Inheritance has a huge meaning in today’s reading from Ephesians 1:15-23. In Ephesians 1:18

Ephesians 1:17–18 ESV

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

If we were in that old bar from that country song...this is where the record in the juke box would skip to a halt. Did you hear that?!?

“what are the riches of his (God’s) glorious inheritance in the saints.”

Who’s inheritance? Not ours...God’s.

What is inherited? Us. You and me. Believers in Jesus as Lord and savior...his church.

The Bible is clear in both the Old and New Testaments that not only do God’s people receive and inheritance from God (namely God himself, eternal life, salvation, etc.)...but we...God’s people...are God’s most treasured and precious inheritance.

That is more shocking to me...than the country singer...receiving a million-dollar inheritance from a stranger.

Why is that shocking? Because I know I’m sinner...I mean...I’m no inheritance...Let’s face it...be honest now...would you rather have 1 billion dollars...or me? Why is that so funny?

But God would choose me. God would choose you! As mind blowing as it is...God’s loves his people and views us as his own...claimed...secured...and treasured. That has massive implications in our everyday lived theology or understanding of God.

Compare

Like last week...vv.3-14 I told you was one sentence in Greek. Laying the groundwork of Paul’s argument for the rest of the letter...that God’s playbook of the plan of salvation is undefeated...ground in God in Christ in the Holy Spirit...and has been from the foundation of the world.

Paul is saying...God’s plan is sure...and it has implications for how we live our lives as Christian...and in our understanding and relationship with God.

vv. 3-14 is one big run-on sentence in Greek...well guess what...so are vv. 15-23.

vv. 3-14 were a benediction (song of praise)

vv. 15-23 (our reading this morning) is Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving to God and request that God open eyes of their hearts (v. 18) of his people to understand God’s sovereignty and the majestic nature of God’s work of salvation in Christ.

Paul is saying… “listen y’all...God’s power and plan brought you to faith...God’s power and plan are sustaining you in Christ...and because you have been transformed by God’s grace…you yourselves are His inheritance.

Implications

Do you know what that means for you? For Christ’s church at BPC?

We like to say “Oh, I’m only one person what difference can I make? ” Or “We are such a small congregation, what can we do? We’re have no money to do great things for God. We may not survive as a church in our prsent form...long term.”

Your worth...the worth of BPC...is not measured by what we possess...but by who possess us!

This God...who playbook of salvation is eternal undefeated...who claimed you and me in Christ...we are HIS inheritance...His resources are limitless.

How many times...in the Bible did God work through one person? Or make his point with a donkey...or a great fish?

What is God’s response to the excuses people give him? Not that we are enough...but that He is enough.

God’s power...in and through Christ...is in us...it is a living power. 1 Peter 2:4-6

1 Peter 2:4–6 LEB

to whom you are drawing near, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in the sight of God. And you yourselves, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Closing

In this prayer...Paul wants to make sure the believers in Ephesus...and all Christians throughout the ages...understand this living power of God is ours.

Ephesians 1:19–23 ESV

(Paul wants us to understand)... the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

You are not a failure as a Christian...churches that close or have to change how they do things...are not failures as God’s people...we are God’s inheritance in this place...in every place we go.

You...BPC...we are not disposable...we are treasured. God has chosen us in Christ. And if we are God’s inheritance in Christ...than that means there is a meaningful future for his people.

What are we to do?

Be faithful to scripture and Christ’s commandments.

Embrace and accept God’s plan of salvation (whether we like it or not)

And embrace the fact that we are loved and treasured...even delighted in by God...as his inheritance.

Never or no longer...question your value to God or this church’s value to God...the one calls us...equips us for ever good work we are asked to do.

In this letter...Paul is not asking the church to change their ways...but he prays that they perceive their value to God just as they are through faith in Christ.

I pray the same for you and me. Thanks be to God...AMEN.