Breaking Down Walls - Part 2

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My name is Pastor Doc, and I will be sharing the Word of God with you today.

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Sermon Bumper Video

Title of the message this Morning

Breaking Down Walls

Main idea:

God is working everyday to unite all things in heaven and earth under the leadership of Christ, bringing us together as adopted sons and daughters into one family.

This love of God surpasses knowledge.

The church’s approach to the world is not an “Us versus Them” but instead an “Us for Them.”

The church that looks like Jesus breaks down walls and wins others through love and courage.

Prayer:

“Lord, the world is deeply divided and hostile.

There are walls and barriers separating children from parents, husbands from wives, brothers from sisters, and believers from believers.

Help us break down those walls.

Help us to live with love and courage.

We long for your kingdom to come, where all things in heaven and earth unite together under the leadership of Jesus.

Bring your kingdom.

Bring your love.

Give us your courage.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14, 3:19

(All scripture is taken from the NIV unless otherwise noted)

Introduction

Hello church!

We’re starting in the book of Ephesians today and we’re going to learn important things about the eternal character of God.

The book of Ephesians is found in the New Testament and its authorship is attributed to the apostle Paul.

Two big ideas are found in Ephesians.

First, Paul teaches us that God’s love is so “high and wide and long and deep,” that it “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19).

God’s love is infinite.

It cannot be fully understood with human reasoning nor fully explained with human language.

Instead, God’s transformative and all-encompassing love is meant to be experienced in both personal and communal ways.

God’s love is less a piece of doctrine to understand and more something to encounter together that heals us and sets us free.

The second big idea is that God, in His love, is going to bring “all things in heaven and earth together under Christ” (1:10).

God’s math is different than our math.

As humans, we are really good at division.

We are a divided people.

We have Protestants and Catholics, Republicans and Democrats, atheists and Christians, Jews and Muslims, gay and straight, etc. etc. etc.

We divide ourselves into different tribes and go to war with one another.

We see this everywhere, all the time, especially now in the United States as we are in another election season. Everyone is divided.

What the book of Ephesians teaches us is that, even amidst all of this division, God is going to unify us — all of us! — one day under Christ.

This is really good news.

God is going to break down the petty walls that divide us.

Those are the two big ideas.

Let’s go to our reading.

Main Teaching

In many ways the opening chapter of Ephesians follows the structure of typical letter-writing in the Roman world.

There’s a salutation from the sender to the recipients, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus…to God’s holy people in Ephesus” (1:1).

This is followed by a typical greeting.

Here Paul writes, “Grace and peace to you” (1:2).

And then in the Roman world the letter would include a section of thanksgiving and prayer. Verses 3-14 would fit into this category.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (1:3-8)

Identity check! God sees us as sons and daughters

There are many things that stand out in verses 3-8, but the one I want to focus on today is that God, in His love, predestined us to be adopted as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.

God has adopted you into His family.

You are his child.

We are his children.

Why did God do this?

Ephesians says He did this “in love.”

God’s adopting you has very little to do with you and very much to do with Him.

God’s core nature is self-giving love, and one of the best ways God could express this love is to adopt you and me into his family.

God sees you as a son or daughter.

He does not see you as a servant.

He does not see you as a sinner (although a sinner you surely are!).

He does not see you as a failure, nor as a disappointment.

He does not see you in your self-created identity as a teacher, realtor, homemaker, administrator, manager, entrepreneur, etc.

He does not see you according to your job.

You may get your identity from your work, but God does not see you that way.

God sees you as his son or as his daughter.

End of story.

Sons and daughters, not orphans

If you are a son or daughter, guess what? That means you are not an orphan.

You are not alone because you’re adopted and have a Father in heaven who will provide for you.

Orphans are vulnerable in two ways: they lack provision and they lack protection.

If you do not walk in an identity of sonship (or daughter-ship), you may walk in an “orphan spirit.”

This means you carry the same concerns that orphans carry.

The orphan spirit worries about provision.

But if you walk in an identity as a son or daughter, these verses become real to you:

• Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

• Matthew 6:31-33: "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

• 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

• Psalm 34:10: "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.”

• James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

The orphan spirit worries about protection.

But as you learn to walk in an identity as a son or daughter, these verses become real in your life:

• Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

• Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

• Psalm 91:4: "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

• Psalm 121:7-8: "The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

• 2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

You are not an orphan!

God’s plan is unity under Christ

Let’s continue reading through our passage today.

Paul continues:

“With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:9-10)

Have you ever wondered what God’s will is?

Have you ever wondered, “What is God doing?”

Paul gives us a direct answer in these two beautiful verses.

God is bringing all things in heaven and on earth together under Christ.

God’s math is different from ours.

God does not do division!

In fact, God can’t stand division.

Here are other scriptures that show how seriously God takes division:

• 1 Corinthians 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."

• Ephesians 4:3: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

• Proverbs 6:16-19: "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue…and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."

• John 17:20-23: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

• Romans 16:17: "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."

God’s plan is to bring everything in heaven and on earth under the lordship and leadership of Christ.

You know that foul-mouth boss of yours?

God’s plan is to bring him under the loving leadership of Jesus Christ.

You know that gossipy friend who always talks behind your back?

Yes, God is working to bring them under the loving leadership of Jesus Christ.

And that child of yours who has walked away from the Lord?

They left the church and no longer follow Jesus?

Do not lose heart. God is working in ways you cannot see to bring them back under the loving leadership of His son Jesus Christ.

God is at work, maybe we should be at work, too.

I’d like to suggest a new mindset for us as a church.

Since God’s love is so all-encompassing and transformative, maybe we can adopt a new mindset that honors God’s intentions.

Many of us have a mindset of “Us versus Them.”

An Us versus Them mindset is when we see ourselves as part of one group while viewing others as completely separate and inferior or as an enemy.

The Us versus Them mindset creates division, conflict, and competition.

On the other hand, an “Us for Them" mindset is about seeing all people as created in the image of God and worthy of love and forgiveness.

Many people who are annoying, hurtful, dangerous, or rude simply don’t know that they have a Father in heaven ready to adopt them as their son or daughter.

An Us for Them mindset causes us to share God’s transformative and all-encompassing love with them, consistently, over time, even when it hurts.

We are for them and not against them, regardless of how they treat us in return.

God does not have an Us versus Them mentality.

God is for them, not against them.

Romans 8:31says,

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

God’s plan is to bring all things in heaven and on earth under the loving leadership of Jesus.

We can partner with God with an Us for Them approach to loving others around us.

Faith Vision are we more about “Us versus Them” or “Us for Them”?

You have been given the Holy Spirit

Let’s go to the last few verses in our passage.

Paul writes,

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-14)

You have been given the Holy Spirit!

Ephesians says it right here.

Paul describes the Holy Spirit as a downpayment, a deposit in your life which guarantees your inheritance as a son and daughter of God.

I’d like to say two things about the Holy Spirit in your life.

First, the Holy Spirit is not a feeling.

If you don’t feel the Holy Spirit, that doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit is not there.

It’s okay to not feel anything, because the Holy Spirit is not a feeling.

Can you feel your liver right now?

How about your gallbladder?

You probably can’t feel either one of them, but they are there inside of you!

• The Holy Spirit is not a feeling or abstract force, but a distinctive Person abiding within you!

The Holy Spirit provides a constant presence and connection with God the Father and Jesus the Son.

This presence within you helps guide, comfort, and support you.

• The Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us of Jesus’ teachings, guiding us in truth, and helping us to understand and apply God’s word.

• The Holy Spirit empowers you to live out your faith, giving you strength to overcome challenges, resist temptation and witness to others about the love of God found in Jesus Christ.

• The Holy Spirit gives various spiritual gifts, enabling you to serve the church and those in your life effectively and fruitfully.

• The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, helping us recognize our need to repent and lead us back into the loving arms of the Father who adopted us.

• The Holy Spirit is an active presence in your life, working in all sorts of ways to fulfill God's purposes.

Sometimes the experience of the Holy Spirit will elicit feelings of peace, joy, or conviction, but remember the Holy Spirit is much more than just a feeling—it's a vital, living part of our relationship with God.

Second, you have not been given a “demo” version of the Holy Spirit with limited capabilities and partial functionalities.

You have been given the full version!

You have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within you that you can access right now and draw upon.

The way we walk in the Spirit is by faith and not by feeling.

We read the Biblical truths and then we walk in them regardless of how we feel.

When we walk in the Spirit, the things Jesus did then He will do now in our lives.

Walking in the Spirit means walking by faith, in courage, and with great love and humility.

Let the Holy Spirit lead you today and everyday!

Conclusion

Let’s close by recapping our main ideas today:

First, God’s love is all-encompassing and surpasses understanding.

I pray you encounter His love today.

Second, because God loves you, He has adopted you into his family as his son or daughter.

As a sign of this adoption, He’s marked you with the promised Holy Spirit that abides in you right now, whether you feel him or not.

I pray you become more aware of His presence today.

Third, God is working to bring all things in heaven and on earth under the loving leadership of Jesus Christ.

We can partner with God by living with an Us for Them mindset when it comes to loving and serving others around us.

I pray you have a chance to live for someone else today.

Let’s pray together.

Salvation:

The Word of God says in: John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:13 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you’d would like to receive Jesus today, please pray this prayer with all of us:

Lord I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died On the cross for my sins and His resurrection from the dead gives me eternal life. I ask forgiveness of my sins, and I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Let us Pray (P/P)

Praying for the 10-40 Window

Today, focus your prayers for the nation on asking for unity to overcome division, wisdom for government leaders, and a nationwide spiritual revival. Key areas for intercession include seeking peace, justice, divine protection, and moral guidance to heal the country. [1, 2,

Pray for the United StatesI

Today, we focus our prayers for the nation on asking for unity to overcome the division, wisdom for the government leaders, and a nationwide spiritual revival.

National unity and healing: pray for reconciliation where division exists, asking that the nation learns to live together peacefully despite differences.

Government and local leaders: intercede for wisdom, godly counsel, and discernment for all elected officials (local and national) to make righteous decisions

Spiritual revival: pray for a national to return to godly values, with a focus on repentance and the desire to seek truth.

Safety and protection: We ask for divine protection over the country, including safety from violence, disasters, and threats

Future generations: We pray for the younger generation to have a firm spiritual foundation and for the raising up of godly leaders

The vulnerable: Father God, intercede on behalf of the poor, needy, and oppressed, asking that the nation acts with justice.

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Benediction

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” — Ephesians 1:14 —

Have a Great Week! Goodbye!

This is Pastor Doc and Lady Pepper signing off until next time we meet. Blessings to you all!