The Book of Ephesians

Ephesians 1: 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 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. NIV

I want to begin today to teach through the book of Ephesians. This is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It is a book with so much of the revelations that God gave Paul. It is also one of the strongest books about relationships that he wrote.

• Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
• I like the way Gal.1:1 says it.

Galatians 1: 1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— NIV

• I think it is always easier to have a dead Apostle. What? Yes we tend to believe the old dead ones before we believe the living visible ones.
• But in this letter Paul was living and writing to living people, he wanted the message to be received, but he knew that before the message could be received, they had to receive the messenger.

• To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus
• (1)To the saints in Ephesus
• Well that leaves me out, right? Wrong. * This time it is talking about you as the saint. A distinction you from people who don’t know God.
• Not a sanctified, holy, sinless person.
• As having a special relationship with God.
• Called God’s people.

• (2)The faithful in Christ Jesus
• You can be a saint and not be faithful.
• I think this opens this letter up to all of us. Because we are the saints of Prague, but we can be the faithful in Christ Jesus wherever we live.
• Some think we can only be faithful if we live in certain parts of the world.

• Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
• A well used greeting from Paul. *  A book of grace
• The Gospel given to Paul was a Gospel of grace, the revelation of Jesus Christ

John 1: 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. NIV

• from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
• Maybe we know this and maybe we forget.
• Grace and Peace come from God
• Not from correct, easy circumstances, the absence of difficulties.
• They come by faith in God.
• More later in the book

• 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.
• Who has blessed us
• Past tense – we don’t have to create them, we have to discover and receive them 2 Timothy 1: 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, NIV
•  
• In the heavenly realms
• In the spirit, The kingdom of God (not of this world), Heavenly realm
• They are there, not here, that means they must be transferred somehow.  

James 1: 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 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. NIV

• Every spiritual blessing in Christ
• Every spiritual blessing in Christ*

25.3.07

He chose us

Luke 22: 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. NIV

The lamb has been slain, the blood applied, we have been forgiven and death has no more sting.

Ephesians 1: 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 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, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. NIV

• He chose us in Him Before the creation of the world (he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ)  
• We are limited people trying to understanding an eternal, all powerful, all present, all knowing God.  
• All knowing – Omniscience
• Omniscience is the capacity to know everything infinitely, or at least everything that can be known about a character including thoughts, feelings, life and the universe, etc. All present – Omnipresence*
• Omnipresence is the ability to be present in every place at any, and/or every, time; unbounded or universal presence.
• All Powerful - Omnipotence
• Omnipotence (literally, "all power") is power with no limits or inexhaustible, in other words, unlimited power.

• He didn’t claim us, he chose us.
• We were chosen from among those who have made themselves available to God. * He will not claim us against our wills anymore than you can claim the woman you are going to marry.
• God has created the free will and if we want someone we have to win them.
• Parents and children – We chose to make our children, but I do not own them afterwards. They have their own lives.
• But in the end they will always have the free choice to reject us too.
• Love is wonderful because it is a choice.

• Predestined – to know the end before you begin  

Romans 8: 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. NIV

• Foreknew – called (answered) – Justified – glorified – Predestined (to be conformed to the likeness of his Son )(knew the end before the beginning) * Say it another way…

• He chose us in him Before the creation of the world  
• V:11 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 If you knew I was going to ask you for something and you knew you were going to say yes, then you could say beforehand that you have already chosen, even though it has not happened yet. (in God it is NOT if, he knows what you will do!) He knew in advance who would choose his son.
• In him – if you would put candy in a bowl and then choose the candy out of the bowl, you could say “I chose what was in the bowl”
• So likewise he placed all his blessings in Christ, so that we could have them.

• who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will
• What an amazing God we serve.  

Why is this important for us to know? Because we can begin to understand how our God has already prepared his blessings and provisions in advance and knows the best for us.

We can have the confidence that our goal of finishing in Christ will happen because we choose to follow him and he is working it out.

Does this mean I cannot fall away, that my path is predetermined and nothing will change? No!

It simply means that God has predetermined what he will do based on what we choose to do now.

God is one step ahead of us, with his loving influence, offering us an alternative to bad choices and temptations. Life and death, blessing and cursing will always be before us. CHOOSE LIFE and BLESSING!

1.4.07

Ephesians 1: 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 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, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. NIV

• In Christ we have salvation
• Eternal life Ro 6:23
• By faith in Christ Gal 3:26 * A new creation, new beginning in Christ 2 Cor. 5:17
• We are created for good works in Christ Eph. 2:10

• No condemnation in Christ Ro 8:1
• Sanctified in Christ (forgiven, separated for holy use and made holy) 1 Cor. 1:2
• In Christ God forgave you Eph. 4:32
• Reconciled in Christ (bought back, restored to original purpose) 2 Cor. 5:19
• What Christ did was ours - And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus Eph 2:6-7, 13
• Justified by faith in Christ (treated as if I never was a sinner) Gal. 2:16

• The love of God in Christ Ro 8:39 * Unity in Christ (a reason to be together) Ro 12:5
• No more differences, divisions Gal. 3:28, Eph. 3:6

• In Christ we have new abilities and blessings
• The ability to understand God and his word in Christ 2 Cor. 3:14 * All of God expressed in Christ Col. 2:9-10
• All heavenly (prepared) blessings in Christ Eph.1:3
• Peace in Christ Phil. 4:7
• Provision in Christ Phil. 4:19
• All grace, Love, faith, given to us in Christ 1 Tim. 1:14, 2 Tim.1:13, 2:1

Where is the best that life has to offer? In Christ. Jesus said I am the way, truth and the Life no man comes to the Father except through me.

Sunday 15.4.07

Ephesians 1: 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. NIV

• You also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
• Everything that he received, you received.
• This is the great mystery, substitution and identification.

• So that you may know him better.
• I keep asking
• give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation
• that you may know the hope to which he has called you
• I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
• the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints
• his incomparably great power for us who believe
• seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
• God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
• No matter what part of the body you are, you inherit it all together with Christ.

Unclaimed inheritance

“Government agencies are holding well over $30 billion in unclaimed money owed 80 million 'missing' Americans. Assets become legally unclaimed after the original owners or rightful heirs fail to 'communicate an interest' in them over a period of time. If, at the end of the dormancy period, there has been no owner directed activity, those holding the assets, transfer them to the protective custody of a government trust account. Most of the missing do not know they are entitled to receive this money.”

• What the Church has not claimed is the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints
• If we only knew

Substitution and identification

·                     We were Crucified and died with Christ

• Romans 6: 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. NIV

·         Colossians 2: 20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: NIV

• Colossians 3: 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. NIV  
• Colossians 3: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. NIV  
• Galatians 2: 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. NIV  
• Galatians 3: 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. NIV  

·                     We were Resurrected with Christ

• Ephesians 2: 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. NIV Colossians 2: 13 when you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, NIV*

·                     We are seated with him in the heavenly places

• Ephesians 2: 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, NIV  

·                     We are heirs together with Christ

• Romans 8: 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ... NIV  
• Galatians 4: 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. NIV  

• When you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
• When did it happen? When you heard the word and believed.  
• Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

• Mine!
• You have been stamped with the words “son of God”

• Galatians 4: 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. NIV  

Things are not like they used to be, all things are made new. You have traded places with Christ. He took your place and in Christ you take his.

• He represents you there.  

Hebrews 7: 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. NIV

1 John 2: 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. NIV

• And you represent him here

2 Corinthians 5: 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. NIV

We must learn to live this new life for Christ and not for ourselves.

22.4.07

Ephesians 2: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. NIV

• It seems that Paul is trying to get them to remember where they came from.
• Quote” “You can’t enjoy where you are at because of where we are going.” This is true, but also true is “we can’t enjoy where we are, because we forget where we came from”

• You were dead in your transgressions and sins
• You were dead
• Separated from God
• your transgressions and sins
• Is God throwing me together with the evil people of the world?

• You followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
• You followed the ways of this world
• Gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.  
• the ruler of the kingdom of the air
• Who is that? The devil! The spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.*

• v:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
• All of us… we were by nature objects of wrath  

Romans 5: 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. NIV

• In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus
• Riches?  
• We were given asylum, sanctuary, refuge

Asylum

1:         an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors : sanctuary

2:         a place of retreat and security : shelter

3:         a : the protection or inviolability afforded by an asylum : refuge

b : protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees by a nation or by an embassy or other agency enjoying diplomatic immunity

• It is the gift of God— 9 not by works
• 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith  

29.04.07

Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. NIV

• Born again - created in Christ Jesus…
• Born again in the womb of the spirit, by the seed of Jesus. Once again we are like Adam, created by God. Once again he breathed his spirit into us to give us life.

John 20: 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” NIV

• to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do
• Anything created has a purpose
• Our recreated – purpose?

Read:

2 Corinthians 5: 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. NIV

• and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
• … he has committed to us the message of reconciliation
• We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors

Isaiah 29: 13 The Lord said, “These people claim to worship me, but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized. 14 So I will startle them with one unexpected blow after another. Those who are wise will turn out to be fools, and all their cleverness will be useless.” 15 Those who try to hide their plans from the Lord are doomed! They carry out their schemes in secret and think no one will see them or know what they are doing. 16 They turn everything upside down. Which is more important, the potter or the clay? Can a thing which someone has made say to its maker, “You didn’t make me”? Or “You don’t know what you are doing”? GNT

• He gave us new life and a new purpose (representatives of heaven) To deny your purpose is to deny your creator*

How do we step into our new purpose?

My Journey begins

1. Decide who you live for – yourself or for God
• 2Cor.5:15…that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. This is not talking about ministry but LIFE!*

1. Change the way we look at God – Love God

• Now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
• Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer
• Christ - They had to change the way they saw Christ, before he was a man and now he was God. * The Jews were not accustomed to the terms “Father”, Family etc…The had to learn to love God.
• We cannot look at them only through the Bible or through what others say, we have to relate to them in reality, in a new relationship where God the Father relates to us.

Matthew 16: 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. NIV

3.   Change the way we look at people – Love people

o   “Who do people say they are…” vs. “Who do you say they are (according to the love of Christ)”

• Those In Christ
• Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Have we learned to love one another as Christ loves us?*

• Those not in Christ - People before were worthy of death and now they are worthy through Christ for righteousness.
• Not counting men’s sins against them
• Do we still do it though? * And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation
• Is this the message we are bringing?

13.05.07

Ephesians 2: 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. NIV

And in him you too are being built together to become

a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Psalm 92: 12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” NIV

Oh this is one of those attendance sermons, where we are told the importance of going to Church, right? Let’s see.

Most people today when they look for a Church they ask themselves the question “What do I get out of it?”.

OK God is not afraid of that question.

• The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon
• The simple meaning of “the righteous” is the ones that have right standing with God.
• He has already made you righteous through the life, death, resurrection and ministry of Jesus Christ. * He did a lot so you could enter in…

• Both evergreens

• Symbols of stability and fruitfulness
• Palm tree – fruitfulness, external
• The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in pre-Christian times. The Romans rewarded champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches. Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul, as in the Palm Sunday festival celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In Judaism, the palm represents peace and plenty. Today, palms remain a popular symbol for the tropics and vacations  
• Cedar tree – stability and fruitfulness spiritually
• The word used to build the temple of Solomon
• Used to make a special water to cleanse people of sin in the Old Testament. Numbers 19

• Planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God  

Attendance is not being planted!

I saw a show growing up where this young boy was told that he was going to be a father and have children because he held a girl’s hand. Ridiculous right? Well it is just as silly to think that attendance is being planted.

Planted is… On purpose, with purpose

1 Corinthians 12: 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. NIV

• Someone planted – God
• For a reason - fruit
• V:13 They will flourish
• Where? …in the courts of our God.

• they will flourish in the courts of our God
• in his presence * You can meet God anywhere, but he does have a meeting place for his people and that is the local Church.

• They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,
• As I get older, I like the sound of that more and more.
• Fresh and green – not stall and dried up, bitter and pessimistic…

• Proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
• I will live with and end with this testimony
• He is faithful!

Let’s plant an unmovable monument, pillar in our lives. Let’s not neglect what is our heritage.

Hebrews 10: 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. NIV

20.5.07

Ephesians 3: For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. NIV

• I became a servant of this gospel (good news is he loves us)
• 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
• We all know that preaching the Gospel, bringing the good news to people of being saved is our message, right?
• V:8 it is not based on our goodness, but his. It comes by a GIVEN GRACE!
• Although I am less than the least …
• V:11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.*
• (good news) - His eternal purpose was …to love us!

• By the gift of God’s grace given me (the gift is his un conditional love)
• What is this gift?
• V:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
• out of his glorious riches
• unlimited goodness and willingness
• he may strengthen you with power
• δύναμις dunamis; from 1410; (miraculous) power, might, strength:— ability(4), meaning(1), mightily(1), mighty(1), miracle(2), miracles(17), miraculous powers(3), power(83), powers(6), strength(2), wealth(1).

• through his Spirit in your inner being
• inner strength, power and ability

·        Through the working of his power. (The power is his love at work)

o   I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

§  Rooted

·         18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

o   Understand / know this love

1 John 4: 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. NKJV

§  Established

·         19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

·         That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

·         20 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,

§  The power of his love.

·         Love should be the basis for faith to function

Galatians 5: 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. NIV