A Called Man to A Called People
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Introduction
Introduction
Imagine with me that we are sitting in a concert hall and about the listen to a symphony. We have taken our seats, the orchestra makes their way out, are seated, and we wait for that very first note. Much to our surprise, the very first note is a loud crescendo, it delightfully shocks us as we listen. Even though we were ready, our ears were not as ready as we thought.
This is what Paul does in the Epistle to the Ephesians. Ephesians has been called the believers bank. It displays the glorious riches that we have in Christ. And immediately, we notice that Paul launches in to it. It’s almost like he cannot control himself but has to relay this glorious message to these people. He opens up the believers bank account and reveals what’s inside. It’s far deeper than we could ever imagine. We as Christians never stand in short supply of the resources necessary for life and godliness, we just stand fail to comprehend the greatness of the supply and therefore fail to act accordingly.
-The Story of the pauper dyeing of starvation yet possessing great sums of money.
Read
That’s why I have entitled this series, “The Riches of Grace.”
Book Overview
Book Overview
Three Themes than Run Throughout
Three Themes than Run Throughout
God’s Sovereign Grace
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
2. Summing up of all things in Christ
Ephesians 1:6
with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
Summing up of all things in Christ
And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:10
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Ephesians 1:28
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
3. The centrality of the Church & the mystery associated with it
to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
The centraility of the Church in God’s plan and the mystery associated with it!
And He put all things in subjection 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.
so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
2. Summing up of all things in Christ
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
God is defining the scope of his eternal plan for all humanity. The greatness of it all. All peoples summed up in one savior, brought together into one body, the Church!
Book Divisions
Book Divisions
-God’s provisions for us in Christ Chapter 1-3
-What we must be in light of that Chapter 4-6
Read vs. 1
Paul, A Called Man
Paul, A Called Man
He authored 14 of the 2 New Testament Books.
A Jew from the City of Tarsus
Was Highly skilled in the Jewish Law and was taught by a prominent leader in the city of Jerusalem, Gamaliel.
He was a zealous persecutor of Christians in his day. “They laid their clothes at the feet of Saul.” (Stoning of Stephen)
In God CALLED him and converts him to Christ
As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”
Acts 9:-6
Later in the chapter we learn why God apprehended him
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
“by the will of God.”
Paul’s Point: this was all God’s doing. Paul’s salvation is all of God’s grace. Paul didn’t choose God, God chose Paul!
Paul’s salvation is all of God’s grace. Paul didn’t choose God, God chose Paul!
The same is true of all Christians, it’s not of your doing! If you are in Christ, it’s because of God’s doing!
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
Application:
You may say in response, “How do I get God to choose me?”
The answer: run to Christ! If you desire to be one of his, then turn to him in faith.
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
Be like Jacob!!
Called to be an Apostle
Called to be an Apostle
Apostle: Special witness of the resurrected Christ. Carried great authority and weight.
Not only did God choose what Paul was going to be, but also what Paul was going to do! He was to be the minister of the gentiles!
God Chose his sphere of service!
God Chose his sphere of service!
The Local Church
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 1:
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 12:4-
Hebrews 10:24-
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
-no lone ranger Christians
2. Using the spiritual gifts he provided
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
3. Under the oversight of my Elders
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
God Chose the Purpose for His Ministry
God Chose the Purpose for His Ministry
For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
We are not about making a name for ourselves. Its about God’s glory!
See: , ,
Application
Forget about self, and consume yourself with the purpose of Glorifying God in the Local Church! That’s what God has called us to !