For Such a Time as This: How to Live Biblically in a Culture of Confusion and Chaos

Message Introduction

New Beliefs and New Behaviors

Social justice

Identity politics

Intersectionality

Insanity of our times

Abortion

Gender fluidity

People of color must vote

Saying all lives matter or police lives matter is racist

I am not black if I do not believe the structure

All police department need to be defunded

Rioting and looting will get people to value you

Prejudging others will get them from stop prejudging you

Hurting and harming other will get them from stop hurting and harming you

Alone Against the Mob

Alone Against the Mob

Crowds, Cancel Culture, and Courage

Article by Greg Morse

Staff writer, desiringGod.org

Possessing the power to make the timid brave, the good better, or the bad devastating: crowds. When passions are shared, they swell, exciting actions to the status of legend or infamy. The power of assembly can build a better society or destroy it.

We have already witnessed (and perhaps taken for granted) the good and sanity of groups. We have seen peaceful protests in our own day, as well as read stories about those who have stood (and suffered) together for transcendent causes in the past — some of us fortunate enough to hear them firsthand from parents and grandparents. Above these, the church itself is a gathered people, an unassuming congregation that is taking over the world. But for what feels like the first time, my generation has begun to see the destructive power of the assembly — or, to use a phrase from a recent book title, the madness of crowds.

“Bad company, when a company, can make the good corrupt and the bad worse.”TweetShare on Facebook

Old proverbs have become visible: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Bad company, when a company, can make the good corrupt and the bad worse. It takes brazen wickedness to attempt to burn down a business, loot a Target, or break into a town hall, but even a decent man, drunk on the adrenaline of the herd, may do just this when others are doing it too.

Anatomy of a Riot

In a time of uncertainty, fear, anger, and corruption, we can take some solace in the realization that there is nothing new under the sun. Today’s issues, as real as they are (and can grow to be), were first yesterday’s issues. That makes it an unspeakable blessing to own a Bible. Its solutions never expire.

The stirring up of the people to madness is everywhere in Scripture (something I notice more now than ever). Perhaps one of the most unconsidered characters in the Bible is the crowd — none more infamous than the one who used its voice to sound with Satan, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

So also we see the madness of crowds in Acts 19. A mob was stirred up against Paul, an experience he likely later summarized to the Corinthians: “I fought with beasts at Ephesus” (1 Corinthians 15:32). If beasts are let loose in our land, I pray that as with Paul in Ephesus, the madness of crowds would be met with the insanity of Christian love. But first, the anatomy of the riot in Ephesus.

Instigator Rises

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius . . . (Acts 19:23–24)

What many citizens recognized as a religious riot in Ephesus started, as I venture many do today, with smaller, less-visible motives. Men with hidden agendas conspired together and utilized the masses to their hushed purposes. This “no little disturbance” began with the greed of a silversmith named Demetrius.

“Perhaps one of the most overlooked and unconsidered characters in the Bible is the crowd.”TweetShare on Facebook

Demetrius made his fortune crafting idols in service of Artemis, the Ephesian fertility goddess, rumored to have been born in Ephesus. Several times a year, the Ephesians hosted month-long celebrations in her honor, with music, theater, banquets, athletic contests, and even death matches. These festivals attracted many visitors, and even more money. Such celebrations “brought no little business to the craftsmen” (verse 24), craftsmen such as Demetrius.

Now Christianity, through the apostle Paul, hurt this business by persuading many “that gods made with hands are not gods” (Acts 19:26). In an attempt to protect his wallet, Demetrius employed three strategies to destroy Paul.

First, he created a tribe. He did not go after Paul himself, nor pursue legal recourse; rather, he assembled a tribe. Demetrius “gathered together” his fellow craftsmen, “with the workmen in similar trades” (Acts 19:25). He rounded up others hemorrhaging money on account of the Way. Demetrius knew the power of a mob, and he needed a small one to beget a bigger one.

Next, he did what all demagogues do: “He gathered together . . . and said” (Acts 19:25). Inciters are talking men. They speak, persuade, impassion. He begins,

Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. . . . This Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship. (Acts 19:25–27)

Observe his well-crafted propaganda. He is careful to include multiple incentives to enlist them in his cause. He begins first with his primary concern, wealth, and then moves on to a tertiary concern directly tied to the first: religion. The best hunters lay several traps. In religious societies, agitators often twist religious sentiment to their own ends.

“When [the craftsmen] heard this they were enraged and were crying out, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’” (Acts 19:28). But what about “this” made them enraged? Was it the threat to their goddess’s fame — or the loss of wealth tied to that fame?

Yet notice that Demetrius’s and the craftsmen’s chief concern of finances isn’t visible once they move into the streets. Their mantra becomes simply “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” They mask financial incentives with religious. They consider how they might be heard. They know their campaign would not survive if their narrow interests were championed, shouting, “Great is the wealth we accumulate from the idols of Artemis of the Ephesians!” So do all effective demagogues today.

The (Clueless) Crowd Swept Up

Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. (Acts 19:32)

Mobs often depend on general slogans, unspecified grievances, vague (if any) purposes for uniting, and little to no solutions for change other than destruction. They think with their rage, and many get caught in the tide. Something important seems to be happening — many seem to know why they gathered, so why not join? It is just a Tuesday after all, nothing better to do. The uproar of the group quiets the small voice of the conscience.

So it was in Ephesus. After the small mob fills the streets with, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians,” “the city was filled with the confusion” (Acts 19:29). Not the confusion that causes you to pause and ask questions, but the confusion that participates in assault and abduction: “They rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel.”

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Now the Holy Spirit informs us that — wait for it — “most of them did not know why they had come together.” Most had no clue why they were really there. They weren’t craftsmen, they didn’t attend Demetrius’s pep rally, and they agreed that Artemis was great, but what that had to do with taking hostage two Jews most could not tell. But they remained, aiding and abetting those who did know.

Installment of Cancel Culture

And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.” (Acts 19:33–34)

The time it took for me to learn what “cancel culture” meant embarrasses me as a millennial. But as new as such terminology was to me, the concept wasn’t. The Ephesians practiced it two millennia ago.

Alexander’s appearance marked him instantly. Everyone knew that Jews were no friends to Artemis. He belonged to that narrow monotheistic religion. He had nothing to say that they wanted to hear. Ironically, it is most probable that since the Jews put him forward, he was an enemy, not a friend, of Paul (possibly the same Alexander that Paul “handed over to Satan,” 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 4:14). His “defense” would most probably have been an attempt to distinguish Paul (a Jewish man) from the Jews who were there to persecute him and his Christian companions. Regardless, the crowds wouldn’t hear it.

The clueless majority, not knowing why they were there to begin with, knew enough to shout down someone who sought to speak — for two hours. Here identity politics and cancel culture were on full display.

A Just Man Speaks

The situation in Ephesus was defused through the almighty God giving the common grace of a cool head to the town clerk. Words incited a mob; perhaps words could defuse it.

You ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. . . . If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. . . . There is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion. (Acts 19:36, 38–39, 41)

He does not pretend to be judge in matters he knows so little about. He states his views about Paul’s innocence, but points to the open courthouses for resolution of the matter. He does condemn, however, the injustice he sees with his own eyes, calling out the leader, Demetrius, by name.

This is the common courage it will always require to stand against a mob. Sometimes good men, just men, stand up and succeed. Other times they stand up and get killed. And sometimes no good men can be found, and tyranny thrives unchecked.

Insanity of Christian Love

There really is nothing new under the sun. Today’s issues, as desperate as they can be, were first yesterday’s issues. This means one convenient and profound truth for the Christian: the solutions have not changed.

Christ is still the only hope for the world. He, as the light of the world, still shines, and the darkness — with all its cold and confusion — has yet to overcome it. This world is still full of condemned masses, rabid with sin, following the devil, and teetering upon the edge of eternity — as we once did — breaths from everlasting ruin. All while a narrow way still exists — a hard way, a dangerous way, yet the only way that leads to heaven. A way that might attract a mob or lead you — in love for others — to desire to enter the heart of one as Paul did.

“Fighting with the madness of crowds is nothing if there is nothing after this life.”TweetShare on Facebook

Paul wanted to run toward, not away from, the murderous mob: “Paul wished to go in among the crowd” (Acts 19:30). When he considered his brothers Gaius and Aristarchus captured by the crazed multitude looking for him, he wanted to enter the theater to stand (and die, if needed) with his companions. The madness of crowds in that theater set the stage for the madness of Christian love — a dramatization of Christ’s: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Only If the Dead Are Raised

Paul did not go into the theater that day, for “the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater” (Acts 19:30–31). It was not wise — this time — to venture so boldly into harm; God had other means for deliverance. But his faith, his hope, his trust in Christ, his love for his brothers are recorded for us. Does it not stir you?

What gave Paul his boldness? He tells us,

I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:31–32)

Fighting with the madness of crowds is nothing if there is nothing after this life. If death were the end, Paul and his companions would go out for drinks, have some laughs, and never cause a commotion for Christ. But Paul believed in the resurrection. He believed he possessed eternal life. He knew his God. He knew his Savior. He knew he was immortal. He was free to face the mob (and the consequences), as he did from city to city and persecution to persecution.

Perhaps a time is coming, perhaps the stage is being set — though I pray we might live peaceful and quiet lives — for Christians in the West to be treated as most Christians have been throughout most of church history (and as many are treated now throughout the world). And should it come, we must decide now, will we be mad enough, should our God call us, to face the mobs and persecution in the name of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit? Only those who know this world is not the end can do so.

Emotions Were Designed By God

Emotions move our relationships, both positively and negatively

Emotions influence most of what goes on in this world. Whether it’s the romantic attraction that draws a couple together, the sacrificial love of a parent for a child, the desire to build a successful ministry or business, the bitterness that corrodes a friendship, or the anger that fragments a family or church—emotions play a powerful role in every aspect of life.

And yet most of us know far too little about the source and dynamics of our emotions. Let’s begin to deepen our understanding by taking a quick look at eight basic facts about emotions.

Emotions are built into all people in all cultures by God’s design.

They are hardwired into our brains and bodies through the neurological and hormonal systems that he designed at creation and weaves into every baby as he forms it in the womb (Gen. 1:26-27 | Ps. 139:13-14). Thus the human vocabulary—and the Bible—are filled with emotional terms.

Emotions are physiological experiences that involve measurable neural, muscular, respiratory, hormonal and cardiovascular changes that impact our thoughts and move us to action, both positively and negatively (Exod. 32:19 | 2 Sam. 18:33 | Mark 1:40-42). In fact, the word “emotion” comes from a Latin word that means “to move.”

Emotions provide some of our greatest pleasures in life, such as love, joy, delight, acceptance, compassion, belonging and peace, to name just a few. These emotions are found in both saved and unsaved people, and drive some of our most noble and constructive behaviors. Exod. 2:5-6 | Dan. 1:9

Emotions are also tied to our greatest struggles and agonies in life, which often involve negative feelings such as sadness, embarrassment, anger, bitterness, jealousy, self-pity and regret. Gen. 37:11 | Matt. 27:3-5

Emotions are not inherently sinful.

Jesus felt a wide range of emotions, including love, compassion, joy, pity, anger, sorrow and agony (John 11:5 | Matt. 14:14 | Heb. 12:2 | Mark 1:41 | Mark 3:5; 14:34 | Luke 22:44). Yet he never sinned (1 Pet. 2:22). His emotions never surprised or overwhelmed him or moved him to act contrary to his Father’s will. John 8:29

Human emotions are often twisted by sin.

Because of the fall, sin has corrupted our whole being, including our thoughts, emotions and will (sometimes called the “noetic effects of sin”). Therefore, like a computer with a defective motherboard, we are unable to consistently understand and control the emotions that are triggered by people and events in our lives (Gen. 3:6-13 | Jer. 17:9 | Eph. 4:22). Therefore, while positive emotions usually move us to do good things, negative emotions often move us to sin against God and one another. Gen. 37:11 | 2 Sam. 11:2-4 | Ps. 73:21-22

Through the gospel, God has redeemed us from the curse of sin, made us new creations (which impacts our thoughts, emotions and will) and is now pouring his grace into us, giving us the ability to understand our emotions and progressively bring them under the Lordship of Christ. Ezek. 36:25-27 | 2 Cor. 5:17 | Titus 2:14 | Rom. 12:2 | 2 Cor. 3:17-18

The key step in redeeming our emotions is to bring them to God in humility, faith and prayer, examine them in the light of God’s truth, and ask him for the grace, wisdom and strength we need to harness the power of our emotions so that their ultimate impact is to move us to love the Lord with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Ps. 51:6 | 1 Pet. 1:22 | 2 Cor. 10:5 | 2 Pet. 1:3-8

Man’s fall into sin has corrupted our brain’s ability to work as perfectly as God designed it to do (AKA “the noetic effect of sin”). Data enters the brain through the thalamus, which sends impulses to other parts of the brain. Impulses arrive at the limbic system (amygdala) a few nanoseconds before they get to the neocortex, which allows your emotions to take control before you are able to rationally process the information (rw360.org/hijacking).

Hijacking = Strong emotions that trigger an impulsive reaction that is quickly regretted

The downward spiral of emotional hijacking, flooding, and relational failure

Definitions

Hijacking occurs when our emotions (in the amygdala) overpower rational thinking (in the neocortex).

Flooding is the sense of feeling repeatedly swamped by our own or others’ emotions

Triggers and Downward Spiral

Triggers: poor communication, misunderstanding, conflicting agendas

Defensive reaction to criticism (sarcasm, anger, silence, flight)

We begin to see ourselves as innocent or unappreciated victims.

We develop a critical spirit, assuming the worst about everything others do.

We grab evidence that supports our view and ignore evidence that doesn’t.

This puts the other person into a no-win (lose/lose) situation.

We experience prolonged physical distress (pulse, adrenaline, respiration).

If Intense Emotions Continue

We feel increasingly confused, frustrated and out-of-control.

As emotions intensify, our limbic system pulls oxygen away from our neocortex so we have less capacity for rational thinking.

It becomes increasingly difficult to recover from feeling hurt or angry.

We lose hope for a positive resolution.

We develop a hard, uncaring heart, partly as protection and partly as punishment.

We avoid the other person, spending more and more time apart.

We eventually give up on our friendships, relatives, churches, jobs or marriages.

Common Tendencies of Men and Women (sometimes reversed)

Men tend to avoid conflict, often because they are afraid of emotional flooding.

Women generally want to engage: “We need to talk”.

Fear of flooding often compels men to “stonewall” (withdraw into silence or leave).

The more a woman presses to discuss, the more most men will pull away. Prov. 21:9

This results in further frustration and flooding in the woman, which prolongs the spiral.

The Three-Fold Pattern of Emotional and Relational Failure

Failure to understand and faithfully obey God’s instructions

Failure to understand and consistently control the emotions and interests that are driving us

Failure to understand and wisely engage the emotions and interests of others

Getting to the Root of Critical Judgments

A key step in breaking free from the habit of making critical judgments is to trace them to their source and cut them off at the root. To do this you must deal with your heart. James 4:1-12 describes two of the most common sources of critical judgments. The first is selfishness. When others stand in the way of what we want, we strive to remove their opposition by tearing them down and diminishing their credibility and influence in any way we can (vv. 1-3).

Pride is another source of critical judgments. Thinking that we are better than others, we set ourselves up as their judges and begin to catalog their failings and condemn their actions. As we saw earlier, when we do this we are imitating Satan by trying to play God (vv. 7, 12). Pride can also reveal itself in the inclination to believe that “I alone understand the truth about things.” I think that my beliefs, convictions, theology, and doctrines are true, and I look down on anyone who disagrees with me (cf. Gal. 5:26).

Matthew 7:3-5 shows that self-righteousness is another root of critical judgments. When we have done something wrong but we do not want to admit it, one of the most natural things we do is to draw attention to and even magnify the failures of others.

Insecurity, which is a form of the fear of man, is a related root of this problem. When we lack confidence in our own beliefs and positions, and fear that they might be disproved, we often conclude that the best defense is a good offense. Therefore, we attack others’ views and judge them before they can judge us.

Jealousy can also lead to critical judgments. As we see in Genesis 37:11, Joseph’s brothers were jealous of his close relationship with God and his father, and they repeatedly interpreted his motives and actions in the worst possible way. As their jealousy grew, it culminated in their selling him into slavery.

Another cause is self-pity. On occasion, many of us find a perverse pleasure in feeling sorry for ourselves. Therefore, we tend to interpret situations in a way that hurts us the most. One of the best ways to do this is to interpret others’ actions as a form of betrayal.

Prejudice is frequently a cause of critical judgments. When we have preconceived, unfavorable opinions about others simply because of their race, religion, gender, or status in life, we will consistently seek to validate our views by interpreting their beliefs and actions negatively.

Unforgiveness can also lead us to look for the worst in others. If someone has hurt us, and we do not forgive him, we will look for ways to justify our unforgiveness. Finding more faults in the person who hurt us is a convenient way to conceal the hardness of our own heart.

Of course, the ultimate source of critical judgments is a lack of love. Where love is deficient, critical judgments will be the norm. Conversely, where love abounds, charitable judgments should abound (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

Message Exposition

Progression of Perversion: Steps on the Sinful Spiral of Humanity

Step One: Denial of revealed truth– knew God – vs. 18-21 (REJECTION)

General revelation

· Conscience

· Creation

· Morally responsible – they are without excuse

What does the word “revealed” mean?

The basic meaning of uncovering, bringing to light, or making known, a better rendering being “ constantly revealed. ”

What is suppression of the truth?

This suppression of the truth is not passive. It carries the idea of holding something down… The idea of suppression here is, continual and aggressive striving against the truth.[1]

In Greek the word translated “suppress” means “take,” “hold,” “hold fast,” “hold back,” “keep,” “restrain,” or “repress.”

What is wrath?

Wrath refers to a settled, determined indignation, not to the momentary, emotional, and often uncontrolled anger to which human beings are prone. It is the only response that a holy God could have toward evil. God could not be holy and not be angry at evil. Holiness cannot tolerate unholiness.

Charles Hodge speaks of three such manifestations: “the actual punishment of sin,” “the inherent tendency of moral evil to produce misery,” and “the voice of conscience.” [2]

What is ungodliness?

Ungodliness refers to lack of reverence for, devotion to, and worship of the true God, a failure that inevitably leads to some form of false worship.[3]

What is unrighteousness?

Unrighteousness encompasses the idea of ungodliness but focuses on its result.

Ungodliness unavoidably leads to unrighteousness. Because men’s relation to God is wrong, their relation to their fellow men is wrong.

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Step Two: Refusal to glorify God – vs. 21

Step Three: Lack of gratitude – vs. 21

Romans 1:22–23

Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Step Four: Foolishness: Believing lies/Suppressing truth – vs. 21-22 (RATIONALIZATION)

Step Five: Darkened heart – vs. 22

Rejecting truth

Believing lies

Callousness of heart (morally insensitive)

Step Six: False worship: Idolatry – worshipping and serving the created thing rather than the Creator – vs. 23 (REJECTION)

Romans 1:24–28

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Step Seven: Spiritual adultery: Given over – vs. 24, 26, 28

Sinful desires

Shameful lusts

Depraved mind

Romans 1:29–32

They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Step Eight: Blatant rebellion – filled with every kind of wickedness – vs. 29-32

The Heart of Rebellion[4]

Wickedness. Literally it means “not righteous,” or “unjust.”

Evil. The Greek word is ponēria, which is a general term for badness

Greed. In other places, this word (pleonexia) is translated “covetousness.” It is “the passion for more,” the lust to advance oneself even at the expense of others.

Depravity. This word denotes that deliberate wickedness that delights in doing other people harm. It could be translated “maliciousness.”

Sins against Others

Envy. Envy is related to greed, but it goes beyond it, because it shows that the chief factor in our greed is jealousy over the fact that other people have more

Murder. We must remember here also that, according to Jesus, murder is not only the outward act of taking a life. It is also the hatred in the heart that leads to it (cf. Matt. 5:21–22)

Strife. The root meaning of this word is “debate.” But it came to mean the bad side of debate, which is contention, quarreling, or wrangling.

Deceit. It denotes outright treachery by which words are used to ensnare the unwary for the deceiver’s personal gain

Malice. The word has the idea of customary or habitual evil. The malicious person is one who is normally set against other people and is out to harm them.

Sins of Pride

Gossips. It refers to the slanderous gossip that is often spread in secret and that is so harmful to another’s reputation

Slanderers. Slander carries gossip one step further, since gossip is unleashed in secret but slander is done openly. The Greek word literally means “to speak against” someone, or “defame” him

God-haters. “Slander” not merely slander other human beings but is slandering God, too, not failing to speak even against the Almighty

Insolent. It is pride that sets a human being up against God

Arrogant. Arrogance rises from a feeling of personal superiority that regards others with haughtiness

Boastful. Boasting is based on pride. It is to seek admiration by claiming to be or have what one actually is not or does not possess.

Creators of Evil

They invent ways of doing evil. We use our creativity to excel at inventing new ways to do evil

They disobey their parents. Children’s utter disregard of their parents’ wishes

Senseless, Faithless, Heartless, Ruthless

Senseless. “Without understanding” is a fuller translation

Faithless. “Breaking faith”. It means that what people solemnly commit themselves to cannot be trusted

Heartless. This word literally means “without natural affection.”

Ruthless. The Greek word means “without mercy.”

[1]Hughes, R. Kent: Romans : Righteousness from Heaven. Wheaton, Ill. : Crossway Books, 1991 (Preaching the Word), S. 33

[2] Charles Hodge, A Commentary on Romans (Edinburgh and Carlisle, Pa.: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1972), p. 35. (Original edition 1935.)

[3]MacArthur, John: Romans. Chicago : Moody Press, 1996, c1991, c1994, S. 66

[4] Boice, James Montgomery, Romans

Your True Identity

God the Father planned salvation (verses 3-6)

God the Son provided salvation (verses 7-12)

God the Holy Spirit is the promise of salvation (verses 13-14)

Nine Blessings We Have Received In Christ

1. He chose us – vs. 4

The verb "he chose us," means to pick for oneself. God chose for His own sake. He chose for Himself (Matthew 25:34; Luke 12:32; John 6:44; John 15:16; Acts 9:15; 13:48; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9; Revelation 13:8 and 17:8)

2. He adopted us as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself – vs. 5

(John 1:12; Romans 8:15 "Abba, Father, Daddy;" Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 3:1; Isaiah 46:10)

3. He blessed us with His glorious grace – vs. 6

(Ephesians 2:8-10; Acts 15:11; Acts 18:27; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:6)

4. He redeemed us – vs. 7

5. He forgave us – vs. 7b

(Micah says, "Who is a pardoning God like You?" Romans 8:1; Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 2:13; 1 John 2:12; Matthew 18:21-35)

6. He lavished on us all wisdom and insight – vs. 8

7. In Him we have obtained an inheritance – vs. 11

(Romans 8:17; 1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 1:20)

8. He sealed us – vs. 13

9. He guaranteed our inheritance – vs. 14

The Holy Spirit is given by God as His pledge of the believer’s future inheritance in glory (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:21).

My friend, when you think about your salvation, there is only one direction you can go with your thanksgiving and praise and that is toward God.

Made Alive and Brought Near In Christ

What is the Gospel?

It is an Announcement (Declaration)

Bad News…Good News

Ephesians 2:1- 3 – Formerly Dead…Now Alive

a) Well, Sick or Dead

b) Dead Men Walking

i) Dead

ii) Enslaved

iii) and Under God’s Just Sentence of Wrath

Ephesians 2:4-5 – But God…

a) Radical Problem…Radical Remedy

b) The Character of God

i) Sovereign

ii) Holy

iii) Judge – God of Wrath

c) The Work of God

i) Awaken the Dead

ii) Set His People Free

iii) Changed our Spiritual Position (Exhausted the Wrath of God)

d) The Reasons Why God Did His Work

i) Mercy – verse 4

ii) Love – verse 4

iii) Grace – verse 5

iv) Kindness – verse 7

Ephesians 2:4-7 – Union With Christ

a) Two Types of Union

i) Federal Headship (Covenantal) – Romans 5:12-21

ii) Vital (Experiential)

b) “I Make All Things New”

i) Made Alive Together With Christ

ii) Raised Us Up With Christ

iii) Seated Us With Him in the Heavenly Place In Christ

Ephesians 2:8-9 – Saved By Grace Alone

a) Grace Alone

b) Through Faith Alone (But, What is Faith?)

i) What It Is Not?

(1) Feeling

(2) Wish

(3) Positive Thinking

ii) What It Is?

(1) Knowledge

(2) Belief (Heart Response)

(3) Trust (Commitment)

c) Christ Plus Nothing

i) This Not Of Our Own Doing

ii) Justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16)

Ephesians 2:10 – God’s Workmanship

a) What Works Can’t Do

i) Justification – declared right before God

b) What Works Do Show

i) Regeneration – life

(1) Works are the result of and evidences of life

c) God Is At Work

i) Progressive Sanctification

Ephesians 2:11-18 – Formerly Far Off…Now Brought Near

a) No Hope

i) Separated

ii) Alienated

iii) Strangers

b) Jesus, Is Our Peace –Peace in Christ

i) Peace with God

ii) Peace in Fellowship (Jew and Gentile)

c) Hope in Christ

i) Fellow Citizen

ii) Saints

iii) Members

Ephesians 2:19-22 – Jesus, Is Our Cornerstone –

a) The Temple of God

b) The Foundation

c) The Chief Cornerstone

Fall On Your Knees (submission, reverence, passion)– Paul’s 3 Point Prayer (verses 14-19)

a) Prayer for them to be Strengthen with Power – verses 16-17a

(same Holy Spirit power that raised Jesus from the dead will regenerate, energize, refresh and empower you as you submit to God’s Spirit and God’s Word)

b) Prayer for them to be Rooted and Grounded in Love – verses 17b-19a

(what are you founded on? – self-giving, service, love)

c) Prayer for them to be Filled with the Fullness of God – verse 19b

(are we totally dominated by the Lord? – His power, love, kindness – we can experience the greatness of God in our lives as we are totally devoted to Him)

Doxology: Beyond Our Wildest Imaginations

(Steven Curtis Chapman – “Way Beyond the Blue”) (verses 20-21)

a) Now to Him (to the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit)

b) Who is able to do (God is able!)

c) Far more abundantly – It can be rendered “exceeding abundantly” (kjv), “infinitely more” (Phillips), “far more abundantly” (rsv), “exceeding abundantly beyond” (nasb), and so on.

d) Than all we ask or think (isn’t that your experience with God?)

e) According to the Power at work within us

f) Soli Deo Gloria – John Stott says, “The Power comes from Him the glory must go to Him” –Romans 11:33-36

Message Application

Relational Wisdom

What is relational wisdom?

In essence, relational wisdom (RW) is the ability to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself… better yet, as Jesus has loved you. Matt. 22:37-39 | John 13:34-35

In modern terms, relational wisdom is your ability to discern emotions, interests, and abilities in yourself and others, to interpret this information in the light of God’s Word, and to use these insights to manage your responses and relationships constructively.

Why is relational wisdom worth pursuing?

Because life is all about relationship.

Gen. 2:18 | 1 Cor. 1:9 | John 3:16; 4:1-42; 13:34-35; 17:20-23

Because relationships are precious gifts that God entrusts to us with the expectation that we will see them as opportunities to show his love and multiply the number of people who will enjoy him forever. Matt. 25:14-30

Here’s a simple example of relational wisdom

Relational wisdom is so simple a child can learn it, yet so intricate and robust you can spend the rest of your life enhancing it. To start this learning process, we’ll show you four simple acrostics you can easily memorize and practice in daily life.

Calling by God

Ephesians 4:1–5 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Prisoner - we will suffer for doing what is right - do not be surprised

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 5:3–5 ESV

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

1 Peter 1:6–9 ESV

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

James 1:2–5 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Walk

Worthy

Calling…called

Attitudes of the Worthy Walk: Doing Life Together

Humility

is the opposite of pride. It is a proper view of oneself. Honest assessment of who we really are. Humble people are God aware, and Self-aware, and Other-aware

Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary Life Together

1. Humility. Everyone knows that Christians should be humble. Humility is the opposite of pride or self-assertion. If we are saved “by grace … through faith … not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8–9), it is evident that Christians cannot be proud. We are to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility [are to] consider others better than [our]selves,” as Paul says in Philippians 2:3.

But it is not easy to do, because our pride is easily wounded by what we consider thoughtless or unfair conduct by others.

Gentleness

flows out of humility. Defined in older translations as meekness. It means mild-spirited and self-controlled. It is the opposite of vindictiveness and vengeance (MacArthur). Moses was called humble and meek (Number 12:3) and Jesus called Himself it as well (Matthew 11:29). It is one of the fruit of the Spirit. It means power under control. The meek (gentle) person is “normally quiet, soothing, and mild-mannered, and he is never avenging, self-assertive, vindictive or self-defensive.”

Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary Life Together

2. Gentleness. In the older versions this is called meekness, but for us “gentleness” is probably better, simply because meekness is so generally misunderstood. To most, meekness suggests weakness. But that is not the idea at all. Meekness was the chief characteristic of Moses, according to Numbers 12:3 (where the NIV uses the word “humble”), but Moses was not a weak man. He was a strong man, strong enough to appear before Pharaoh, declaring, “This is what the LORD says: Let my people go” (Exod. 8:1). Similarly, the Lord Jesus was meek or gentle, yet strong. He said of himself, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28–29). He told his disciples, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).

Patence

It is an outgrowth of humility and gentleness.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Patience

Makrothumia (patience) literally means long-tempered, and is sometimes translated longsuffering. The patient person endures negative circumstances and never gives in to them.

Ephesians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Patience

Makrothumia (patience) literally means long-tempered, and is sometimes translated longsuffering. The patient person endures negative circumstances and never gives in to them.

Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary Life Together

3. Patience. It takes time to learn patience, and unfortunately one of the chief ways we learn it is through suffering. A rather pious individual once came to a preacher and asked him to pray for him that he might have patience. “I do so lack patience,” he said, trying to be humble as he said it. “I wish you would pray for me.”

“I’ll pray for you right now,” the preacher replied. So he began to pray: “Lord, please send great tribulation into this brother’s life.”

The man who had asked for prayer put a hand out and touched the preacher on the arm, trying to stop his prayer. “You must not have heard me rightly,” he said. “I didn’t ask you to pray for tribulation. I asked you to pray that I might have patience.”

“Oh, I heard what you said,” the preacher answered. “But haven’t you read Romans 5:3, ‘And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience’? It means we acquire patience through the things that we suffer. I prayed that God would send tribulations so that you would have patience.”

Another valid translation of the word “patience” is “long-suffering,” which means “suffering long.” It is what God does with us. He suffers long with us; if he did not, there would be no Christianity. Therefore, we ought to suffer long or be patient with each other.

Bearing with one another in love

Proverbs 10:12 ESV

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

It takes mistreatment from others and still loves them. It is sacrificial in how they love others. It gives love without any expectation of receiving in return.

Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary Life Together

4. Bearing with one another. The suffering aspects of patience come out clearly in this next Christlike characteristic, but there is a difference. This one relates specifically to trials we have as a result of uncharitable conduct toward us by other Christians. When the non-Christian neighbor stole the field-water of the Chinese Christian, the Christian showed patience, gentleness, and humility in the way he dealt with the offense—and won the unbeliever to Christ. But what if that neighbor is a Christian, wronging us in this or some other way? What is to be our attitude to him or her? Paul’s answer is that we are to endure the wrong, suffer the slight. Thus, we are to demonstrate a way of life superior to that of the ungodly world and show the special unity which is ours in Jesus Christ.

Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

Eager - means diligent - to make haste, zealous

This person is constantly concerned with promoting unity and harmony

Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary Life Together

5. Unity. The fifth characteristic is that believers are to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (v. 3). It is evident at this point, in case we had missed it before, that each of these characteristics is related to the others (which the translators show in part by their groupings of them) and that they have all been tending in the direction of this great matter of unity, which is to be Paul’s theme for the next thirteen verses. Christians are to be one because, as he will say in just a moment, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (vv. 4–6).

Cause:

Unity in the Holy Spirit

Unity in the Son

Unity in the Father

What are the benefits of developing relational wisdom?

Stronger relationships

Experience, love and enjoy God more fully. Jer. 29:13 | Matt. 22:37 | John 8:29; 14:21, 23

Less conflict and more enjoyable, productive and enduring human relationships. Ruth 1:16-18 | 1 Sam. 20:17 | Prov. 18:24

Valued influence

Your example and advice will be more credible and welcomed by others. Prov. 3:35 | 16:23

Improved relational skills enhance personal and team performance at work, at church and in other group activities.

Compelling witness

Noticeable changes in your character and relationships reveal God’s transforming power in your life. 2 Cor. 5:17-20

Love and unity among believers show that we are Jesus’ disciples and prove that God loves us and sent his Son to save us. John 13:34-35; 17:20-23

For Such a Time as This: How to Live Biblically in a Culture of Confusion and Chaos

Discussion Questions

What new thoughts have you had since reading and studying Romans 1:18-32 or Ephesians 4:1-5 or from Hearing James’ message on the passage?

What verse from this passage will you commit to meditating on and memorizing this week? Write it down. Share it with others.

Bringing It Home

Pondering the Passage:

What is the main point? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learn

What did I learn?Where has my thinking, beliefs, and values been challenged in this passage?Do I find any of the characteristics ways of thinking or behaving of the ungodly in my life?List and describe those areas in which I struggle.

Love

What does this passage teach me about God?Has my thinking about God changed?How have I learned to love God more and others selflessly as a result of this passage?Have I learned ways that I have acted unlovingly towards others that I must change?

Live

What are the practical steps that I can take to apply to what I have learned in this passage?Where must I change?What do I need to repent and confess?How will pondering and personalizing this passage change how I live my life today and moving forward?

Praying the Passage (ACTS)

What specific things can I pray adoring God because of what I learned in this passage?What specific things do I need to confess based on what I learned from this passage?What specific things do I need to thank God for based on what I learned from this passage?What specific things do I need to request in prayer (supplication) based on what I learned from this passage?