But God - Winona 6-29-08
Two Words To Change Your Life
“But God . . .” - Ephesians 2:1-10
June 29, 2008, AM – First Baptist Church – Winona, TX (first Sunday)
Thank you to all who have done so much to make this transition as easy as possible
Maybe small to you but big to us
Sometimes the smallest things are what mean the most to us – like a thank-you note
IF – if momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy
Ephesians 2
- Ephesians was written by Paul while in prison
- First 3 chapters are doctrinal issues and last three are practical application
- Chapter 1 tells us that it is not we who seek God but He who calls us to salvation
- It tells us that God’s will for us is to be “for the praise of his glory” (v. 12)
- In order for us to fulfill that purpose, there is a condition that must be overcome
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NASB This week – normally NIV)
1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Chapter 2 Begins With Our Condition Before Christ
- Dead in trespasses and sins – literally dead men walking
- Led by the spirit that controls the worldly things, not the things of God - born into sin
- Consumed by fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind
- If there were no intervention, no redemption – we would be eternally separated from God
“BUT GOD” intervened for us . . . God . . .
- Creator of the universe - Author of life
· is rich in mercy - is rich in love
- made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
- raised us up together
- Seated us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
- In the ages to come – He will show us the exceeding riches of His grace
Two kinds of “But God” moments – everyone here is in need of one or more of these
First kind is the kind discussed in this passage – Holy Spirit reveals to us that we are sinners
We realize that we have been disobedient to God
We realize that without Him we are destined for eternal separation
We realize that our life is in vain without Him
We realize that we cannot control our destiny or our future but He can (Jeremiah 29:11)
How do we receive that kind of “But God” moment?
1) Recognize . . . that we are sinners
Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Recognize that we were born into sin and God has created us for His glory
Recognize we are headed for Hell without Him BUT GOD – but Heaven WITH Him
2) Repent . . . of all our sins
Repent means literally to turn away from our sin and turn to the Savior
2 Peter 3:9, “9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Repentance not only is obedience to God but also brings glory to God
Allows us to take the sinful past and leave it behind
3) Receive . . . the gift of God through Jesus Christ
Ephesians 2: 8-10, 8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
God has a gift that He wants to give you, nothing you can earn but changes your eternity
2nd Kind of “But God” Moment – for those who know God but who are facing a trial . . .
Those who may be dealing with sin in your life
Those who may have gotten off track with your life and not letting God have control
Those who have just been sitting on the sidelines and not doing anything for the Lord
Same 3 R’s apply to you . . .
1) Recognize . . . that you need to let God have control, that you can’t do it by yourself
2) Repent . . . of a sinful condition, for not letting God have control – turn back to Him
3) Receive . . .the daily in-filling of the Holy Spirit – be led by the Spirit of God
In any relationship, trust is a major factor in the security, in the harmony of that relationship
· Sometimes we know in our head we can trust God but we fail to trust Him with our hearts
· Sometimes we trust God with the “big stuff” but leave Him out of the “little things”
· Sometimes we get so bogged down in our own disobedience - we don’t trust Him to help
“You Can Trust Him” – (Read then back here)
- You CAN trust Him, but HAVE you trusted Him?
- You CAN trust Him, but WILL you trust Him?
- 2 kinds of “But God” moments today
You Can Trust Him
He's the one who made you, it is He who made us and not we ourselves. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. No means or measure can define His limitless love and no farseeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. I'M TELLING YOU TODAY YOU CAN TRUST HIM (AMEN)
No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. He's enduringly strong and He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast and He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful and He's impartially merciful. He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son, He's the sinner's Savior, He's the centerpiece of civilization. I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU CHURCH, YOU CAN TRUST HIM! (AMEN)
He does not have to call for help and you can't confuse Him. He doesn't need you and He doesn't need me. He stands alone in the solitude of Himself. He's august and He's unique. He's unparalleled, He's unprecedented, He's supreme, He's preeminent, He's the loftiest idea in literature, He's the highest personality in philosophy, He's the supreme problem of higher criticism, He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology, He's the cardinal necessity of spiritual religion, He's the miracle of the age, He's the superlative of everything good you can call Him. I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU CHURCH, YOU CAN TRUST HIM! (AMEN)
He can satisfy all your needs, and He can do it simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak and He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He sees. He guards and He guides, He heals the sick, He cleansed the Leper, He forgives sinners, He discharges debtors, He delivers the captives, He defends the feeble, He blesses the young, He regards the aged, He rewards the diligent, He beautifies the meek, I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU CHURCH, YOU CAN TRUST HIM! (AMEN)
He's the key to knowledge, He's the well spring of wisdom, He's the doorway of deliverance, He's the pathway of peace, He's the roadway of righteousness, He's the highway of holiness, He's the gateway to glory, YOU CAN TRUST IN HIM!
He's the master of the mighty, He's the captain of the conquers, He's the head of heroes, He's the leader of legislators, He's the overseer of the overcomers, He's the governor of the governors, He's the prince of princes, He's the king of kings, He's the Lord of lords, YOU... CAN... TRUST... HIM!!!
His office is manifold, His promise is sure, His life is matchless, His goodness is limitless, His mercy is everlasting, His love never changes, His word is enough, His grace is sufficient, His reign is righteous, His yoke is easy, His burden is light, I wish I could describe Him too you, He's indescribable because He's incomprehensible, He's irresistible because He's invincible. You can't get Him off your hands, you can't get Him off your mind, you can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. Pilate couldn't stand it when he found he couldn't stop Him, and Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. And the witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree and Herod couldn't kill Him, and death couldn't handle Him and thank God the grave couldn't hold Him. (AMEN)
There was nobody before Him and there will be nobody after Him. He has no predecessor, He'll have no successor, you can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. YOU CAN TRUST HIM!!! -S.M. Lockridge