Room At The Table

The Value of the Name “Christian”

John 13:35; Acts 11:26

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association first used the term “the sweet sixteen,” and trademarked it in 1988.

The Illinois High School Association holds the trademark on “March Madness” for use in their high school basketball tournament.

Those phrases, plus “elite eight” and “final four,” are trademarked by the NCAA for use in college basketball.

The right to use the names is important enough to these different organizations that they would be willing to take the issue to court.

Christians are called by the name of Christ. [WE ARE THE CHURCH.] It is a privilege of great value. [AND there is Room at The Table for you!]

—Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell - 300 Illustrations for Preachers

Room at the Table - EPHESIANS 2.18-22

Ephesians 2:18–22 NASB95

18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

ACCESS:

Why do we need access?

because WITHOUT Christ - We are strangers, no status, no holiness, homeless, and shady.

BUT WITH ACCESS:

33.72 προσαγωγή, ῆς f: the right or opportunity to address someone, implying higher status of the person addressed—‘approach, access.’ ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν τὴν παρρησίαν καὶ προσαγωγὴν ἐν πεποιθήσει‘because of him we have boldness to address him with confidence’ Eph 3:12.

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 396–397.

IN CHRIST, v. 13 - brought near by the Blood of Christ

Ephesians 2:13–14 NASB95

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, v. 18

Ephesians 2:18 NASB95

18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

TO THE FATHER, v. 18

SO WHAT?

Beginning in v. 19 So then, YOU ARE

No longer strangers

Some of us are still strange, HAHA!! but no longer strangers! This is HOME! We are welcome in the Body of Christ! If you are church searching, you KNOW when you come home. There is an impression the Father gives you that this is the place, here you have a seat at the Table.

No longer aliens

These Jews and Gentiles were aliens, but now in Christ - they were a holy nation

Fellow Citizens with the Saints

They were also a family - something that I love about the Church. You know when you are home - we appreciate being a part of a family. We are cared for here, we can be real and transparent here.

“We are all brothers and sisters in the one family, no matter what racial, national, or physical distinctions we may possess.” - Wiersbe, BEC Ephesians.

Part of God’s Household

Wiersbe, BEC - “In the Book of Genesis, God “walked” with His people (Gen. 5:22, 24; 6:9);

but in Exodus, He decided to “dwell” with His people (Ex. 25:8). God dwelt in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34–38) until Israel’s sins caused “the glory to depart” (1 Sam. 4).

Then God dwelt in the temple (1 Kings 8:1–11); but, alas, again Israel sinned and the glory departed (Ezek. 10:18–19).

God’s next dwelling place was the body of Christ (John 1:14), which men took and nailed to a cross.

Today, through His Spirit, God dwells in the church, the temple of God. God does not dwell in man-made temples, including church buildings (Acts 7:48–50). He dwells in the hearts of those who have trusted Christ (1 Cor. 6:19–20), and in the church collectively (Eph. 2:20–22).

Built on a Firm Foundation

v. 20 (We are) Built on a Firm Foundation

…Even when the occasional brick falters or fails, the foundation is sure, “The cornerstone binds the structure together; Jesus Christ has united Jews and Gentiles in the church.” - BEC, Wiersbe - and other bricks, other living stones hold the structure together. Even the work of structure and glory to the Father is still there even if an individual brick fails.

The Church is strong…After the Pandemic the church might even be STRONGER, as I have no doubt that God is purifying His church during this time.

Trial and the Heat of persecution cause the dross to come to the surface and be skimmed away.

Apostles

Prophets

Christ Himself - CORNER STONE

Others like You & Me

NOW - though we still look to those foundational cornerstones, then AND today people look the former generation as well. We ARE the Church.

Pam Leach Video Testimony

You probably noticed Don Phillips name, love that! I wish I’d known him, Janis! He was ahead of his time, thinking forward —> but though he’s gone We still need Youth Pastors. Our youth need Chris Laster’s leadership in the same way Pam’s kids did Don.

Though things have changes, the message is still the same. We must find a way!

Think of the programs and basics that we’ve done before.

- AWANA

- Upward

- RAs / GAs

All of those things are well and good, but without the Gospel and Dicsipleship - without the Church being the church, without the Basics in palce - we will struggle to right a sinking ship.

Statistics now show that must train children even more than youth to be grounded in the doctrines of the church, or as they grow up in this CONSTANTLY ON, FULL BLAST culture - they will call themselves Disciples but look like the world.

and adults as disciples and to live for him in their homes, at their work and play and to make disciples wherever they are.

Look at the language in Verses 21-22. This is the application for us. - We must seek these things - we must make provision for these things to happen.

BEING FITTED TOGETHER

Growing into a HOLY Temple

Built Together

Into a Dwelling of God

Two practical applications can be made from this passage about the Church.

THERE IS ROOM AT OUR TABLE - THERE’S ROOM AT OTHER TABLES - GOD IS MOVING HERE AND MOVING AT OTHER CHURCHES. IF THIS ISN’T THE PLACE, I’LL BE PRAYING YOU’LL FIND SOME PLACE.

GOD IS STILL CALLING PEOPLE TO JOIN IN THE MISSION. TO BE FED HERE ON SUNDAY AND THEN DEPART TO SERVE IN THE MISSION FIELD.

WE MUST BE WILLING DO WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE GREAT COMMISSION TO BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHIN OUR GENERATION.