They Deserve to Hear

Many moons ago we began our journey through the letter of Ephesians. Because I was waylaid with my back and the 21 Days of Prayer, our last message was July 11. I think we need a little review.

Ephesians is most likely a circular letter - meant for multiple congregations. Thus making this letter applicable to all. Remember, it is indeed a letter, as is most of the NT. One of the points that I was beginning to emphasize is that These are real letters, inspired by a real God, written by real people to real people [like you and me] for real life situations.

These real-life situations are both physical and spiritual. This is a physical and supernatural book written to people living in a physical and supernatural world. One of the worst things you can do is to remove the supernatural from this Book - and sadly, many do. Watched a video the other day - Michael Heiser - he’s had some better spiritual conversations with non-Christians than Christians. Sad.

Now, in chapter 1, verses 3-14 in the Greek manuscripts is one sentence. It’s really more like a Psalm of praise than a theological treatise. Encourage you to read it as such. We’ll get into that next week. But for today, our focus is verses 11-14. As we do so, understand context - vv 11-12- Jews. V13 - Gentiles. V14 refers to the new creation - (see 2:16) - the Church

Ephesians 1:11–14 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [Jesus came to us first] might be to the praise of his glory.

In him you also [Gentiles], when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

In vv 13 and 14, Paul gives us kind of a summary of the salvation process that involves hearing the truth - the gospel, believing the truth and then being sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Some thoughts regarding that summary.

1) People need to hear the truth.

Of course, we’re talking about the gospel. People need to hear about sin, and about God’s love, His forgiveness, His death, His resurrection and salvation. Remember, one of the best ways to share the truth of the Gospel is to share your story. How did you come to know Jesus? What was going on in your life? What drew you to Jesus? Or what Jesus has done for you since you have your life to Him? Share your story. Most people respond better to our testimoniesthan to theological statements, religious memes, or to religious dogma.

Share your story - because in your story is the Gospel. People need to hear the truth. We share our stories because …

2) People deserve an opportunity to believe.

This is Romans 10 - how will people believe unless the hear? People need to hear our stories because people deserve an opportunity to respond to Jesus. Make sense? We don’t know how people will respond, and frankly that’s not our responsibility. But we do want people to have an opportunity because ultimately we want people to know Jesus. We want people to experience His love ….

Question - Do we truly want people to know Jesus?

There is a difference between wishing people would know Jesus and wanting people to know Jesus. I think the biggest difference between wishing and wanting shows up is in our prayers. If you truly want people to know Jesus, you will pray for them - consistently and fervently. You can’t save them - I can’t save them - it’s a work of the Holy Spirit.

Pray First App.

Curious: Name 5 people that you consistently and fervently pray will know Jesus.

If you’re not praying for people to know Jesus, would you start today?

Another difference between wishing and wanting people to know Jesus, again shows up in our prayers. If we truly want people to know Jesus, we will pray, “God, use me to help people know Jesus God, use my talents, my skills, my place, my life, my ….”

Curious: How often do you pray that? How often do you ask Jesus to use you to help people know Him? Are you willing to allow Him to use you without exception? (John 12:26)

Let’s take that a little further. If you truly want people to know Jesus, it’s my belief that each of us should be consistently and fervently praying that this church would help people know Jesus?

Curious: How often do your pray for Sunnyside to be a church that helps people now Jesus?

If you have not been praying that prayer or something similar, would you start today?

So, we want people to hear the gospel so they can respond and have an opportunity to believe in Jesus. Now, the Church is God’s primary method for spreading the Gospel and saving souls. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are the Church. So, are you asking God “God, please show me how can I help this church help people know Jesus?” When was the last time you asked God, “God, what would you like me to do at Sunnyside? God, here I am - use me at Sunnyside?”

If you’re not asking God where He wants you in His Church, would you start today?

I’ll save what it means to be sealed by the Holy Spirit for next week. But as we close …

People need to hear the truth. They need to hear the gospel. They need to hear your story.

People deserve an opportunity to believe.

Luke 10:2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way ….