Sermon by Neil Earle
Ephesians 3:8: "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."
Ephesians 1:1: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God...."
The role of minister was not Paul’s personal career decision; he was, in fact, pointed in a diametrically opposite trajectory. Today, we would find it as incredible as Eichmann becoming a rabbi. This was only by the determinate will of God.
Ephesians 1:2: "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Headquarters is in the heavenlies – plural – not a list on Joe Tkach, Jr.’s desk.
Ephesians 1:9: "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will...he might gather together in one all things in Christ."
This is the great ingathering; all knees shall bow to acknowledge the supremacy of the Father, and the pre-eminence of Jesus the Christ. The great meaning of Tabernacles is not done away: it is, instead, subsumed into the much greater picture of the Kingdom of God in all the Universe. It may be likened to the raisins in a bowl of oatmeal.
Ephesians 1:11: "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated...to be the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ."
This message, which we believed, is the power of God to give us salvation. This same message was being preached aloud, by Paul in the Magic Centre of Asia – Ephesus. The idolatrous power of wicked spirits moved the people to riots – remember.
Ephesians 1:13: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
The seal of a king on a wine jar was conclusive as to ownership; likewise, we are sealed by the Father with the Holy Spirit, the guarantee that the eldest brother would buy us back, exercising the right of kin redemption. Therefore, we should follow Paul and pray for the church, for wisdom, for revelation, for power, and for knowledge, and for understanding.
Now – today we can pick and choose, no one can force us. We must endeavor to get rid of everything except the Son, and lay the foundation in Christ. Remember we can build with wood, hay and stubble or gold, silver and gemstones! Join us on this walk in 2004 into the unseen.
Ephesians 2:1: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."
Ephesians 2:2: "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience…."
We all conducted ourselves in this way in our past.
Ephesians 2:3: "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Naturally – inborn in our natures.
Ephesians 2:4: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…."
Ephesians 2:5: "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by (grace ye are saved;)"
We were dead.
Ephesians 2:6: "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Made us alive in the heavenly places – note the plural.
Ephesians 2:7: "That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
For the purpose of:
Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…."
Showing us His grace.
Ephesians 2:9: "Not of works, lest any man should boast." Which has nothing to do with our worthiness or lack thereof.
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
But NOW we should have good works – demonstrating God’s goodness to us. Keep the Law, don’t rob banks, don’t murder our neighbors. Don’t hide from our neighbors, but do good to them. Remember that some things matter, but some things really matter.
Now to address the Gentiles...
Ephesians 2:11-13: "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands…. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Are no longer Gentile:
Ephesians 2:14, 15: "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace."
Rituals are the physical things previously performed, but now...
Ephesians 2:16: "And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby…."
Because Israel and Gentile were both missing the mark, but now are reconciled into one body.
Ephesians 2:17: "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."
To Israel and the nations:
Ephesians 2:18: "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
Now any man may have access to God, through belief in Jesus and His saving work, as God may call.
Ephesians 2:19-22: "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God…And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone…In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy temple in the Lord…In whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit."
Ephesians 3:1-7: These verses explain what the mystery is. "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)…That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:…"
Our goal is to be more Christ centered.
Ephesians 3:14-17: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named...That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; …"
Ephesians 3:18-21: "…And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God."
You can be filled with the fullness of God this year.
Sermon summary prepared by local Glendora church members John & Pat Hopkinson.