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The Purpose of God for this time –

Matthew 16:15-18  He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God’s purpose for His glory is to build His church until the Lord returns to take us unto Himself and continue His plan for the nation Israel.  Seeing that we are still here, we must focus on His purpose which He stated in no uncertain terms –

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

John 14:27-31  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

We find a pattern in this work through the ministry if Philip in Acts chapter 8 –

I.  We are to be occupied in the work of the Lord where we are.

Acts 8:5,12  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them………..But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

This pattern is repeatedly taught throughout the New Testament –

Peter, John and the Apostles in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Saul in Antioch, Timothy in Ephesus (Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry)…..

II.  We are to be Obedient to the purpose of the Lord – going anywhere

Acts 8:26-27a  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went…..

Again, we see this obedience in the lives of Barnabas and Saul in Antioch, and in Peter’s life while at Joppa to go to the house of Cornelius (even though many would be angry for him visiting the home of Gentiles)

III.  We are to be Observant of those in need of the Lord – opportunities

Acts 8:27-30  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Racheal reading the Bible while sitting in her car.  Beginning conversations with colleagues, classmates, in shops and restaurants.

IV.  We are to Offer exposition of the Word of the Lord – must be knowledgeable.

Acts 8:31-35  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Read, study, and learn –

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

And –

V.  We should Oblige them to obey the Word they have heard –

       Believe and be baptized

Acts 8:36-40  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Again, how are we to continue in this work of the Lord?

Acts 17:16-17  Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

Think about this – when is the last time your spirit was stirred up in you when you considered the unbelievers around you?

If it has been a while, it has been too long!  This morning, surrender your heart and life again to God and ask Him to stir your heart, rekindle the flame for a passion for lost souls.

Then –

Make use of the opportunities that we are given as they did –

As they did in the Synagogue – what more natural place than church to ask someone if they are saved or how did they come to the Lord for salvation.

As Aquila and Priscilla did, opening their home for meetings and using their business as a place of witness.

As Paul id in the market, using people’s curiosity of that which was new to them

In paying attention to those around you –

Give them a tract, an invitation, an word of encouragement. 

Will we carry out the Lord’s purpose for His glory until He returns? What decision do you have to make this morning?

Isaiah   

I.  Salvation is of the Lord

Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

II.  Sending forth by the Lord.  Isaiah 6

  A.  The Sorrow   Isaiah 6:1 “In the year that King Uzziah died…”

  B.  The Solution 

Isaiah 6:1  “…I saw the Lord, sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple…”

  C.  The Serving

Isaiah 6:8-9  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

  D.  The Success

Isaiah 6:11-13  Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

The success is in being faithful to the command of God, for when all we see is disappointment, discouragement, and failure, He sees the substance of life according to His promises –

III.  Security promised by the Lord.

Although Israel is carried away by Assyria and Judah is taken out of the land by the Babylonians, God is still in control and His people will still be in existence to welcome their promised Messiah and King.

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

God is still in control and His plan will be carried out according to His will.

IV.  Safety in life through the Lord.  Isaiah 36

  A.  Destruction was at the gate

They were faced with the demand of full and unconditional surrender.  The lies were cast at them – they were not in the will of God. They were not going to be protected by God.  If God were really with them, they would be greater, larger, and more powerful.  The enemy mocks and declares that we are ignorant and insignificant, and who do we think we are and who is our God that will “…deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?”

The unbelievers will discover the truth that –

  B.  Deliverance was of the Lord!

The response – “vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I will repay”

Isaiah 36:22  Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

Isaiah 37:35-36  For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

God has presented through His revelation to Isaiah His plan for His people that we might not let circumstances rule our lives, but live according to His will through His Word. 

V. Saviour Presented.    Isaiah 49:1-65:19

1.  Saviour revealed.

Isaiah 49:5-7  And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

  B.  Saviour Rejected.   God did not reject them, they rejected Him!

Isaiah 50:1  Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

  C.  Saviour’s Reaction – Isaiah 50:4-9

He loved them, even though they despised Him –

Isaiah 50:4-6  The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

He determined to finish the work –

Isaiah 50:7  For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

The Lord declared to Malachi the eternal truth –

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

 And that through that same truth, He declared to Isaiah the –

  D.  Saviour’s Righteousness 

Isaiah 51:7-8  Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

  E.  Saviour’s Rebuke

Isaiah 51:17-20  Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out. There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up. These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee? Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

Every believer in this age of grace that has read the book of Matthew will recognize the cry of Jesus over the city – how He longed to have comforted her –

Matthew 23:37-39  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

  F.  Saviour’s Report

Isaiah 53:1-6  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Have you believed the report and trusted in God through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?

If you have not believed Him, you should because God’s plan did not end in the sacrifice on the cross.  The cross was followed by the burial and the resurrection and we are told of the –

  G.  Saviour’s Rejoicing.

Isaiah 54:1,2  Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.  Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

Isaiah 65:16-19  That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

Revelation 21:3-4  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

God’s plan leads to the –

  H.  Saviour’s Reign 

Revelation 21:6-7  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

We have seen His plan revealed through Isaiah.

How long, Isaiah asked.

How long, the disciples asked –

And the response from the Lord is the same to the disciples as it was to Isaiah –

Acts 1:6-8  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Be faithful and go, the results belong to God!

Which brings us back to the question –

Isaiah 6:8  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Will you go?

Trusting God in the journey –

Psalm 23   “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…”

Which simply means that as we follow our Shepherd, He will provide!  As we study the life of our Lord, we discover that, from our viewpoint, each day He, and those following Him, met with the unexpected.  The truth revealed through study of His Word, the Bible, reveals to us that only men were surprised by the events of a day.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow…..

“Ye know not…”  But God knows, so stay close and trust Him!

Let’s look at this truth today in the account given in Exodus chapter 17.

God states that His Word has been given for our learning.  We are to pray, read, and learn how to live the life that will please God.  I want to share with you this morning what I have learned from God’s Word, dealing with the account of the people of Israel as they journeyed from Egypt to Mount Sinai.  We begin by looking at their –

I.  Trial – no water 

Exodus 17:1-7  And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

We all know what it is like to face trials in life – those things to which there seems to be no good solution.

We look forward, backward, to the left, and to the right, but there is no answer. 

What we need to do is look up, look up to our God, our Father in Heaven. 

We must follow His leadership and as we follow, remember that He knows where we are and what our circumstances are –

“…after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD…”

Refer to –

Numbers 9:18-19  At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents. And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.

He is our Shepherd, He has given the command – “Follow me”.

He has the answer and we have learned that when Moses cried out to God, the people received the solution to their problem – water.  Water in the desert. 

They never would have imagined that water would come out from the rock. 

They never would have imagined that God would answer their need in this way. 

God taught them, and through them, He teaches us to trust Him. 

The problems that they faced taught them not only that they could trust God, but is also taught who among the people they could trust.  We need to thank God for friends, for they will stand by us in times of trials.

We also are reminded from the account Moses gave us that not only our friends notice when we are blessed by God,

those who are not our friends also notice and they come to take advantage of the blessing, even trying to take the blessing from us –

When you have a need –     

Do not be fearful – you will not drown in the lake

          Do not be anxious – you can feed 5,000

          Do not get angry – you will receive water

If you are close to God – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”

He did not say that I shall not have a need!  He will meet that need in His time.

If you have turned away from God –

                           You have reason to fear – cannot help yourself

                           You have reason to be anxious – cannot help others

                           You should be angry – but only at yourself!

II.  Trouble    The enemy now wanted the well-watered land

Exodus 17:8     Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

It seems that human nature is such that we are surrounded by people who do not care who we are or what we have until God blesses us.  When they see the blessing and how it has changed the desert into an oasis – a place of rest, they do not seek a blessing from God by turning to Him, but they seek to take the blessing from us. 

They do not want to have anything to do with God, or with us – just

the blessing.

God’s people are blessed though because we learn that when trials come, we know who we can –

III.  Trust  Exodus 17:9-12

  A.  Moses trusted Joshua

Exodus 17:9a  “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek:…”

    1.  To know who was faithful

    2.  To know who would fight.

  B.  Joshua trusted Moses

Exodus 17:9b “…to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand….”

    1.  Joshua had seen God’s faithfulness in the life of Moses.

    2.  Joshua had heard the words of Moses’ faith in God –

       “…the rod of God in mine hand…”

Joshua knew that the rod was a piece of wood, but not only a piece of wood, but the symbol of the power of God. Moses declared the power for the battle was of God and not of himself.

  C.  Moses, Joshua, and the people trusted God.

Exodus 17:10-12    So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

God received the glory both by overcoming the trial that they faced and the trouble that followed as a result of the blessing.  In God, His people have the –

IV.  Triumph

Exodus 17:13-16   And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

God won the battle for His people.  When we are attacked, seek God and His help.

Even though trials come and trouble follows, God is always with us if we have turned to Him for salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Will you trust God for salvation this morning if you are not saved?

Will you be a trusted friend when trials come into the lives of others?

Will you be a faithful friend, giving of yourselves to help others overcome trouble when it comes?

Blessings belong to the Lord, but remember, vengeance also belongs to Him – the battle is the Lord’s.  God is to receive glory in all things!

The Letter to the Ephesians   Message 26

In the message on this letter two weeks ago, Paul instructed us on the –

XII.  Principles of humility.  Ephesians 5:22 – 6:9

The first of these two instructions were –

  A.  The Principles set forth for the family. Ephesians 5:22-6:4

    1.  Husbands and wives   Ephesians 5:22-33 

    2.  Husbands, wives, and children.  Ephesians  6:1-4

The second part set forth –

  B.  The Principles of faithful servitude    Ephesians 6:5-9

This morning, we will complete the messages preached through this letter with the instructions for –

XIII.  Protection in the battles   Ephesians 6:10-18

  A.  The command to stand strong

Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

  B.  The capabilities of the enemy –

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Once we know the capabilities of the enemy, we must learn –

  C.  The crucial elements for victory    Ephesians 6:13-17

These are supplied by God,

These must be applied by the believer!

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

You must –

    1.  Reinforce your strength with truth.

Ephesians 6:14a Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,

2 Timothy 1:12-13  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

    2.  Rely on God’s righteousness –

Ephesians 6:14b “… and having on the breastplate of righteousness…”

Philippians 3:4-10  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

The righteousness of the Lord withstood all of the attacks of Satan and his demons.  During the temptations in the wilderness, the false accusations of the religious leaders, the cries of those possessed by demons, the trial by the government of Rome, the crucifixion, the burial – all were overcome by the righteousness of the Lord and we, with His righteous armour, can withstand the attacks that are thrown against us!

All of the evil hatred invested in men by the Devil that was hurled against Jesus was withstood through His righteousness.  As He is victorious, we shall be victorious in Him.

On the other side, the righteousness of men, even good and dedicated men, did not provide courage for the battle.  Remember Peter in the garden, or for that matter, any of the disciples.  Even their combined strength failed in the moments of confusion, in the unexpected (for them) confrontation!

    3.  Rally the troops to stand firm with the expectation of victory in the Lord

Ephesians 5:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Illustrate with the rallying stand of Thomas Jackson

    4. Rejecting the lies and temptations of the wicked by –

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

We cannot stand before the accusations against truth, protecting our hearts and minds from troubles, trials, tribulation, theologies, technologies, based in the old as time lies that Satan has introduced into this world, daily trying to destroy our trust in God, except we stand behind the shield of faith – that faith in God that we are safe in the salvation in Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Jesus Christ.

We are to –

    5.  Rise up in the battle, identifying whose side you are on –

Ephesians 6:17a   And take the helmet of salvation,

The fighting is close and confusing.  We must be able to identify our friends quickly and also the enemy.

Do not be like King Ahab, who thought he would escape the arrows of the enemy by disguising himself.  Wear the helmet of salvation and stand, identifying yourself with the believers in God.

    6.  Respond always with the everlasting Word of God

Ephesaisn 6:17b  “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:…”

Follow the example of Jesus – Mt 4:4 “…But he answered and said, It is written…”

Always remember to look beyond ourselves for the victory that God has already won –

Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Conclusion –

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Personal request –

Ephesians 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

The Letter to the Ephesians    Message Twenty Five

XI.  Prohibitions, Proving, and Praises    Ephesians 5:3-21

We learned from chapter five through God’s Word that we should –

  A.  Be Warned of the dangers before us.   (Prohibitions)                                                     The danger of –

    1.  Seeking the satisfaction of the flesh –

    2.  Seeking the attention of others-

    3.  Seeking to live as an unbeliever –

    4.  Seeking to be liked by those you are around each day –

We learned also that on the other hand, we are to  –

  B.  Be Wise   (Proving)   Ephesians 5:7-17   “…be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

When we are wise and understanding what the will of the Lord is, we will –

    1.  Be different –

    2.  Be devoted –

    3.  Be discerning –

    4.  Be diligent –

Do we understand what we are being told?  We are to make a difference in this world – be light in the darkness.  Help people to see that there is hope in this life and that Hope is in God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are to illuminate the world through Him. To accomplish this, we must –

  C.  Be Submitted   (Praise)    Ephesians 5:18-21

    1.  Pursue after His will –

Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

      a.  Reject the desires of the flesh –

      b.  Receive the blessings of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the fulness He gives.  “…but be filled with the Spirit.”

    2.  Praise Him for His presence –

Ephesians 5:18b-20  “…but be filled with the Spirit….”  Remember –

      a.  The benefits of being filled we have through Him –

        1).  Security

        2).  Liberty

        3).  Truth

        4).  Understanding

        5).  Conviction

        6).  Prayer

        7).  Direction

        8).  Boldness

        9).  Testimony 

        10).  Fellowship

Today we will learn from these benefits that –

      b.  The beauty of being filled –

        1).  Psalms   “… Speaking to yourselves in psalms – with music

        2).   Hymns –  Choir without musical accompaniment

        3).  Spiritual Songs –  Solos of praise and encouragement

        4).  Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

  – continuing the blessings of the messages in song and through the preaching into the days ahead which leads us to –

Pursue His will, Praise Him for His Presence, and –

   3.  Present ourselves to Him in service to one another –

Ephesians 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord (…in the fear of God…) must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,  (submitting yourselves one to another…) apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Are we being a light to those with whom we come in contact? 

Does your life draw them along with you to walk in obedience and service to the Lord or –

Does your life give them the excuse they want to continue to fulfil the lust of the flesh?

Lets all be a help and a blessing to others, living for the Lord to His glory!  This leads us to learn more of the practical application of God’s Word –

XII.  Principles of humility.  Ephesians 5:22 – 6:9

And as we move with the words of the Lord through the Apostle Paul, we must remember the admonition given in Proverbs –

Proverbs 18:19  A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

The message is to be careful and not let divisions happen, and if they do, settle them quickly!  Relationships are destroyed because of pride and the refusal to submit to one another in love.

  A.  The Principles set forth for the family. Ephesians 5:22-6:4

    1.  Husbands and wives   Ephesians 5:22-33 

      a.  The Plan

        1).  The wife – Love through submission

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

        2). The Husband – love through leadership

…even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word…

      b.  The Presentation

…That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

      c.  The Pattern –

“…So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. “

We are being reminded again of the exhortation given in chapter four – unity!

“…This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

That which was not known before, but recently revealed to man by God.

“…Nevertheless…”

Returning to the subject at hand –

“…let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

    2.  Husbands, wives, and children.  Ephesians  6:1-4

Ephesians 6:1-4  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Obedience to parents results from parents bringing up the children as commanded “…in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

This obedience is not a natural occurrence!  

Obedience is learned and therefore, must be taught.  The important thing to always keep in mind – Who is doing the teaching?  The world or the Lord?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things (the thing) of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Will you turn your eyes to God this morning through His Son?

Be the person who God wants you to be!

The Letter to the Ephesians    Message Twenty Four

XI.  Prohibitions, Proving, and Praises    Ephesians 5:3-21

We learned this past week that God gave us this Word that we should –

  A.  Be Warned of the dangers before us.   (Prohibitions)            The danger of –

    1.  Seeking the satisfaction of the flesh –

    2.  Seeking the attention of others-

    3.  Seeking to live as an unbeliever –

    4.  Seeking to be liked by those you are around each day –

We learned also that on the other hand, we are to  –

  B.  Be Wise   (Proving)   Ephesians 5:7-17   “…be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

When we are wise and understanding what the will of the Lord is, we will –

    1.  Be different –

    2.  Be devoted –

    3.  Be discerning –

    4.  Be diligent –

Do we understand what we are being told?  We are to make a difference in this world – be light in the darkness.  Help people to see that there is hope in this life and that Hope is in God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are to illuminate the world through Him. To accomplish this, we must –

  C.  Be Submitted   (Praise)    Ephesians 5:18-21

    1.  Pursue after His will –

Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

      a.  Reject the desires of the flesh –

Today we continue this message with the knowledge that we must –

Reject the pursuit of evil and –

      b.  Receive the blessings of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the fulness He gives.  “…but be filled with the Spirit.”

    2.  Praise Him for His presence –

Ephesians 5:18b-20  “…but be filled with the Spirit….”

      a.  The benefits of being filled – 

Would you rather be part full or filled?  Illustrate

We have through Him –

        1).  Security

Ephesians 1:13-14  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.

Because of this security, we have –

        2).  Liberty

2 Corinthians 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

        3).  Truth

John 14:16-17  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

        4).  Understanding

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

        5).  Conviction

John 16:7-11  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

        6).  Prayer

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

        7).  Direction

John 16:12-14  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

        8).  Boldness

1 Corinthians 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

        9).  Testimony 

2 Corinthians 3:3  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

        10).  Fellowship

Romans 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

The Letter to The Ephesians   Message Twenty Three

The Lord warned us again through Paul that we can hide the light.  There is a bushel, a basket that we put over the light, hiding it – it is the basket of willful sin. 

Paul gives us a list of things that we might know what to stay away from – he warned us away to protect us from the chastening hand of God.

Which group do you identify with?  We are not to sin against others and we are also commanded not to sin against ourselves, which confuses the testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ in the minds of unbelievers.  The common excuse is “I am not hurting anyone – this is my body and I can do what I want, what I feel like doing”!  This being the case, God led the Apostle Paul to deal with this argument and remove any excuses –

XI.  Prohibitions, Proving, and Praises    Ephesians 5:3-21

God gave us this Word that we should –

  A.  Be Warned of the dangers before us.   (Prohibitions)                                                The danger of –

    1.  Seeking the satisfaction of the flesh –

Ephesians 5:3-6  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

    2.  Seeking the attention of others-

Ephesians 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

    3.  Seeking to live as an unbeliever –

Ephesians 5:5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

If one desires to live a life glorifying the body and pursuing the lust of the flesh instead of living a life glorifying God and serving Him, they have a serious problem and need to cry unto the Lord for salvation!

    4.  Seeking to be liked by those you are around each day –

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

People will encourage you to sin by telling you that you are simply doing what is natural for you!  They will say that God has made you this way and no one can tell you how you should feel.  The excuse always comes back to the beginning – ‘This is God’s fault, not yours’.  Remember Adam’s excuse –

Genesis 3:11-12  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

God did not excuse Adam then and He does not excuse us now.  God has given us this message that we should –

  B.  Be Wise   (Proving)   Ephesians 5:7-17   “…be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

When we are wise and understanding what the will of the Lord is, we will –

    1.  Be different –

Ephesians 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

    2.  Be devoted –

Ephesians 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

    3.  Be discerning –

Ephesians 5:11-13  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.   For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

    4.  Be diligent –

Ephesians 5:14-16  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

‘Circumspectly’  – Not looking out for the wrong ways, but keeping our eyes on the right way!

Ephesians 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Do you understand what we are being told today?  We are to make a difference in this world – be light in the darkness.  Help people to see that there is hope in this life and that Hope is in God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are to illuminate the world through Him. To accomplish this, we must –

  C.  Be Submitted   (Praise)    Ephesians 5:18-21

    1.  Pursue after His will –

Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

      a.  Reject the desires of the flesh –

Do not argue with God because of the desires of the heart, as many do –

Deuteronomy 29:19  And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

Other people who call themselves Christians are drinking alcohol.  I should be able to also –

Hebrews 12:14-15  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

What men may claim as liberty to consume alcohol will poison and destroy them and others with them because of the rebellion against God.

• Although only in moderation – Be warned about this lie of men by knowing the Word of God! –

 Proverbs 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 23:29-35  Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Reject the pursuit of evil and –

      b.  Receive the blessings of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the fulness He gives.  “…but be filled with the Spirit.”

    2.  Praise Him for His presence –

Ephesians 5:19,20  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

   3.  Present ourselves to Him in service to one another –

Ephesians 5:21  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord (…in the fear of God…) must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,  (submitting yourselves one to another…) apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Are you being a light to those with whom you come in contact? 

Does your life draw them along with you to walk in obedience and service to the Lord or –

Does your life give them the excuse they want to continue to fulfil the lust of the flesh?

Lets all be a help and a blessing to others, living for the Lord to His glory!

The Letter to the Ephesians     Message Twenty Two

We find in the first part of this chapter the command to reflect the Lord in our lives.  We are instructed in this by walking in love, giving thanks, avoiding sin, revealing truth,  proving God’s Will, redeeming the time, and being wise.

How are we to accomplish God’s will , to fulfil His purpose for us in our lives.  We will note three things that we must act upon this –

X.  Pattern of new life. 

The Lord has been teaching us about the church (the assembly). Not just any church (any assembly), but His Church (His Assembly) which when assembled (coming together), is His Body and represents Him to the world through His Word.

Do you what this assembly is – it is a place of miracles – not the miracles that we often hear of, but of great miracles, eternal miracles.  Remember what the Lord told us through what He told His disciples as recorded in –

Luke 10:17-20  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Sinners become saints, and saints become students, and students become servants!

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This miracle involves grace, and faith, and submission, and service,

Ephesians 2:8-10  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

– which is a greater miracle than that which much of the Christian world acknowledges!  They want to see fireworks and hear explosions, but salvation is a quiet birth from above, leading to service is a steady growth day to day, declared righteous and with the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, may able to live a holy life –

1 Peter 1:15-16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Have you chosen to obey the Lord in salvation and then in service?  Look what the Lord is focusing on again as He led Paul to continue writing about obedience and growing in the Lord –

Ephesians 5:1,2  Be ye therefore followers (imitators) of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Have you considered the difference between ‘dear children’ and the children of this world? 

“…As dear children…” – a real difference between the children of the Lord and the children of the world –

2 Kings 2:23  And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

Dear children will reverence God and respect believers.  The children of this world will reject God and revile believers as the world teaches them to do.

  A.  We are to be like Him, following in His steps – imitating as ‘dear children’ –

1 Peter 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

  B.  We are to be loving as He loves –

John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

  C.  We are to be living as He lived –

         John 20:21 As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you

Sometimes we may not even notice the changes that are taking place, but you may be sure that if we walk as He walked, and love as He loved, and live as He lived, we are changing!  The Light in us is shining brighter in this dark world.  This light is Christ –

Colossians 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Jesus warned us that we should not hide the light –

Luke 11:33  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

Ephesians 4:17-32  Message 21

The church is to grow up into the fulness of the stature of Christ.  We represent Him to the World.

Ephesians 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Paul is instructing us how we are to show the world outwardly what is going on inwardly –

IX .  Personal Growth.  Ephesians 4:17-32

        The beginning of the new life.    New creatures with old habits!

         “…that ye henceforth….”  The second ‘henceforth’ in three verses – from right now, stop being children and begin growing up to maturity!

    A.  The insistence that we must change    Ephesians 4:17

         “…This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord…”

Paul is calling on the Lord to bear witness to the truth that the believer not only is a child of God, but should live like it!

A difference must be known by the believer, and be known by those observing the believer.  A beginning point (henceforth), a new beginning must be known by the believer and from that moment, the moment of the new birth, the birth from above, the birth by the Spirit of God, must present evidence to all who will ask or see, that a change has taken place –

Ephesians 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

The believer, you, are no longer what you were, and you must now live like what you are – a child of God.

You are like one of those blocks of marble that is seen while traveling north up the North-South Highway.  Looking over to the right, the marble can be seen embedded in the hillside.  On the left side of the highway the individual blocks sit on the ground.  These blocks have been removed, cut out, from their natural place and have been positioned where they will be changed into something useful, something beautiful, something inspiring. 

Now those blocks of stone do not participate in the ‘putting off of the old and the putting on of the new, we as believers do have a responsibility to act upon what we learn!

    B.  The incentive to change – 

      1. Consider carefully the life of the unbeliever

Ephesians 4:18,19  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

The believer is now able to change! 

Again I say ‘Why would you want to be like this’?

1 Corinthians 2:9-14  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

      2.  Consider now the truth of God, that you are no longer blinded to the truth and able to know and do the will of God according to the Word of God.

Ephesians 4:20  But ye have not so learned Christ;

      3.  Consider the decision that you will make today –

Ephesians 4:21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Will you follow these instructions to guide you to a life that will result in a life that glorifies God and fills you with the joy of the Lord?  The Lord set forth the pattern of the work through the Word in –

2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

You need to know the TRUTH!  The Holy Spirit must work in all of this!

You are going in the wrong direction!

You need to go in the right direction – knowing you are wrong is not enough!

You need walk in the way of God through His Word!

    C.   The instructions for change.  Ephesians 4:22-32

      1.  My participation is required –

Ephesians 4:22-24  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

      2.  My practice must be conformed to the will of God.   

           Ephesians 4:25-32

        a.    Tell the truth –

Ephesians 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

        b.  Trust the Lord.  “…Vengeance is mine saith the Lord…”

Ephesians 4:26,27  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

Remember the danger of pent up anger is that it quickly turns to hatred –

Hosea 7:6  For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.

        c.  Turn from serving only self to serving others –

Ephesians 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

        d.  Teach others those things that you have learned that they may be blessed and be a blessing. 

Ephesians 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Be confident in God’s will for your life.  (Barnabas and Saul)

        e.  Turn away from sin –

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

John 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Do not continue in that which you have already been reproved of!

        f.  Treat others as God has treated you for the sake of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4:31,32  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

We reply to this that God is asking a lot!  This is true, but He is not asking more than He is able to accomplish in us and through us.  We cannot do it on our own, but He expects us to be conformed to His will and He will help us in the doing of it. 

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

He is willing – are you willing to do your part?   “Henceforth”

Have you heard Him?

Have you responded to Him and turned to Him for salvation?

Have you recognized that God has changed you and you are growing up in Him?

The Letter to the Ephesians   Message Twenty

From message nineteen  leading into today’s message – Twenty

We have reviewed these truths as given by God through the Apostle Paul, learning of –

    c.  The Preparation of believers to serve the Lord. 

        (1).  The responsibility of the office holders – Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers.

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

            (a).  The revelation from the Lord

            (b).  The reason for the revelation from the Lord

            (c).  The results of the revelation from the Lord

        (2).  The responsibility of the church members.

“…for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

    4.  The Purpose   What is the Lord looking for as the final result?

We are being equipped and should be equipping others to be –

  D.  The Committed Church serving and growing together.       Ephesians 3:13-16

God has revealed –

    1.  The Characteristics to be desired.  (The complete body) 

      a.  Unity    b.  Knowledge    c.  Maturity     d.  Image

    2.  The Childish attitudes are to be discarded    4:14-16.  That we henceforth be no more children, (without understanding, changeable…) –

Attitudes and actions of those who never mature were condemned by the Lord –

Matthew 11:16-19  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children (little boys) sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. (natural born child of its parents) 

Decisions are often based on peer pressure instead of careful consideration of the facts.  If a teacher can present a course of action based on what the majority of others seem to be doing, he can convince many to follow him without considering the reasons for their decisions.  A Biblical example of adults acting like children, participating in an action that they do not understand is recorded in –

Acts 19:32-41  Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the townclerk had appeased the people……..Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

They were unreasonable and instead of seeking out the facts of why the townspeople had gathered together, they simply joined in, their ignorance adding to the chaos.  They were acting like children and had to be threatened with punishment in order to get them to be quiet and orderly.  These are not the actions of mature men and women.

Paul gave –

    3.  The challenge to the childlike believer –

Ephesians 4:15-16  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Work together for the glory of God, not self .

Illustration – giving of self to others for a higher cause.

The city where we live has a military base which is known as the home of The Blue Angels.  They are a precision flying group which promote the US Navy, The US Navy air wing, and above this, the United States of America.  They travel throughout the States, amazing audiences with their skill in close order flying, often their wingtips only half a meter apart! They operate under one name – The Blue Angels – and they fly as one group.  They are constantly practicing and learning to work together.

It is interesting as you watch them to consider that there are hundreds of people involved – aircraft mechanics, electricians, computer specialist, doctors that monitor the pilot’s health, ground crew that fill the tanks with petrol and some that wash and polish the airplanes, and the pilots themselves.  All of them are simply known as The Blue Angels and the Blue Angels represent the USA.  They endeavour to be united in this cause.

If those of the world will give themselves to work together for something greater than themselves, how much more should we, as the children of God, work toward glorifying the Lord through our love for Him and showing that through our love for one another.

Think for a moment of a church that glorifies the Lord Jesus in every way.  Think of what it takes to grow into Him to the fulness of His Body.

Do you want this church, your church to reflect the image of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Remember what God stated in the beginning –   “Let us make man in our image”

This is the desire of our Lord – that we, His church, would be in His image.