Posted by David Whitten on September 24, 2011 under Staff | 
The Beatitude Attitude
Matthew 5:1-16
Intro:
I wonder what it would be like to hear Jesus preach or teach. He is the master speaker. I believe there is none who spoke like him. I would love to hear him speak with passion and love. His words would be riveting. His inflection would draw you in and captivate you. With his words he would move you to laughter and tears and at the end of his speech you are moved to action.
I had an opportunity of a life time in the year 2000. I remember sitting on the mount of beatitudes in the Galilee listening as one of the preachers of from our group read the sermon on the mount found in Matthew 5-7. I imagined what it would be like to be there as he spoke that day.
Well I can’t turn back time but we can look in to God’s the recorded words and find inspiration. This morning I’d like to look at the first portion of this incredible sermon . Lets open up to matthew 5:1-16.
Video the beatitudes matt 5:1-16
What we find in The Beatitudes are nine attitudes that faithful followers need to display. Let’s look at these today.
I believe that Jesus is intentional in the order if the beatitudes he lists here in at the beginning of this great sermon. I believe that all he said that followed was purposed and some of the most useful and powerful information afforded to us as Christians
These behaviors are actions that every kingdom seeker should display in their walk with Christ.
Let’s look at them one by one.
Attitude 1 – We need an attitude of HUMILITY.
If you are going to be part of Christ’s kingdom we must submit to it’s king. So the first step toward kingdom mindedness is humility.
Jesus said in v 3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
By talking about being “poor in spirit”, Jesus is saying that this is the opposite of self-sufficiency. “Poor in spirit” speaks of those who realize that they are in total helplessness and lost apart from God.
When we think we are OK because we are a “GOOD PERSON” we are depending on our own self righteousness. But self righteousness will not make you happy. Self righteousness will not get you into the Kingdom of Heaven. Apart from God we are totally lost. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved. Any of us! That is a humbling thing. Going to church will not save you. Reading your Bible will not save you. Praying will not save you. Only a relationship with Jesus will save you. Look at what the Bible says in Luke chapter eighteen:
10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[a] himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14
What is the difference between the two men? One approached God in his self righteousness the other approached God in his humility. One was accepted the other was not. Look at what psalm chapter fifty one says:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise. Psalms 51:17
We have the idea of being spiritually bankrupt here.
If we truly want to be blessed we need an attitude of humility.
Attitude 2 – We need an attitude of REPENTANCE.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Here Jesus is speaking about those who mourn over their sin. This is the ability to see sin as it is and to have godly sorrow over our practice in it. This is a sorrow that produces repentance and leads to salvation. This is true sorrow that affects a person down into their soul. There is deep agony because one knows they have done wrong and deserves punishment.
Do you remember the story of King David? How he sinned? He had an affair with Bathsheba which was wrong in the first place but in order to cover it up he had Bathsheba’s husband killed. Did you know that David felt sorrow, remorse, guilt, and shame for what he had done? He mourned over his sin. In fact Psalm fifty one is a psalm of David and how he felt about his sin. Read along with me
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge. Psalms 51:4
Folks when we have sinned we should feel guilty. We should feel shame. We should mourn over our sin. We should take it to God for the scripture says if we take our sin before Him, we “shall be comforted.”
Look at what first John chapter one and verse nine says:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
When we sin – we need an attitude of repentance
Attitude 3 – We need an attitude of TEACHABILITY.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5
Now most people seem to think that meek means weak, a spineless person without any backbone at all. But in the original language, “meek” is used in bridling a horse, or taming a wild animal. The word “meek” is a picture of “power under control.” So when we talk about a meek person, we’re talking about one whose life has been brought under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and God is in control of his or her life.
What this Beatitude tells me is that I am to drive my life but allow God to be my navigator. It’s like saying, “Jesus, I’ll drive. You just tell me where to go. If you say turn left – I’ll turn left. If you say turn right – I’ll turn right. If you say turn around – I’ll turn around. I’m turning my destination over to you.”
The meek are sensitive to the divine will of God. The meek are not easily provoked or irritated. They are not proud, self sufficient or stubborn. They are not unmanageable or ill tempered. In fact Jesus Himself was meek:
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.”
Matthew 11:29 (KJV)
Meekness is supreme self control empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT.
We need to be sensitive to the will of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We don’t need to cower like a mouse – but roar like a lion – over injustice. We need to keep our heads about us – and use our intellect and our energy for God’s glory – and when God calls us to be bold – we need to be submissive enough – that we don’t hesitate to step up to the plate. We also need an attitude of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us as we deal with those around us.
Attitude 4 – We need an attitude of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
God is righteous and we need to have the same desires that He has. When something is wicked we need to call it wicked. When something is sinful we need to call it sinful. When something is pure and holy we need to hold on to it. We need to have a burning desire for it. We need to study it and live it. Our driving passion – our driving hunger – needs to be on those things that are pleasing to God. Look at what Moses wrote in Deuteronomy:
“ 3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:3-4
God wants us to have a desire so strong for Him that it is almost like starvation hunger. The desire for righteousness should drive our lives.
Attitude 5 – We need an attitude of MERCY.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7
Forgiveness and mercy are what God demonstrates to the undeserving sinner. That undeserving sinner is us. Did you know that the manner in which you forgive people is the manner in which you will be forgiven? Look at what it says in The Lord’s prayer:
“And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12
How do you show mercy and forgiveness?
John Wesley visited the governor of the colony of Georgia. The governor mentioned an incident involving a man who had angered him and remarked, “I shall never forgive him!” Wesley responded, “Then I hope sir, that you never sin!”
14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins Matthew 6:14-15
We need to have an attitude of forgiveness and mercy.
to be Continued … http://www.greatbridgechurch.org/2011/10/04/the-bestitude-attitude-ii/
Posted by David Whitten on under Staff |
Small Groups start the week of October 23rd
What’s a small group you ask? These are groups of 3-10 people who meet weekly in a home environment to pray for one another and the church and to study the bible together. The small groups will meet for an hour or so throughout the week. The bible study will comprise of the topic introduced in the Sunday morning. A list of questions will be given to the discussion leader and posted on the church web page… Or the group can choose a study or topic the group agrees on as long as it is geared toward Christian spiritual growth. A small group is a great way to grow in our relationship with Christ as well as with one another.
Posted by David Whitten on September 16, 2011 under Staff |
Beautiful Feet
R0mans 10:13-15
Matthew 28:18-20
You may have noticed but I choose to wear flip flops this morning. Some of you have already made some comments. But the reason I wanted to ware flip flops is because 1. They are way more comfortable then my other shoes and also 2. I wanted to show my beautiful feet.
I know rather bold, right? I think pretty highly of my feet. Just look at them! Beautiful right? Actually I can think many other adjectives to describe these things on the end of my legs; Smelly, hairy, scary nasty, ugly hideous are a few that may come to mind. But because I come to you with the message of the gospel God calls them beautiful.
Turn with me to Romans 10:13-15 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 4 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
You see, Since I am bring the gospel this morning I have beautiful feet!
Seriously, Is there a more beautiful sound then someone confessing the name of Christ. I tell you, according to Luke 10:15 This brings heaven to its feet and results a glorious sound from the angels. When a person comes to Christ there is a mighty battle won. That is what makes feet beautiful.
I want to challenge you to have beautiful feet. Everywhere you go, to all the people you know, may your feet be beautiful.
But you say that’s the preachers job, and to some extent that is true. I was charged in my ordination to preach the Gospel of Christ founded solidly on the Word of God. But all of us were given a charge we may have forgotten. This charge comes from Christ. These are the last words he said while he was on earth before he ascended. Please turn to
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Could it be any clearer? Jesus wants us all to go and tell others about him. However to a great number of Christians, Jesus’ Great Commission has become the Great Omission.
Why? Why if we know that Jesus offers eternity to all who call on him why wouldn’t we share what with others? People we love, people we work with every day. People we live with? Why would we keep this good news to ourselves.
Let me share some possible reasons why we may not share the Good News with others
1. We are afraid
There many things people fear when talking about Jesus to their friends and loved ones. We fear being labeled a Jesus freak, we fear the ridicule of being called a crazy. That is a valid assumption, The truth is that you will probably be considered a bit kooky in the eyes of this world when you start talking about Jesus. People in the world have always been offended by the name of our savior
This nothing new nor should it be something unexpected. Jesus said that people would treat you un kindly when you spoke about him.
John 15:20 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
We should expect some critsim when we speak on behalf of Christ. If we are made fun of and called names for the profession of our faith isn’t it a small price compared to the sacrifice he made for us?
Besides, there is a blessing promised for those who undergo such persecution.
Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
True we may fear telling others about Christ but let me remind you there is a promised reward for those of us who speak boldly about our savior. You have nothing to lose but a reward in heaven to gain.
Fear may be one reason some do not share the gospel but I don’t think that is the main reason. Let’s look at others.
2. We are ashamed
Jesus said something about those who are ashamed of him….
Mark 8:38, If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Those are some powerful words. They should be headed for those who stay silent because of shame
But I don’t think the problem is that we are ashamed of Christ. I think we are either ashamed of ourselves because of the way we live our lives or we are ashamed of other Christians.
It is easy to feel a level of shame in the world when so many Christens have given Christianity a black eye. It is hard to declare openly you are a Christian when others before have burned bridges. Some Christians have either been fanatical and poured down judgment without mercy on non-believing people. Who can blame people outside of Christ for being critical of Christians because many have acted meanly to them. The thing about these type of Christians is that they are not very Christ like.
Weather they act like the world’s judge or they simply act just like the world. DC Talk on their Jesus freak CD plays this quote by Brennan Manning that says “The greatest single cause of atheism today Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. - Mohandas Gandhi
Many Christians have given a lot of people outside of Christ a lot of reason to be skeptical of Christians.
This however is not a reason to ignore the charge to go in to all the world. Our best option it to hold our head high and tell them the truth of the gospel of peace, not as some fanatic but as a concerned friend who is not judging them, as a friend who is loving them.
Philippians 2 teaches us to conform to the pattern of Christ. This is most important when reaching out to those out side of Christ. listen to Philippians 2:1-5
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
When we reach out to people outside of Christ we must reflect Christ.
Even though this may be a problem it is not an excuse for us not to share the gospel.
We are commanded to tell the message of Christ and to teach all things he has commanded. Jesus gave no exceptions we must do it. There is a world what will perish if we remain silent.
As much as being ashamed of other Christians who have gone before us with an unloving message of Christ and have made is ashamed to be called a Christian. I don't think this it the main reason Christians don’t tell others about Christ. I believe the next reason gets a little closer
3. We think someone else will do it
Somewhere we got the idea that there are some who are qualified to tell people about Christ and others who aren’t qualified.
Many Christians think it is someone else’s’ job to tell people about Christ.
It is often thought that people who are not trained in biblical studies are not qualified for telling others about Christ. Listen, you don’t have to be preacher or Sunday School teacher to tell others about Jesus.
It is not your Sunday school teacher’s job to tell the people you have interaction with every day about Jesus.
Your preacher is not called to go to your home or place of work or live in your neighborhood to tell the people who surround you about Jesus.
That, my friend, is your job.
That is why God has placed you where you are. A lot of people think that they don’t know enough about the bible to tell others about Jesus. All you need to know your unique story about how Christ has made a difference in your life. No one can tell that story better then you.
When you reach out to the people around you with your unique story you are spreading the gospel. That is evangelism. You might be surprised how powerful your story is.
Luke 12:8-9
“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.
Though many have used this reason for not sharing the gospel I don't this is the most prevalent reason. The number one reason why we keep the gospel to our selves
4. We don’t believe it’s true because of that we have believed a lie
If we are truly honest with ourselves we will discover the major impediment in the Gospel is a lie that we have believed. I am afraid that many of us have believed that a good and loving God will not really send people to hell.
If we remove the doctrine of hell from our belief system then we remove our responsibility to save people.
- Look at this way, say that we went to the beach I brought my surf board and you brought your beach umbrella, chair and binoculars.
When we get to the beach you set up your chair and umbrella and you are gonna take it easy on the beach, I on the other hand am gonna attempt to surf. so I paddle out, there are no waves breaking near the shore so I chase the waves a little further out. I am just waiting for the perfect wave. you take you binoculars to see how I’m doing and I’m just floating along. Then you spot behind me the dorsal fin of a shark swimming up behind me. I am completely unaware that my life is in eminent danger.
What will you do in this situation.?... right, you are gonna scream, jump up and down to get my attention. You wouldn’t worry about what others would say about you. You wouldn’t be ashamed that you are calling for help for your friend…, you are going to tell a life guard, you are gonna do anything possible because you strongly believe is you sat silent I would most defiantly be killed by the shark.
Where is that urgency with the gospel? If we truly people will go to hell, People we care for and even love. Why aren’t we jumping up and down sounding the alarm of danger for those who are perishing unless we really don’t believe they are perishing, or we don’t care. I think we have somehow believed that people are not going to go to hell.
I believe a false doctrine has snuck in to our hearts and minds that make us think that our God who is full of grace and mercy would not possibly send people to hell.
We may not openly agree with Rob Bells of this world but our actions when it comes to the gospel hum the same tune.
Rob Bell's is the Pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan church attracts 7,000 people each Sunday. It is a “seeker friendly” church and relays on relevance to the sacrifice the truth of the gospel.
Listen to a direct quote from Rob’s book “Love Wins” (in his preface pg ix)
Will only a few select people make it to heaven, and will billions and billions of people burn forever in hell? And if that's the case, how do you know? How do you become one of the few? Is it what you believe, or what you say, or what you do, or who you know, or something that happens in your heart, or do you need to be initiated, or baptized, or take a class, or converted, or be born again? How does someone become one of these few? And then there's a question behind the question—the real question: What is God like? Because millions and millions of people who were taught that the primary message, this center of the Gospel of Jesus, is that God is going to send you to hell unless you believe in Jesus. And so what got subtly sort of caught and taught is that Jesus rescues you from God. But what kind of God is that that we would need to be rescued from this God? How could that God ever be good? How could that God ever be trusted? And how could that ever be good news?
It is this kind of false teaching that has been filtering in to our churches in the name of relevance that has numbed our urgency with the gospel.
The Truth says
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ - Matthew 7:22-24
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. - John 3:3
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. - Matthew 7:13-14
Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. - Luke 13:23-24
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish Luke 13:5
The truth is in direct opposition to the false teaching coming out of the pulpits and books of some so called preachers. The Truth says that without Christ every man and woman is hopelessly helplessly headed to hell.
We must let the truth depart from our lips to save them who have not heard the truth of God’s word.
Watch this Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONROQBrbZU8
I’ve seen some beautiful feet before and those feet belonged to people who I am very glad they walked in to my life.
- I can remember the beautiful feet of Ms Cameron who invited me to church,
- I remember the feet of Karl Marwitz who taught my Sunday school class
- I remember the beautiful feet of my preacher Terry Tuttle who immersed me in to Christ.
- And the list goes on (I can mention list many who influenced me Gary Birch, Keith Butermyer, Bill Griffin, John Winstead, Shelby Ethridge, Howard Morris, Ralph Carter, Paul Wright, John Mendell, Michelle Davis, Beth Dodson and of course Carol Whitten ) these are those who told me the truth no matter what. And I am forever grateful they stood on those beautiful feet and shared words I needed to hear no matter what I had to say.
Won’t you choose to have beautiful feet? I guarantee you that those who hear your message will forever grateful you walked in to their lives.
Let me ask you this, wouldn’t you rather someone you know who needs to be save laugh in your face, slam the door turn around and walk away or make fun of you instead of them asking you why you never told them at the Lords return?
May you Have Beautiful Feet.
Posted by David Whitten on September 3, 2011 under Staff |
God’s Plan to make us One in Christ 
Ephesians 1
Introduction to Ephesians
The City of Ephesus
Written in AD 60-62 by Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome to the members of the church in Ephesus, a Greek colony-city on the main highway to Rome. This city was the gateway of Asia. Ephesus was a melting pot of humanity. It was a place of great wealth and luxury. It was the center of worship of Diana (Roman name for Artemis), a satanic stronghold. Ephesus was full of wizards, sorcerers, witches, astrologers, diviners of the entrails of animals and people who could read one’s fortune by the palm of the hand. And yet, after the preaching of Paul, the magicians publicly burned their books, “so the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (Acts 19:19–20). Timothy and Erastus were with Paul, but he sent them to Macedonia, while “he himself stayed in Asia for a time” (Acts 19:22).
This church was Paul’s main work in Asia. The Gospel message was spread throughout most of Asia as a result of the work in Ephesus. On his second journey, Paul came to Ephesus and taught the twelve disciples who knew only the baptism of John (Acts 19:1–7) and “went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8). He later taught in the school of Tryannus for two years, and as a result, “all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:9–10).
Paul sends this letter, along with the letter to the Colossians and another to the Laodiceans and one to Philemon, through Tychicus and Onesimus (Col 4:7-9, 16; Ephesians 6:21).
Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
- Chosen for Greatness
Paul starts out this letter to the Ephesians with monumental exaltation of God. He exalts initially for two reasons
- God chose us to be holy and blameless
The ”us” Paul is referring to includes Paul as well as his audience the Christians at Ephesus and ”the Faithful in Christ”. This is an all inclusive reference his primary purpose is to include all who are in Christ. I believe that his intentional selection is to combat a feeling of exclusion that the Ephesians and other gentiles may have endured in comparison to the Jewish Christians.
Paul points out that God chose us to be holy and blameless through Christ.
It is only through the redeeming work that Christ has done, that we can be seen as holy or blameless. Notice the phrase “in his sight”
The truth is that we are sinners undeserving of being called holy because we are not holy and our sin has condemned us but under the covering of Christ, all God can see is Christ and he is holy.
Where Christ became sin for us, we became sin less. This is the work of atonement. 2cor 5:21 states “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This the first incredible fact that Paul praises God for. next he states
- He Predestined us to be adopted as sons
Again we see Paul is pointing to the Ephesians and all gentiles when he mentions this predestined adoption.
We need to be careful here not to fall in to the line of thinking that God has selected certain persons or people groups to be his in the exclusion to others.
On the contrary I believe Paul’s choice of words is intentional to include these people who have been made to feel second rate citizens of the kingdom of God by the Jewish Christians.
Paul’s message is that God had a plan at the very beginning to graft in the branch of the gentiles. That’s you and me folks.
Before the fall of man God had a plan to correct the fall through His only Son. There was never a plan b. God’s plan for salvation was always plan A.
History has shown us over and over again our desperate need of a savior and when the time was right God sent us Jesus his plan A to restore and make all things new.
Paul Tells these Ephesians that God had always planned to adopt them as sons. This adoption is prevalent through the gospels and Paul carries through this writings.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Romans 8:14
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Romans 8:19
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
Galatians 3:26
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
ILL: I was borne with the given name David Scott Morgan. When I was 6 my mother remarried and I remember my mom coming to me and asking do you want to call Tom “Tom” or “Daddy”. You see my biological father wanted to give up his rights to his children after my mother and he got divorced because he didn’t want my mom coming to him for child support and the reason my mom asked that question is because the man she married, who most people would call their step father, wanted to adopt me, my sister and older brother. I told my mom that day that I wanted to call him “daddy” and from that day my name was no longer David Scott Morgan but David Scott Whitten. Thomas Lynn Whitten gave me his name, and I have given that name to my wife and each of my three children. He didn’t have to, but he chose me and gave me the rights of his son. And for that I am truly thankful.
II. Made One under Christ
V6 continues the exaltation of God because of his grace in sending us “the One he loves” which is clearly a reference to Jesus.
Paul points to the redeeming Blood of Jesus and calls it the “forgiveness of sins” (this is a perfect passage to draw from at times of communion). This is a grace lavished on us as Paul points out with “all wisdom and understanding.”
Wisdom meaning that God has opened up the way for the redeemed to be grafted into the family of God
And Understanding knowing that we who had no hope have a secure hope and that hope is in Christ who made all things new.
Here Paul pulls back the curtain shrouded in mystery for ages is now revealed.
With this I am reminded that at the death of Christ the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom (matt 27:51) …. For thousands of years God’s people were restricted to one race the children of Abraham, the Hebrews, the Jews. And now the way to God is not through a blood line but through a blood sacrifice of God’s one and only son.
This mystery is that God gives an open invitation to his table to all who will come through Christ The mystery revealed it is his plan A and has always been.
V10 is where we see a declaration which outlines the purpose of the letter “to bring all things in heaven and on earth under one head even Christ”
God through sending Christ and Jesus completing the work of the cross and overcoming the grave allows this mystery to be revealed and establish a new order under the authority of our conquering savior.
Phil 2:5-11
Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus said of himself as he stood on the mountain before he was taken in to heaven ““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18
There is one who we are under and that is Christ. Jesus said there is but one way John 14:6 “No one comes to the Father except through me”.
We have a clear message that as a church we are the body of Christ and are brought into unity under him who is our master and Lord. You see God’s plan was a plan of unity. This exactly the thing Jesus labored over in his prayer in John 17.
John 17:20-23 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
This is a prayer that Luke 22:44 records that Jesus prayed so fervently his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
ILL: In 1927, in West Africa, a blood specimen was taken from a native man named Asibi, who was sick with yellow fever. A vaccine was made from the original strain of the virus obtained from this man. In fact, all the vaccine manufactured since 1927 derives from the original strain of virus obtained from this one man. This vaccine has been carried down to the present day from one laboratory to another around the world, through repeated cultures and by enormous multiplication, it has offered immunity to yellow fever to millions of people in many countries. The blood of this one man in the West Africa has been made available to serve the whole human race
III. Marked with a seal
V13 points out that we were given a seal and that seal is the Holy Spirit.
When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory
Paul teaches that when we came to believe in Christ, part of our reward is the Gift of the Holy Spirit. When the people heard the gospel preached for the first time, the apostle Peter told the onlookers on the day of Pentecost a how to be saved and as a result of salvation the believer receives the Holy Spirit Acts 2:37-38 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
This is what Jesus promised in John 14 16-18 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
This Gift of the Holy Spirit is a seal that marks us. We have the idea of belonging here. A king would have a signet that he would place on the things he owns no one dare touch what belongs to a king. A cattle rancher has a brand he puts on his cattle. That brand sets apart those cattle belonging to that rancher.
When I married Carol I gave her my seal of my vow, my ring and I ware her seal of her vow. She is my wife and I am her husband and this seal has made us one.
This is the idea that I believe that Paul is teaching us. We are united with Christ through the indwelling of his presence and Christ in us, is in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Paul says that this Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. Isn’t that awesome? We have a guarantee that we belong to him because he has sealed us when we believed in Jesus.
In the close of the chapter Paul sums up with a remarkable exhortation and prayer 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe
Enlightened Heart to
- Know the hope to which he has called us
- Know the glorious inheritance we are promised, guaranteed and sealed
- Know his incomparable great power with this spirit in us we are given an incredible power. Paul prays that we might come to know this power. Here he likens the power of the spirit to the power that was exerted to raise Christ from the grave. what was tremendous power.
That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
With out Christ life is a hopeless end but with Christ there is an endless hope
Jesus, through his blood simply turned it around.
VIDEO “I’m Lost in Blindness”
Jesus is Lord of all. The thing is he will never press himself on you. He will never force you to accept him and give him your loyalty. That work is on you. but you will never have the promised seal of belong to him unless you do. You will never have the promise in a shared in heritance unless you give in to him and make him your savior. There is literally like I said earlier a hopeless end with out Jesus but with him there is a endless hope
