Ephesians 2:11-22 - Hope for the Hopeless (Part 4)

Death to Life: Hope for the Hopeless (Ephesians 2:11-22)

            A: Hopeless Condition (verse 11-12)

(1)   You were separate from Christ:

This can also be translated as without Christ.

(2)   Excluded from the commonwealth of Israel:

Commonwealth: “any group of persons united by some common interest”. This is literally "citizenship" (politeia). Gentiles were excluded from the people whom God had chosen as His own.

(3)   Strangers to the Covenants of the Promise:

This may speak of several covenants that God had made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:7-21; 17:1-21), Isaac (Gen. 26:2-5), Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15), the nation (through Moses, Exod. 24:1-8), and David (2 Sam. 7).

(4)   You (we) had no Hope:

Jews hope was in the promises and covenant of God with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, before Christ Gentiles did not share the same hope as Jews.

(5)   Without God:

Those who had no knowledge of God. (ä'-the-OS), English word atheist is derived from this Greek word. This is the condition of every man and woman without Christ.

B: Hope in Christ (Verse 13-17)

(1)   Far away have been brought near:

Gentiles through Christ are brought near to God. Even though, as Gentiles, we would have been kept away from the worship that the Jews enjoyed, now God has brought us near to Himself. Now  we can enjoy the intimacy of a personal relationship with the living God.

(2)   The dividing wall of hostility is destroyed:

Everything that needed to unite Jews and Gentiles is accomplished by Jesus Christ. Because of this reason we can have unity with people who are not like us. Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11.

(3)   The law is abolished:

Put an end to it - kä-tär-Ge'-ō.

This does not mean that the Old Testament is not inspired for the believers (Matt. 5:17-19).  Meaning the Law is not the means of salvation (Acts 15, Romans 4, Galatians 3)

(4)   Reconcile:

Bring back a former state of harmony

The way Jews and Gentiles are reconciled through Christ, all believers have the same hope through Christ for unity.

C: Evidence and honor of Hope: (Verse 18-22)

(1)   Access in one Spirit to the Father

(2)   No Longer aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people.

(3)   Members of God’s household

(4)   Built on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets

(5)   Christ is the chief cornerstone

(6)   And in him you (we believers) are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Audio:

Ephesians 2:1-10 - LIVING AS CHRIST'S MASTERPIECE (Part 3)

LIVING AS CHRIST'S MASTERPIECE   (Ephesians 2:1-10)

I.       We are His Masterpiece!

     A.  Our identity is in Christ Jesus.

                1. Individually, I am a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:16-19)

                2. Why was a new creature necessary? (Ephesians 2:1-3)

     B.  His workmanship is a new creation.

                1.  Paul also uses the word poemia in Romans 1:20.

                2.  His new creation is the building of new race of people. (1 Peter 2:9-10; Galatians 6:15-16; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 11:13-16; Romans 8:18-25)

     C.  CREATION ALERT!

                1. What is our tendency?  (Genesis 11:31-32)

                2.  What is the right question?

II.  How did we become His Masterpiece?

     A.  God's great mercy made us alive in Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-6)

     B.  God makes us alive by His grace for His glory. (Ephesians 2:7-9)

                1.  God's holiness demands justice, our deserved death. (Exodus 34:7; Ezekiel 18:4; Psalm 5:5; 7:11;

                2.  God's free undeserved work of love, grace, saves us. (Hebrews 9:22; Romans 3:19-20

                3.  Our access to this new state of creation is our belief, faith. (John 3:16; John 6:28-29; Romans 10:8-13; Ephesians 1:13, 15, 19, 4:20-24)

     C.  How can you be saved? (Ephesians 2:7-9; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 10:8-13)

III.  The consequence of being created in Christ is "good works."

     A.  Our "good works" have been predestined. (Ephesians 2:10) Ephesians 1:4-7, 11-12; Galatians 5:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:14

     B.  Jesus' earthly ministry is our continuing ministry, our work. (John 17:18)

                1.  Our continuing work is to glorify God. (John 17:4)

                2.  Our continuing work is in the truth of God's word. (John 17:17)

                3.  Our continuing work is His kingdom lifestyle. (Psalm 37:3-4; Luke 9:23; Matthew 5-7; Matthew 25:25ff; Ephesians 5:1-2, 8, 15; Philippians 2:1-5)

                4.  Our continuing work includes seeking the lost for salvation. (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:18; Matthew 8:24; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 2:4; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 28:31)

                5.  Our continuing work is to be active members, for the common good of His body, His church. (1 Corinthians 11:7, 12; Ephesians 5:22, 23; Hebrews 10:24)

     C.  Revive Church is becoming His masterpiece. (Philippians 1:6)

Audio:

Ephesians 1:15-23 - Knowing & Growing (Part 2)

I. Paul praise of Christian Reputation
            1. The Reputation of the Christian is Faith and Love
II. Knowing God, through Growing with God
            1. In Christ, there is no limit
               2. God grants Wisdom and Reveals Himself to His children
III. The Church as body of the Risen Christ
            1. The same Power that raised Christ raised us  

Audio:

Ephesians 1:1-14 - The Prosperity of the Gospel (Part 1)

From Death to Life, Part 1
The Prosperity of the Gospel
Ephesians 1:1-14

1. The Blessing of God
- PAST - Chosen & Predestined (1:4-5)
- PRESENT - Redeemed & Forgiven (1:7)
- FUTURE - Sealed & Guaranteed (1:11-14)
- In Christ
- We are recipients.
2. The Sovereignty of God
3. The Glory of God (1:6, 12, 14)

Audio:

Matthew 7: 24-29 - Surviving Storms With A Strong Foundation (Part 17)

Matthew 7: 24-29 "Surviving storms with a strong foundation"

Setting:
To make sure that the crowd understood the seriousness of following Him and to live life according to His teachings Jesus gave an illustration to teach the importance of the character of a obedient and disobedient disciple.

V24 "these words":

• - Blessed are the poor in spirit
• - Love your enemies
• - Life of secret prayer
• - Anger
• - Lay up treasure in heaven (investing in eternity)
• - Seek first the kingdom of God
• - Judge ourselves first (Mt. 7:1-5)

A: obedient disciple:

• Is considered wise
• he/she Will listen
• And will follow the instruction of Jesus
• Listen : (ak-oo'-o): The English word acoustic is originated from this word

B: disobedient disciple

• Is considered a fool
• He/she will only listen
• However will not follow the instruction of Jesus

C: Similarities between obedient and disobedient disciple:

• Both got a opportunity to listen
• Both wanted to build a house
• Both build houses in the same locality
• Both designed the same kind of house (because Jesus points difference in the foundation)
• Both houses look identical superficially
• Both faced same adversity: Rain, flood, wind, wind hit the house

D: Differences between obedient and disobedient disciple:

• Only wise dug deep ( Luke 6: 46-49)
• Foolish build on the ground without a foundation
• Wise spent time building the house
• Fool was in a hurry
• Wise followed instruction and foolish did not

Application :

• Jesus Christ is our foundation , I Corinthians 3: 10-15
• How often do I study and listen to God's Word?
• How do I face storms in my life?
• What have I learned from my study through the Sermon on the Mount?
• How has God changed my heart?
• In what ways have I determined to obey Jesus’ teaching?

Audio:

Matthew 7:15-23 - Kingdom Warning! Follow 'Magnifying Glass' Instructions Closely (Part 16)

Kingdom Warning! Follow 'Magnifying Glass' Instructions Closely
Matthew 7:15-23

INTRODUCTION
How Do I Want People to Treat Me? Matthew 7:12; 22:37-40;
1 Cor 10:31
In my flesh?
In Christ's Spirit?
By other believers?
By unbelievers?
The only answer:
How Is Jesus the Only Answer? Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6; 10:9;
Luke 14:25-35; 1 Timothy 3:15; Revelation 17:14
The Narrow Gate

The Narrow Way

How Did All of These People Get  to This Final Judgement?
Three Warnings
What Is Our Response?

WARNING # 1: MANY WILL ENTER THE WIDE GATE!                    (7:13)
How does the 'broad' way lead to destruction?
What is many?

WARNING # 2: SOME WILL BE FALSE PROPHETS!                       (7:15)
How are they like ravenous wolves?
Why don't we warn each other more regarding spiritual things?

WARNING # 3: KNOW FALSE PROPHETS BY THEIR FRUIT!    (7:16-20)
Often, why are they not easy to identify?
Jesus identifies their fruit as practitioners of lawlessness.
One major fruit is dissension. Galatians 5:19-21

HOW DO WE RESPOND?                                                            (7:21-23)
How do we respond in a way that brings 'all glory' to God?
We battle with Spiritual weapons
Judgement without hypocrisy, Matthew 7:1-5
Wisdom and gentleness,
Patient, waiting for God's Time,
Know the Lord's Plan, John 3:17-18; 5:28-30
"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" SO "In everything, treat people the
             same way you want them to treat you."

Audio:

Matthew 7:12-14 - The Road to the Kingdom (Part 15)

I. The Golden Rule
            1. The rule is the ultimate principle of God’s revealed will
2. Properly executing the “rule” requires us to engage with the Law of God
II. The Broad and Narrow paths
            1. Jesus concludes that there are only two paths in life
            2. The Narrow gate challenges the heart of man
3. The Broad gate comforts man in his depraved state
4. Jesus invites us to a life He will empower us to live


Audio: