Knowing the Power of Our King

KNOWING THE POWER OF OUR KING

Ephesians 1:15-23

            The word, “Power” is relative. Someone whom we think is powerful today may not be powerful tomorrow. It is interesting to see how power changes from person to person, country to country. According to the Forbes list of 2018, the most powerful people on earth:  1 Xi Jinping General Secretary, Communist Party of China 2 Vladimir Putin President, of Russia. 3 Donald Trump President, of United States 4 Angela Merkel Chancellor, of Germany. In 2017, Vladmir Putin was number one in that list. This tells us that, a person may remain as the most powerful person for one year. Did you know the one who ranks as the most powerful person on earth, consistently year after year for the past 2000 years? Can anyone beat that record?

            For the past two Sundays we have been pondering on some powerful truths from the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians. Last Sunday we looked at three crucial theological doctrines and their implications on our lives today. They are: Our redemption, our inheritance and having been sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is one thing to know that we are redeemed but it is another thing to live like we are the redeemed. Given the fact that we are still living in a fallen and unredeemed world, is it possible to live out our new-found identity in practical and God honoring ways?

            I believe, it is very much possible when we come to know the power of our King who has set us free from the bondage of sin and given us His Holy Spirit as a guarantee for our future inheritance. Today we will learn from a powerful prayer of the Apostle Paul for the believers in Ephesus where he prayed that their hearts might be enlightened so that they might know the power of the King and operate in the same power. Ephesians 1:15-23

            A bit of background about the City of Ephesus would be helpful. Ephesus was the capital of pro-consular Asia. It was about one mile inland from the eastern portion of the Aegean Sea. A great theater, seating about 50,000 people was located there (Acts 19:31). Also, one of the seven wonders of the world, the temple (Artemis) was located in Ephesus.  Artemis of Ephesus was a tremendously popular deity. It was said that six magical words were inscribed upon the image of the Ephesian Artemis. Chanting in the name of Artemis said to have had powerful force.       Thousands of personnel served within the immense confines of the sanctuary, and huge sums of money were entrusted to the keeping of Artemis. As a result, the temple complex became the major banking center of Asia. Not only was Artemis the guardian deity of Ephesus, but she also figured as savior goddess in inscription.[1] With this information, let’s now unpack the powerful prayer of the Apostle Paul for the Ephesian believers.

1. A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

            As we know the apostle Paul was in the city of Ephesus for three years preaching and encouraging the believers.  His preaching in the Synagogues drew many Jews and Gentiles to faith in Christ.  Now at the time of writing this letter Paul was under house arrest in Rome (AD 60-62). While in prison he had heard about the faith of the Ephesians who had experienced miracles of healing; many had abandoned their magical arts, and attendance at the Temple of Artemis was in noticeable decline. (Acts 19,20) He also heard about their love for all the saints.   He was filled with thanksgiving to the Lord and offers up this prayer, saying, Paul offered up a Vs 15-16, “Because of all this, and because I’d heard that you are loyal and faithful to Jesus the master, and that you show love to all God’s holy people, I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.”

            This shows Paul’s ongoing commitment to the church he planted and also how the believers remained faithful in excelling in their love for all the believers. What we see here is that their faith in Christ was translated into their love for all the saints in the world. Faith in Christ without love for all the saints is not even a thing that Paul recognizes.

            I wish I could say like Paul that I never stop praying for the members of Hope Church, but so often Wilma and I offered up prayers for each of you mentioning by name for your faithfulness, loyalty and love for: God, the word, for one another in our church family and for other believers in the Lord. Our continual prayer is that we will excel in these excellent qualities.

II. A PRAYER OF INSIGHT:

            Paul began his prayer with thanksgiving and then went on to pray a prayer of insight, for the Ephesian believers so that they remain steadfast in their faith and know Jesus their King. The word “insight” means, “the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a person or a thing.” Paul’s prayer of insight is not only meant for the believers in Ephesus but for all Christians everywhere at all times. He Prayed for:

            The Spirit of Wisdom & Revelation: Vs, 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.” We need to remember that the God we pray to is the God of our lord and king Jesus, and the glorious Father. Paul prays that God would give us in our spirit, the gift of being wise, of seeing things we can’t normally see, because we are coming to know Jesus.

            This knowledge of Jesus is through both wisdom (result of studying God’s word) but also through the revelation (a special understanding coming from the Holy Spirit). There are two kinds of wisdom, there is worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. You can acquire all the worldly knowledge and become wise by going to Yale or Harvard university.

            But the godly wisdom that Paul is talking about is only available in the school of the Holy Spirit. As we open up the scriptures asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten it, as it is in the first place inspired by him, he will open up our minds to get to know Jesus better.

            The enlightenment of the eyes of our heart: Vs 18, “I pray also 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.” Recently, Wilma and I were at House neck Beach. I was on the beach reading a book and enjoying the beautiful ocean scenes, Wilma enjoyed swimming. After a while she coerced me to get into the water. Reluctantly I went inside, with my glasses on, without realizing the power of the ocean. A huge wave knocked me down with my glasses. When I came up I couldn’t see much of anything.

            I panickily searched, prayed, hoped that glasses would show up on the shore, but they were gone. For the next two hours life was miserable. I was partially blind, the joy was sucked out of me, I was lost, not in control of myself and my surroundings, felt hopeless and helpless. In a fresh away I realized how important it is to have a clear eyesight for my survival and over all wellbeing. In the same way clear spiritual insight is important for our spiritual well-being.

            The biblical writers often used vision figuratively for insight. Psalm 19:8, “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Keeping this OT precedence, the Jewish people sometimes prayed for God to enlighten their eyes to help them understand God’s word. The apostle Paul uses the same figurative language in his prayer. We too can pray that the eyes of our inmost self may be opened to God’s light. For what purpose? So that we will know exactly what the hope is that goes with God’s call; that we will know the wealth of the glory of his inheritance in his holy people.

            From this point on Paul gradually transitions from praying for personal insight into proclaiming a corporate understanding of the outstanding greatness of God’s power toward all the believers who are loyal to him in faith, according to the working of his strength and power.

III. KNOWING THE POWER OF OUR KING

            Vs 20-23, “Which he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 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. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

            The apostle Paul here is introducing to the Ephesian believers a super power that is much more powerful than the great Artmeis, the goddess who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world. In Acts 19, we read about Paul’s ministry in the city of Ephesus for three months, where God confirmed His message through signs and wonders as a result many turned to Christ. Paul caused such a stir as a result there were riots in Ephesus. In one such riots, the crowd shouted in unison for about two hours; “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.”

            In that given context, Paul is laying out an introduction to the most powerful King and his ever-enduring powerful kingdom. Paul says, God set this power in motion when He raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at His right hand in the heavenly places. By stating this, Paul was reminding the Jewish believers a partial fulfilment of a prophecy spoken by king David, Psalm 110:1, “The Lord says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Our king Jesus with his great power right now is seated at the right hand of God the father. He was placed above all rule and authority and power and lordship, and above every name that is invoked, both in the present age and also in the age to come.

            One day he will come back to the earth to rule and reign forever, at that time truly as David said, God would make all his enemies as his footstool.  Let’s ponder on these power packed verses, as they not only changed the perspective of the Ephesian believers but can also change our perception of who our God is, who are we as individuals, and together as a church. Knowing who our King is, and his matchless power perhaps is the most important and liberating thing in our Christian walk in a power crazed world we live in.

            Another good news is that, God’s great power, that very power which raised Jesus from the dead, is also given to every believer at the time of salvation and is always available. Writing to the Colossian believers Paul asserts this power saying, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works in me.” Paul recognized that he got the power.

            Paul’s prayer for us today as it was for the Ephesian believers is, not that we will be given God’s power but that we might be aware of the power that we have already possess in Christ. When you struggle with a particular sin, recognize that you have the power within you, because the Holy Spirit lives in you. Therefore you can overcome that sin.

            I want to close with a prayer for all those who have accepted the gift of salvation which is made available to all in the name of the king. If you know in your heart that you did not have this assurance of salvation, you can repent of your sins and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your heart, then this prayer will apply to you as well. May the God of King Jesus our Lord would give you insight that you might know Him better. That you would know the hope of your calling, and the wealth of your glorious inheritance. That you might live humbly and honorably under the watchful and the most powerful eye of our Lord and King Jesus, who is the head of the church and whose fullness fills the church in the whole earth. Amen!

---

[1] Archeological NIV Study Bible, page1808, Artemis of the Ephesians

The Believer's Wealth

THE BELIEVER'S WEALTH

Ephesians 1:7-14

            Charles Spurgeon once told a story of an elderly woman he was visiting in the almshouse. His attention was drawn to a framed document on the wall of her room, and he asked her about it. She said that years before, she had cared for an aged gentleman, and before he died, he had written out a little note of appreciation to her followed by his signature. He had shortly afterwards died. After much persuasion Spurgeon was allowed to borrow the paper. When he took it to the bank, they exclaimed, “we have been wondering to whom the gentleman left his money.” She was a wealthy woman, but she had been living like a beggar.”

            Similarly, Christ when he ascended to heaven he left incredible riches to all those who would follow Him. Sadly, so many of his followers today do not their inherent wealth. They live just like that beggar woman in the almshouse. Last Sunday, as we pondered Ephesian 1:1-6, we observed God is the blessed one who pours out his blessings on his people. In return we were to praise Him for all our spiritual blessings in Christ, for choosing us before the foundations of the world to be holy and blameless before God; and for predestining us to be His adopted children. T

            This morning, however, we turn to Ephesians 1:7-14, to observe the basis which makes us possible to bless God. That basis is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. We will also discover “The Believers Wealth in Christ.” I hope to clarify three difficult theological terms and concepts such as: “The redemption, the inheritance, the seal of the Holy Spirit etc.

I. WE HAVE BEEN REDEEMED: Vs 7-8, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace, that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.” What is redemption, and what is the basis of our redemption?

            Redemption is not a common word that we hear it often, but we may be familiar with another equivalent word, called “Ransom.,” which means “repurchase' or 'buy back'.” A sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner. Redemption is a crucial theological concept in Judeo-Christian faith. The recipients in Ephesus given their Jewish background were familiar with redemptive transactions in the OT. For instance, when an ox gores another, a redemption price is paid as restitution; when, after 50 years, land is to be redeemed, a price is paid as a re-inheritance; or, when Boaz married Ruth, because she was a widow, he became her redeemer and paid a price to her next of kin.

            The Greek word translated “redemption” occurs 10 times in the NT. Paul uses the same language in 1Corinthians, where he wrote, “you have been bought with a price.” In Biblical language, redemption means cost; restoration; renewal; the beginning of an intimate relationship.           Given these definitions, redemption means, “The recalling of captives (sinners) from captivity (sin) through the payment of a ransom for them. Who were the captives? Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

            Sin is presented as slavery and which ultimately leads to eternal death. All the sinners therefore are slaves, a ransom must be paid in order to set the prisoners free or buy the slaves back their freedom. That ransom was the blood of Christ through his death on the cross. Dear brothers and sisters you and I at one point were slaves to Sin and condemned to death.

            But thank God, in Christ we have redemption from the world of sin, through his blood on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins. Christ has done all this for us in accordance with his rich grace.  What should be our response to His abundant grace? We will resolve to love, worship and serve Him all our lives here on earth and forevermore in His eternal Kingdom.

II. IN CHRIST WE HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE

            This inheritance, partly is a reiteration of what was written earlier in Vs 5-6, “he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” (The Message).  Let’s us ponder on this rich blessing of our inheritance.

            Without Christ we were without a family, without heritage and inheritance. Our identity was that of the orphan. But now, in Christ we have a family, we are heirs and our inheritance is this: that we might be to the praise of His glorious grace. Our inheritance is that He might be glorified.  In Vs 8 we read, that he lavished on his grace with all wisdom and understanding.

            Jesus gave us what we do not deserve, therefore we can give Him back what he deserves. i.e. “High Praise.” We will revel in giving Him the High Praise throughout eternity, but the practice of giving praise begins each time when we gather to worship Him on the earth. In our worship we encourage people to be free to clap, sing, lift up hands and dance (though it is a radical idea for some of us) why? Because there is fullness of Joy in His presence.

            Worship is ought to be a celebration of our redemption, and a time to give praise and glorify Jesus for lavishly pouring His grace upon us the undeserving. It is also a time of remembering our rich inheritance, that one day we will be in His presence along with the rest of the saints and the faithful who have gone before us. But what is the guarantee that everything will work out as He has promised according to His will? Vs 13-14, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

III. WE HAVE BEEN SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

            When we have heard the truth, the good news of our salvation, the Holy Spirit has convicted us of our sins and we have opened our hearts and believed in Christ. At that very moment something dramatic has happened to us, God’s Holy Spirit comes in to dwell within the believer and secures and preserves his eternal salvation. The sealing of which Paul speaks of here refers to an official mark of identification placed on a letter, contract or other document.

            Apostle Paul understood the power of a “seal” as he once asked the high priests for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so he might take those belonged to the way as prisoners. Acts 9 There are four truths signified by the seal in the Bible. 1. Security (Daniel 6:17, Matthew 27:66) 2. Authenticity (1 Kings 21:6-16) 3. Ownership (Jer 32:10) 4. Authority (Esther 8:8-12) Based on these truths how can we understand that we are marked with a seal of the Holy Spirit? 

            First, it means that we are secured by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Secondly, our faith and message are authenticated as the Spirit of God teaches and reminds us of everything that Jesus had taught his disciples. Thirdly, we are not of our own we are the temples of the Holy Spirit, bought by the precious blood of Jesus. Fourth, we give an account to a higher authority

            Paul says, we are not only marked with a seal of the Holy Spirit by which our salvation is secured, but also the Holy Spirit is given as his pledge to us for our future inheritance. The Holy Spirit is the “down payment” the guarantee of our glorious inheritance. He is the certainty of our redemption. He reminds us that we have been chosen, by His grace, for His praise.

            Your head may be spinning with all these theological terms and concepts. You may be wondering what do all these mean for me living in the 21^st Century? What am I to do with these thoughts? Whenever we read God’s word these are always the question for us. What does the text mean? The meaning of this text speaks to us of our new-found identity in Christ.

            Let me expand who we are in Christ. In Christ we are a new creation. In Christ we were chosen before the foundations of the world to be Holy and blameless. We are redeemed, we are purchased by his blood therefore we are His, that’s what we are. In Christ, we can be grace filled people. We have an inheritance, and we are marked with a seal of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy is given as a guarantee for our future inheritance. All these spiritual blessings make us super wealthy in Christ. Yet, when we are faced with struggles we forget our true identity in Christ.

            In Christ, we are all the above and much more. In Christ we are much more than who the world believes we are, or what we believe we are. As you go into the world this week don’t go out thinking, “Oh poor me! No one loves me! Ever body hates me! That is having a pity party.” Instead walk out thinking and behaving like as if you are super wealthy in Christ. Of course, do this not with pride but with humility. Go out and live out your new-found identity in Christ in freedom and with a sense of dignity. As you go, do not forget to praise God for you have been redeemed, have an inheritance and have been marked with a seal of the Holy Spirit. Amen!  

IN CHRIST:MORE, MUCH MORE

IN CHRIST: MORE, MUCH MORE!

Ephesians 1:1-6

            During our Interfaith Clergy meeting my Rabbi Friend Joseph invited all the clergy to attend “Rosh Hashanah” services. I enthusiastically responded Yes! But from the next moment I tried to find some reason why I shouldn’t go. Not because I didn’t want to, but because of these nagging thoughts and fears of my own heart. It was Tuesday, September 11, those thoughts didn’t go away. What would they think of me a Goyim coming into their Synagogue? Would they perceive me a person of color as a terrorist? Would they accept me or reject me?

            I thought these were all valid reasons why I should stay home, and text my Rabbi Friend, “Sorry, something came up, I can not make it to the service, have a wonderful Rosh Hashanah” A lame excuse! But the Lord wouldn’t let me get away, he wanted me to over come my fear of rejection. So, in the end I decided to go, and to my surprise I was well received and warmly introduced to the congregation by my Rabbi Friend.  The congregation was very friendly.

            It was a two-hour long service of singing, recital from the Torah, personal and corporate prayers, blessings of touching the Torah scroll as it went around the synagogue. Not to mention no one fell of to sleep with the occasional blowing of the Shofar. All in all, I enjoyed, perhaps the only Goyim and a person of color. In the end I overcame my own personal fear of rejection.

            In the text we read today from Ephesians 1:1-6, I would like us to consider these words: “More, Much More and as we do so, I invite us, for the next several weeks, on a spiritual journey to learn some, price-less blessings, life changing principles for victorious Christian living, practical tips to how to cultivate healthy relationships, but wait! That’s not all. There is more, In Christ there is more and Much more.  Let’s start our Journey into the book of Ephesians.  

AUTHOR, DATE AND SETTING:

            Ephesians is one of Paul’s five, “Prison Epistles” probably written while in prison in Rome from (About AD 60-64). Though, some debate about the authorship of this epistle for our study we assume it was the Apostle Paul who wrote it according to chapter 1:1, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.” Chapter 3:1, “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.” His opening in this letter is consistent with most of his letters in the N.T.

            Because the name Ephesus was not mentioned in every earlier manuscript, some scholars believe that it was a circular letter, intended to be circulated and read among all the churches in Asia Minor and was simply sent first to believers in Ephesus.

            Ephesus was an important city in Paul’s third missionary journey. He remained there for three years (Acts 20:31). The city of Ephesus was best known for its magnificent temple of Artemis, or Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  It was also an important political, educational, and commercial center. Let’s consider the central themes of this letter.

THE CENTRAL THEMES:

            The first three chapters are theological emphasizing the NT doctrine, whereas the last three chapters are practical and focus on Christian behavior. This is a letter of encouragement and admonition, written to remind believers of their price-less blessings in Jesus Christ; and not only to be thankful for those blessings, but also live in a manner worthy of such blessings.

            In this letter Paul unfolds one of the mysteries of the church, which is “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. The major theme of Ephesians is that the Church (ecclesia) is the mystical body of Christ.

            God’s great master plan is to bring everything together (Eph 1:10) under Christ as head. We as the body of Christ on earth, have a part in this plan and the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of God’s promise. The first part of the letter reveals our life in Christ to be one of union with Him in the highest heavens. The second half shows us in very practical terms how such a heavenly life is to be lived by us down here on the earth. Some key words used in this letter: “riches” 5 times, “grace” 12 times, “glory” 6 times, “fullness or filled” 6 times and the key phrase, “in Christ” or “In Him” used some 22 times.

            Our scriptural text can be divided into two sections: Vs 1-2 and Vs 3-6. Vs1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a letter written by Paul. Notice, how graciously he opens up this letter.

            In his initial greeting Paul asserts his position as an apostle of Christ and his writing was directed by the will of God. He addresses them as saints (holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated) and faithful (believing, trustworthy). Then invokes a blessing of Grace and Peace from God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In this e-mails, twitter and texts age we seldom write or receive personalized, hand written letters. How refreshing would it be when we receive letters, that opens with words of Grace and Peace like this letter of Paul? If one thing we can learn from Paul is how to write or at least open letters with gracious and encouraging words.

            Let’s look at some key words from these two verses: Apostles: The word means messenger or a sent one here it is serving as an official title for Paul and the 12 disciples. They were the eye witnesses of the resurrected Jesus and were chosen by God to lay the foundation for the church by preaching, teaching and writing Scripture accompanied by miracles.

            Saints…Faithful designates those whom God has set apart from sin and the world unto himself and they were made holy through their faith in Jesus Christ. Though the Ephesian believers had their own share of flaws and short comings. By calling them Saints and Faithful Paul over looks their flaws and sees in them the finished, and the sanctifying work of Christ.

            How do you see yourself and others? Do you focus on their faults and failures or see them through the eyes of God? When God looks at his children He sees the blood stained, redemptive work of his Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Therefore, he counts us righteous in Him. Thank God, we are his Saints and the Faithful remnant to do is will in this world.

             The words “Grace to you and peace...”  are used in a common greeting in the early Church that Paul used in all his letters. Where did Paul get his authority from to write this letter? It was from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.  

            Was Paul only given such authority? No! Jesus gives his authority to all those who follow Him, t all of God’s children. Before Jesus was taken up to heaven he commissioned his disciples with these words. Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

            So, let’s remember whenever we stand up to speak, write or do anything in the name of the Lord we can be assured Jesus will cover our backs because we are doing it for Him. Coming back to our scripture:  Vs 3-6, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him, in love. 5. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” In these verses Paul encourages the initial recipients to Bless God.

             Someone asked me the other day, can we bless God? In a sense of as if God needs our blessings. How can we even bless God, when we are the ones who are desperately in need of His blessings? We cannot bless God any more than as he is already blessed. Then what does it mean to bless God? In the Greek the word means, “worthy to be praised,” and is in all instances ascribed to God. No one is inherently worthy of praise except God alone. So, when we say we are to bless God means we are to express the most positive, uplifting and praiseworthy words regarding the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul gives three reasons why we are to bless God.

THREE REASONS TO BLESS GOD

            First reason: Vs, 3 “who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” The saints are encouraged to bless God because he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. It doesn’t mean that we have not been blessed materially, physically here on earth. The scripture tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from our father in heaven. The earthly material blessings however great they may be, they are incomplete and temporary, here today and gone tomorrow. Moths will eat them up, and thieves will break in and steal them.

            Therefore, where should our focus be? Not so much on the earthly and material things but on the spiritual blessings that are complete and permanent. They are beyond the realm of sight and sound, yet they are fully ours in Christ. No spiritual blessings are apart from Christ.

            Second reason: Vs “4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him, in love.” We are to bless God because he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This is a mind-boggling concept.

            Who knows when the foundations of the world were laid? Psalm 102: 25, “Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.” God challenged Job with these words, Job 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding,” Though, you may not understand everything about the world, one thing you need to understand: For those of us in Christ, we know that our lives are not a mistake, we know that our lives are not an accident. We were created for a purpose, and that purpose was that we might be holy, (i.e. set apart for God), that we might be blameless, (i.e. without defect or blemish) so that we might live in the very presence of God in love forever and ever.

            Third reason:  Vs 5, “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,” We are to bless God because we are blessed spiritually, we are chosen to be holy and, we are to bless God because He predestined us—which is a proposition of our being chosen, for us to be chosen prior to creation is to be predestined.  But now we are to bless God because He predestined us to be His adopted children.     In our unregenerate state once we were orphans without home, without a family therefore without family rights, privileges, heritage and inheritance. By His Grace He adopted us, and gave us full rights into His family through His Son Jesus Christ. But wait! That’s not all, In Christ: there is More and Much More. In closing, I can not over emphasize the tremendous blessings awaiting all those who are willing to explore the Book of Ephesians. For that reason, this fall season all of us will be studying this letter to the Ephesians during the Mid-Week Bible study times on Wednesday nights and through a sermon series.

            I encourage all of you when you get home, find some time, sit with a cup of coffee and read through the entire six chapters of this letter as if you would read a love letter from your friend, or your spouse. May the Holy Spirit help you as you study the book of Ephesians. Amen!

           

           

COMMUNION: The Lord's Supper

COMMUNION: THE LORD’S SUPPER

Luke 22:14-20

Introduction: Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Last Supper scene on a dining room wall in Milan. As a visitor stood viewing the finished work, he commented on the realism of several goblets on the table, exclaiming that they were so real he felt as though he could reach out and pick them up. Upon hearing those words Da Vinci quickly grabbed a brush and painted out the goblets. Pointing to Jesus he said, “It’s His face! His face that I want you to see!”

            There is a church in Millan, Italy that was bombed during WWII. All of the walls of the church fell down during the war except one. The wall left standing had Leonardo Da Vinci’s "Last Supper" scene painted on it. What a wonderful illustration of how this meal that we call the Lord’s Supper has survived throughout the last 2000 years and will continue to be celebrated until He returns. While Jesus was still alive, he gave several commands to his disciples to obey out of that list two commands they were to follow until he returns. They are: Baptism and Communion. These two ordinances have been kept up by the church over the centuries.

            Last week we looked at the significance of Baptism. Today we will learn about the other church ordinance called Communion, its origin and the significance of its different elements and why we are commanded to partake in the communion on a regular basis. So, let’s get started.

I COMMUNION: THE LORD’S SUPPER

            What is Communion? The word "communion" is defined as the act of sharing, or holding in common; participation. In the Greek word "koinonia" means a partnership, participation, fellowship, communion, communication, distribution, contribution. The KJV Bible uses the word communion in its translation, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:16) KJV.

            Communion is a fellowship of believers by which they gather together to remember the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to the heaven, the early Church earnestly and eagerly participated in communion fairly on a daily basis for them it was actually a supper. Frank Voila describes communion this way, “Contrary to today’s practice, the early church took the Lord’s supper in the context of a normal meal. When Jesus instituted the Supper, it was taken as part of the Passover Feast. In fact, the Passover was the forerunner of the Lord’s Supper.”[1]

            With a desire to bring back the practices of the early New Testament church some emerging churches actually put up a huge meal and within that context celebrate Communion. But many churches are in the practice of celebrating communion once a week or month, by partaking of the bread and wine (grape Juice) like we do here at Hope Church. Either by eating an elaborate meal or simply taking crackers and a cup of juice we are remembering the great sacrifice that Christ has made to obtain us salvation. Therefore, the essence of communion is more important than the method or the format of communion. So, what is the essence?

II. THE SETTING OF THE FIRST COMMUNION (Vs1-8)

            We can learn a number of things by simply observing what was happening in and round the last Supper that Jesus ate with his disciples. Jesus said to his disciples, Vs 8, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” This tell us that it was not a spontaneous meal, but quite a lot of preparation went into preparing this Passover meal. Similarly, before we come to take part in the communion we prepare our hearts, and come with anticipation. Vs 15-16, Jesus said, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Vs 16, For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom of God.”

            This shows how much Jesus was looking forward to have this Passover meal with his disciples before he was crucified and also, he will be eagerly awaiting to eat with them and with all those who would believe in Him through their preaching at the end of the age, when he comes back to the earth for the second time. What is the significance of a Passover meal?

            For Jewish believers it was a moment of celebration, Joy and thanksgiving as they ate, they remembered how the angel of death passed over their homes, keeping them alive. For them, the Passover meant, freedom from slavery and a glorious entry into the Promised Land.  Jesus used the Passover meal as an object lesson to show them how he was going to die by shedding his blood on the cross and how his death and resurrection will bring forth the ultimate redemption and freedom to all those who are bound by sin and Satan.  

            After enjoying an elaborate spread of food, when the hour came Jesus reclined at the table and took two elements from the feast, to convey some important truths and principles, they are: The Bread and the Cup. Let’s look at what they mean and represent.

III. THE BREAD, (Vs 19)

            Vs 19, “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (Use a loaf of bread, as an object lesson) Let’s read these words slowly,” And he took bread…gave thanks…and broke it…and gave it to them… What a powerful symbolism do we see here in what Jesus has done. Ann Vosakamp in her book “The Broken Way, expounds these words, “he gave thanks” in the Greek, “gave thanks” reads eucharisteo. Which comes from two root words and they mean, “Grace and Joy”

            When Jesus took the bread, he saw it as grace and gave thanks for the Joy that was set before him. What was the Joy? It was the redemption of mankind. If we pay close attention, we may hear him saying to his disciples, “this bread is representing my body.”

            How this bread is made by broken and crushed wheat, similarly my body is going to be crushed and bruised for you on the cross. But I am glad I can do this for you. In fact, I am eagerly waiting for this moment to offer up myself. After this meal, I am ready to go to the cross. In Hebrews 2:12, we read, “fixing our eyes on (Lit: Looking to) Jesus, the author (Lit: the leader) and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

            Jesus went on to say something else, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In other words, “I offered up my body on the cross. I don’t want you to forget what I have done, each time when you celebrate communion eating bread which symbolizes my body I want you to remember the price I paid through my body to bring forth redemption. And do this as often as you can.”

IV. THE CUP

            Vs 20, “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” In my study I learned some new things about the “Cup” In the Jewish Passover they use not one cup but four, when each cup is filled it has a different name. The first cup is called, “The cup of sanctification.” The second is, “The cup of Plagues.” The third is referred to “The cup of redemption or the cup of blessing.” The fourth is “The cup of praise.” When Jesus took the cup according to the tradition it was, “The third cup.” Jesus calls this cup “the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20).     The Apostle Paul calls it, “the cup of blessing which we bless,” as well as “the cup of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 10:16,21). Both Jesus and Paul draw on something from Jewish tradition to provide insights not previously understood. By calling the cup “the new covenant in my blood,” Jesus makes a direct reference to the promise of Jeremiah 31. God had declared that He would make a new covenant because the previous covenant had become “broken” (Jeremiah 31:32).

            To violate a covenant agreement with God would surely incur His wrath and judgment—a terrible cup! But instead, God promised through Jesus a new covenant of grace and salvation.”[2] These are the in-depth meanings of the “bread and the cup” in the communion. 

            With that understanding I invite you this morning to partake in Communion. Let’s come before him with thanksgiving. Let’s come repenting of our sins. Let’s partake the bread and the cup knowing that our sins have been forgiven, and have been set free. In closing, “Communion is a time of remembrance, celebration and proclamation. In communion we are coming to a table of thanksgiving, gratefully remembering the sacrificial death of Christ represented by the bread. We celebrate the new covenant of peace, blessing and salvation represented by the cup. We are boldly proclaiming to the world about the death and the resurrection of Christ, and we will continue to do this joyfully until he returns. Amen!

---

[1] Frank Voila, Reimagining Church, Page 74

[2] https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/newsletter/newsletter-mar-2002/the-mystery-of-the-passover-cup/

Baptism: A Watery Grave

A WATERY GRAVE!

Romans 6: 1-11, 9/2/2018

Introduction: In 1982, I was reading a book “The Now and the Near Future Prophesied.” Which was all about the impending wars, dangers that were to come in the very near future and the imminent and unexpected return of Jesus Christ to the earth for a second time. The book also talked about the need to accept Jesus as my savior, in order to escape hell and enter into heaven. It also talked about being ready for the Lord’s return and included a dreadful warning to people not to be left behind when believers will be taken up to heaven.  

            For a seventeen-year-old it was like watching a horror movie, I was shaken up, and terrified, by the end of that reading, I knelt down and prayed a sinner’s prayer, repenting of my sins and accepted Jesus as my savior.  That was the beginning of my Faith Journey. Looking back, though my acceptance of Christ was based on fear of not wanting to be left behind, I believe it was the work of God’s grace which enabled me to believe in Jesus. The same grace also gave me strength and courage to take the next step in following Christ.

            How did that happen? As I began to read the gospel of Matthew, I came to chapter 3 verse 16, it was about the baptism of Jesus Christ, “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on. Vs 17, And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” It was an eye opener for me to see Jesus getting baptized.

            I thought to myself, Jesus, the son of God who had never committed any sin, why did he have to go through baptism? The Holy Spirit revealed it to me, Jesus did it to leave an example for us to follow also to let the world and the devil know that now he was being set apart for the purposes of the Kingdom and to do the perfect will of His father.  I needed no more reasons, to be baptized and follow in the footsteps of my lord and savior Jesus Christ.

            On a bright sunny day during an evangelistic crusade, I went to a river near by and was baptized in water by my grand father along with many others who were baptized on the same day. It was a glorious turning in my life. It was a dead to sin, and an alive in Christ moment. Baptism has given me a purpose, and a privilege to live for and serve my Lord and King.

            Several of you here today may have made that decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and savior. It was not your great idea but the grace of God that enabled you to believe in Him, that was the first step, but you also have taken the next step and was Baptized in waters. But there are others who might be hesitating to take that step, I wonder why? If you are in that boat of hesitation, I hope by the end of this message you too will be ready to jump into the waters.

            Let me share what was the sequence of Baptism in the first century church. All throughout the gospels, and the book of Acts the message of the Lord and the apostles was, “Repent, Believe, and be baptized. Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16.

            When the Apostle Peter preached a powerful message on the Day of Pentecost, many people who were listening including several Jews were cut to their heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers what shall we do? Peter replied, “Repent and Be Baptized” Acts 2:37-38.  Notice the sequence here: “Repent, Believe and Be Baptized.”  Or sometimes Repent and be baptized.  It is always repentance, belief immediately followed by baptism in waters.

            This sequence could raise concerns of the practice of the infant baptism through sprinkling. The argument here is how can a child repent of his or her sins and confess their belief in Christ? Therefore, in our Church we dedicate children to the Lord and encourage adults (children who come to the age of acknowledgment of sin) to repent of their sins, put their belief in Christ and then be baptized by immersion in waters.

            Just to let you know, by virtue of being born into a bible believing Lutheran family I was baptized by sprinkling, and probably several others here too were baptized by sprinkling of water as children. In the passage we read we will understand the significance of Baptism. As Frank Voila noted, you will be buried in, “A Watery Grave, “and brought back to a new life in Christ.  

I. A WATERY GRAVE (1-3)

            Vs 1-3, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”

            The apostle Paul was writing to those perhaps who were converted and baptized on the day of Pentecost who now founded the church in Rome. Some of them may have been talking God’s grace as a license to sin. What is sin? The bible describes sin as, “Missing the mark” or falling short of God’s standard. According to St. Augustine of Hippo’s classical explanation sin is "a word, deed, or desire in opposition to the eternal law of God."

            Anything that is contrary to the standards of God is not only harmful to us but to everyone else in the society. The bible lists out such harmful behaviors such as: lying, cheating; adultery, drinking, greed, pride, lust, hatred, anger etc. How do we understand this statement, “Shall we go on sinning so that the grace may increase? By no means! (May it never Be NASB)    The apostle Paul was advocating for a change of life style. Before accepting Christ, we were used to live as we pleased, being led by the desires of our flesh. But after accepting Christ as our savior we need to stop all such behaviors and develop a God honoring life style of love, grace, purity, generosity, faithfulness, servitude etc. The reason is found in the next verses. “We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? What does this mean?

            When we go down under the water, we testify to the fact that the old person we used to be and the old world that we used to serve is being buried. We are plunged beneath the water and the old Adam‖ is drowned. But we come up out of the water in Christ and begin a new life. In baptism, we affirm that we have become a new person with a new nature, born into a new family which belongs to a new creation where Jesus of Nazareth is Lord and King

II. A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST (4-5)

            Vs 4-5, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

            In water baptism by faith, when we go under water we are identifying with Christ’s death and burial. Ass Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, we too when we come up out of the water are being resurrected to a new life. There ought to be a difference of life before and after baptism.  While writing to the Galatian believers, Paul describes how his life was changed after he repented, believed in Christ and Baptized by Ananais.

            Galatians 2:20-21, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This verse has challenged me to order my life’s priorities as a young believer. I am still trying to grasp the in-depth meaning of what it is to live a crucified life.

            Let me tell you it is not easy; my flesh doesn’t agree to that kind of a life.  I struggle at times, but what helps me to keep pursuing that life is the fact that, it is not me but Christ is living in me and through me. My confidence in this life is that, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” God is faithful to complete what he started in me.

            In the beginning I shared with you a part of my journey of accepting Christ and leading up to water Baptism. Now let me share with you how my life has been changed since that moment. After Baptism I became an ardent reader of the Bible, why? Because I meant serious business with God. I’ve determined to please God. I made a commitment to live and ser Him the rest of my life. My prayer is that I will remain faithful to God and honor that commitment.

III. A LIFE OF FREEDOM FROM SIN (6-11)

            Vs 6-11, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin…The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. Vs 11, in the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” When someone dies they cease to exert power or control over us.

            Similarly, sin has lost its control and grip on us because it was nailed to the cross in Jesus and died. Since in baptism we identify with the death of Christ, therefore we are dead to sin. Watchman Nee commenting on verse 11 notes, “That is not an exhortation to struggle. That is history, our history written in Christ before we were born. Our crucifixion with Christ is a glorious historic fact. Our deliverance from sin is based not on what we can do, nor even what God is going to do for us, but on what he has already done for us in Christ. When that fact dawns upon us, and we rest back upon (Romans 6:11), then we have found the secret of a holy life.”

            Baptism in waters in one way gives us a fresh start. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read, “therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” NASB. Let me summarize: In Baptism we are identifying in the death and the resurrection of Christ. We are being raised to a new life in Christ, and we are given another chance to count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus our King. Amen!