SundaySermon - Lawrence

Faith in God and Love for one another

(The Study of Ephesians)

Paul made several missionary trips. Ephesus was one place where Paul spoke God's word. Acts 19 talks of this. They started as 12 people. They gathered for 2 years until God's word prevailed (Acts 19:20)

Later Timothy was the pastor of the Church. The people of Ephesus were known for their Faith and Love (Ephesians 1:15)

Verse: Ephesians 1:15 

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 

Ephesians - Chapter 1

Paul founded this church and Paul is praying for the Ephesians. There are several things that he specifically prayes for 

  • Thanking God for them (Ephesians 1:17)
  • Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17)
  • 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 (Ephesians 1:18)
  • Know the incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same that raised Jesus for the dead (Ephesians 1:19)
Paul was a teacher and wanted for the people to know God. Jesus did the same. Jesus also took time to let people know about Him (Luke 24:19) and that knowledge burned within them (Luke 24:32)

Verse: Luke 24:19

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Paul was not in person and he wanted the people to know God. He wanted this knowledge to be more than just theory. So knowing God involves knowing the Word, His Power, the inheritance, Wisdom. 

What Paul is praying for is unimaginable. If we truely had all this, we will never be ordinary people. And Paul is praying and going beyond for himself and the people he is teaching.

Look at the transformation of Gehazi. The knowledge of God was so powerful that it put a whole army in confusion. Gehazi was in panic initially. But when Elijah prayed and his eyes were openned, the panic vanished. Elijah faced the army single handedly. 

Ephesians - Chapter 2

Paul wanted to remind Ephesians that all people were the same - Dead on Arrival. There was no hope. But God stepped in (Ephesians 2:4)

Verse: Ephesians 2:4-5

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Why did God step in to save us?

Verse: Deuteronomy 7:7

7 The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples

In our walk with God, we have times of low and high, in our faith, love, hope. But one thing is constant.... that we are called His Children. This should motivate us to keep our love, faith and hope strong. Revelations talks of the first love that was missing in the church of Ephesus. And God is constantly running after us. 

And because God's love for us, he raised us and made us sit in the heavenly (Ephesians 2:6). 

Verse: Ephesians 2:6

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Whatever is true of Jesus is true of you. And so he makes us to sit with Him in the heavenly places. This is truely the greatest honour bestowed upon us.

So we have nothing to boast. Because Grace is 100% divine. There is no place for pride in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:9). And our talents are God given for good works. (Ephesians 2:10). 

Verse: Ephesians 2:9-10

9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

When Jesus started out, he acknowledged that it was "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me ......" for the good works he was about to perform. The church of God must perform the good works that God has ordained with God's help. 

Conclusion

So let us move beyond our comfortable spaces, to do what God wants us to do. We are to increase the knowledge of God, and in good works knowing that we are seated with Jesus in heavenly places.


 

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