Remember that at that time you had no hope of a Messiah; you were aliens from the society of Israel, and strangers from the covenants on which the promises were based; you had no hope; you were in the world without God. 1. (Note also Romans 5:12; Romans 5:21; James 1:15; James 5:20; Romans 7:5; Romans 7:10; Romans 7:13; Romans 7:24; John 5:24.). It may be perverted to this or anything else; but so far is our corporate place from being put in the foreground that we do not hear one word about the assembly as such till the close of the first chapter. Of old they had forfeited every claim according to the law, and were spared and kept in God's mercy and faithfulness. We would probably rather resent being called hell-deserving sinners. You see, after the total indulgence of the lust of his flesh, not withholding anything from himself, he came to the conclusion life is empty and frustrating; there is nothing worthwhile under the sun. The Greek could say: "We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, "I rejoice and disport me on my youth; long enough beneath the, earth shall I lie, bereft of life, voiceless as a stone, and shall, leave the sunlight which I loved; good man though I am, then. The mark of the pierced hand is on everything: "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.". Are we as good parents as we might be? His life will be ever afterwards a loosing and letting go; for he will need it till he cometh up to be with God for ever and ever. Its searching diagnosis pronounces that mortification has set in and that nothing less than infusion of fresh lifeblood can work a cure. ~ survey response By Gods grace, Christ not only died to bear the penalty of human sin, but he rose to glorious life in the heavenly world so that repentant sinners can have a glorious new life in him (4-7).This salvation is entirely Gods work. Being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. And God, having these counsels before Him from everlasting, deigns to have a people, not only capable of enjoying Him as having the very same nature as His own, without which they could not enjoy glory; but, besides, if He has us in His presence, He would have us in the highest relationship into which grace could bring us. 76. The priest sprinkled the blood around the altar because it was atonement for the soul. Ah! And why is all this? Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;" not that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, but "rooted," etc., that ye "may be able to comprehend with all saints." Our state and course are such as deserve wrath, and would end in eternal wrath, if divine grace did not interpose. Call to Worship #2 L: Welcome to worship this morning. It is on the foundation of the prophets and the apostles that you have been built up; and the corner stone is Christ himself. Christ did not do the same thing with the young man that he did with the daughter of Jairus. or our anger gets the better of us and we lash out. Oh! No one calls him respectable. When I tried to hide my guilt I was miserable. It was said of one eminent commentator that he could not find Christ in the Scripture where he was; but it was said of Cocceius that he found Christ where he was not. Life is usually capable of pleasure, but the new life is capable of the highest conceivable pleasure. And God throughout eternity is going to be revealing the exceeding greatness of His mercy and of His kindness, these things that He has given and provided and done for you through Jesus Christ. But I must add that we are also capable of acute pain to which we were strangers once. Christ is not darkness but light, and puts all in the light; He makes us to be children of the light, that so we may be able to judge ourselves, not discerned by man as such, but capable of discerning whatever claims our attention. No God? But Christ at the right hand of God gives gifts unto men; and, as it is said here, "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" bringing in both the highest gifts and also those ordinarily requisite for the good of the saints. Scripturally-based resources for worship planners and leaders. WebReflection/Call to worship - based on Ephesians 2:11-22 118 views Aug 1, 2021 A short reflection with pictures and music that can be used personally or in a shared act of Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! (i) Paul insists that it is by grace that we are saved. Do you not hear the noise of the infernal bellows when "the children of disobedience: swear, and use unclean language? But at this point, Paul is just saying, and you. Sort of concluding, you might as well bomb out and stay drunk, there is nothing else, too much pain to try to face reality.Sort of the philosophy that a lot of people have taken today. The first thing is to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." But if we are to walk thus, let us not forget the prayer for the state of our hearts which precedes these exhortations. Modern progress has made the world a neighbourhood: God has given us the task of making it a brotherhood. these clothes protect us from all that is evil. Moses took the book of the covenant and read to the people. I grew careless of the lives of others. The Holy Ghost thus takes a corresponding part. 2:1-3 When you were dead in your sins and trespasses, those sins and trespasses in which you once walked, living life in the way this present age lives it, living life as the ruler of the power of the air dictates it, that spirit who now operates in the children of disobedience--and once all we too lived the same kind of life as these children of disobedience do, a life in which we were at the mercy of the desires of our lower nature, a life in which we followed the wishes of our lower nature and of our own designs, a life in which, as far as human nature goes, we deserved nothing but the wrath of God, as the others do. This covenant relationship involved not only privilege, but also obligation. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Remember what you were. Young people, search after an instructive minister; seek after instructive books; search the Scriptures, and seek to be instructed: that is your principal business. Not only was His resurrection this manifestation, but also whatever God put forth toward us was in virtue of that display of His energy was, so to speak, morally included in that power which raised up Christ from the dead. Note, too, that in the case of this maiden, whom we have introduced to you, the daughter of Jairus, she is yet caressed ; she has only been dead a moment or two, and the mother still presses her cheek with kisses. If I would deliver the Midianites in the hands of the 10,000, they would go around boasting in themselves and glorying in themselves. He was privileged to do all as unto Christ; as the master again must remember that he had his own Master in heaven. Then we have in the centre of this chapter no longer the unity or the gifts differing, but the moral walk of the saints. Paul can never have too much of Christ. No, no. How far the person has realised it is another matter; but such is the meaning of baptism. ", 20, 21 Upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom, You see, it is always that, in him, in Christ: "in whom". These are the things that were the motivation behind our lives. ", In the Homeric Hymns the assembly of Olympus is charmed by the Muses who sing "of the deathless gifts of the gods and the sorrows of men, even all that they endure by the will of the immortals, living heedless and helpless, nor can they find a cure for death, nor a defence against old age.". These words do not attribute to God all wisdom and prudence, which certainly would be nothing new; but they intimate that He has now conferred on His saints all wisdom and prudence. But profound truths are for those who have spiritual understandings; and such do not require many words to comprehend them. He wrote in few words no doubt, but he has written with divine perfection, and clearly enough for those by God's grace made competent to understand, let the words be ever so few. Therefore, put on the full armour of God. Paul thinks of this building going on and on, with each part of the building being fitted into Christ. If it be illustrated in Christ, if it be bound up with Him, fear not to trust simply and to believe implicitly. But Jesus calls all sorts of people together. They have to be covered up in the tomb of secresy; for men would scout them from society, and hiss them from existence, if they knew all. Enter boldly into the sweetness of His grace and fulness of His glory. Hence it is said, "One Lord," which is precisely that which is owned in the common creed of Christendom. Faith dies and unfaith blossoms as a flower; Nor ever wilt thou find upon the open streets of men. Now, the other people looking at us can't understand that, because they don't know what is going on inside. Such is not the character of God's dwelling now. If God reveals it now, the idea of man of ourselves being the first and main object in the mind of God is impossible. "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living," and, unless we are made alive unto him, he cannot be our God either here or hereafter. i Zohar in Gen, fol. Here again we are at something which was very real in the days of Paul but which is not so real to us. Maybe it is because we like to do things theway that weve alwaysdone them that creates barriers and excludes strangers, preventing them from ever having the opportunity to experience the reconciling power of Jesus in their lives. Now he unites both in this place of richest blessing; for He has even "made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." It is a present thing in every sense, though, of course, needed for heaven and eternity. But in times past you were just meandering through life. III. The first place where Christ is seen is in the grave whence God according to the mightiest action of His almighty power raised Him up. But the moment you come to the "one Lord," this city, yea every city in Christendom, is a witness to a wide-spread profession of His name. * CALL TO WORSHIP From Ephesians 2 Leader: We were once dead through our trespasses and sins when we followed the course of this world. We know ourselves loved, but we balk at the cost. It is a course that is leading to destruction. The choice of the saints for heavenly blessedness was before the creation of the universe, before the foundation of the world. This he did that in himself he might make the two into one new man, by making peace between them, and that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the Cross, after he had slain the enmity by what he did. The grace of Jesus Christ rekindles the ideals which repeated failing to sin has extinguished. The world is going down the tube. It is not a conferred position, however blessed, but practical enjoyment even that Christ Himself might be habitually the object before them, now that all question of deliverance and blessing was settled in their favour. So the flow of the world, you just flowed with it. 20, Ephesians, p. 61. If we go on with our services in regular routine, a large number of our friends find it difficult to keep awake. We dare to believe that you and I are part of a plan. ver 3, 11-13; Ro 11:30; 1Co 6:11; 5:8; Col 3:7; Tit 3:3; 1Pe 4:3, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Revelation, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Galatians, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture. It is an awful thing to have your conscience hardened, as in the very fires of hell, till it becomes like steel. In its place he put love to God and love to men. First of all, he thought that it must lie in riches, which often many people feel. One said to me, when joining the church, "Either I am a new creature, or else the world is altogether altered from what it was. They had seen creation, and sung at the sight. I may have some here. Finally, there is the activity now for others, just as before there was dependence for ourselves. Paul goes on to say that we are recreated by God for good works. The door was shut in her face; but now the door was open. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. But this was not enough. Dress in your new self, which is being re-formed into the image of God, in true righteousness and holiness.. [2] Francis W. Beare, The Interpreter's Bible (New York: Abingdon Press, 1953), Vol. It is neither right nor possible to leave the teaching of Paul here--and yet that is where it is so often left. So, and you who were dead because of your trespasses and sins; Wherein times past you walked according to the course of this world ( Ephesians 2:2 ). Thus Israel stands in the permanent remembrance of power that redeemed them from the land of Egypt, and in the anticipation of a still greater manifestation that will eclipse whatever had been seen of old. Is it so, beloved? We must carefully remember that the mystery does not mean the church merely. Are in italics. Oh how happy is the man. God had a dwelling-place of old in Israel; but it was a house made with hands, however magnifical, that followed the tabernacle of witness in the desert, in both of which the Shechinah, or visible sign of His glory, deigned to dwell. Before their regeneration, believers were spiritually dead, separated from God, and unable to have fellowship with Him (cf. Verse Ephesians 2:4 . The relationship with God would cease the moment that man disobeyed the commandment of God, the moment man transgressed. It is on the foundation of the prophets and apostles that you have been built up; and the corner stone is Christ himself. But now, consequent on His resurrection from the dead, and of the place given Him in heaven above all, there was made known to these very principalities and powers "the manifold wisdom of God," made known to them before it came to pass, the sure deliverance of the whole scene of creation, of man, of Israel, as well as of the earth. Through faith they can only turn to God in their helplessness, and humbly accept the salvation that God offers. And if she would say, "No, son, you can't." The word for desire is epithumia ( G1939) which characteristically means desire for the wrong and the forbidden thing. He is the ultimate blessedness with which we are filled, the One in whom we most confide, being the Son, in whom dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (iii) Through Jesus both Jew and Gentile have the right of access to God. And sometimes if they didn't feed me when I wanted to be fed, I would flail and kick and scream and holler. (T) 10For we are Gods handiwork,(U) created(V) in Christ Jesus to do good works,(W) which God prepared in advance for us to do. Hath quickened us together with Christ. He makes no end of blunders; he makes many miscalculations because everything is new to him. I was a natural man, dominated by my fleshly needs. Conversation, we are talking with each other. WebPrayer of Confession. That is not the result of some great effort on my part. She liveth not; but she is still caressed. And they began to be merry (Luke 15:21-24 NASB). At the final judgment, those who "practice lawlessness" will hear the Lord say, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:21-23 NASB). WebThe Art of Following - Matthew 4:12-23. Ye have all that heart could wish for, except the one thing needful; ye have all things save love to the Saviour. It is simply an inevitable law of love. The essence of the world's standard is that it sets self in the centre, the essence of the Christian standard is that it sets Christ and others in the centre. Here God from Himself and for Himself is acting according to the riches of His own grace. You had nothing to do with this. Thou hast the dew of thy youth, O child of God; and thou shalt have yet more of it, and be like thy Lord, when he shall take thee away from every trace of death, and the corrupt atmosphere of this poor world, and thou shalt dwell with the living God in the land of the living, for ever and for ever! He has raised us from the dead. You, by God's grace are a man; this little one is but a new-born babe; hear what he has to say. children of God, citizens of the Kingdom. And God said Gideon, "The men that are with you are too many, because I know the heart of this people. So Paul goes on to say that in Christ these barriers are down. Satan is behind the world's fashions, the trends, directing, orchestrating those destructive, damning forces that we see pervading our society. (ISAIAH 1:18, ALT.) How did Christ destroy them? When I say Christ is our peace. Everything else in Ephesians 2:1-7 is of subordinate importance. God has given us a life that is more precious than the Koh-i-noor, a life that will outlast the sun and moon. Clearly God has a purpose, a settled and glorious plan to gather the whole universe under Christ as its Head. Sometimes if they did n't feed me when I wanted to be merry ( 15:21-24! Thing in every sense, though, of course, needed for and... And yet that is where it is neither right Nor possible to leave the teaching of Paul --... The relationship with God would cease the moment that man disobeyed the commandment God! I must add that we are recreated by God for good works grace Jesus! Riches of his own master in heaven except the One thing needful ; ye have that. 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