Fellowshipmtz

Ephesians 4:1-3  The Bible's use of the word "worthy" is positively fascinating!  Building on last week, today we consider its use and meaning in Ephesians 4, Revelation 4-5, and Luke 7, 15.

Ephesians 4:1-3

LAST SUNDAY, we noted that "maintaining" church unity was not necessarily going to be easy!  TODAY, we see that maintaining unity requires 4 Components (two pairings of two each): "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love".  EVEN MORE THAN THAT, we consider the powerful significance of Paul's admonition, "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called"!

Ephesians 4:1

Today we turn the corner from the predominately DOCTRINAL portion of Ephesians (chapters 1-3), to chapters 4-6 where the emphasis lies on the church's response to all that GOD has done by grace in Christ and through the Holy Spirit (APPLICATION).

1 Samuel 7

Appropriate to New Year's Day, today's message highlights the faithfulness of GOD "hitherto" this very day!

A beautiful poem reminding us of God's steadfast faithfulness:

It fortifies my soul to know

Arthur Hugh Clough, 1819-1861

Luke 2:1-20  /  Advent, Week 4: PEACE

Beside correcting several misconceptions concerning Jesus's birth, we pay particular attention to the SHEPHERDS in Luke's narrative.  Of the shepherds, John Calvin wrote: "Their zeal in glorifying and praising God is an implied reproof of our indolence, or rather of our ingratitude.  If the cradle of Christ had such an effect upon them, as to make them rise from the stable and the manger to heaven, how much more powerful ought the death and resurrection of Christ to be  in raising us to God?"

Ephesians 3:19b-21

The goal of Paul's second prayer for the Gentile churches is that they would be "filled with all the fullness of God"!  Certainly, Paul IS NOT praying for Christians to become GOD -- that was the original temptation of the serpent (Satan) in the Garden.  Rather, Paul is praying for Christians (collectively, as the Church) to be entirely filled (controlled, subdued) by GOD's holiness & glory.

Ephesians 3:16-19

Paul's prayer for the Gentile church is NOT focused on some change of circumstances/externals (either for himself or them); but rather, he prays for a strengthening of their "inner being" -- i.e. their thinking, awareness, perception, comprehension, and attitude.  As GOD grants this request they will find that no matter their circumstances, they are not left shaken!

Ephesians 3:14-16

"Our prayers do not get God to change His mind, of course.  They would be dangerous [disastrous!] if they could.  

Ephesians 3:6-13

A couple of fundamental assertions (propositions):

1.  There is NO GOSPEL apart from Christ Jesus, as per 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Ephesians 3:1-7

1) “Gospel” and “Mystery” are not equivalent, synonymous  words. 

2) “Gospel” is the more comprehensive term.  “Mystery” is a hidden feature (component) of the gospel.

3) The “gospel” was promised & preached long before the “mystery” was revealed by God.