Fellowshipmtz

It is always a treat when Pastor Ray Clark, along with members from Baptist Bible Church in Decatur, join our church's gathering in Mount Zion!  Pastor Ray's lively and engaging style takes us to the LORD's response to Job.  As it turns out, Job doesn't know or understand nearly so much as he previously imagined.  Very practical applications to our own life circumstances.

Special guest speaker, Phil Underhile, has roots in our church that go back to 1992!  He currently serves as a church planting missionary-pastor in Hawaii.  Today's message considers the magnificence of a Christian's salvation from 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Ephesians 1:11-14

In these verses Paul "steps back from" GOD's revealed mystery — that is, His "plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him" (verse 10).  Here, Paul looks at the particulars — how the unity starts, where it begins.

Each of the blessings linked with GOD's saving grace are derived from GOD's purpose to place us "in Christ".

Ephesians 1:8-10

The Bible treats the concept of "mystery" nearly the opposite of what we typically think.  In western culture to speak of "mystery" is to emphasize the unknown, but in the New Testament "mystery" emphasizes what God has revealed and made known!

Ephesians 1:7-8

Sometime poorly (or entirely) misunderstood, Christ's work of redemption is the centerpiece of the Gospel entrusted to the Church.  I love William Hendriksen's transitional comment from his Commentary on Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:4-6

Regarding what are commonly referred to as the "doctrines of grace" consider these two quotes from Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892):

• "The only reason why anyone believes in election is because he finds it clearly taught in God's Word.  No man, or number of men, ever originated this doctrine."

• "There are two great truths from this platform I have proclaimed for many years.  The first is that salvation is free to every man that will have it; the second is that God gives salvation to a people whom He has chosen; and these truths are not  in conflict with each other in the least degree."

Ephesians 1:3-4

The psalmist announced a blessing that sounds a lot like Ephesians 1:3, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does He withhold," -- but then he finishes with, "from those who walk uprightly."

Aah!  Isn't that exactly the problem ?   GOD has always given good gifts to His people.  

How can Paul have any confidence that this time the outcome will be any different / better ?  Two reasons: These "spiritual blessings" are: "in Christ" & "in the heavenlies."  In other words, the "success" of the blessing resides entirely on Christ's performance — not on my performance!

Ephesians 1:1-14

Before we consider the significance of the "particulars" in future weeks, today's message presents a birds-eye view of the first main passage (verses 3-14 are a single sentence in the Greek!)  The Life application Bible Commentary summarizes: "We have these blessings because of God's choosing us (vs 4), Christ's dying for us (vs 7), and the Holy Spirit's sealing us (vs 13)."

To appreciate (and better understand Paul's letter received by the "Ephesians" a reader will do well to understand something of Ephesus.  Interestingly, the Bible provides more "snapshots" of the church at Ephesus than any other (other than Jerusalem) — covering a period of more than 40 years!

• AD 52 we first hear of "Ephesus" (on Paul's second missionary journey)

Guest Speaker: Curt Fleck (Director of Civil Servant Ministries in our State's Capitol)

Curt shares from Matthew 11 (John the Baptist inquiring whether Jesus is, in fact, "the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?") -- because sometimes our circumstances seem at odds with GOD's promises.  What then?