The greatest need in America today is revival -- in the Lord’s churches, and certainly in our homes. Why? We bring the spirit of our homes into the church. Imagine a husband and wife having an argument on the way to church. Yet, when they come into the building they are all smiles, calling others “brother” and “sister,” etc. Though they are pretending that all is well they still have anger toward their mate in their hearts and bring that right into the worship of God. Now imagine that same couple praying before coming into the worship services and the Spirit they would bring in then. If our homes are going to experience revival, the leaders of those homes must be revived, especially the fathers. Why? Because God has set the man as the head of and spiritual leader of the home. This speaks of the responsibility of leadership in the home. I Timothy 5:8 speaks of providing physical needs, but I believe the principle of spiritual needs is also present. I Timothy 5:8: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (INFIDEL = one who denies God, the Bible, etc.) The Bible says a child of God can be worse than an infidel if he doesn't provide for his family. A man should take care of the family. This means material AND spiritual provision. I repeat, the father is to be the spiritual leader in the home, and I believe God will judge us fathers for our faithfulness to do so or our lack of it. In training our children. In leading our entire families. We need more men like Joshua today. He said he and his household would serve God. “You can count on my being at church, Preacher.” If your children have to ask if you are going to church, something is wrong in the home. Read Exodus 20:5 again: “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me . . . ” The responsibility falls on the shoulders of the men. God will visit our sins upon our children, grandchildren, and our great grandchildren. How? If Dad is worldly and unfaithful it can place a stigma upon his children. “He’s a nice young boy.” “Maybe, but, do you know who his daddy is?” “She’s a nice young girl.” “Do you know who her mother is and what she is like?” Also, when we do not teach and live the truth, we will turn them away from God. There is more responsibility upon saved parents than simply sitting and singing. We are responsible for raising a family that knows and follows Jesus Christ. The most valuable things we have -- besides our own souls -- are the souls of our sons and daughters. This message presents 3 examples of men who sinned against God, and their children ended up paying for it.

I. THE SIN OF DISOBEDIENCE -- SAUL -- II SAMUEL 21:1-6.

II. THE SIN OF DEFIANCE -- ACHAN -- JOSHUA 7:1, 20-21.

III. THE SIN OF DISSOLUTENESS -- LOT -- GENESIS 13:7-12, (13).

There was a time in these United States of America that we were united as a nation. All sorts of people came here from different lands with different backgrounds, and they wanted to be “Americans.” President Theodore Roosevelt once said, ““There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism . . . a hyphenated American is not an American at all . . . Our allegiance must be purely to the United States . . . The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin . . . would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities . . . ”

I believe that, in part, is what has happened in our great nation. As President Roosevelt said, being segmented and divided into these different groups is the surest way to destroy this nation. It is also the surest way to destroy a church. I believe one of the saddest sights in this world is to see a church of the Lord Jesus Christ that is divided and void of any type of unity. I have seen churches divided over many different things. (Remember the “brown hymnal” and “green hymnal” church?) One of the dumbest attitudes I have ever encountered is to hear a child of God say of another child of God, “As long as he/she is there, I just can’t go up there to that church house.” (Who are you worshipping?) The Bible tells us of a church which had divisions over several different things. It was a church that was divided over preachers and pastors. It was a church that was divided over material possessions and issues to the point that church members were suing each other in the public courts. This church was divided over discipline issues and argued about who had the most important spiritual ability or gift from God. By now you have probably figured out that it was the church at Corinth. And, apparently, during the time of the Apostle James there were issues over who would get to be a teacher in the church. “Be not (don’t rush to be) many masters (teachers).” I believe Satan works overtime to try to cause division in the Lord’s churches! There was diversity and potential for great division in the church at Ephesus. The church was made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. The Gentiles disliked (almost to the point of “hatred”) the Jews. Many, if not most, of the Jewish members disliked the Gentiles for the same cultural, religious, and historical reasons the Gentiles used. When we get to vs. 15 we are going to see that there neither was nor is such a thing as “Jewish Christians”? and/or “Gentile Christians.” There are just Christians. Heritage and lineage are nice, and it is interesting to see where we came from, but

none of that can make anyone more saved or less saved. The words of Paul in Philippians 3:4,7-8 seem appropriate here: “(4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more . . . (7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ . . . ” So Paul begins by reminding the Gentile believers of 5 aspects of their lives before they were saved. They were: 1) Separated from Christ; 2) Excluded from citizenship in Israel -- COMMONWEALTH = (politeia) citizenship; 3) Foreigners to the covenants of Promise; 4) Having no hope. 5) Without God. Romans 2 was not written to the church at Ephesus, but I believe it deals with the attitude of superiority that may have existed among the Jewish believers there. “(1) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (11) For there is no respect of persons with God. (23) Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? (24) For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.” And in Romans 3:1-2 he reminds them that they had the advantage when it came to recognizing the Messiah: “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? (2) Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles (logion/logos – word[s]) of God.”

So, we have Gentiles who were literally aliens to God’s promises, and we have Jews to whom were committed the Word of God, the promises of God, the covenants of God in the same church. Can you see where or how a problem might arise? Paul deals with potential issues by showing both sides the unity that exists in Christ and should exist in His churches. He reminds them that the sacrifice of Jesus . . .

I. BRINGS THOSE WHO ARE FAR AWAY NEAR – VS. 13.

II. PRODUCES PEACE WHERE THERE WAS ENMITY – VV. 14-16.

III.RECONCILES THOSE APART INTO ONE BODY – VV. 16-18.

From time to time children of God need to be reminded of what we were before we were saved and what God has done for us. It is easy to get so “busy” with life that we forget what God has saved us out of. It is at times like those that we may sometimes take our salvation for granted. This can affect our faithfulness and our service of the Lord. We have seen and need to learn to appreciate the greatness of the power that has been exercised in our salvation. We have experienced both God’s mercy and grace. We have experienced the quickening power of God through the Holy Spirit. We know that salvation is totally from God. Man, in his natural state, is totally depraved - Romans 3:10-12, 23: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (12) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God . . . ” We could do nothing to earn salvation, nor can we do enough good works to keep it. The first 3 verses of our text reveal our spiritual poverty before we were saved; the next six show the rich mercy of God toward us, and His desire for us as we examine: Our past peril ; Our present purchase ; God’s pre-designed plan.

I. OUR PAST PERIL -- VV. 1-3.

II. OUR PRESENT PURCHASE -- VV. 4-7.

III. GOD'S PLANNED PURPOSE.

Paul’s love for these believers caused him to pray for them. He was thankful for them -- vs. 16 – “I . . . Cease not to give thanks for you . . . ” ( CEASE = stop, quit, come to an end.) Are you thankful for your brothers and sisters in Christ in this church? Do you show it? Do you tell them? (Vs. 16 – “Cease not . . . making mention of you in my prayers . . . ” has the idea of, “Constantly making mention of you . . . ” (MENTION = from two words which mean “to bear in mind” and “to recall to mind.” Thus, recollection, recital, remembrance.) How often do we tell someone we will pray for them, but after a day or two we forget about it? We take prayer requests here, and we have a prayer list. We pray for those on the list in Sunday School and worship. Let me ask this. How often do we remember the prayer requests when we get home on Sunday, or Monday, throughout the week? Paul continually prayed for these brothers and sisters in Christ with thanksgiving. In these verses we are going to see that He prayed . . . For them because of their faith in Christ and their love for their brethren. (Oh, how new believers need our prayers!) For their spiritual growth and strengthening. For their realization of who and what they were – “an new creature (creation)” in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). We need to pray and ask God for ourselves, for each other and for this church. What Did Paul Pray For? What do we pray for? First of all I want us to notice what Paul DID NOT pray for: 1) To have an easy time of it (of serving God); 2) That they would all prosper materially; 3) In this particular prayer he didn’t even pray for their physical health. I believe this reveals to us some priorities in our prayer life. Vance Havner once said, “If you listen to the prayer requests in many churches today, it sounds like an organ recital – ‘Pray for my heart. Pray for my liver, etc.’” I am not against praying for our health, praying for those in the hospital, praying for those having surgery, etc., but I believe there are other things we should pray for as well. Paul prayed for the spiritual enlightenment of these believers. “That. . . God may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation . . . ” This speaks of having a wisdom that is the result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling work. The idea is, that they would listen to the Spirit as He sought to lead them. How often do we hear that requested? “Please pray for me that I can know God’s will for my life and have a wisdom and willingness to follow His Holy Spirit.” The sphere of this wisdom and revelation -- “In the knowledge of him.” (KNOWLEDGE = true, accurate, full knowledge.) It refers to an intimate fellowship and a closeness with the Lord. I know I have probably shared this recently, but I am sharing it again – John 17:3: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” In line with such a prayer, Paul seeks two things for these believers: 1) The education of the saint; 2) The exaltation of the Savior.

I. THE EDUCATION OF THE SAINT -- VV. 18-19.

II. THE EXALTATION OF THE SAVIOR - VV. 20-23.

Paul is writing to a church that lived in the midst of the wealth of a pagan world, and in that scenario it would be easy to compare “what we have” to “what the world offers.” We live in a similar situation. Daily the world’s wealth is paraded before us. Many dream of material wealth but have forgotten about being rich toward God (Remember Luke 12 - the rich farmer with the “too small” barns.) We forget Matthew 6:19-21: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” God’s instruction to these in Ephesus is as good for us today as it was for them. Consider how rich you are in the Lord Jesus. Fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

I. THE REDEMPTION OF OUR PERSON.

II. THE REVELATION OF GOD’S PLAN - VV. 7b-10.

III. THE RICHES OF HIS PURPOSE -- VV. 11-14.

Ephesus was also a very wealthy city, and that wealth (of the world) was in evidence throughout the city. It was the capital of pro-consular Asia. It was located on the western coast of Asia Minor and was an important shipping port. It was an old city with a history dating as far back as the fifth century B.C. The Great Theater in the city was elaborate and could seat 25,000. The temple of the goddess Diana, one of the seven wonders of the world, was located there. In the light of that background, Paul wrote to remind believers of their riches in God. Six times in the first 3 chapters Paul speaks of God’s riches: 1:7: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace . . . ” 1:18: “. . . that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints . . . ” 2:4: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us . . . ” 2:7: “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” 3:8: “. . . that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ . . . ” 3:16: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man . . . ” So God’s wealth is described as unsearchable, exceeding, and an inheritance for believers. Paul’s visit to Ephesus is found in Acts 19. There he found believers, baptized them with Scriptural baptism, and spent 2 years establishing a New Testament church. These are called “faithful” and “saints.” FAITHFUL = dependable; can be counted on to perform the work set before them. SAINTS = reveals their relation to God. As always, Paul desired God’s grace, mercy, and peace for them. In the opening verses he reminds them of their glorious position, their gracious purpose, and God’s grand provision for them.

I. THE GLORIOUS POSITION OF OUR CALLING -- VV. 5-6.

II. THE GRAND PURPOSE IN OUR CALLING -- VS. 4.

III. THE GREAT PROVISION FOR OUR CALLING -- VS. 3.

As you can tell, this message is about faith - trust, dependence upon God. God’s Word has a lot to say about faith. It speaks of: 1) Great faith and little faith, and of some who had no faith. 2) Healing faith and saving faith, and faith “as the grain of a mustard seed.” 3) The righteousness of faith and sanctifying faith, and the obedience of faith. 4) It talks about strong faith and weak faith. I could go on, but this morning I want to share some thoughts about a mother’s faith. And II Corinthians 5:7 reminds us, “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) . . . ” Hebrews 11:23 tells us that it was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him 3 months, “not fearing the king’s commandment.” Recall what has happened in Exodus 1. Exodus 1:8: “Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.” This king was, apparently, quite paranoid because he said in vv. 9-11: “And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: (10) Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. (11) Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.” The Israelites were simply dwelling in the place they had been given in Egypt, and God was blessing them. In fact vv. 12-14 tell us: “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. (13) And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: (14) And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage . . . " Finally, the king gave an edict - vs. 22: “And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.” This is simple genocide, for without males there would be no continuation of the Israelites. This is what Satan has attempted and even attempts today. This brings us to the faith of a child’s mother, the faith of Moses’ mother, Jochebed. Hebrews 11:23 says, “By faith Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents . . . ” It was because of the faith in God of Amram and Jochebed that Moses’ life was spared (“they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.”) but there were some challenges to Jochebed’s faith.

I. JOCHEBED ENCOUNTERED CHALLENGES TO HER FAITH.

II. JOCHEBED EMPLOYED POWER OF HER FAITH.

III. JOCHEBED EXPERIENCED THE BLESSEDNESS OF HER FAITH.

I remember December 18, 1983 very clearly. We awoke to find the house half-filled with smoke. At almost midnight we jumped out of bed; we threw windows open, and on the coldest night of the year so far, we turned on the attic fan. It was a desperate situation. We live in desperate times and a desperate situation -- nationally, locally, morally, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, ecclesiastically (church), and in every other way. We need God’s preachers and God’s people to be moved by the desperation of the day and to return believers (first) and whole churches (second) to a faithful service of God. I see signs that say: “Prayer - America’s only hope.” But if we do not “put legs” on our prayers, if our lives are full of unfaithfulness and sin, it will be just so many words. What did God say in Isaiah 59:1-2? “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” As we look at our text we see that Jehoshaphat was king of Judah. He was facing a desperate situation. It drove him and the nation to take some “drastic” measures. So we see:

I. THE PROBLEM -- VV. 1-2.

II. THE PROCLAMATION -- VV. 3-4.

III. THE PRAYER - VV. 5-13.

IV. THE PROPHECY - VV. 14-17.

V. THE PRAISE - VV. 18-19.

Some people think discipleship works like all those “instant” products. Many believe you take lost sinner, lead him/her to Christ, get them to submit to Scriptural baptism (and some don’t even require that), and viola, you have a disciple. But there is a big difference between a believer and a disciple. There is no such thing as an instant disciple; like the word says, it takes discipline. True disciples are made, not born! Matthew 28:18-20 are very familiar verses to us. We refer to them as the Great Commission, but do we realize what a “commission” is? A "commission" is a formal authorization to perform duties; a specific assignment or duty entrusted to an individual or group. it is quite obvious that our Lord gave this Commission to His church - the only one in existence at that time, but it is intended for every church of His that would come in the future. In this Commission Jesus tells us what to do, then He tells us how to do it. That is typical of how He does things. He doesn’t give us a work to do and then say, “You figure out how to perform it.” In Philippians 1:6 Paul said, “ . . . he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ . . . ” Just as Jesus will perform in us what He has begun in us, if we will allow ourselves to be used of Him, He will perform through us that which He was given us to do. See, it all comes down to our will, our willingness to serve Him. We think coming to church and sitting through a sermon is “serving,” but it is not. That is worship. “Serve means to perform a role or a function,” doing something. Here are four thoughts from Scripture about a disciple. 1. A disciple is not above his Master -- Matthew 10:24: “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.” (ABOVE = over; superior to.) 2. A disciple is to be like his Master -- Matthew 10:25: “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.” 3. To be a true disciple, one must put Jesus above everything else in his/her life -- Luke 14:26: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Jesus MUST be number one. Must love Him before all others. 4. A disciple has “died” to self -- Luke 14:27: “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Bearing one’s cross is a picture of death to self. Galatians 2:20 is the testimony of a true disciple of Christ: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” There is a difference between a disciple and a mere follower of Christ. A disciple was not only a pupil but an adherent. Thus, they are spoken of as imitators -- Ephesians 5:1: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children . . . ” A disciple, then, desires to be just like his master. There are two kinds of “disciples,” followers and faithful, and a true disciple stays. Our commission as a church is to “make disciples,” and I believe the Lord means, the kind who stay! Sadly, it seems that to many today the church door is a revolving door. Just as quickly as some come in the front door, others go out the back door. Many churches today are merely trying to “hang on,” to keep what they have, to maintain the present membership and not lose any more. Disciple making means not just getting people “saved” and baptized, but maturing those who are saved to the point that they will . . . 1)Not go away from Christ and the truth. 2) Have both the desire and the ability to bring others to Jesus. Well, how do we make disciples?

I. BE A DISCIPLE YOURSELF.

II. ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH A NEW BELIEVER.

III. WE ARE TO LOVE THIS ONE WE ARE DISCIPLING WITH A GODLY LOVE.

Our text clearly states that as believers and as the Lord’s churches we are to be involved in evangelism. What is evangelism? I feel sure most, if not all of us, know what evangelism is, however in this day and age it seems that few give thought to it. First of all, evangelism is not simply inviting someone to church. It is good to invite people, especially lost or unchurched friends and family members to church, but that is one of the easiest things to do. Those these things are true and good, they are not presenting Jesus to people. Now, inviting someone to church might result in evangelism, and that is wonderful, but it is not truly evangelism. Neither is hanging a “while you were out” sign on a doorknob evangelism. Then, what is evangelism? We get our English word “evangelism,” or “evangelism,” or evangelist from the Greek word "euangelizo." It is compound word made up of: 1) “eu” = well or good and 2) “aggellein” (angellein) = to announce, to tell, or to bring tidings. So “to evangelize” is to announce or bring tidings of something good, or some good news. But what “good news?” It is the good news of the Gospel! Not all “good news” is the Gospel, but the Gospel is always good news. In fact, the word “gospel” means good news. It is from the same word as evangelize. In fact, the word itself means, literally, “a good message; i.e. the gospel. That “good news,” the Gospel is defined and described for us by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures . . . ” Notice a common phrase in these verses “according to the scriptures.” Any message that is not according to that which the Scripture records is not the Gospel and, thus, not good news. In both Mark and Acts the instruction that is given is in the imperative mood. It is a command - “Go ye” and “Ye shall be witnesses.” The instruction gives us the action we are to employ - “Go.” It means “to go forth.” The idea of “Go” here and in Matthew 28:19-20 is, “as you go, or in your going.” We are not to sit around and wait for the world to come to us. We are to go to it! Next it gives us the activity we are to exert - “preach the gospel.” (PREACH = to herald, to proclaim, to publish.) It presents the thought of making something (in this case the Gospel) known. Finally, the instruction to “go” declares the audience we are to enlist. We are to carry the Gospel message into “all the world” and proclaim it to “every creature.” (EVERY CREATURE = created being - for that is what mankind is.) Psalm 100:3: “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves . . . ” Luke 24:47 says, “ . . . repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations . . . ” There is an urgency to these commands because Hebrews 3:7-8 says, “To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts . . . ” The instruction to and the urgency of evangelism make certain implications to us. That is what we are going to examine this morning, “The Implications Of Evangelism.”

I. THE COMMAND TO EVANGELISM IMPLIES A PROBLEM ALL MUST FACE.

II. THE COMMAND TO EVANGELISM IMPLIES THE PROMISE OF GOD’S GRACE - VS. 16.

II. AND THE COMMAND TO EVANGELISM IMPLIES A PUNISHMENT (MAN’S) WORKS CANNOT ERASE - VS. 16.