THE CHURCH: CALLED AND COLLECTED – 1 Ephesians 3:7-21
1. Called as Christians
2. Collected as the Church
3. Existing for God’s Glory
4. Displaying God’s Glory to the Nations
1. Called as Christians
2. Collected as the Church
3. Existing for God’s Glory
4. Displaying God’s Glory to the Nations
1. WHO SHOULD BE PRAISED? (v1, 6) The LORD [The I AM] 2. WHERE? (v 1b) In His Sanctuary, in the firmament of His Power 3. WHY? (v 2) for His Mighty Acts, for His Excellent Greatness 4. HOW? (vv 3-6) With All kinds of instruments, with Breath
1) A PLAGUE! (v14, 16-18) The infection of false teaching: quarrelling, ruining, babbling, infecting, swerving, upsetting 2) A PLEDGE! (v19) God’s firm foundation: invisible & visible 3) A PLEA! (v15, 20-26) Be diligent (v15) Be clean (v20-22), Be quiet (v23) Be humble (v24-26)
Herod Agrippa II: 1. HIS FAITH! He believed the prophets 2. HIS FEAR! The fear of man brings a snare 3. HIS FOLLY! Persuaded but not converted
(Please be aware the sound is not the usual quality) The backdrop: strangers, scattered, suffering Three imperatives: Be united (v8) Do good to all (v9 – 14) Be ready – to give an answer (v15)
1. JEALOUSY! (v1-16) Greed, moodiness, anger, deceit, fraud, murder & theft 2) JUSTICE! (v17-24) I have found you 3) JESUS! See Christ in all the Scriptures Lessons: 1. “The wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.” (Is 57:20-21) 2. God does not pay weekly…
1) WAIT! For God alone 2) TRUST! In Him at all times 3) POUR! Out your heart before Him 4) REST! In His refuge