Ephesians 1:19-20

Charles Fiore, Crossroads' Student Ministry Pastor, shared this with me.  Good stuff!

Ephesians 1:15-23.  Paul prays for the saints at Ephesus saying, "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know...his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead..."  (1:19-20 specifically).  

G. C. Willis writes, "What a comfort to know that in all our weakness there is a surpassing power toward us and working for us.  Moreover, it is a power that has not only been revealed to us in a statement, but has been put forth in the resurrection of Christ.  The world and Satan were permitted to put forth their greatest display of power--the power of death--when they nailed Christ to the cross.  Then, when the devil and the world had expressed their power to the utmost degree, God set forth His surpassing power by raising Christ from the dead, and setting Him as Man in the highest place in the universe, even at His own right hand...There are names for the government of this world, and the world to come, but Christ has a Name above every name--He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords...Thus the knowledge of what is coming is to have a present effect upon our lives and ways, delivering us, in the power of resurrection life, from the flesh and every opposing power, and separating us in spirit from this present world."

Grace & Peace in Ephesians 1

[From Warren Wiersbe]

Now for the important question: How did these people at Ephesus become saints? The answer is found in two words: “faithful” and “grace” (Eph. 1:1–2). When Paul addresses his letter to the “saints … and faithful in Christ Jesus” he is not addressing two different groups of people. The word faithful carries the meaning of “believers in Christ Jesus.” These people were not saved by living faithful lives; rather they put their faith in Christ and were saved. This is clear from Ephesians 1:12–14, 19.

The word grace is used twelve times in Ephesians, and refers to “the kindness of God toward undeserving people.” Grace and mercy often are found together in the Bible, and they certainly belong together in the experience of salvation. Grace and faith go together, because the only way to experience grace and salvation is through faith (Eph. 2:8–9).

The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is used twenty-seven times in this letter! It describes the spiritual position of the believer: he is identified with Christ, he is in Christ, and therefore is able to draw on the wealth of Christ for his own daily living.^[1]

5485 χάρις [charis /khar·ece/] n f. From 5463; TDNT 9:372; TDNTA 1298; GK 5921; 156 occurrences; AV translates as “grace” 130 times, “favour” six times, “thanks” four times, “thank” four times, “thank + 2192” three times, “pleasure” twice, and translated miscellaneously seven times. 1 grace. 1a that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech. 2 good will, loving-kindness, favour. 2a of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. 3 what is due to grace. 3a the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. 3b the token or proof of grace, benefit. 3b1 a gift of grace. 3b2 benefit, bounty. 4 thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward.

1515 εἰρήνη [eirene /i·ray·nay/] n f. Probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); TDNT 2:400; TDNTA 207; GK 1645; 92 occurrences; AV translates as “peace” 89 times, “one” once, “rest” once, and “quietness” once. 1 a state of national tranquillity. 1a exemption from the rage and havoc of war. 2 peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord. 3 security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous). 4 of the Messiah’s peace. 4a the way that leads to peace (salvation). 5 of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. 6 the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.^[2]

^{ONE LAST THOUGHT:    Theologically, grace comes before peace.  Only when we open our hearts and lives to God's Grace can we then be in a position to experience His Peace.}

---

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996), Eph 1:1.

^[2] James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order., electronic ed. (Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996).

Ephesians 1:1-2

At Crossroads, we've just started an in-depth journey through the book of Ephesians.  I'm going to use the blog to post sermon material that I either just didn't get to because of time constraints, or that I chose not to present on Sunday morning, but consider helpful to our understanding of this  incredible book by Paul.

The audio of the Sunday morning message can be found on the church's website:  www.crossrdschurch.com

What do we know about Ephesus?

• Large important city
• Important FINANCIALLY -- was a crossroads city/port city/ traders & financiers
• Important CULTURALLY
• The Theater at Ephesus – seated 25,000 people --- Greek Plays – sports events, including.  Gladiator competitions/fights == best known in the Bible as the place where citizens gathered/rallied after getting upset with Paul == accusing him of interfering with local commerce and religion through the preaching of the Gospel.
• The Library of Celsus was built a little after Paul’s time – housed 15,000 scrolls
• Important SPIRITUALLY
• Temple of Artemis/Diana. The temple itself was made of marble, with 127 60-foot-high columns. The temple was 425 feet high. (This was more than twice the size Parthenon in Athens.)
• Diana was the goddess of Hunting & Fertility
• So, they were a very SPIRITUAL City/ just not a Christian City.  This is very much where our culture has moved.
•  Important DESTINATION POINT
• People came there – lived for a while – did their business – and often they moved on.
• Have you ever thought about how big a reality that is in this area / and in Crossroads?
• People come to get an education – move on. 100s of students have been touched by Crossroads through the last 20 years. 
•  What about the military personnel/their families?  They are now scattered around the country and around the world. And, add to them, the people who’ve gone as missionaries who were a part of our church in the past?
• Crossroads, your impact on the world is larger than you realize!

Christianity began in Ephesus about 50 AD.

And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.    Acts 19:8–10 (ESV)

What do we know about saints?
…To the saints who are in Ephesus. Ephesians 1:1b (ESV)

• Bible uses 2 categories for all people – we are either saints or sinners! SAINTS know God and go to heaven – SINNERS don’t!
• WE ALL START OUT AS SINNERS!

 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5 (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 (ESV)

***THERE IS SOMETHING INSIDE ALL OF US THAT WANTS TO DO BETTER – Witness New Years Resolutions -- WE HAVE A DESIRE TO BE BETTER!

• We do all sorts of things trying to achieve saint-hood. 
• But, we have been lied to. Often told people are inherently good – we can just choose to be better and therefore live like a saint.
• Sooner or later, we become despondent – feel it’s hopeless and just give up and give in to our sin-nature!
• You can do all the right things – can recycle, drive a hybrid, read the right books, stop cussing and hanging out w/ those that do…
• But we just become self-righteous and proud – not saintly at all.

To the … faithful in Christ Jesus.   Ephesians 1:1c (ESV)

•  This just means, they exercise faith in Jesus!
• “in Christ” – give up on self – righteousness and turn to Christ.

But now God has shown us a different way to heaven—not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like. Romans 3:21-22 (TLB)

•  So, If I asked you, Are you a saint? What would your answer be?
• If you’ve trusted Jesus Christ – you are!

Why are you here and what does God desire from you?
1. Because God wants you to be a SAINT

2. Because God wants you to be GROWING IN YOUR FAITH

***What’s holding you back? What are you doing that you need to stop? What are you not doing that God wants you to start?

3. Because God is calling you to a MINISTRY

4. Because God wants to offer GRACE and PEACE to your city

Getting Over the Funk

Came across a very good, brief blog post by Pete Wilson, pastor of Cross Point church in Nashville. There is lots of wisdom in this brief article. Read, apply, and share with others.

"Ever have one of those days?

You know those days, when everything goes wrong!

Who hasn’t had one of those days?

I had one the other day. It was the kind of day where I think I would have been better off just staying in bed. The kind of day that makes you wonder if you can do anything right.

Anyway, I was sitting there in the midst of my very bad day and jotted down a few choices I felt I had to shake this funk. So here’s my list. Hope it helps you on your very bad day.

1. Do something nice for someone else. While I’m not really sure that being selfless for selfish reasons is exactly Biblical, it sure does seem to work.

2. Tell yourself, “Well, at least I ______________.” At least, you went to the gym, or played with your kids, or walked the dog, or read your children a story, or recycled, or saved the world from catastrophic disaster. Okay, you probably didn’t do the latter but you get the point.

3. Go to bed early. I’ve said this before but sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is get some sleep. I’m always amazed how a little extra sleep helps you have a whole new perspective the next morning. Lamentations3:22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

4. Keep a proper perspective. Ask yourself: “Will this matter in a month? In a year?”

5. Be grateful. Remind yourself that a lousy day isn’t a catastrophic day. Probably, things could be worse. In fact, I believe most of it can and will be redeemed by God."

How to Start a Movement

Whether you look at the work of God in what we call the Old Testament or during the New Testament era, from a sociological perspective, you can often define it as a movement. There is a key leader who is called by God to do something that no one else is doing. Then a follower emerges. A second follower comes into the group, then there is a mass movement of people who want to be a part of what God is doing.

In a few weeks, around the first week of November, Charles Fiore and I are going to team-teach a Sunday morning message on movements of God. By the way, it's not just about calling out great leaders. Movements don't happen unless there are courageous "first-followers". Who do you know who is standing out by themself, being creative and courageous? What a gift is within our grasp -- to come alongside pioneers and validate what they felt called to do!

Watch the video and dare to dance!

Crossroads Compassion Sunday - Loving God, Loving People

Our Last Few Days of Summer Vacation