1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:06,800 One of my debated favorite books of the Bible that I try to 2 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:12,400 look at, which one I seem to cherish the most. 3 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:20,240 And the book of Ephesians is that way to me because of what it 4 00:00:20,240 --> 00:00:21,760 contains in it. 5 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:28,650 The promises that Paul begins to talk about in it are so rich. 6 00:00:28,730 --> 00:00:33,290 And its application for our lives there to our end have is. 7 00:00:33,290 --> 00:00:34,890 Is just the. 8 00:00:35,050 --> 00:00:40,570 The amount of application of how we apply that to our Christian 9 00:00:40,570 --> 00:00:40,890 lives. 10 00:00:42,010 --> 00:00:45,810 In our Christian life, we sometimes believe that we can live 11 00:00:45,810 --> 00:00:48,490 it on our own, and that's just not the case. 12 00:00:49,370 --> 00:00:52,330 We will try to do it in our own flesh and in our own power. 13 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:57,320 And we must realize and come to the understanding that it is Christ 14 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,040 who lives in us. 15 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:01,720 As Paul said over in Galatians, chapter two, it's not 16 00:01:01,720 --> 00:01:04,440 I who lives, it's Christ who lives in us. 17 00:01:04,840 --> 00:01:08,520 And in this very first chapter that we're going to look at today, 18 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:15,880 this chapter begins to talk about all of the benefits that we 19 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:18,440 have as Christians in Christ. 20 00:01:20,170 --> 00:01:25,050 And in the first part of this chapter, he lists out many things 21 00:01:25,130 --> 00:01:29,690 that we have as Christians, such as the sealing of the Holy Spirit, 22 00:01:30,570 --> 00:01:31,610 the redemption. 23 00:01:31,930 --> 00:01:37,850 That has come to us, the adoption, the amount of grace that 24 00:01:37,850 --> 00:01:45,480 God has lavished on us as his children, as those in Christ, as 25 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:48,080 those who have been redeemed. 26 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:54,920 And then we come past those verses, those first verses, to verse 27 00:01:54,920 --> 00:02:02,880 number 15, and Paul begins a prayer, a prayer for them, especially 28 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:05,600 look there in verse number 15. 29 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,560 It starts in 15, but the implications. 30 00:02:08,640 --> 00:02:12,320 Extend even into the second chapter, even though there's a break 31 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:12,520 there. 32 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:20,050 But there's in chapter one of Ephesians, in verse number 15, Bible 33 00:02:20,050 --> 00:02:27,010 says, wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord 34 00:02:27,010 --> 00:02:31,810 Jesus and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks 35 00:02:31,810 --> 00:02:35,490 for you making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our 36 00:02:35,490 --> 00:02:40,330 Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit 37 00:02:40,330 --> 00:02:42,220 of wisdom and revelation in. 38 00:02:42,290 --> 00:02:45,490 In the knowledge of him, the eyes of your understanding, being 39 00:02:45,490 --> 00:02:48,370 enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, 40 00:02:48,610 --> 00:02:52,050 what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 41 00:02:52,210 --> 00:02:55,410 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us Word, 42 00:02:55,410 --> 00:02:59,650 who believe according to the working of his mighty power, which 43 00:02:59,650 --> 00:03:02,970 he brought in Christ when He raised him from the dead and set 44 00:03:02,970 --> 00:03:06,970 him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all 45 00:03:06,970 --> 00:03:10,410 principality and power, and might and dominion in every name 46 00:03:10,410 --> 00:03:13,690 that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which 47 00:03:13,690 --> 00:03:17,530 is to come, and hath put all things under his feet and gave him 48 00:03:17,530 --> 00:03:22,010 to be the head over all things to the church which is his body, 49 00:03:22,170 --> 00:03:25,450 the fullness of him that filleth all in all. 50 00:03:26,010 --> 00:03:28,210 Chapter two it says, and you hath. 51 00:03:28,210 --> 00:03:32,570 He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in times 52 00:03:32,570 --> 00:03:35,530 past ye walked according to the course of this world, according 53 00:03:35,530 --> 00:03:39,060 to the prince of the power of the air, the Spirit that now worketh 54 00:03:39,060 --> 00:03:42,340 in the children of disobedience, among whom also we 55 00:03:42,340 --> 00:03:46,060 all had our conversation in times past, in the lust of our flesh, 56 00:03:46,300 --> 00:03:49,620 fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and. 57 00:03:49,620 --> 00:03:52,700 Were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 58 00:03:53,340 --> 00:03:57,300 But God, who is rich in mercy for his great love, wherewith he 59 00:03:57,300 --> 00:04:01,860 loved us even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together 60 00:04:01,860 --> 00:04:02,540 with Christ. 61 00:04:03,270 --> 00:04:07,230 By grace ye are saved, and has raised us up together, made us sit 62 00:04:07,230 --> 00:04:11,710 together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to 63 00:04:11,710 --> 00:04:15,830 come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in 64 00:04:15,830 --> 00:04:18,870 his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 65 00:04:19,350 --> 00:04:22,710 For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. 66 00:04:22,710 --> 00:04:26,150 It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. 67 00:04:26,310 --> 00:04:30,030 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus Christ unto 68 00:04:30,030 --> 00:04:33,630 good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk. 69 00:04:36,590 --> 00:04:39,550 Let's pray and we will start this morning. 70 00:04:39,550 --> 00:04:45,629 Our Heavenly Father, I pray that we would have an understanding 71 00:04:45,629 --> 00:04:47,630 this morning of what your scripture says. 72 00:04:48,350 --> 00:04:50,830 Lord, we know what Scripture says. 73 00:04:51,710 --> 00:04:55,870 We know what your Word says about the promises given to us as 74 00:04:55,870 --> 00:04:56,510 believers. 75 00:04:56,990 --> 00:04:59,470 But Lord, that is not what today's message is. 76 00:05:00,510 --> 00:05:03,790 That message that you've written plainly for us and what Paul 77 00:05:03,790 --> 00:05:07,710 is praying for here is that we would not just know about these things, 78 00:05:07,710 --> 00:05:11,230 but that our heart would be open to understand these things. 79 00:05:11,870 --> 00:05:13,790 So we pray for that understanding. 80 00:05:13,870 --> 00:05:18,470 We pray for that grace given to us, Lord, so that we would have 81 00:05:18,470 --> 00:05:23,200 a closer walk with you, so that we would know you more intimately 82 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,920 and have a strong relationship with you that would change our lives, 83 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:28,840 not just affect our lives. 84 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,480 Where I pray and ask for these things in Jesus name. 85 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:38,120 In the first chapter here of Ephesians, Paul starts listing out 86 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:41,880 a lot of things that we have in Christ. 87 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:45,240 He talks about God, who's rich in mercy. 88 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:46,120 He loved us. 89 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:48,360 He's quickened us together. 90 00:05:49,570 --> 00:05:50,690 This God. 91 00:05:50,930 --> 00:05:54,890 This has given us His Son, Jesus Christ. 92 00:05:54,890 --> 00:05:57,810 He's blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places. 93 00:05:58,370 --> 00:06:00,570 He's chosen us in him before the. 94 00:06:00,570 --> 00:06:02,450 Foundation of the world to be holy. 95 00:06:02,450 --> 00:06:04,370 And without blame before Him. 96 00:06:04,370 --> 00:06:06,290 He's done all of this stuff. 97 00:06:06,610 --> 00:06:09,170 And so as we go through these,. 98 00:06:09,410 --> 00:06:15,650 This sentence is what it is, verses 3 through 15 are all one sentence. 99 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,360 We get to the next sentence in Paul's letter here. 100 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,520 As we go through that first sentence, though, it's all about 101 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:30,880 what we have in Christ, and it lists out very plainly what we possess 102 00:06:31,280 --> 00:06:33,200 as children of God. 103 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:39,040 But then as he comes here to verse 15, he changes his prayer. 104 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:45,620 The prayer goes, the letter goes from God's plan, redemption 105 00:06:45,700 --> 00:06:50,100 accomplished, redemption sealed believers, to now, comprehension. 106 00:06:51,940 --> 00:06:58,740 God wants us to know these things, yes, but more importantly, 107 00:06:59,140 --> 00:07:00,100 God wants us. 108 00:07:00,180 --> 00:07:02,340 To understand these things. 109 00:07:02,980 --> 00:07:07,060 And what Paul is praying here is that our hearts would be open, 110 00:07:07,300 --> 00:07:12,210 wide open to the things of God and to what he has actually given 111 00:07:12,450 --> 00:07:12,850 us. 112 00:07:13,890 --> 00:07:15,650 The chapter does break there in verse. 113 00:07:15,650 --> 00:07:19,090 Number 23 and goes into chapter two. 114 00:07:19,250 --> 00:07:24,170 But the understanding continues on past verse. 115 00:07:24,170 --> 00:07:26,730 23 into that very first chapter, into. 116 00:07:26,730 --> 00:07:31,170 That second chapter, he prays again that we would understand these 117 00:07:31,170 --> 00:07:35,360 things about God, but then also understand our place, whereas 118 00:07:35,440 --> 00:07:38,160 God has seated him in the heavenlies. 119 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:43,200 He wants us to understand that with an understanding that would 120 00:07:43,200 --> 00:07:44,240 change us. 121 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:48,320 But then he wants us to understand that we also are seated 122 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:50,480 in the heavenlies with Christ. 123 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:56,960 Not just to know that fact, but to actually have our heart opened 124 00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:57,760 to. 125 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:01,850 That understanding, to where we wouldn't just say, oh, I know 126 00:08:01,850 --> 00:08:02,330 those things. 127 00:08:02,330 --> 00:08:10,210 But say, oh, I know those things, to have our hearts wide open. 128 00:08:12,050 --> 00:08:16,569 There in that very first, in verse 15, he says, Wherefore I also, 129 00:08:16,569 --> 00:08:19,730 after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love unto all 130 00:08:19,730 --> 00:08:24,170 the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of 131 00:08:24,170 --> 00:08:25,170 you in my prayers. 132 00:08:25,570 --> 00:08:26,920 What a testimony to. 133 00:08:26,990 --> 00:08:29,630 To tell someone that I've never stopped praying for you. 134 00:08:29,630 --> 00:08:31,070 That's what Paul does here. 135 00:08:31,470 --> 00:08:35,150 He says, I have heard of your faith and lungs. 136 00:08:35,470 --> 00:08:37,430 I've heard about these things. 137 00:08:37,430 --> 00:08:40,270 Now, this was a church that Paul was quite fond of. 138 00:08:40,350 --> 00:08:43,790 This was a church that he had visited, that he had poured a lot 139 00:08:43,790 --> 00:08:44,190 into. 140 00:08:44,910 --> 00:08:48,150 And after leaving, he gets that good. 141 00:08:48,150 --> 00:08:52,670 Report of they are continuing in faith and love. 142 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,920 Now, faith and love do not earn us participation in the great 143 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:00,120 work of God, but they are rather evidence of. 144 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,120 Our participation in the work of God. 145 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:08,400 Our faith confirms what is true in our hearts. 146 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:10,880 Our love for the saints, our love for one another. 147 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:16,000 It confirms what is going on in the inside. 148 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:19,360 The church of Ephesus was an active church. 149 00:09:20,460 --> 00:09:23,780 You'll remember over in Revelation, how Jesus calls out to 150 00:09:23,780 --> 00:09:26,140 them, saying, you've left your first love. 151 00:09:26,620 --> 00:09:28,780 I know your works. 152 00:09:29,260 --> 00:09:33,340 Jesus said to them, this was an active church. 153 00:09:33,900 --> 00:09:39,660 This was a church that was continually doing the things of God. 154 00:09:40,060 --> 00:09:43,660 The second part of that, though, he says, I know your Words 155 00:09:43,660 --> 00:09:44,500 you busy. 156 00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:47,600 Ephesus, but you've left your first love. 157 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:50,320 We see the end result in Revelation there. 158 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:54,320 But here, Paul, he knows their faith. 159 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:56,000 He sees their love. 160 00:09:56,720 --> 00:10:03,000 An active church is not always an indicator of the work of God that. 161 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:05,760 Is being accomplished, but one of the. 162 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:09,240 Things that we can be sure is that where the work of God is being 163 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,240 accomplished, that church is active. 164 00:10:13,420 --> 00:10:17,740 Just because a Christian does things that look good on the outside 165 00:10:18,140 --> 00:10:21,740 doesn't indicate that you are growing in your relationship with 166 00:10:21,740 --> 00:10:22,060 Christ. 167 00:10:23,340 --> 00:10:25,740 Don't be confused by that, but know. 168 00:10:25,740 --> 00:10:27,980 For certain that I've never seen a. 169 00:10:27,980 --> 00:10:31,500 Christian who's growing with Christ that was not active. 170 00:10:32,300 --> 00:10:34,220 There is an activity that is present. 171 00:10:34,620 --> 00:10:36,420 But look here at his prayer. 172 00:10:36,420 --> 00:10:38,380 Paul's overjoyed at their fruit. 173 00:10:38,730 --> 00:10:44,810 He says in this prayer, this in verse 17, I pray that the God. 174 00:10:44,810 --> 00:10:46,970 Of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father. 175 00:10:46,970 --> 00:10:49,610 Of glory, may give unto you the. 176 00:10:49,610 --> 00:10:52,810 Spirit of wisdom and revelation and the knowledge of him, 177 00:10:53,610 --> 00:10:54,530 the eyes of your. 178 00:10:54,530 --> 00:10:58,650 Understanding being enlightened, that you may know what 179 00:10:58,650 --> 00:11:03,770 is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his 180 00:11:04,010 --> 00:11:08,290 in inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness 181 00:11:08,290 --> 00:11:08,490 of. 182 00:11:08,490 --> 00:11:10,930 His power to us who believe according. 183 00:11:10,930 --> 00:11:13,970 To the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ 184 00:11:13,970 --> 00:11:16,610 when He raised him from the dead, set him at his own right hand 185 00:11:16,770 --> 00:11:18,210 in the heavenly places. 186 00:11:18,850 --> 00:11:20,290 Notice what he says here. 187 00:11:20,450 --> 00:11:22,050 I want you to understand. 188 00:11:22,290 --> 00:11:25,530 He's not praying that they would have wisdom and revelation 189 00:11:25,530 --> 00:11:26,370 to do stuff. 190 00:11:26,450 --> 00:11:30,210 He's not praying for more inheritance for the saints. 191 00:11:30,660 --> 00:11:33,260 He's not praying for more stuff. 192 00:11:33,260 --> 00:11:34,900 We've already talked about the benefits. 193 00:11:34,900 --> 00:11:38,500 He said, now I'm just praying that you'll understand all of that, 194 00:11:39,140 --> 00:11:43,940 that you'll understand what you have, the spirit of. 195 00:11:43,940 --> 00:11:46,900 Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 196 00:11:47,860 --> 00:11:52,260 Not so that they would be able to predict future events as a prophecy,. 197 00:11:52,500 --> 00:11:59,630 But so that they would have that aha moment with God, that God 198 00:11:59,630 --> 00:12:04,190 would reveal himself, that wisdom would enter inside of them 199 00:12:04,190 --> 00:12:10,030 and they would say, I don't just know about God, I know him personally. 200 00:12:10,350 --> 00:12:11,790 That's what he's praying for. 201 00:12:12,910 --> 00:12:15,310 It's wonderful to know about the blessings. 202 00:12:15,310 --> 00:12:16,510 That you have in Christ. 203 00:12:17,390 --> 00:12:18,510 It really is. 204 00:12:19,230 --> 00:12:23,030 It's one thing to be able to say I know what I have in. 205 00:12:23,030 --> 00:12:27,110 Christ, but a completely another thing to entirely to understand 206 00:12:27,270 --> 00:12:30,870 deeply and intimately what you have in God. 207 00:12:31,430 --> 00:12:34,590 One is a knowledge that you have. 208 00:12:34,590 --> 00:12:37,190 And it puffs you up to say, I have that knowledge. 209 00:12:37,270 --> 00:12:40,630 The other actually changes how you live. 210 00:12:41,510 --> 00:12:43,510 The other actually changes. 211 00:12:44,870 --> 00:12:48,230 He says, I pray that your hearts. 212 00:12:48,630 --> 00:12:52,160 Would be open, wide open Literally the. 213 00:12:52,160 --> 00:12:54,240 Eyes of your understanding. 214 00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:55,360 Being enlightened. 215 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,960 It means the eyes of your heart being enlightened. 216 00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:04,480 You know, we believe something in our. 217 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:08,320 Heads at times that our heart doesn't affront with it. 218 00:13:08,640 --> 00:13:12,960 And sometimes our heart leads us into places that is absolutely 219 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:13,520 wicked. 220 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:18,160 But your heart is what God changes at the moment of salvation. 221 00:13:18,750 --> 00:13:23,030 And though our fleshly heart can lead us astray, it is with the 222 00:13:23,030 --> 00:13:23,310 heart. 223 00:13:23,550 --> 00:13:25,870 Man believes unto salvation. 224 00:13:26,190 --> 00:13:28,470 It is with the heart that we. 225 00:13:28,470 --> 00:13:32,830 Understand fully what the grace of God truly means. 226 00:13:33,790 --> 00:13:37,150 It is with the heart that our life has changed. 227 00:13:37,150 --> 00:13:41,870 Not with the knowledge, not with more learning, not with our 228 00:13:41,870 --> 00:13:45,600 hands, but is with our heart that we come to the understanding 229 00:13:45,600 --> 00:13:47,440 of what grace truly is. 230 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:48,960 And that's what Paul prays for. 231 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,640 Here he says, I pray that your heart would be open. 232 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:59,959 Literally open up your heart and receive Christ in all of who 233 00:13:59,959 --> 00:14:00,600 he is. 234 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:03,960 And what that actually means for you. 235 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:07,280 As the eyes of the heart are. 236 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:09,320 Open, the spiritual things will be discerned. 237 00:14:09,890 --> 00:14:13,010 This is the reason why people must be born again. 238 00:14:13,090 --> 00:14:17,090 Otherwise they cannot understand the things of God. 239 00:14:17,330 --> 00:14:22,090 It is impossible, the Bible says, for those who have not the 240 00:14:22,090 --> 00:14:25,610 Holy Spirit to reveal these things, to be enlightened by these 241 00:14:25,610 --> 00:14:27,250 things, it's rubbish to them. 242 00:14:27,250 --> 00:14:29,250 It's gibberish, it doesn't make sense. 243 00:14:29,410 --> 00:14:34,170 It's nice, it's fun on paper, it's smart, it maybe shows a display 244 00:14:34,170 --> 00:14:35,170 of wisdom, but. 245 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:39,720 But it's foolishness to the world unless the Holy Spirit does 246 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,040 something in that person's heart. 247 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:45,240 You can't be saved without the Holy Spirit convicting you. 248 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:50,440 No man comes to a knowledge of Christ because he learned about the 249 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:50,760 Bible. 250 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:52,720 But because of the Holy Spirit convicting. 251 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:54,960 That individual, no man comes to the. 252 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:57,000 Father unless the Father draws him to him. 253 00:14:57,160 --> 00:15:03,050 And it's the same thing with our hearts as Christians, you have 254 00:15:03,210 --> 00:15:04,010 to have. 255 00:15:04,250 --> 00:15:08,010 The Holy Spirit enlighten your heart. 256 00:15:08,890 --> 00:15:11,450 That is the only way that you. 257 00:15:11,450 --> 00:15:17,450 Will grow in Christ is because God does the work, not you. 258 00:15:18,890 --> 00:15:20,330 That is what we pray for. 259 00:15:20,810 --> 00:15:26,570 That God would give us the grace to understand him personally. 260 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:28,080 That is where our desire. 261 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:33,360 Some people are born into the world with remarkable talents. 262 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:38,880 Some people are born in the world having a remarkable sense of 263 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:39,200 music. 264 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:43,680 You know, we think of people like Beethoven, maybe for some of 265 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:47,920 the bigger artists in the music industry, you just know everything 266 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:50,400 about music. 267 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:51,680 It's amazing. 268 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:56,000 I was watching one person, he was a singer and I'm not going to 269 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:56,640 say who it was. 270 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:01,240 He was a singer and he was trying to conduct and get people 271 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:02,840 to do the music for him. 272 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:05,120 And he was like no, no, no, this, that's not what I'm talking 273 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:05,240 about. 274 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:07,000 He grabbed their instrument and he played. 275 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:08,560 Their instrument in the way he wanted. 276 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:09,360 Them to play it. 277 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:11,680 And it was kind of like, oh,. 278 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:12,800 This guy doesn't just sing. 279 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:13,920 He knows about music. 280 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:16,320 He knows everything about music. 281 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:17,680 That's why he's so good. 282 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:22,960 Some people born with musical sense and then others have none at 283 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:23,120 all. 284 00:16:23,120 --> 00:16:27,360 Have you ever listened to a monotone person singing next to you 285 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:28,000 in church? 286 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:30,000 Don't look, don't look, don't look. 287 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:32,400 Just look down if you have to. 288 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:38,000 Tone deaf person doesn't know their tone deaf. 289 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:44,000 They cannot become a musician then no matter how others may seek 290 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:44,480 to instruct. 291 00:16:46,810 --> 00:16:49,450 You're not the, you're way down here, you know that. 292 00:16:49,850 --> 00:16:51,770 No, there's, it's over their heads. 293 00:16:53,530 --> 00:16:55,210 Such a one might go and listen. 294 00:16:55,210 --> 00:16:58,450 To the most wonderful music he played,. 295 00:16:58,450 --> 00:17:00,570 But all of it would be meaningless to him. 296 00:17:00,970 --> 00:17:04,250 He would really have to be born again with a new sense of music. 297 00:17:04,490 --> 00:17:06,090 In order to appreciate that music. 298 00:17:06,170 --> 00:17:10,970 So in regard to spiritual things, one must have a new nature 299 00:17:11,210 --> 00:17:14,170 if he would enter into them appreciatively. 300 00:17:14,860 --> 00:17:15,900 You must be born again. 301 00:17:15,900 --> 00:17:20,460 Jesus says, if you're here today, you've never been born again 302 00:17:20,940 --> 00:17:23,340 and never had that life change. 303 00:17:23,500 --> 00:17:25,580 That's what Jesus calls us to. 304 00:17:25,980 --> 00:17:29,980 He calls out today, have you been born again? 305 00:17:30,700 --> 00:17:34,620 No, I've always had Jesus or I've always spent time with God. 306 00:17:34,940 --> 00:17:36,700 I've always been the child of God. 307 00:17:36,700 --> 00:17:38,420 No, that's not how any of us are. 308 00:17:38,420 --> 00:17:40,460 We were born the child of wrath. 309 00:17:40,460 --> 00:17:46,170 The Bible says we were born the child of Adam, not the child 310 00:17:46,170 --> 00:17:46,810 of God. 311 00:17:47,610 --> 00:17:53,890 And so a born again new nature, new creature has to be established. 312 00:17:53,890 --> 00:17:56,410 And then he says, know the future hope. 313 00:17:57,689 --> 00:17:59,290 He says, I want you to know. 314 00:17:59,290 --> 00:18:01,130 What is the hope of your calling. 315 00:18:01,850 --> 00:18:06,090 As Christians we must realize that we are pilgrims on this earth 316 00:18:06,090 --> 00:18:08,430 fulfilling the mission of, of Jesus. 317 00:18:08,750 --> 00:18:13,750 We only spend a few short years here and they are short, they 318 00:18:13,750 --> 00:18:16,910 are painful and somehow they're long. 319 00:18:18,350 --> 00:18:23,110 But at the end of our life we get to it and we say goodness that 320 00:18:23,110 --> 00:18:24,270 went by so quick. 321 00:18:25,470 --> 00:18:27,550 Eternity is before us. 322 00:18:28,350 --> 00:18:32,990 There are heartaches here, depression we face to us important 323 00:18:33,230 --> 00:18:37,320 races that should be one accomplishments that we believe to 324 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:38,960 be the greatest importance. 325 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,120 We have questions for God about what. 326 00:18:42,120 --> 00:18:43,600 Happens here during our time. 327 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:44,680 Goodness. 328 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:49,000 Do we have questions, fears, Fears about losing family, fears 329 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:50,239 about failures in life,. 330 00:18:50,239 --> 00:18:51,680 Fears of death itself. 331 00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:56,640 All of this will fade the moment we cross into eternity and 332 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:58,640 behold our God face to face. 333 00:18:58,720 --> 00:19:03,540 And Paul says, I want you to to know the hope of your call. 334 00:19:04,260 --> 00:19:06,900 I don't want you to live as if you have no hope. 335 00:19:07,460 --> 00:19:09,700 Live in that hope. 336 00:19:09,860 --> 00:19:12,580 But then what does that hope mean? 337 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:14,860 Well, it says it right here in. 338 00:19:14,860 --> 00:19:18,580 This next part, though it's not always clear to us. 339 00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:20,500 He says, what I want you to. 340 00:19:20,500 --> 00:19:22,260 Know is the hope. 341 00:19:23,220 --> 00:19:29,900 What is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints? 342 00:19:30,380 --> 00:19:33,580 This is not your inheritance. 343 00:19:34,140 --> 00:19:35,580 He's already talked about that. 344 00:19:36,060 --> 00:19:38,780 He's already said that we've been sealed with the Holy Spirit 345 00:19:38,940 --> 00:19:40,460 promise we have. 346 00:19:40,540 --> 00:19:43,740 The inheritance which is God dwelling among us. 347 00:19:44,780 --> 00:19:46,460 This is not our inheritance. 348 00:19:46,780 --> 00:19:49,100 This is God's inheritance. 349 00:19:49,660 --> 00:19:52,700 Do you know what is God's inheritance? 350 00:19:53,850 --> 00:19:54,410 It is us. 351 00:19:56,250 --> 00:19:57,610 It is the people of God. 352 00:19:58,090 --> 00:20:00,490 It is his children is those who. 353 00:20:00,490 --> 00:20:02,170 He came to redeem. 354 00:20:02,330 --> 00:20:04,890 It is those he came to save. 355 00:20:05,050 --> 00:20:08,010 And Paul says, I want you to know that. 356 00:20:08,809 --> 00:20:17,210 I want you to understand that the riches of the glory of his inheritance. 357 00:20:18,900 --> 00:20:20,900 That word riches is wealth. 358 00:20:20,900 --> 00:20:22,100 It's a favor to Paul. 359 00:20:22,340 --> 00:20:24,340 It occurs in this letter five times. 360 00:20:24,660 --> 00:20:32,100 He wants us to understand how rich we are in Christ, but understanding 361 00:20:32,420 --> 00:20:38,420 exactly what it means and how that is such a good thing to know 362 00:20:38,420 --> 00:20:45,220 that we are in Christ and this good thing motivates us in our relationship 363 00:20:45,220 --> 00:20:46,020 with God. 364 00:20:47,430 --> 00:20:53,310 The riches of his grace, God's grace in search of the unsearchable 365 00:20:53,310 --> 00:20:54,310 riches of. 366 00:20:54,310 --> 00:20:56,990 Christ, the riches of his glory. 367 00:20:56,990 --> 00:20:57,630 On and on. 368 00:20:57,630 --> 00:20:59,310 You can see he applies it to. 369 00:20:59,310 --> 00:21:00,310 Something that is special. 370 00:21:01,110 --> 00:21:03,430 He applies it to God and his. 371 00:21:03,430 --> 00:21:08,310 Glory and how rich of an inheritance that that in of itself 372 00:21:08,310 --> 00:21:08,710 is. 373 00:21:11,510 --> 00:21:14,270 The people are God's inheritance. 374 00:21:15,150 --> 00:21:18,230 Paul wanted them to know the greatness of God's inheritance in 375 00:21:18,230 --> 00:21:18,670 his people. 376 00:21:19,950 --> 00:21:22,670 Then he says in verse 19, know. 377 00:21:22,670 --> 00:21:23,950 The power of God. 378 00:21:24,990 --> 00:21:29,950 And it's interesting the way that Paul writes his letters. 379 00:21:30,190 --> 00:21:35,790 You know, Greek is a language where there are many different terms 380 00:21:35,790 --> 00:21:37,030 to help express it. 381 00:21:37,030 --> 00:21:37,510 And you're. 382 00:21:37,510 --> 00:21:40,190 You can only express yourself as much as language allows. 383 00:21:40,990 --> 00:21:44,630 I kind of envy bilingual people because you have two languages 384 00:21:44,630 --> 00:21:47,550 that you could figuratively express yourself in. 385 00:21:48,670 --> 00:21:49,630 You know, if you don't have a. 386 00:21:49,630 --> 00:21:50,710 Word for this in this language. 387 00:21:50,710 --> 00:21:52,990 Well, there's a word for that in this language. 388 00:21:53,310 --> 00:21:57,350 And in the Greek language, there are words that Paul begins 389 00:21:57,350 --> 00:22:04,350 using here, as I anticipate or as I rather, as I look back on and 390 00:22:04,590 --> 00:22:05,390 imagine in. 391 00:22:05,390 --> 00:22:09,440 My head Paul getting excited as he writes this. 392 00:22:10,320 --> 00:22:15,320 I see this so much of Paul's writings as he is, you know, penning 393 00:22:15,320 --> 00:22:19,760 what God wants him to pen, getting what God wants him to write, 394 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:24,440 and almost discovering what God is having him write down. 395 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:26,480 He is getting excited. 396 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:28,320 It's the reason why he writes two. 397 00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,600 Extremely long run on sentences which every. 398 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:36,320 Grammar teacher cringes at these sentences. 399 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:40,640 Then he starts using what is called Hooper nouns, where he's like 400 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:41,040 super. 401 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:46,000 This God is a super God with super greatness and super power and 402 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:46,880 super strength. 403 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:51,560 He's using these super nouns, if you will look at this verse. 404 00:22:51,560 --> 00:22:56,280 He says, what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us Word 405 00:22:56,280 --> 00:22:56,480 who. 406 00:22:56,480 --> 00:22:59,600 Believe according to the working of his mighty power? 407 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:00,790 I don't know about you, but. 408 00:23:00,940 --> 00:23:03,260 But that says the same thing a lot. 409 00:23:05,820 --> 00:23:13,100 The words that Paul says here is surpassing greatness of his power. 410 00:23:13,820 --> 00:23:16,700 He uses the word dynamis energy. 411 00:23:17,020 --> 00:23:22,140 Kratos is because all of these words mean strength and power and 412 00:23:22,140 --> 00:23:23,260 might and energy. 413 00:23:23,500 --> 00:23:29,010 He's just building one upon the other to try to explain what 414 00:23:29,010 --> 00:23:31,970 he thinks about God in his power. 415 00:23:32,930 --> 00:23:36,450 It's not enough just to say God is powerful. 416 00:23:36,530 --> 00:23:38,130 He says God is powerful. 417 00:23:38,130 --> 00:23:40,850 He's got super strength, he's got super energy. 418 00:23:41,090 --> 00:23:42,370 He moves stuff. 419 00:23:42,370 --> 00:23:43,530 He has all power. 420 00:23:43,530 --> 00:23:44,130 His past. 421 00:23:44,370 --> 00:23:47,250 His surpassing power is greater than any power. 422 00:23:47,810 --> 00:23:52,690 He's literally trying to outdo what language can do here. 423 00:23:55,250 --> 00:24:01,610 This is God's power working through the course of salvation from 424 00:24:01,610 --> 00:24:02,690 first to last,. 425 00:24:03,490 --> 00:24:07,370 Bringing a person to faith, sustaining that. 426 00:24:07,370 --> 00:24:12,650 Faith, carrying that believer onward and finally bringing him to 427 00:24:12,650 --> 00:24:13,090 glory. 428 00:24:13,490 --> 00:24:15,410 It is a power that is present. 429 00:24:15,570 --> 00:24:19,070 In every single aspect of salvation. 430 00:24:19,950 --> 00:24:26,830 It is power the of the Almighty God who split the Red Sea 431 00:24:27,310 --> 00:24:28,670 that saves us. 432 00:24:29,150 --> 00:24:34,790 It is power that created every single thing into an existence at 433 00:24:34,790 --> 00:24:35,870 his word. 434 00:24:37,230 --> 00:24:44,270 It is power that happens at the moment of salvation, all the 435 00:24:44,270 --> 00:24:45,740 way through it. 436 00:24:47,020 --> 00:24:49,460 This also goes into an understanding of. 437 00:24:49,460 --> 00:24:51,820 What happens at salvation. 438 00:24:53,420 --> 00:24:58,340 Salvation is a very powerful moment, as. 439 00:24:58,340 --> 00:24:59,260 I like to say. 440 00:24:59,580 --> 00:25:05,740 The spirit of God who is all powerful and the ultimate power comes 441 00:25:05,740 --> 00:25:05,980 and. 442 00:25:05,980 --> 00:25:07,340 Lives inside of a person. 443 00:25:07,740 --> 00:25:09,100 That is a big deal. 444 00:25:10,870 --> 00:25:16,750 Therefore, I totally believe that salvation is. 445 00:25:16,750 --> 00:25:19,950 Easy, but I completely reject easy. 446 00:25:19,950 --> 00:25:26,070 Believe is because when a person is saved, their life changes. 447 00:25:26,950 --> 00:25:29,910 And without that change, without that power,. 448 00:25:30,550 --> 00:25:33,270 Can a person really truly say that they were actually saved? 449 00:25:34,630 --> 00:25:41,350 If their belief does no more in their life than make them say 450 00:25:41,350 --> 00:25:44,510 a prayer and then they go on about their business and live as 451 00:25:44,510 --> 00:25:46,470 if they never met Jesus at all. 452 00:25:46,550 --> 00:25:48,390 They never met Jesus at all. 453 00:25:49,830 --> 00:25:55,710 The power of God is so great and so mighty and we put such emphasis 454 00:25:55,710 --> 00:25:59,830 on it and salvation, it is mighty as well. 455 00:26:00,470 --> 00:26:02,710 No man gets saved by the Spirit. 456 00:26:02,710 --> 00:26:04,630 Of God and the Spirit of God. 457 00:26:04,630 --> 00:26:06,750 Almighty enters into them. 458 00:26:06,750 --> 00:26:08,270 And that is a small thing. 459 00:26:08,750 --> 00:26:11,150 No, it is a powerful thing. 460 00:26:11,390 --> 00:26:13,470 It is a life changing thing. 461 00:26:13,870 --> 00:26:16,110 If the death of Christ is the. 462 00:26:16,110 --> 00:26:18,590 Supreme demonstration of the love of God. 463 00:26:18,750 --> 00:26:23,110 The resurrection of Christ is the supreme demonstration of his 464 00:26:23,110 --> 00:26:23,470 power. 465 00:26:23,870 --> 00:26:29,760 And God compares that power of raising Christ from the dead to the 466 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:32,720 power that is used in our life. 467 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,640 He says to us were who believe. 468 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:42,800 This isn't merely theoretical power that is made available to Christians. 469 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:48,480 The the power is toward us. 470 00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:52,240 For those who believe in Chapter two. 471 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:56,070 Shows precisely what that means as far as Christians. 472 00:26:56,230 --> 00:27:00,390 But the the power makes them alive from the dead. 473 00:27:00,470 --> 00:27:06,310 It raises them from Christ to be made alive from the dead again, 474 00:27:06,470 --> 00:27:07,590 that's a big deal. 475 00:27:07,750 --> 00:27:10,070 And then it seats them with Christ. 476 00:27:11,830 --> 00:27:13,910 Salvation is not a small thing. 477 00:27:14,790 --> 00:27:17,510 The believer does not manipulate the resurrection power. 478 00:27:17,510 --> 00:27:21,690 The believer is the object of resurrection power. 479 00:27:22,170 --> 00:27:24,170 And that's a significant distinction. 480 00:27:24,170 --> 00:27:28,410 But look here, see the power in action and that is in the position. 481 00:27:28,650 --> 00:27:30,810 Of Christ and the honor placed upon him. 482 00:27:30,810 --> 00:27:35,330 First, it says in verse 20, when he wrought in Christ, when he 483 00:27:35,330 --> 00:27:39,170 raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in 484 00:27:39,170 --> 00:27:42,890 the heavenly places, far above all principality and. 485 00:27:42,890 --> 00:27:45,570 Power and might and dominion, and every. 486 00:27:45,570 --> 00:27:49,500 Name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which 487 00:27:49,500 --> 00:27:53,300 is to come, and have put all things under his feet and gave him. 488 00:27:53,300 --> 00:27:57,460 To be the head over all things to the church, which is the body 489 00:27:57,460 --> 00:28:00,700 and the fullness of him that filleth all in all. 490 00:28:02,779 --> 00:28:08,540 These next three phrases describe what God the Father's tremendous 491 00:28:08,620 --> 00:28:11,180 mighty power has done for Jesus. 492 00:28:11,260 --> 00:28:11,860 Number one. 493 00:28:11,860 --> 00:28:13,100 It raised him from the dead. 494 00:28:14,530 --> 00:28:18,770 We read about that, that this was the sign of his accepted sacrifice. 495 00:28:19,570 --> 00:28:22,810 Raising Christ from the dead is the. 496 00:28:22,810 --> 00:28:26,530 Same power that God uses in our lives as believers. 497 00:28:26,770 --> 00:28:30,130 It then seated him on his right hand. 498 00:28:30,450 --> 00:28:33,650 This was the place of exaltation and permanence. 499 00:28:33,730 --> 00:28:39,250 This represented Christ's ongoing intercessory ministry that 500 00:28:39,320 --> 00:28:41,400 that he has to us. 501 00:28:42,280 --> 00:28:46,840 And that's important that we not just know about that ministry 502 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:50,160 and say, that's a wonderful thing, that's a nice thing. 503 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:51,800 But that we understand it. 504 00:28:51,880 --> 00:28:54,920 In Romans chapter 8 it says, who is he that condemneth? 505 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:59,520 It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is 506 00:28:59,520 --> 00:29:03,200 even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for 507 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:03,560 us. 508 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:06,280 What shall separate us from the love of God? 509 00:29:07,020 --> 00:29:07,420 Nothing. 510 00:29:08,540 --> 00:29:13,500 No thing on this earth, no thing below the earth, and no thang 511 00:29:13,580 --> 00:29:13,860 in. 512 00:29:13,860 --> 00:29:17,940 The heavens can ever separate us from that great gift of God's 513 00:29:17,940 --> 00:29:18,220 love. 514 00:29:19,180 --> 00:29:21,300 Hebrews chapter seven says, wherefore he is. 515 00:29:21,300 --> 00:29:25,980 Able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto him, seeing 516 00:29:25,980 --> 00:29:29,100 he ever liveth, to make intercession for them. 517 00:29:29,260 --> 00:29:33,170 There is nothing that separates us From God. 518 00:29:33,170 --> 00:29:39,290 Not your sin, not the sin that you committed in times past, not 519 00:29:39,290 --> 00:29:42,370 the sin that you are committing now, not the sin that 520 00:29:42,370 --> 00:29:43,650 you will commit. 521 00:29:44,050 --> 00:29:49,370 There's a continual intercession for us and people that 522 00:29:49,370 --> 00:29:51,530 say, I don't know how God could ever save me. 523 00:29:51,530 --> 00:29:53,170 I don't know how he saved any of us. 524 00:29:53,570 --> 00:29:56,090 And I don't know why he's going to continue to save us whenever 525 00:29:56,090 --> 00:30:01,700 we are going to continue to disobey him, continue to do things 526 00:30:01,700 --> 00:30:06,100 that are against his will, do things in our life that we would 527 00:30:06,100 --> 00:30:08,580 just deem that's horrible. 528 00:30:09,380 --> 00:30:12,980 If any other person treated us like we treated Christ. 529 00:30:14,420 --> 00:30:15,140 Goodness. 530 00:30:17,860 --> 00:30:20,860 Christ has not entered into the holy place made with hands which 531 00:30:20,860 --> 00:30:24,900 are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself now. 532 00:30:25,300 --> 00:30:29,940 And the presence for God, for us, because we have an advocate. 533 00:30:32,020 --> 00:30:35,300 We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, righteous. 534 00:30:35,940 --> 00:30:38,980 And then number three, it made him supreme head of the church. 535 00:30:39,940 --> 00:30:44,100 The unique new people of God, which includes all who believe, Jews 536 00:30:44,180 --> 00:30:45,180 and Gentiles. 537 00:30:45,180 --> 00:30:49,700 That middle wall of partition, that barrier. 538 00:30:49,700 --> 00:30:52,820 That separated us from God is broken down. 539 00:30:52,820 --> 00:30:57,380 But then that middle wall that separated us from one another has 540 00:30:57,380 --> 00:30:58,980 been broken down as well. 541 00:30:59,540 --> 00:31:01,780 Christ is at the right hand of the Father. 542 00:31:01,940 --> 00:31:04,380 He is far above all powers and. 543 00:31:04,380 --> 00:31:08,700 Rulers, it says, and his name is above every other name in this 544 00:31:08,700 --> 00:31:10,020 world and the next. 545 00:31:11,220 --> 00:31:13,460 There is none greater than Christ. 546 00:31:14,340 --> 00:31:19,580 All things have been put under Jesus, and he is now the head of 547 00:31:19,580 --> 00:31:20,100 the church. 548 00:31:21,330 --> 00:31:26,370 And that's where Paul begins to then transition from. 549 00:31:26,370 --> 00:31:31,090 This is the power that was in Christ and made manifest to them. 550 00:31:31,810 --> 00:31:35,890 This is now the power that is in us. 551 00:31:36,370 --> 00:31:40,690 You see, it's not that Paul is praying that these believers would 552 00:31:40,690 --> 00:31:41,810 receive something new. 553 00:31:41,970 --> 00:31:46,050 And that's not what I pray for today, that I would present some 554 00:31:46,050 --> 00:31:49,480 new thing to you, because this is not new. 555 00:31:49,880 --> 00:31:52,840 You've read this passage many times, just as I have. 556 00:31:53,320 --> 00:31:57,400 There's nothing new here, but it is. 557 00:31:57,720 --> 00:31:59,560 Quite old to us. 558 00:32:00,520 --> 00:32:03,480 It is the understanding of that thing. 559 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:05,720 That I want us to grasp. 560 00:32:06,440 --> 00:32:12,000 It is the pure understanding of our hearts open to Christ that 561 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:14,530 says, wow,. 562 00:32:15,010 --> 00:32:21,010 I don't just know about Jesus, but I know him personally. 563 00:32:21,490 --> 00:32:23,410 And that's what Christ wants from us. 564 00:32:23,970 --> 00:32:28,930 And as we come to the second chapter again, he wants us to understand 565 00:32:29,810 --> 00:32:34,290 what this power has done in the life of a believer. 566 00:32:34,450 --> 00:32:38,050 He says in verse number one of chapter two, you hath he quickened 567 00:32:38,860 --> 00:32:39,100 who. 568 00:32:39,100 --> 00:32:42,700 Were dead in trespasses and sins. 569 00:32:44,060 --> 00:32:47,820 Get that you were dead to that. 570 00:32:48,540 --> 00:32:50,380 Where in times past you walked according. 571 00:32:50,380 --> 00:32:52,380 To the course of this world, according. 572 00:32:52,460 --> 00:32:56,140 To the Prince of the Power of the air, the spirit that now worketh 573 00:32:56,140 --> 00:33:00,540 in the children of disobedience, says among whom also 574 00:33:00,540 --> 00:33:03,180 we all had our conversation in times past. 575 00:33:04,150 --> 00:33:07,110 The lust of our flesh fulfilling the desires of our flesh 576 00:33:07,110 --> 00:33:07,670 of the mind. 577 00:33:07,750 --> 00:33:11,190 And we're by nature the children of wrath. 578 00:33:11,990 --> 00:33:13,590 We did whatever we wanted. 579 00:33:14,310 --> 00:33:19,510 We sinned and we had no choice in the matter because that was our 580 00:33:19,510 --> 00:33:19,990 nature. 581 00:33:20,550 --> 00:33:22,750 We could do nothing but sin. 582 00:33:22,750 --> 00:33:25,870 If we tried to do good, it was as filthy rags. 583 00:33:25,870 --> 00:33:28,910 The Bible says you followed the spirit. 584 00:33:28,910 --> 00:33:31,350 Of the earth, the powers of darkness. 585 00:33:31,990 --> 00:33:33,990 You were the children of disobedience. 586 00:33:34,630 --> 00:33:39,230 You were the children of wrath, not caring about God, not 587 00:33:39,230 --> 00:33:40,950 caring about what he did. 588 00:33:41,270 --> 00:33:44,390 And then God died for you. 589 00:33:46,070 --> 00:33:51,910 And when that understanding is opened up in your heart, then the 590 00:33:51,910 --> 00:33:52,430 power of. 591 00:33:52,430 --> 00:33:54,790 God was manifested in your life. 592 00:33:54,950 --> 00:33:58,920 It he says, but God, who is rich in mercy for his great love, 593 00:33:58,920 --> 00:34:04,000 wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins, have quickened 594 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:07,920 us together with Christ by grace you are saved. 595 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:12,640 Said he has raised us up together and made us sit in heavenly 596 00:34:12,640 --> 00:34:14,160 places with Christ Jesus. 597 00:34:14,240 --> 00:34:17,120 He made Jesus sit at his right hand throne. 598 00:34:17,120 --> 00:34:20,560 And you who have been saved, you have been made to sit in heavenly 599 00:34:20,560 --> 00:34:21,879 places as well. 600 00:34:22,759 --> 00:34:24,919 And all of this is God's doing. 601 00:34:24,999 --> 00:34:28,039 All of this is God's work in your life. 602 00:34:28,199 --> 00:34:32,439 He was rich in mercy while you were dead in sins. 603 00:34:32,439 --> 00:34:33,719 He quickened us. 604 00:34:33,879 --> 00:34:36,279 And we were talking about this in heart, in, in. 605 00:34:36,279 --> 00:34:36,959 In Sunday school. 606 00:34:36,959 --> 00:34:43,559 This one about our wallish heart and God's lavish heart. 607 00:34:43,959 --> 00:34:50,060 How so often we try to live our life as Christians with this 608 00:34:50,140 --> 00:34:54,860 understanding that yes, God saved me, God redeemed me, but now 609 00:34:54,860 --> 00:34:58,700 I need to go out and do something in order to earn that love. 610 00:34:59,260 --> 00:35:02,380 I need to go out and do something to earn that acceptance. 611 00:35:02,540 --> 00:35:06,620 And we live our lives as Christians, not from this truth. 612 00:35:07,500 --> 00:35:11,580 We don't live our lives as Christians in our sanctification 613 00:35:11,980 --> 00:35:12,780 from the truth. 614 00:35:12,940 --> 00:35:16,910 That God's power is what's working in us, that God's power is 615 00:35:16,910 --> 00:35:17,230 the thing. 616 00:35:17,230 --> 00:35:18,390 That is changing us. 617 00:35:18,550 --> 00:35:22,630 And just as Paul says in Galatia, he would say to us today, 618 00:35:22,710 --> 00:35:23,070 how. 619 00:35:23,070 --> 00:35:24,310 Foolish can you be? 620 00:35:24,790 --> 00:35:26,390 Who has bewitched you? 621 00:35:26,470 --> 00:35:30,710 Would you who were made perfect by the Spirit and justification, 622 00:35:30,790 --> 00:35:34,710 would you be made perfect in sanctification by your flesh? 623 00:35:35,430 --> 00:35:37,190 He says, this ain't the way it goes. 624 00:35:37,590 --> 00:35:42,350 And what happens is we as Christians, we live in a place in 625 00:35:42,350 --> 00:35:50,870 our life for God's acceptance, not from his acceptance. 626 00:35:52,070 --> 00:35:57,070 You and I say I need to read my Bible because that will make me 627 00:35:57,070 --> 00:35:58,070 accepted to God. 628 00:35:58,470 --> 00:36:01,630 You and I say I need to Go to church, because that's going to make 629 00:36:01,630 --> 00:36:03,590 me accepted to God. 630 00:36:04,310 --> 00:36:08,030 I need to tell others about Jesus because that's going to make 631 00:36:08,030 --> 00:36:09,670 me accepted from God. 632 00:36:10,220 --> 00:36:11,580 I didn't read my Bible. 633 00:36:12,540 --> 00:36:13,660 Oh, I'm guilty. 634 00:36:14,300 --> 00:36:15,980 I'm not accepted by God today. 635 00:36:16,540 --> 00:36:18,060 Don't tell me you haven't said that. 636 00:36:18,380 --> 00:36:21,180 Day goes bad, you're thinking to yourself,. 637 00:36:21,660 --> 00:36:23,020 I didn't read my Bible today. 638 00:36:23,180 --> 00:36:24,780 This is the punishment for it. 639 00:36:25,340 --> 00:36:28,700 Or then if you did read your Bible, it's the other excuse. 640 00:36:28,700 --> 00:36:29,980 I didn't read my Bible. 641 00:36:30,140 --> 00:36:30,540 Enough. 642 00:36:31,580 --> 00:36:32,620 How much is enough? 643 00:36:33,820 --> 00:36:36,300 How much is enough that you would be accepted to God. 644 00:36:38,840 --> 00:36:44,920 The understanding that we as Christians must have is how much 645 00:36:44,920 --> 00:36:46,760 God has lavished his love on us. 646 00:36:47,640 --> 00:36:49,160 He loved you when you were dead. 647 00:36:50,200 --> 00:36:54,760 He loved you at your most unlovableness. 648 00:36:56,440 --> 00:36:58,360 There's nothing that you can do now. 649 00:36:58,840 --> 00:37:01,880 That is worse than before you got saved. 650 00:37:03,010 --> 00:37:04,530 And he loves you even then. 651 00:37:06,770 --> 00:37:11,970 That says you are no longer the children of wrath. 652 00:37:13,010 --> 00:37:17,490 But now you've been raised up and you are seated in the heaven. 653 00:37:19,250 --> 00:37:23,330 You are accepted of God. 654 00:37:24,930 --> 00:37:29,510 You are accepted of God if you are in Christ now. 655 00:37:29,590 --> 00:37:31,350 I don't live for acceptance. 656 00:37:31,910 --> 00:37:35,510 Instead, I live from acceptance. 657 00:37:37,190 --> 00:37:38,390 I am accepted. 658 00:37:39,110 --> 00:37:40,630 I'm going to read God's Word. 659 00:37:41,190 --> 00:37:42,630 I am accepted. 660 00:37:43,030 --> 00:37:44,310 I'm going to go to church. 661 00:37:45,110 --> 00:37:46,550 I am accepted. 662 00:37:47,030 --> 00:37:50,150 I didn't read the Bible today, man. 663 00:37:50,150 --> 00:37:51,430 I missed out. 664 00:37:52,310 --> 00:37:54,230 Not I'm not accepted. 665 00:37:55,070 --> 00:37:56,190 Not I'm guilty. 666 00:37:56,510 --> 00:37:58,110 You see, that is the idea. 667 00:37:58,430 --> 00:38:02,990 There is the guilt of I am not a good Christian. 668 00:38:03,230 --> 00:38:06,750 And then there is the disappointment of. 669 00:38:07,070 --> 00:38:10,669 I have missed out on what was rightfully mine. 670 00:38:12,190 --> 00:38:14,750 Because you do have something in Christ. 671 00:38:15,550 --> 00:38:17,950 You have an inheritance in Christ. 672 00:38:18,590 --> 00:38:20,590 You have the Holy Spirit. 673 00:38:21,010 --> 00:38:22,930 You get to read the Bible. 674 00:38:23,170 --> 00:38:25,250 You get to understand God's word. 675 00:38:25,250 --> 00:38:27,090 You get to spend time with God. 676 00:38:27,170 --> 00:38:30,930 There is now not a guilt because you didn't do those things, 677 00:38:31,010 --> 00:38:34,850 but there is now a disappointment because you missed 678 00:38:34,850 --> 00:38:35,170 out. 679 00:38:36,050 --> 00:38:39,290 It's like whenever that one kid comes upstairs and all the other 680 00:38:39,290 --> 00:38:41,010 kids have already gotten their ice cream. 681 00:38:41,490 --> 00:38:43,170 Whoa, where's mine? 682 00:38:44,370 --> 00:38:45,730 Where's my ice cream? 683 00:38:46,210 --> 00:38:47,170 That's what it's like. 684 00:38:48,440 --> 00:38:51,400 Not, no, I feel bad I didn't go to church today. 685 00:38:51,640 --> 00:38:53,800 No, you missed out. 686 00:38:55,480 --> 00:39:00,080 You missed out on what could have been yours, and you don't even 687 00:39:00,080 --> 00:39:00,680 know it. 688 00:39:01,880 --> 00:39:07,600 And we, as Christians, we live our lives not with an understanding 689 00:39:07,600 --> 00:39:09,400 of the things that God has for us. 690 00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:14,290 We live our lives knowing what's there, knowing that it's available, 691 00:39:14,770 --> 00:39:17,970 but not really understanding why we shouldn't want it. 692 00:39:19,010 --> 00:39:21,410 And that's what Paul is praying for here? 693 00:39:21,490 --> 00:39:25,890 And that's what we should pray for here, that we would have our 694 00:39:25,890 --> 00:39:26,850 understanding. 695 00:39:26,850 --> 00:39:31,810 God, why don't I like reading the Bible? 696 00:39:32,850 --> 00:39:34,450 Have you prayed that before? 697 00:39:36,530 --> 00:39:37,890 Will you pray that now? 698 00:39:39,580 --> 00:39:41,900 God, why don't I like going to church? 699 00:39:42,060 --> 00:39:44,700 Why don't I like telling others about Jesus? 700 00:39:44,860 --> 00:39:48,860 That is the question that we need to be asking and begging God 701 00:39:48,940 --> 00:39:50,220 for the answer to. 702 00:39:51,340 --> 00:39:54,140 Why don't I understand how much you love me? 703 00:39:54,460 --> 00:39:57,820 Why don't I understand how much my salvation means? 704 00:39:58,140 --> 00:40:02,460 Why don't I understand the relationship that we are supposed 705 00:40:02,460 --> 00:40:03,100 to have? 706 00:40:04,470 --> 00:40:10,070 What am I missing out on that other people seem to have? 707 00:40:11,510 --> 00:40:14,510 What are they missing that they don't. 708 00:40:14,510 --> 00:40:19,590 Even know about, that they clearly can be seen in scripture 709 00:40:19,590 --> 00:40:21,270 that we don't understand? 710 00:40:21,750 --> 00:40:23,590 What are we missing out on? 711 00:40:23,670 --> 00:40:29,190 This morning he says he's raised us up together, made us sit 712 00:40:29,760 --> 00:40:36,280 together in heavenly places, that in the ages to come he might 713 00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:42,640 show the exceeding riches of his grace and his kindness toward 714 00:40:42,640 --> 00:40:44,400 us through Christ Jesus. 715 00:40:45,040 --> 00:40:49,040 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. 716 00:40:49,840 --> 00:40:54,400 It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. 717 00:40:56,970 --> 00:41:01,370 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good 718 00:41:01,370 --> 00:41:05,450 works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 719 00:41:07,450 --> 00:41:08,050 This morning. 720 00:41:08,050 --> 00:41:08,330 The. 721 00:41:08,330 --> 00:41:14,890 The call is simple and yet it's complex. 722 00:41:16,010 --> 00:41:19,130 That call is understated. 723 00:41:22,260 --> 00:41:24,860 That's not something that I can just say. 724 00:41:24,860 --> 00:41:25,700 Don't you just understand? 725 00:41:27,060 --> 00:41:28,020 Just understand it. 726 00:41:28,020 --> 00:41:28,900 What's wrong with you? 727 00:41:29,940 --> 00:41:36,660 You know, sometimes in addiction ministries, we can be guilty 728 00:41:36,660 --> 00:41:37,140 of that. 729 00:41:39,300 --> 00:41:40,340 Well, let's see. 730 00:41:41,300 --> 00:41:43,300 Your life is absolutely horrible. 731 00:41:44,500 --> 00:41:48,670 You're deeply addicted to methamphetamines. 732 00:41:48,990 --> 00:41:50,390 Your skin is oozing. 733 00:41:50,390 --> 00:41:51,710 You've lost all of your teeth. 734 00:41:51,790 --> 00:41:52,590 Don't you understand? 735 00:41:53,710 --> 00:41:55,310 Just stop. 736 00:41:57,710 --> 00:41:59,070 Why is that so hard to understand? 737 00:42:01,310 --> 00:42:05,070 Now, all of us, I would assume all of us. 738 00:42:05,950 --> 00:42:06,950 We could say that. 739 00:42:06,950 --> 00:42:07,790 Simple enough. 740 00:42:07,790 --> 00:42:10,590 In this room, maybe there's someone who can. 741 00:42:12,840 --> 00:42:13,960 We could say, don't you understand? 742 00:42:15,720 --> 00:42:16,360 And yet. 743 00:42:18,360 --> 00:42:20,120 Not in an accusatory term. 744 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:23,320 Because Paul doesn't want to accuse the. 745 00:42:23,320 --> 00:42:28,240 Ephesians of that he doesn't want to say to those at Ephesus and 746 00:42:28,240 --> 00:42:31,320 to the churches, don't you understand? 747 00:42:32,680 --> 00:42:37,800 Praise for that understanding, he says, I know it's hard. 748 00:42:39,510 --> 00:42:46,630 I know it's difficult because you can't understand in your own 749 00:42:46,630 --> 00:42:48,630 strength and in your own power. 750 00:42:49,430 --> 00:42:51,990 I know that no Christian can. 751 00:42:52,470 --> 00:42:54,390 Therefore I'm praying for it. 752 00:42:54,870 --> 00:42:57,750 I'm praying that the God of our salvation. 753 00:42:58,710 --> 00:43:03,350 I'm praying, he says there in chapter one, I bow my head. 754 00:43:03,840 --> 00:43:05,040 I'm praying. 755 00:43:05,040 --> 00:43:07,720 I'm ceasing not to give thanks for you. 756 00:43:07,720 --> 00:43:09,920 I'm making mention of you in my prayers. 757 00:43:10,640 --> 00:43:15,840 I am praying that the God who gave his great and mighty power on 758 00:43:15,840 --> 00:43:19,919 display on the cross to save us from our sins, that has reached 759 00:43:19,919 --> 00:43:21,760 out and has saved you. 760 00:43:22,080 --> 00:43:25,960 I am praying that that power would once again be enacted in the 761 00:43:25,960 --> 00:43:30,070 Holy Spirit in your heart so that you would understand what. 762 00:43:30,220 --> 00:43:32,300 What grace really is. 763 00:43:32,860 --> 00:43:37,300 And that's what I pray today, that you and I would understand what 764 00:43:37,300 --> 00:43:39,020 that grace really means. 765 00:43:39,580 --> 00:43:43,300 That we would have our understanding enlightened, that our 766 00:43:43,300 --> 00:43:46,459 heart would be open wide to the gospel. 767 00:43:47,260 --> 00:43:49,620 Now, if you're here today and you. 768 00:43:49,620 --> 00:43:53,580 Have never even heard of this, you've never done this before, you've 769 00:43:53,580 --> 00:43:54,020 never had. 770 00:43:54,020 --> 00:43:55,660 Your heart opened up to the gospel,. 771 00:43:55,900 --> 00:44:00,300 You've never understood how Christ could come into this world 772 00:44:00,300 --> 00:44:01,740 to save someone like. 773 00:44:01,980 --> 00:44:05,100 You, like me, like us. 774 00:44:06,060 --> 00:44:08,620 Today is the day of salvation. 775 00:44:08,700 --> 00:44:11,260 The Bible says today is the day. 776 00:44:11,340 --> 00:44:14,540 Where we put off our pretenses, our. 777 00:44:14,620 --> 00:44:20,140 Our own or old understanding, our old ways, our old things aside, 778 00:44:20,140 --> 00:44:21,820 and become a new creature. 779 00:44:22,480 --> 00:44:27,200 And for us as Christians, today is the day whenever we start 780 00:44:27,280 --> 00:44:32,480 asking God to change us to where we start saying, God, I'm not 781 00:44:32,480 --> 00:44:38,680 satisfied living at this level of my Christianity because I am missing 782 00:44:38,680 --> 00:44:40,320 out on so much more. 783 00:44:40,880 --> 00:44:43,200 That is what today is about. 784 00:44:44,160 --> 00:44:46,680 Today is that moment if you will. 785 00:44:46,680 --> 00:44:50,120 Not obey God at the height of his conviction in your life, when 786 00:44:50,120 --> 00:44:51,600 will you ever obey God? 787 00:44:52,280 --> 00:44:55,640 If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, today 788 00:44:55,800 --> 00:44:56,760 is that day. 789 00:44:57,240 --> 00:45:00,920 It is the understanding that Christ has died for us. 790 00:45:01,080 --> 00:45:04,840 And that means something because that means that the sin that 791 00:45:04,840 --> 00:45:06,680 we have committed. 792 00:45:06,840 --> 00:45:09,960 Doesn't have to be paid for by you. 793 00:45:10,600 --> 00:45:14,280 It doesn't have to be paid for with your works. 794 00:45:14,360 --> 00:45:16,760 It's not dependent on your power. 795 00:45:17,000 --> 00:45:19,290 It's dependent on Christ's power. 796 00:45:19,850 --> 00:45:24,410 And that change in the heart is what is needed for salvation. 797 00:45:24,730 --> 00:45:27,610 The fact of I want that. 798 00:45:28,410 --> 00:45:31,450 That is the salvation that we possess. 799 00:45:31,610 --> 00:45:34,130 As Christians, and that is the salvation. 800 00:45:34,130 --> 00:45:39,130 That calls out to us even as those who have been saved for perhaps 801 00:45:39,530 --> 00:45:41,210 so long a time. 802 00:45:42,010 --> 00:45:46,620 It's the same salvation that you had at the very beginning, and 803 00:45:46,620 --> 00:45:49,460 it still persists even till now. 804 00:45:50,740 --> 00:45:54,740 Have you lost the love in your life? 805 00:45:55,380 --> 00:46:00,900 Have you lost the sparkle of salvation? 806 00:46:01,940 --> 00:46:02,340 The. 807 00:46:02,900 --> 00:46:06,340 The fascination with what God has done for us? 808 00:46:06,740 --> 00:46:09,700 That is what God would ask us this morning. 809 00:46:10,170 --> 00:46:10,810 Let us pray. 810 00:46:11,370 --> 00:46:12,290 Our Heavenly Father. 811 00:46:12,290 --> 00:46:18,610 Lord, we thank you for being a God who loves us and that died for 812 00:46:18,610 --> 00:46:26,450 us on the cross and redeems us and desires for man to accept your 813 00:46:26,450 --> 00:46:26,890 son. 814 00:46:27,770 --> 00:46:30,810 You desire for all men to be saved, Lord. 815 00:46:31,370 --> 00:46:34,010 And you desire for your people to. 816 00:46:34,010 --> 00:46:38,250 Live in that salvation and to not live in the old life, the old. 817 00:46:38,250 --> 00:46:43,320 Man, where you desire your people to desire you. 818 00:46:44,440 --> 00:46:46,520 Wow, God, you want us to love you. 819 00:46:47,000 --> 00:46:47,400 Wow. 820 00:46:47,400 --> 00:46:51,080 Do you want us to want you? 821 00:46:51,800 --> 00:46:54,200 Lord, I pray that you would change our hearts today. 822 00:46:54,200 --> 00:46:56,760 That you would give us understanding in our hearts. 823 00:46:57,000 --> 00:47:01,960 That you would help us to know what it means to have our inheritance 824 00:47:01,960 --> 00:47:05,320 in God and what it means to be your inheritance. 825 00:47:06,520 --> 00:47:08,200 Lord, I pray and ask these things.