1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,240 If you have your Bibles, we're gonna be in Ephesians chapter three 2 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:09,760 We're gonna knock out three more verses today. We'll start in verse four here in just a minute 3 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:17,560 A mystery lover took took his place in 4 00:00:18,080 --> 00:00:23,320 The theater for opening night, but his seat was way far in the back back row Baptist if you will 5 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:29,600 He's far from the stage. So this man he calls the usher forward usher to him and he whispered listen 6 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:31,600 I love a good mystery. I 7 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:38,040 Been looking forward to this night for for so long. However in order to really 8 00:00:39,320 --> 00:00:42,280 Appreciate the play I need to be farther forward 9 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:45,800 Because I want to notice all the clues and all the nuances 10 00:00:45,800 --> 00:00:51,220 So if there's any chance that you can get me closer to the stage, I'll give you a really good tip 11 00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:56,600 Okay, and so the usher nodded and said he would be back shortly and looking forward 12 00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:03,360 To a large tip the usher began talking to his co-workers in the box office hoping to find some closer seats 13 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:08,680 Within with just three minutes left before the play started 14 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,480 He found an open ticket at will call that was unclaimed 15 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:16,600 Returning to the man in the back of the theater. He whispered follow me follow me 16 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:20,160 I got you a better seat the usher led the man to the second row and 17 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:23,680 Proudly pointed out the empty seat in the middle 18 00:01:23,680 --> 00:01:28,920 Thanks so much said the theater goer the seat is perfect 19 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:31,920 He then handed the usher a quarter 20 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:39,880 The usher looked down at that quarter leaned over and whispered the butler did it 21 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:54,640 Now most of us have a good mystery especially when the revelation of the mystery comes at the appropriate time, right? 22 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:58,760 There is a sense in which our walk with God is a mystery 23 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:05,600 And fortunately for us God reveals that mystery to us in just the right time 24 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:10,680 That's the point Paul makes here as he continues writing his letter to this church in Ephesus 25 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:15,200 Let's read our passage this morning. It says in verse 4 when you read this 26 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,080 You can perceive my insight into the mystery of the Christ 27 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:23,000 Which was not made known to the sons of men and other generations 28 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:29,520 And as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit 29 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:35,960 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs members of the same body and partakers of the promise in Christ 30 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,200 Through the gospel 31 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,960 Last week we discovered that when Paul uses the word mystery 32 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:48,400 It means something quite differently than than how we might use it today 33 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:54,480 In addition to the seven times that he's going to use that word in this letter to the Ephesians 34 00:02:54,480 --> 00:03:01,560 Paul uses this word eight other times in his other letters and in each case the word mystery is 35 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:08,720 Describing something that God has revealed in the past that he is now choosing to reveal more fully now 36 00:03:09,640 --> 00:03:16,600 The specific mystery that Paul is writing about here is the fact that the Jews and Gentiles have been 37 00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:23,120 Brought together in the church through Jesus Christ. It is a mystery because it was revealed 38 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:28,600 In the past there was a concept that it was revealed in part in the past 39 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:35,800 But had now been but it had been fully made known through other generations as we saw briefly 40 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:40,040 Last week Paul and his fellow Jews were completely 41 00:03:40,400 --> 00:03:45,960 Were not completely in the dark in regards to the Gentiles being blessed through the Jews 42 00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:50,360 It wasn't a mystery that that the Gentiles and the Jews would be together 43 00:03:50,360 --> 00:03:55,720 We can trace that concept all the way back to Genesis 12 when God tells Abram now 44 00:03:55,720 --> 00:04:01,560 The Lord said to Abram go from your country and your kindred in your father's house to the land that I will show you and 45 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:07,280 I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing 46 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:11,040 I will bless those who bless you and him who dishonors you 47 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,600 I will curse and in you all the families of the earth shall be 48 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:20,840 Blessed that's the promise and so it was always God's plan to bless all the peoples of the earth 49 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:23,400 including the Gentiles 50 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:26,440 Through the offspring of Abraham the Jews 51 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:32,760 But until Jesus came to the earth and he died on the cross and he rose up from the grave 52 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:38,680 There was no way that any human could have possibly understood how God was going to accomplish that 53 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:42,760 And so before Jesus Paul and his fellow Jews 54 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:46,960 Did believe that the Gentiles could receive the promise of God 55 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:52,640 but only by becoming Jews and observing all the Jewish laws including 56 00:04:53,280 --> 00:04:54,240 circumcision 57 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:57,800 It was always God's plan to bring the Jews and the Gentiles together 58 00:04:58,320 --> 00:05:02,960 Not not but not by requiring one group to convert to the other 59 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:10,360 But by creating an entirely new group of people called the church in which both groups would be identified 60 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,440 Not by the old labels of Jew and Gentile 61 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:19,000 But by the name of the one who made it possible for them to become one Jesus 62 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:26,040 So we've already seen in chapter 2 as we've gone through Ephesians that Jesus broke down all the walls that that divided us that 63 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:31,120 Divided the Jews from the Gentiles but Paul emphasizes once again in this passage 64 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:36,120 Just how completely Jesus has removed those barriers in Jesus 65 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:41,920 The Jews and the Gentiles are equal partners. They have equal access to God 66 00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:48,080 Because of what Jesus has done for them. Now, I think when I use the words Jew and Gentile 67 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:52,240 That it might not resonate with some of you 68 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:58,320 It's important to understand what Paul is saying here because it affects all of us in this room 69 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:03,000 If you are not Jewish you are a Gentile 70 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:10,880 You have to understand that in the Bible there are two people groups. There's Jews and there's everyone else 71 00:06:12,400 --> 00:06:16,920 And so when the scripture refers to Gentiles, it's referring to 72 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:23,440 Christians it's referring to Muslims Mormons Hindus Catholics Protestants and atheists 73 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:25,880 It's everybody else 74 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:30,480 Everyone that is not Jewish is a Gentile in this passage here 75 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:36,600 Paul describes three aspects of the mystery of joining together Jews and Gentiles in the church 76 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,360 And so this is what is revealed. We are heirs together 77 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:47,560 Paul seems to be thinking back to his prayer in chapter 1 where he prayed that his readers would know the riches of God's glorious 78 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:49,680 inheritance to the saints 79 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:54,640 You'll remember that when we looked at the passage we determined that inheritance that Paul wrote about 80 00:06:54,640 --> 00:07:01,040 Includes both the idea that we will one day experience the complete fulfillment of God 81 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:08,000 Pouring all his spiritual blessings into our lives and the idea that we are God's inheritance 82 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:15,680 We were precious to him as his children and Christ both the Jews and the Gentiles share equally in the inheritance 83 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:18,960 If it wasn't for Jesus that would be impossible 84 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:21,880 We would have to convert to Judaism 85 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:27,520 men you would have to be circumcised or 86 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:35,120 If that happened to you in the hospital a long time ago when you were born you would have to be cut again 87 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:37,880 Ow 88 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:43,000 In Jesus we are coheirs with the Gentiles men should thank God for that. All right 89 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:45,160 We get to receive the inheritance 90 00:07:45,160 --> 00:07:47,240 We are also members of the body together 91 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:52,520 We're members of the church the fact that Jews and Gentiles are members together in one body 92 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:54,880 Emphasizes not only that they share 93 00:07:55,640 --> 00:08:01,680 In common but but their dependence on one another in Romans chapter 12 in 1st Corinthians chapter 12 94 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:08,320 Paul goes into much more detail about the body of Christ and how it functions as God intended when every member 95 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:15,680 Fulfills the role within the body. It's not just up to one person or the other. We all work together. That's the church 96 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:20,680 We also understand that we share in together in the promise of Jesus Christ 97 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:28,480 In Ephesians chapter 2 verse 12 Paul had a reminded his Gentile readers that before Jesus that we had been foreigners 98 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:30,880 To the covenant of the promise 99 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:38,600 In both of these verses Paul uses the singular word of promise and not the plural as we might expect 100 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:45,840 You might remember if you think back to those weeks that when we looked at the verse in chapter 2 we determined that by using 101 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:53,160 The singular Paul was probably referring to the specific promise given to Abraham in Genesis chapter 12 102 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:57,840 A promise which has now been fulfilled for both the Jews and the Gentiles in Jesus 103 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:02,360 Now this passage this morning is pretty easy to explain 104 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,320 I've already done it 105 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:07,400 We could call it good 106 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:09,400 But the 107 00:09:15,720 --> 00:09:17,720 Touché touché 108 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,360 Thank you Jim the passage this morning 109 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:29,760 But the challenge Jim 110 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:34,200 As is usually the case is how do we apply this to our life? 111 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,040 How do we apply this passage to our life? 112 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:43,120 Let me share with you four observations about this passage that we can take on our journey number one 113 00:09:43,120 --> 00:09:47,160 We need to accept the mystery life is a mystery. We need to accept it 114 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:55,040 And you might be thinking tell me something. I don't already know like life is a mystery and although we all know intellectually 115 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:59,600 That life is a mystery the fact is that many of us don't live our lives 116 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:02,440 Like we really believe that 117 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:05,960 Now if you doubt that just look at our culture 118 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:12,800 Look at how many people are trying to take the mystery out of their lives by consulting psychics 119 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:18,880 Tarot card readers fortune tellers fortune cookies. I know what you do 120 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:22,760 Horoscopes 121 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:30,080 But the Bible is clear that we can't know exactly what is going to happen in the future because that's the way God ordained it 122 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:36,320 James makes that very clear. He says in chapter 4 of his book now. Listen you who say today or tomorrow 123 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:41,280 We will go to this or that city spend a year there carry on business and make money 124 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,280 Why you don't even know what will happen tomorrow? 125 00:10:46,560 --> 00:10:54,880 What is your life you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes we need to learn to embrace the mystery 126 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:58,000 I'm convinced that if we could really do that 127 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:03,120 If we could really understand that life is a mystery and we just need to worry about today and not tomorrow 128 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:11,760 It would eliminate so much frustration so much worry in our lives when we know that life is a mystery 129 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:16,000 We don't get so bent out of shape when things don't go exactly how we planned it 130 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:22,200 And we don't worry so much about what might happen today or what might happen tomorrow 131 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:26,880 Several years ago, she and I made a trip up to New England 132 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:29,760 Without our kids it's fantastic 133 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:36,160 We had planned it for months we booked some reservations we we outlined our routes 134 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:41,000 We we knew what states we were going to to to hit and where we wanted to stay 135 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:45,160 All those things that are involved in planning a trip 136 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,280 We flew into New York and stayed there for a couple days 137 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:52,360 Then we took a train up to Mystic Connecticut 138 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:57,880 Now the only reason some of you will understand this the only reason that we went to Mystic Connecticut was because my wife 139 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:00,880 Had seen the movie Mystic Pizza 140 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,400 And we had to go experience it. It's the only reason 141 00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:09,760 But as we're planning our trip we had always heard about Cape Cod 142 00:12:11,040 --> 00:12:14,040 And so we decided to make that part of our journey as well 143 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:18,080 Our thought process was that that we're coming all the way up from Texas 144 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:23,080 And so we might as well go to the end of the Cape and stay in a town called Provincetown 145 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:29,080 So we found an inn in Provincetown and we booked it. It looked like a good place 146 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:35,080 It was close to the ocean. It was within walking distance to several things that we could visit 147 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:40,080 So after we leave Mystic we get in our rental car and we drive up to Provincetown 148 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:42,080 And we go straight to the end to check in 149 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,080 As the guy is taking us around like they do 150 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:49,080 And showing us what the thing has to offer where we're going to eat breakfast, where our room is 151 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:51,080 Everything that the inn has to offer 152 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:56,080 He casually mentions that this place is clothing optional 153 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,080 I must have missed that part in my research 154 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:10,080 So needless to say my six month pregnant wife at the time 155 00:13:10,080 --> 00:13:14,080 And I were a little surprised that this was clothing optional 156 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:21,080 So if you're ever in Provincetown, make sure you stay at Carpe Diem guest house 157 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:26,080 Now, if we hadn't looked at life as a mystery 158 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:29,080 That day it could have been ruined 159 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:36,080 My sweet wife could have been mad at me for missing that little nugget of information when I was doing my research 160 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:41,080 But we just kind of went with the flow and we had a very memorable time together 161 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:50,080 We still laugh about it today because unfortunately that was not the first time that we had ended up in a situation similar to this one 162 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,080 I don't know the situation, life is a mystery 163 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,080 Number two, God works on a need to know basis 164 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:01,080 God didn't reveal his identity 165 00:14:01,080 --> 00:14:05,080 He didn't reveal his identity on a need to know basis 166 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:15,080 God didn't reveal his entire plan to bring the Jews and the Gentiles together in Christ until his people were ready to understand and apply the truth 167 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:25,080 He revealed it in part, certainly Abraham would have been completely unable to understand those details of God's plan 168 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:29,080 Since Jesus wouldn't even appear on the scene for a couple thousand years 169 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:40,080 So God revealed enough for Abraham the part of his plan that Abraham needed to know in order to be obedient to God and fulfill his plan for his life 170 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:43,080 God still works that way today 171 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:48,080 As much as some of us think we want to know exactly what the future will hold 172 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:52,080 The fact is we couldn't handle it if God did it that way 173 00:14:52,080 --> 00:15:01,080 So God reveals as much of his plan for us each day as we need in our life to live out that day one at a time 174 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:05,080 Jesus made that quite clear in the Sermon on the Mount, chapter 6 of Matthew 175 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:10,080 He says, therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself 176 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:14,080 So efficient for the day is its own trouble 177 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:17,080 Jesus is telling us that life is a mystery 178 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,080 And that God unfolds in our lives one day at a time 179 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:22,080 One day at a time 180 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:29,080 God reveals to us today what we need to live our lives today 181 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,080 And when tomorrow comes, he'll give us what we need then 182 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:39,080 Now many businesses apply an inventory strategy called J-I-T 183 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:41,080 Just in time 184 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:52,080 That strategy calls for them to obtain raw materials only when they are actually needed for production rather than storing large quantities of items 185 00:15:53,080 --> 00:15:55,080 The idea is that they can save on some costs 186 00:15:56,080 --> 00:16:06,080 And they don't have to pay a bunch of storage fees for materials and they can avoid large outlays of cash to purchase supplies that won't be needed for some time 187 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:12,080 God uses the just in time method when it comes to revealing his plan for our lives 188 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:18,080 Because he knows it would be unproductive to give us more than we need right now 189 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:20,080 Let me give you an example 190 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:28,080 Let's suppose that God knows that you are going to have a heart attack and die six months from now 191 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:34,080 If God were to reveal that to you right now, what do you think would happen in your life? 192 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:47,080 Although there might be some benefit to knowing that right now so that we can put our financial things in order so we could lay everything out 193 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:53,080 But the overall effect of knowing that right now could be devastating 194 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:57,080 You wouldn't be able to think of anything else for the next six months 195 00:16:58,080 --> 00:16:59,080 You'd worry 196 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,080 You probably wouldn't be able to sleep very well at night 197 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,080 You'd probably begin to develop a fatalistic viewpoint 198 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:08,080 But by not knowing that right now 199 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:13,080 God would allow you to go on with your life and enjoy the last six months 200 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,080 And when that heart attack finally came 201 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:19,080 God would be there to carry you home 202 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:23,080 To be with him and take care of those that you left behind 203 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:29,080 The third thing we need to understand is that God will not violate his word 204 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:32,080 He will not violate his word 205 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,080 Verse 4 begins with this phrase, when you read this 206 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:36,080 When you read this 207 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,080 Now although Paul's readers didn't realize it at the time 208 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:42,080 That they were reading right then and there 209 00:17:43,080 --> 00:17:45,080 What would actually become possible 210 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:48,080 That they were reading right then and there 211 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:49,080 What would actually become part of the Bible 212 00:17:50,080 --> 00:17:52,080 It would actually become part of God's word 213 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:55,080 And one of the main criteria that would be used to determine 214 00:17:56,080 --> 00:18:00,080 Whether Paul's letter would in fact be included in the Bible 215 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,080 Is how Paul wrote and what he wrote 216 00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,080 And how it lined up with the rest of Scripture 217 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:08,080 So as we've seen 218 00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:13,080 This mystery of the Jews and Gentiles being joined together in Christ 219 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:15,080 Is certainly consistent with the rest of the Bible 220 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:19,080 Now we live in a culture today where many people claim to have some new 221 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:22,080 Or special revelation from God 222 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:28,080 Most of the cults that we are familiar with are based on such claims 223 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:33,080 Even in the church we have people who claim that God has spoken to them 224 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:36,080 And given them some sort of new revelation 225 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:41,080 But the problem with this kind of new or special revelation at times 226 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:45,080 Is that it isn't always consistent with what the Bible teaches 227 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:52,080 And so those same kinds of revelations were common in Paul's day too 228 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:57,080 And since Paul was concerned that the followers of Christ 229 00:18:58,080 --> 00:18:59,080 Would be deceived by that kind of false teaching 230 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:04,080 He wrote some pretty strong words to warn against being deceived by false teaching 231 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:09,080 In Galatians chapter 1 he says, I am astonished, that's a strong word 232 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:12,080 That you are so quickly deserting him 233 00:19:13,080 --> 00:19:16,080 Who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel 234 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:18,080 Not that there is another one 235 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:22,080 But there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ 236 00:19:23,080 --> 00:19:29,080 But even if we are an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you 237 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:31,080 Let him be accursed 238 00:19:32,080 --> 00:19:34,080 As we have said before, so now I say again 239 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:38,080 If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received 240 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:40,080 Let him be accursed 241 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:43,080 So that revelation that Paul received from God 242 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:52,080 About the mystery of the church was completely consistent with everything that God had previously revealed in his word previously 243 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:57,080 It was merely a further revelation of what God had already made known 244 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:03,080 To his people and which had been recorded in the scriptures as we have clearly seen this morning 245 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:08,080 Today, God's revelation primarily comes through his word 246 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:14,080 It's true that as we read and as we study and meditate on the Bible 247 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,080 That God's Holy Spirit can help us better understand it 248 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:21,080 God's work can help us apply it at what is written down there 249 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:31,080 But we can be assured that we will never have a revelation from God that is not consistent with what is already written down in his word 250 00:20:32,080 --> 00:20:33,080 Let me give you an example of that 251 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:39,080 From time to time I will have a young man, young woman, Christian man or woman 252 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:44,080 And they'll come to me and they are considering marrying someone who is not a believer 253 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:48,080 And I've even had them ask me 254 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:55,080 To pray that God would reveal to them whether or not they should marry this person or that person 255 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,080 But there's really no need to do that 256 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:09,080 Because God has clearly revealed his will in that area in 2 Corinthians 6 when Paul writes that believers are not to be yoked together with unbelievers 257 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:13,080 So I'm not going to pray for something that God has already revealed in his word 258 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:16,080 We have to go that way 259 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:21,080 God's revelation will not violate what he has already revealed in his word 260 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:26,080 And so we might try to manipulate it and we might not like that 261 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:29,080 But God will never violate his will ever 262 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:34,080 The fourth thing that we gain is we need to do life in community 263 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:36,080 We need to do life in community 264 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:44,080 And as he is consistently done through Ephesians he once again emphasizes that in living out this life of mystery 265 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:45,080 We are not alone 266 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:47,080 We can't do it alone 267 00:21:48,080 --> 00:21:51,080 God intends for us to live out that life within the community of believers 268 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:53,080 We have to do it together 269 00:21:54,080 --> 00:22:02,080 We've already seen how Paul even comes up with some new words to emphasize this idea of being together with other followers of Christ Jesus 270 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:08,080 Now I'm not going to belabor this point since we've already discussed this several times throughout our journey in Ephesians 271 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:18,080 But let me just say that there is absolutely no biblical precedent for trying to live out this mystery of life on our own 272 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:20,080 You cannot do it on your own 273 00:22:21,080 --> 00:22:28,080 God intends for all of his children to be connected together with others in the body of Christ that we call the church 274 00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:31,080 Life is a mystery 275 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:35,080 One in which God reveals that mystery at just the right time 276 00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:40,080 A mystery that is consistent with what God has already revealed in his word 277 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:47,080 And a mystery that is to be lived out in community with other believers 278 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:54,080 If you struggle with fear or anxiety 279 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:56,080 I hope you will take this to heart 280 00:22:59,080 --> 00:23:01,080 What do you need to get through today? 281 00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:04,080 What do you see in his word that can bring you peace? 282 00:23:05,080 --> 00:23:06,080 Proverbs says in chapter 15 283 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:10,080 To get all the advice that you need in order to succeed 284 00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:19,080 Find other people who have walked the path that you were on right now and asked them how they did it 285 00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:30,080 Listen, this goes against everything that I want to do on my own 286 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:36,080 Naturally, I want to figure things out on my own and I want to do it my own way 287 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:40,080 But I've learned that a wise man, according to Proverbs 288 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:49,080 Is one who listens to counsel, life is a mystery 289 00:23:50,080 --> 00:23:56,080 So even when things don't go the way I think they should turn out 290 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:58,080 When things don't go a certain way 291 00:23:59,080 --> 00:24:02,080 When I embrace that, I'm not surprised when they don't 292 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:05,080 And when they don't turn out the way I want 293 00:24:05,080 --> 00:24:10,080 I trust the Lord had other plans. He revealed to me today how to get through today 294 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:17,080 There are still Jews today who have animosity towards Christians 295 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:20,080 Because they think that we should convert to Judaism 296 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:28,080 When we remove God's word and his wisdom from our lives 297 00:24:29,080 --> 00:24:30,080 That's what's left 298 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:37,080 Animosity and fear and anxiety and a life that has no hope 299 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:45,080 If you struggle with fear, you struggle with anxiety, you hate the fact that life is a mystery 300 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:51,080 I'm going to encourage you strongly that you understand his word 301 00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:55,080 That you walk and you do what you're doing 302 00:24:55,080 --> 00:25:01,080 That you understand his word, that you walk and you do life in community 303 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:08,080 There are people in this room who are further down the journey than you 304 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:11,080 That will help you along the way 305 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:15,080 But you have to ask, right? You have to seek counsel 306 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:18,080 Like think about what you're anxious about 307 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:20,080 Think about what's troubling you 308 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:22,080 Think about what you're fearful of 309 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:25,080 And get in community 310 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:27,080 Get in a discipleship relationship 311 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:29,080 Get in a small group 312 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:33,080 Don't bolt out of here as soon as we say amen 313 00:25:34,080 --> 00:25:36,080 And find somebody that you can connect with 314 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:41,080 We spend hours and hours and hours as a staff and as an elder board 315 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:44,080 Of figuring out ways to get you connected 316 00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:51,080 Because it is so valuable for the growth of your spiritual life to do this thing together 317 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:55,080 Life's a mystery, life is hard 318 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:57,080 Do we agree to that? 319 00:25:58,080 --> 00:25:59,080 Raising children is hard 320 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:02,080 Having, being in a marriage is hard 321 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:06,080 Walking with somebody who is sick is hard 322 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:09,080 Changing jobs is hard 323 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:12,080 Looking towards the future is hard 324 00:26:12,080 --> 00:26:17,080 We need as much counsel as we can if we're going to be considered wise 325 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:20,080 We do that together 326 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:22,080 Amen 327 00:26:23,080 --> 00:26:25,080 So I'm going to pray for us and we're going to sing another song 328 00:26:26,080 --> 00:26:28,080 Just like we do every week 329 00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:31,080 And we are going to have time for response 330 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:33,080 Now again, I don't have that planned out 331 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:35,080 And I don't know what that's going to look like for you 332 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:37,080 I'm not asking you to do anything 333 00:26:38,080 --> 00:26:40,080 Except be obedient to what the Lord is calling you to do 334 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:42,080 I'm going to ask the prayer team to be up front 335 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:44,080 And if you are struggling with fear 336 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:46,080 If you are struggling with anxiety 337 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:49,080 If you struggle with the fact that these things are unknown 338 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:52,080 Then will you come receive ministry today? 339 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,080 Will you come receive prayer today? 340 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,080 And will you ask how do I get involved? 341 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:00,080 This is what I'm struggling with 342 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:02,080 How can I get help? 343 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:04,080 And I guarantee you 344 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:06,080 That we can connect you to somebody 345 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:08,080 I guarantee you 346 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:09,080 I don't throw out guarantees very often 347 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:11,080 That's a Daniel Reese guarantee 348 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:16,080 You can be helped today 349 00:27:19,080 --> 00:27:21,080 You can begin a new life today 350 00:27:23,080 --> 00:27:24,080 You just have to walk in obedience 351 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:26,080 Let's pray 352 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:28,080 Father, I pray 353 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:30,080 I pray right now that your Holy Spirit will 354 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:32,080 Speak to our hearts 355 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:35,080 I pray that your Holy Spirit will 356 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:37,080 Just be poured out on us right now 357 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:40,080 I pray God that we will be sensitive to hearing your voice 358 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:44,080 I pray for the person right now 359 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:46,080 Who is struggling with anxiety 360 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:49,080 And even struggling right now as I'm speaking 361 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:51,080 With even thinking about getting out of their chair 362 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:53,080 And asking for help 363 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:57,080 I pray God that you minister to their heart 364 00:27:59,080 --> 00:28:00,080 I pray God that you minister to their heart 365 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:02,080 I pray God that you minister to their heart 366 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:04,080 I pray God that we will use this time 367 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:06,080 To understand and trust you 368 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:08,080 That we don't know what tomorrow holds 369 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:10,080 But we know that you're already there 370 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:13,080 We don't know what five years looks from now 371 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:15,080 But we know that you're already there 372 00:28:16,080 --> 00:28:17,080 So God, I pray that you will give us the faith 373 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:19,080 To trust you today 374 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:24,080 I pray God that you will bring peace 375 00:28:25,080 --> 00:28:26,080 I pray that you will remove anxiety from this room 376 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:31,080 That you will remove fear from this room 377 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:33,080 And I pray God that your voice will be heard 378 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:35,080 Louder than anything else today 379 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:40,080 So Father as we walk towards obedience 380 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:42,080 I pray God that people find healing 381 00:28:43,080 --> 00:28:44,080 I pray that people find peace 382 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:47,080 And so I thank you for Jesus 383 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:49,080 The one that you will be able to see 384 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:51,080 And I pray that you will be able to hear 385 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:53,080 And I pray that you will be able to hear 386 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:55,080 And so I thank you for Jesus 387 00:28:56,080 --> 00:28:57,080 The one that unites us all together 388 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:02,080 The one that brings hope 389 00:29:03,080 --> 00:29:04,080 The one that brings peace 390 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:07,080 The one that brings contentment and today 391 00:29:09,080 --> 00:29:10,080 So Father I pray that you move 392 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:12,080 It's your name you pray 393 00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:22,080 Thank you.