1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,400 We're gonna jump right into our text this morning. 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:05,580 If you have your Bibles Ephesians chapter three, 3 00:00:05,580 --> 00:00:08,620 we're going to continue our journey through Ephesians. 4 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:16,580 Four verses this morning, here we go. 5 00:00:16,580 --> 00:00:19,560 Paul says, for this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 6 00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:23,360 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 7 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:25,660 that according to the riches of his glory, 8 00:00:25,660 --> 00:00:27,840 he may grant you to be strengthened with power 9 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:29,780 through his spirit in your inner being, 10 00:00:29,780 --> 00:00:32,840 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, 11 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,960 that you being rooted and grounded in love. 12 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:37,840 Now, the beginning of this passage 13 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:40,160 probably sounds familiar to you. 14 00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:42,080 If you have been memorizing Ephesians, 15 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:43,400 would like the rest of us. 16 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:47,080 You'll remember that Paul began chapter three 17 00:00:47,080 --> 00:00:49,280 with the very same phrase, 18 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:52,720 for this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus, 19 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:54,280 for the sake of you Gentiles. 20 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,000 Now, what he did then is what he's done before. 21 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:00,640 He starts this long, parenthetical text 22 00:01:00,640 --> 00:01:04,200 for the next 12 chapters, 12 verses. 23 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:09,000 And in those verses, he describes how God is carrying out 24 00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:12,280 his eternal purpose through the body of believers 25 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:13,280 called the church. 26 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,640 And now as we come to verse 14, 27 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:21,000 Paul picks up with the thought that he began in verse one. 28 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:24,400 Now, why does Paul mention that he bows his knees 29 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,000 before the Father when he could have just said, 30 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:28,440 hey, I'm praying for you? 31 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,960 I don't think that Paul is indicating here 32 00:01:33,960 --> 00:01:37,640 that this is the only way that we ought to be praying. 33 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:40,280 He has given us a picture of reverence 34 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:42,240 and submission before God. 35 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,680 He is making a request to God, 36 00:01:44,680 --> 00:01:49,200 similar to what someone would do before a king. 37 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,760 This is different than just making a request to a friend, 38 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:53,680 okay? 39 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,420 The other day our staff was going to lunch. 40 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:02,280 Now, I had at the time this really big desire 41 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,480 to cruise around town in a minivan. 42 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:10,140 So I asked Paul if I could get a ride with him. 43 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:19,840 So we all jumped in the van and went into town. 44 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,680 Not one of us bowed our knees before Paul 45 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:24,400 to make that request. 46 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:27,720 He might have liked that, but we didn't, right? 47 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,040 We just said, hey, can we get a ride? 48 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:31,520 Can we get a ride to lunch? 49 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:34,520 The point Paul is making here is that when we come 50 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:38,480 before God to pray, we need to come with a right heart. 51 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:44,080 We can come boldly as we saw last week 52 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,800 because our access to God is based 53 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,320 on what Jesus has already done for us. 54 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,360 But we also need to come with reverence and awe. 55 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,360 When we come before God, we need to come 56 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:56,960 with the right attitude. 57 00:02:57,980 --> 00:03:01,280 We are speaking with the creator of the universe. 58 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:05,160 We're speaking to the one whose name 59 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,280 is above every other name. 60 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,880 This isn't a discussion of posture, 61 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:12,960 it's a discussion of attitude. 62 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:14,720 So let's look at Paul's prayer together. 63 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,520 He says that according to the riches of his glory, 64 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:20,360 he may grant you to be strengthened with power 65 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:22,300 through his spirit in your inner being. 66 00:03:22,300 --> 00:03:25,200 So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 67 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,880 Paul's desire is that Christ would dwell 68 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:31,740 in the hearts of his readers. 69 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,400 The word translated dwell in the Greek 70 00:03:38,660 --> 00:03:42,320 means to settle down, to be at home. 71 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:46,360 Now, Sina and I have lived in many different houses 72 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:47,680 over the years. 73 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:50,480 People say home is where the heart is. 74 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:53,860 False, home is where my bed is. 75 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:58,600 As I've gotten older, I realize how important 76 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:00,640 a good mattress is. 77 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:03,640 If I'm in a hotel or sleeping somewhere else, 78 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,240 I just don't sleep well. 79 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,200 I usually wake up sore. 80 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:09,720 Now I've lived in many different houses, 81 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:11,760 many different colors on the walls, 82 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:14,800 many different pieces of furniture, 83 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,400 and houses that make different sounds at night. 84 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:21,440 But the one thing I look forward to the most 85 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:24,560 when I am out of town is getting a good night's sleep 86 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:28,000 in my bed with my wife next to me. 87 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:31,040 Even when she tries to beat me senseless 88 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:32,900 because she thinks she's getting attacked 89 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:34,360 by spiders in her sleep. 90 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:38,360 That's where home is for me. 91 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:43,760 Paul's prayer for us is that we would be able 92 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:46,600 to do the same thing spiritually with our hearts 93 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,400 that most of us do with our homes. 94 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,320 To make it a place where Christ can take up 95 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:54,760 permanent residence. 96 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:56,800 Even though Jesus comes into the life, 97 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,080 at the moment that I commit my life to him, 98 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:02,400 Paul's prayer here makes it clear that my life 99 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:05,800 is not quite ready at that point for Jesus 100 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:07,400 to settle down and make it a home. 101 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,800 So as we've seen throughout our study of Ephesians, 102 00:05:10,800 --> 00:05:15,200 we embark on the process of having our lives transformed 103 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,560 so that we can become more and more like Jesus 104 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:22,680 and to prepare our hearts, to prepare our lives, 105 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,680 to be a place where he can settle down and be at home. 106 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:28,000 Now in John 14, 107 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:38,840 in John 14, Jesus tells us that he is going to go 108 00:05:38,840 --> 00:05:41,200 and make a prepared place for us. 109 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:43,880 If you grew up in the 90s, you know the song. 110 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:46,800 It's a big, big house. 111 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:50,320 With lots and lots of room, right? 112 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:52,320 Like that, it's based on this text. 113 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,480 There will be peace and joy, 114 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:56,920 and it will be better than anything 115 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,400 that we have ever experienced before. 116 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,760 Later on in John 14, after that verse, 117 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:05,400 Jesus says that anyone who loves him and obeys him, 118 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,560 he will make his home with them. 119 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:11,000 So while Jesus is preparing a home for us, 120 00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:14,240 are you preparing a home for him? 121 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,000 Are you renovating your life 122 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,840 so that he can dwell in comfort? 123 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:24,040 If I know anything about renovations for a home, 124 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:26,240 it's that they never end. 125 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:32,000 There is always something that has to be done. 126 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:35,960 We are usually living in our own home. 127 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:39,200 We are usually living in our home during renovations. 128 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,520 We've never had the luxury of being able to just gut 129 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:45,000 the whole house and live somewhere else 130 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:46,000 while those things are happening. 131 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,560 We're usually living in the home at the time. 132 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:51,560 And how we do it is we do one room at a time. 133 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:54,640 So maybe we do a bathroom. 134 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:58,240 And when that's done a year and a half later, 135 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:00,440 we move on to another room. 136 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:01,800 And then maybe the kitchen. 137 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:06,360 So think of these renovations that way. 138 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:08,960 Start somewhere in your life 139 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:11,320 and begin to make renovations. 140 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:16,840 The chances of you being able to do everything at once 141 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:18,240 is probably not likely. 142 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:19,400 Start somewhere. 143 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:22,560 Do the things that are in your mind honor him. 144 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:27,560 If not, begin to take every thought captive. 145 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:29,040 Fill your mind with Scripture. 146 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:33,940 Don't watch things that are going to cause you to sin. 147 00:07:33,940 --> 00:07:35,700 Or start with what you do. 148 00:07:37,260 --> 00:07:40,900 Do you work hard as if you were working for the Lord 149 00:07:40,900 --> 00:07:41,740 and not men? 150 00:07:42,700 --> 00:07:46,980 Do the things you touch bring glory to the Lord 151 00:07:46,980 --> 00:07:49,640 or are they always for your benefit? 152 00:07:51,020 --> 00:07:53,020 What about your leisure time? 153 00:07:53,020 --> 00:07:55,900 What needs renovating in that area? 154 00:07:55,900 --> 00:07:57,980 Are you spending time with him? 155 00:07:57,980 --> 00:08:00,220 Are you finding rest in him? 156 00:08:00,220 --> 00:08:04,500 Or are you too busy by being distracted by life? 157 00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:07,320 My point is you can't do everything at once. 158 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,420 So start with one thing and let's make it better. 159 00:08:10,420 --> 00:08:12,980 Then we can move on to the next room. 160 00:08:12,980 --> 00:08:17,360 As Christ is preparing a place for us in his kingdom, 161 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:22,360 we need to be preparing a place for him here in our lives. 162 00:08:22,420 --> 00:08:23,840 Does he feel at home? 163 00:08:25,300 --> 00:08:26,620 Or does he feel like he's staying 164 00:08:26,620 --> 00:08:28,460 in some hostel in a foreign country? 165 00:08:30,180 --> 00:08:33,460 Renovations can start today. 166 00:08:33,460 --> 00:08:34,940 They can happen today. 167 00:08:34,940 --> 00:08:36,140 So let's look at some of the things 168 00:08:36,140 --> 00:08:39,460 that we need to rely on for those things to happen. 169 00:08:39,460 --> 00:08:42,460 The first thing Paul mentions here is God's riches. 170 00:08:44,340 --> 00:08:47,140 When Sinai and I tackle various projects around our home, 171 00:08:48,220 --> 00:08:52,360 we're limited to whatever resources that we have available, 172 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:56,220 whether that be time or money or the physical ability, 173 00:08:56,220 --> 00:08:59,420 thank God for YouTube, right? 174 00:09:01,100 --> 00:09:04,420 But the great thing about preparing our hearts for Christ 175 00:09:04,420 --> 00:09:06,460 to take up permanent residence 176 00:09:06,460 --> 00:09:09,760 is we are not dependent on our own resources. 177 00:09:10,740 --> 00:09:15,220 As Paul writes, we have access to the glorious riches of God. 178 00:09:15,220 --> 00:09:17,620 We've been reading about the glorious riches of God 179 00:09:17,620 --> 00:09:19,860 throughout this whole entire book so far. 180 00:09:19,860 --> 00:09:22,500 We've been chosen by God and predestined 181 00:09:22,500 --> 00:09:24,980 to be adopted into his family. 182 00:09:24,980 --> 00:09:27,900 That's a rich, that's riches. 183 00:09:27,900 --> 00:09:30,540 Jesus has redeemed us from an empty way of life 184 00:09:30,540 --> 00:09:32,780 through his death and resurrection. 185 00:09:32,780 --> 00:09:34,820 That's a part of the riches. 186 00:09:34,820 --> 00:09:37,140 The Holy Spirit lives in our lives 187 00:09:37,140 --> 00:09:41,980 as a guarantee of both present and future spiritual riches. 188 00:09:41,980 --> 00:09:44,820 We've been joined together with other believers 189 00:09:44,820 --> 00:09:48,020 in the church for the purpose of revealing God's wisdom, 190 00:09:48,020 --> 00:09:50,180 both here on earth and in the heavens. 191 00:09:50,180 --> 00:09:51,860 Those are riches of God. 192 00:09:51,860 --> 00:09:55,780 And if God has already done that for his children, 193 00:09:55,780 --> 00:09:58,260 don't you think that he is capable of equipping us 194 00:09:58,260 --> 00:10:02,060 with everything we need in order to prepare our hearts for him? 195 00:10:03,180 --> 00:10:05,940 Paul reinforces principle in another of his letters. 196 00:10:05,940 --> 00:10:07,300 In Philippians 4.19 he says, 197 00:10:07,300 --> 00:10:09,020 and my God will meet all your needs 198 00:10:09,020 --> 00:10:12,100 according to his glorious riches and Christ Jesus. 199 00:10:13,660 --> 00:10:16,700 That verse isn't about wants, but needs. 200 00:10:18,140 --> 00:10:21,420 Do you want what he has to offer you 201 00:10:21,420 --> 00:10:22,980 or do you need it? 202 00:10:25,540 --> 00:10:29,340 I want a steak, but do I need it? 203 00:10:31,220 --> 00:10:33,300 I've seen their survival shows. 204 00:10:34,220 --> 00:10:37,700 I've seen those things and when someone needs something, 205 00:10:37,700 --> 00:10:39,900 they're desperate for it, right? 206 00:10:39,900 --> 00:10:43,220 Like your quality level goes down. 207 00:10:43,220 --> 00:10:47,380 They will eat bugs for protein if necessary. 208 00:10:47,380 --> 00:10:48,980 I've never been that desperate. 209 00:10:48,980 --> 00:10:49,820 Never. 210 00:10:50,980 --> 00:10:53,420 When I cook a steak, it's because I, 211 00:10:54,420 --> 00:10:57,260 it's not because I'm desperate for protein. 212 00:10:57,260 --> 00:10:59,460 It's because I want a steak. 213 00:11:00,460 --> 00:11:02,820 We need to get to the point in our lives 214 00:11:02,820 --> 00:11:05,100 where we need his riches. 215 00:11:06,100 --> 00:11:08,420 We are desperate for his riches. 216 00:11:09,420 --> 00:11:12,660 And he will be faithful to meet us in our desperation. 217 00:11:13,660 --> 00:11:15,700 We have his riches at our disposal, 218 00:11:15,700 --> 00:11:17,860 but some of us aren't. 219 00:11:17,860 --> 00:11:21,100 Some of us aren't desperate enough for them. 220 00:11:22,260 --> 00:11:25,300 Now renovations don't usually happen overnight. 221 00:11:25,300 --> 00:11:29,620 They can, but for, this is an extreme home makeover usually, 222 00:11:30,620 --> 00:11:32,940 but for most of us, they take time. 223 00:11:32,940 --> 00:11:35,580 Most addicts have a relapse. 224 00:11:37,380 --> 00:11:38,820 Some aren't healed overnight. 225 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:44,140 But how am I able to plug into that power that God provides? 226 00:11:44,140 --> 00:11:47,220 That's where these next three principles come in. 227 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:49,980 We need to follow and we need to submit to the spirit. 228 00:11:51,060 --> 00:11:53,060 He says through his spirit. 229 00:11:53,060 --> 00:11:56,260 Now we very clearly see all three aspects of the Trinity 230 00:11:56,260 --> 00:11:57,620 at work here in Paul's prayer. 231 00:11:57,620 --> 00:11:59,700 He prays to God the Father, 232 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:01,780 who is the source of the glorious riches, 233 00:12:01,780 --> 00:12:04,540 and is the power made available to us. 234 00:12:04,540 --> 00:12:06,820 And the purpose of that power is to enable us 235 00:12:06,820 --> 00:12:09,580 to prepare our hearts so that his son can come 236 00:12:09,580 --> 00:12:11,540 and take up residence in us. 237 00:12:12,420 --> 00:12:15,380 And it is the Holy Spirit who is the conduit 238 00:12:15,380 --> 00:12:17,740 through whom that power and those resources 239 00:12:17,740 --> 00:12:19,380 flow into our lives. 240 00:12:20,420 --> 00:12:24,420 The Holy Spirit has a number of functions in our lives. 241 00:12:24,420 --> 00:12:26,900 We've already seen in Ephesians that he serves 242 00:12:26,900 --> 00:12:30,140 as a guarantee for our future inheritance. 243 00:12:31,380 --> 00:12:34,780 For the future inheritance of the riches of God. 244 00:12:34,780 --> 00:12:37,300 But one of his other important roles 245 00:12:37,300 --> 00:12:40,540 is to point us to Jesus Christ. 246 00:12:40,540 --> 00:12:42,540 Just before he went to the cross, 247 00:12:42,540 --> 00:12:44,940 Jesus described that role in John 14. 248 00:12:44,940 --> 00:12:47,740 He says, but the counselor, the Holy Spirit, 249 00:12:47,740 --> 00:12:49,940 whom the Father will send in my name, 250 00:12:49,940 --> 00:12:52,820 will teach you all things and will remind you 251 00:12:52,820 --> 00:12:54,620 of everything I have said to you. 252 00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:58,820 So at least one of the ways that the Holy Spirit 253 00:12:58,820 --> 00:13:01,460 is the conduit for the riches of God 254 00:13:01,460 --> 00:13:04,620 is that he reminds us of the teachings of Jesus 255 00:13:04,620 --> 00:13:08,020 and helps us apply those teachings to our lives. 256 00:13:09,140 --> 00:13:11,100 Although we get all the Holy Spirit 257 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:13,600 that we'll ever get at the very moment, 258 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,600 we become a follower of Jesus. 259 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,240 The Bible is very clear that we can impede 260 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:20,880 the work of the Spirit in our lives. 261 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,240 We'll look at this first later on when we get to Ephesians, 262 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:25,480 but in Ephesians 4 verse 30, Paul says, 263 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,720 and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. 264 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:33,880 Another verse in 1 Thessalonians, that's a hard word. 265 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:38,880 1 Thessalonians 519 says, do not put out the Spirit's fire. 266 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:41,560 Do not put out the Spirit's fire. 267 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:46,280 Although we don't have time this morning 268 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:49,120 to explore these verses in great detail, 269 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:53,040 they both make it very clear that the Holy Spirit 270 00:13:53,040 --> 00:13:56,520 will not force us to respond to the revelation 271 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:58,320 that he brings to our lives. 272 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:01,320 We can grieve the Holy Spirit 273 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:05,320 and we can quench his work in our lives. 274 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:09,720 Whenever the Holy Spirit leads us 275 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,920 and reminds us of the teachings of Jesus, 276 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,520 we can either choose to respond by submitting our lives 277 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:20,080 to the work of the Spirit and make the changes needed 278 00:14:20,080 --> 00:14:25,080 in order to get our lives in line with what revelation, 279 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:29,600 or we can choose to ignore that revelation. 280 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:31,680 Are you going to submit to him? 281 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:36,240 I mean, we submit to our bosses. 282 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,760 We submit to our spouses. 283 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,200 We submit to the police when they turn those lights on, 284 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:44,040 don't we? 285 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:47,200 We submit to our calendars. 286 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:52,480 But do you submit to the Spirit's voice in your life? 287 00:14:55,720 --> 00:14:57,520 Next, we need to think about eternity. 288 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:02,080 Paul uses the phrases inner being. 289 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:05,280 He also uses the phrases hearts in this prayer. 290 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:08,280 This principle is so important to Paul 291 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:11,280 that he uses two different phrases to describe 292 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:15,520 the idea of developing our inner lives. 293 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,960 Both our inner being and our hearts 294 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:21,720 describe the very center of our being. 295 00:15:23,540 --> 00:15:27,200 That includes our personality, our thoughts, 296 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,640 our will and emotions. 297 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:34,560 And it is that part of our lives that we need to develop 298 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:38,840 in order for Jesus to come and to be at home in us. 299 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:43,640 Houses can look great on the outside, can't they? 300 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:47,640 They can look beautiful when you walk inside. 301 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,640 They can be decorated well enough 302 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:54,960 to be featured in a magazine. 303 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:58,320 But what if the plumbing's a mess? 304 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,680 What if the electrical's a mess and it's a hazard for fire? 305 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:07,120 What if the foundation is in bad shape? 306 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:11,320 All of that beauty is not going to last very long, is it? 307 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:15,400 The same thing is true for our lives. 308 00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:18,280 We can spend all the time we want on the outside. 309 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:22,280 But if we don't take care of the inner man, our hearts, 310 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:25,200 then all the work you're doing won't last very long. 311 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:28,280 This is why people leave the church. 312 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:32,280 They get tired of having to look good all the time. 313 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:34,560 They get tired of putting on a show, 314 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,400 and they never deal with what's below the surface. 315 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:42,200 So how do we make sure that we develop that inner man? 316 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:45,440 Paul gives us some hints in another one of his letters, 317 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:47,800 in 2 Corinthians chapter four, verse 16, he says, 318 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:49,880 therefore we do not lose heart, 319 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:53,280 though outwardly we are wasting away yet inwardly 320 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,800 we are being renewed day by day. 321 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:58,600 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving 322 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:02,160 for us an eternal glory that far outweighs the mall. 323 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:05,200 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, 324 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:06,960 but on what is unseen. 325 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:09,360 For what is seen is temporary, 326 00:17:09,360 --> 00:17:11,880 but what is unseen is eternal. 327 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:16,560 Paul makes it quite clear that the way that we are renewed 328 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:21,560 inwardly day by day is to fix our eyes 329 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:24,840 on the unseen things that are eternal, 330 00:17:24,840 --> 00:17:28,320 rather than the temporary things that we do not see. 331 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:31,600 In other words, I need to focus on developing those things 332 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:34,040 in my life that will last for eternity. 333 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:40,440 My character, my convictions, my thought life, my devotion, 334 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:42,560 rather than those things that will pass away, 335 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:46,080 my body and my material possessions. 336 00:17:46,080 --> 00:17:48,880 I'm not saying, and I don't think Paul is either, 337 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:51,760 I'm not anti anything here, 338 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:54,440 that I'm not saying we don't need to take care of our bodies 339 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,960 and be good stewards of the material goods 340 00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:58,720 that God has entrusted with us. 341 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:01,400 And in fact, the Bible is very clear later on in scripture 342 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:03,920 that we do need to take care of those things. 343 00:18:03,920 --> 00:18:06,880 But he is saying here that our main focus should be 344 00:18:06,880 --> 00:18:09,640 on developing those parts of our lives 345 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:11,600 that will last for eternity. 346 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:15,920 It only makes sense that if Jesus is to be at home 347 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:19,880 in our hearts, that is where we ought to focus our time 348 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:21,840 and attention and our resources. 349 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:24,640 I love baseball. 350 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:26,760 I love watching my boys play baseball, 351 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:29,420 but it's temporary. 352 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:34,460 Even if they make it to the majors, it's temporary. 353 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:37,360 Their souls are eternal. 354 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:41,800 I love to watch my daughter dance. 355 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:46,000 She is far more graceful than I will ever be. 356 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:49,120 But it's temporary. 357 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:51,360 Her soul is eternal. 358 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:57,000 Money is great and it can do a lot of good things, 359 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:59,080 but it is not eternal. 360 00:19:00,260 --> 00:19:02,280 Don't make things that are temporary. 361 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:07,960 A priority over things that are eternal. 362 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:12,960 Don't make temporary things a priority over your soul. 363 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:16,040 Finally, we need to have faith. 364 00:19:17,360 --> 00:19:19,680 When Paul writes that Christ dwells in our hearts 365 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:23,520 through faith, the faith that he is describing 366 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:27,400 is much more than just some intellectual belief. 367 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:31,360 In fact, it is even broader than what we normally think of 368 00:19:31,360 --> 00:19:33,000 as faith. 369 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:36,200 It's more than just trusting in Jesus alone 370 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:40,000 as the means to being made right with God. 371 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:42,160 That's certainly a part of faith, 372 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:47,240 but it's really only just the starting point. 373 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:50,680 If we want Jesus to be at home in our hearts, 374 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:54,840 we need to have a much more encompassing kind of faith. 375 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:58,440 James is really helpful in describing that kind of faith 376 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:00,280 in James chapter two. 377 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:03,840 He says, but someone will say, you have faith, I have deeds. 378 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:05,760 Show me your faith without deeds, 379 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:08,320 and I will show you my faith by what I do. 380 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:11,600 You believe that there is one God? 381 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:13,120 Good. 382 00:20:13,120 --> 00:20:15,860 Even the demons believe that and shudder. 383 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:19,520 James is pointing out that real faith 384 00:20:19,520 --> 00:20:22,340 will be demonstrated by our actions. 385 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:27,920 As he points out, even the demons have an intellectual 386 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:31,280 belief about God and his son. 387 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:35,160 They're aware of who he is. 388 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:38,840 And I think we'd all agree that that kind of faith 389 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:43,840 is totally inadequate as a basis for our salvation 390 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,480 and for making our heart a dwelling place for Jesus. 391 00:20:48,960 --> 00:20:50,240 It's not just knowing. 392 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:56,120 It's how has your faith transformed your life? 393 00:20:56,120 --> 00:21:01,640 Is Christ settled in your heart? 394 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:07,520 What renovations need to take place? 395 00:21:10,120 --> 00:21:13,760 Where are you going to start? 396 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:18,600 Do you need to start with your mind? 397 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:20,320 Your hands? 398 00:21:22,320 --> 00:21:23,280 Your time? 399 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:30,600 What commitment will you make today 400 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,640 to begin the process of making your life a place 401 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:38,600 where Christ is welcomed and at home? 402 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,600 What is the spirit of your life? 403 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:49,600 What is the spirit prompting you to do this morning? 404 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:04,080 I need somebody to stand up. 405 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:09,800 Thank you. 406 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:12,800 Why'd you stand up? 407 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:17,800 You can sit down. 408 00:22:17,800 --> 00:22:40,800 If you're able to, I need all of us to stand up. 409 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:41,800 You can sit down. 410 00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:43,800 We're not Catholics, actually. 411 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:51,800 Did it feel differently the second time 412 00:22:51,800 --> 00:22:52,800 when everybody stood up with you? 413 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:54,800 Awkward the first time? 414 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:56,800 A little bit? 415 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:02,800 Why is it that way? 416 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:06,800 Do you think? 417 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:13,800 It's... 418 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:15,800 Sometimes it's hard, right? 419 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:18,800 It's hard to follow the prompting of the spirit in our life. 420 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:22,800 Because not everybody's doing it. 421 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:24,800 Not everybody's responding. 422 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:28,800 Now I'm not comparing my voice to the spirit of the Lord. 423 00:23:30,800 --> 00:23:32,800 I'm not comparing my voice to the spirit of the Lord. 424 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:35,800 I'm not saying that. 425 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:37,800 But what would our church look like? 426 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:42,800 What would this community look like? 427 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,800 If every single one of us in this room began renovations today. 428 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:55,800 What would this church look like? 429 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:58,800 What would this church look like? 430 00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:00,800 What would this church look like? 431 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:03,800 What would this church look like? 432 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:06,800 And what would this community look like? 433 00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:11,800 If everybody in this room bowed our knees before the Father. 434 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:16,800 Because I think sometimes when we respond to the Lord, 435 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:18,800 we want to respond, 436 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:22,800 but we don't want to be the only one. 437 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:27,800 That's why when I asked one person to stand, 438 00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:30,800 I had, it was a little slower response, right? 439 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:34,800 And only, Carlos, I saw you back there, but you were a little late. 440 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:42,800 I asked one person to stand and one and a half people stand up. 441 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:47,800 But when I ask everybody to stand, 442 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:52,800 it's easier, isn't it? 443 00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:54,800 So we're going to sing a song. 444 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:57,800 And we're going to respond. 445 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:03,800 And the reality is that every single one of us in this room 446 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:05,800 needs to begin renovations today. 447 00:25:09,800 --> 00:25:11,800 Every single one of us. 448 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:16,800 How do we do that? 449 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:19,800 How do we do that? 450 00:25:19,800 --> 00:25:21,800 How are you going to respond? 451 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:25,800 Are you going to wait for somebody else to respond? 452 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:30,800 Or are you just going to trust the Spirit in you, 453 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:32,800 is leading you and guiding you? 454 00:25:37,800 --> 00:25:40,800 I don't get to make it every Wednesday to our youth services. 455 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:44,800 But there's been many, many times that I've gotten done with Bible studying 456 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:46,800 on the Bible study. 457 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:48,800 And there's just kids laid out here on the altar. 458 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:52,800 Now, I understand it's 459 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:57,800 middle school girls a lot of times and 460 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:01,800 and emotions are, I get it. 461 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:03,800 I'm not asking everybody to come wail at the altar. 462 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:06,800 But I'm going to challenge the youth. 463 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:11,800 Ryan is right. 464 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:13,800 You are the church. 465 00:26:13,800 --> 00:26:15,800 You don't need to wait on your parents. 466 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:18,800 You can lead today. 467 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:21,800 How are you going to respond? 468 00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:24,800 If that's here at the altar, fantastic. 469 00:26:24,800 --> 00:26:27,800 If that's laying out on the floor where you are, fantastic. 470 00:26:27,800 --> 00:26:30,800 If that's bowing your knees before God, fantastic. 471 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:33,800 But I'm just saying the goal here, 472 00:26:33,800 --> 00:26:36,800 let's get everybody to respond and see what the Lord does. 473 00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:39,800 Let's get everybody to respond. 474 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,800 And make some renovations and see what the Lord does in this place. 475 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:45,800 So I'm going to pray and then I'm done. 476 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:47,800 All right. Let's pray. 477 00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:49,800 Father God, thank you for this day. 478 00:26:50,800 --> 00:26:52,800 Thank you for this day. 479 00:26:56,800 --> 00:26:58,800 Thank you for how good you are to us. 480 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:04,800 So Father, I pray right now. 481 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:06,800 I pray that you will be able to respond to this. 482 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:10,800 So Father, I pray right now that your spirit will move 483 00:27:10,800 --> 00:27:12,800 powerfully in this place. 484 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:19,800 I pray Father that you will soften our hearts to be sensitive to your voice. 485 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:23,800 I pray God for obedience. 486 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:28,800 Not because they're responding to something I've asked, 487 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:30,800 but God they're responding to you. 488 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:32,800 This is not about Cornerstone. 489 00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:34,800 This is about your kingdom. 490 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:40,800 And I pray God that as we begin the renovation process 491 00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:45,800 to make our lives more comfortable and more inviting for you, 492 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:49,800 I pray Father that the Holy Spirit will not be quenched in this place. 493 00:27:52,800 --> 00:27:54,800 I pray that it will move freely. 494 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:58,800 So Father, as we're seeing, I pray that you will move powerfully. 495 00:27:59,800 --> 00:28:01,800 I pray that you will lead us to repentance. 496 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:04,800 I pray that you will lead us to obedience. 497 00:28:06,800 --> 00:28:09,800 And I pray God that we will begin to see the changes in this church 498 00:28:09,800 --> 00:28:12,800 and in this community as we seek after you with our whole hearts. 499 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:17,800 So for those individuals that need to take everything that we need, 500 00:28:17,800 --> 00:28:19,800 I pray that you will be able to respond to this. 501 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:21,800 I pray that you will be able to respond to this. 502 00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:24,800 So for those individuals that need to take every thought captive, 503 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:26,800 God, I pray that you give them what they need. 504 00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:29,800 I pray that we get to a point where we're so desperate 505 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:33,800 for what you're offering us that we need it to get through. 506 00:28:38,800 --> 00:28:40,800 May we honor you with our hands. 507 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:45,800 May we honor you with our bodies. 508 00:28:45,800 --> 00:28:47,800 May we honor you with our time. 509 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:51,800 So I gotta pray that you'll start knocking down some walls today. 510 00:28:51,800 --> 00:29:14,800 I ask all these things in Jesus' name. Amen.