Christian Church Ephesians 3:2-3 “ If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words.” Colossians 1:27” To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Unveiling The Mystery, Christ In You The Hope Of Glory

Sunday’s Message The Lord Is Working All Things For Our Good! Nuggets!!!

The importance of the message. I believe the message comes to draw attention to the many challenges we face in life. If we neglect the message, we will miss opportunities to confront and bring to resolve what we are getting challenged by. God see’s each of us all the time. He has put a plan together to help lead us down the path that leads us to Him. Ask yourself this question, which road are you traveling, does your path lead you to or from God. My prayer for all, is that we will value and take to heart what God is speaking to each of us. It can make the difference in how you face tomorrow.

When we become Christians we undergo a series of changes that will affect our core values and will imprint Christ's character in us from the inside out. The speed of this internal overhaul, which is called sanctification, will vary from person to person but for a true child of God it is a change that must take place. The evidence that we are truly born again will be demonstrated in what we do and don't do. Why? Because our deeds/desires are the sign of what fills our heart.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-18 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: We pull out two valuable points our of the scripture above. a. The vanity of their mind. b. Because of the blindness of their heart.

The Lord Is Working All Things For Your Good! Ephesians 4:11-14: Scripture : Ephesians 4:11-14: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of he body of Christ: Til we all come into unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

If one can grasp and apply the historical insight and significance of this particular book, then you can easily begin to navigate with clarity and understanding the scriptures. In other words, it can help you to better understand the bible and the message it presents. We must remember the purpose behind the Apostle Paul writing this particular book to the church at Ephesus. a. Chapter’s 1-3:He presents doctrine to the church; what we believe has been accomplished on our behalf through the death and resurrection of Christ. b. Chapter’s 4-6: Duty; what we should do, how we are to conduct ourselves as believers, what is expected of us as believer’s. c. To provide clarity to the call of God upon our lives and to stir hearts to anchor themselves more deeply in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Scripture : Ephesians 4:11-14: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of he body of Christ: Til we all come into unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; The first five points identifies gifts given to the Body of Christ 1. He Gave: God the Father, in Christ. 2. Apostles: Men sent with a specific message empowered by the Spirit of God. Emulator’s of Christ. Called to operate like Him. 3. Prophets: Persons speaking what they hear from God. 4. Evangelists: Persons crying out to the lost to choose God. 5. Pastors and Teachers: Giving insight an understanding of the word.

The next nine points identifies God’s purpose for our lives and the church, and the proposed work of the Gifts. 6. For the perfecting of the saints: empowerment to the believer. 7. Work of the ministry: fulfill our purpose in the kingdom. 8. Edifying of the body of Christ: to lift up, honor, acknowledge 9. Til we all come: obtain what god requires of us and 10. In to the unity of the faith: when we become one. 11. Knowledge of the son of god: the unsearchable riches of christ. 12. A perfect man: the image of Christ. 13. Measure of the statue: meet the standard. 14. Fullness of Christ: all he has made available unto us.

The last eight points identifies the ease in how we are taken advantage of and tossed about by unconverted men. 15. Henceforth: as we move forward. 16. Be no more children: in the family of god, joint heir with Christ. 17. Tossed to and fro: mistreated, misused, taken advantage of. 18. Carried about: easily tricked, or controlled. 19. Every wind of doctrine: whatever sounds like it’s something new. 20. Sleight of men: hidden motives 21. Cunning craftiness: skilled maneuvering. 22. They lie in wait to deceive: pre determined plan and desires.

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to produce the Christ-like character in us. You cannot reproduce the character of Jesus on your own strength. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives. Christ-likeness is not produced by mere imitation, but by inhabitation by allowing Christ to live through us. This is why as the Gift of God, we must be relentless in our efforts to teach and preach truth. No word in the lives of believers, will produce no change. If there is not change, then we become men who have a form of godliness, but no power to effect change.

Closing statement That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Scripture Overview: As you, the child of God go forward, do not allow yourself to be tossed back and forward by every new ideal or trend that comes to men’s minds. There are those who have not been converted who’s purpose is to sit and wait and identify those who are weak and lack understanding of how to be victorious, they target you with enticing words that produces unhealthy vision for your future. Beware

Life challenges us all in one way or another. As children of God we have committed to trust and obey the word of God. It’s not something we do just on Sunday but everyday of our lives. Our lives represent more than what we settle for each day. We must challenge ourselves to overcome every obstacle the presents it’s self in life.

Christian Church Ephesians 3:2-3 “ If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in few words.” Colossians 1:27” To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Unveiling The Mystery, Christ In You The Hope Of Glory