#22 Control Issues

Ephesians 5:17
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
 
The word wise is sophos and unwise is simply "a" sophos, describing one that is without wisdom. For further clarification, we're told that instead of being like the unwise we need to know the will of God.
 
So what is the will of God? How can a man know the will of God? In the midst of this crazy world where much of the time nothing seems to be going right, how can I learn God's will or know God’s ways?!
 
Psalms 51:13
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
 
Unfortunately, there is often a long path that must be traveled before a person is really ready to be a recipient of God's wisdom, ways, or will.
 
Biblical wisdom is more than just book knowledge. Please don't misunderstand what I'm trying to say here. Without an understanding of this book-- the Bible lifted in the air, there can be no wisdom received from God, simply because this is how God has chosen to communicate His wisdom to man.
 
Nevertheless, the meaning of wisdom is more than just knowledge. There is a gift of a word of wisdom given by the Holy Spirit that can be given in a moment of time for a specific situation (1 Corinthians 12:8). Yet, still, this is not the wisdom spoken of in the Old Testament. The wisdom of God literally has the word skill connected to it.
 
A skill is something that must be developed over time. It humors me sometimes when new Christians walk around puffed up and thinking that they're walking in the wisdom of God. In reality, many times they don't even have knowledge, so they definitely can't have wisdom.
 
No, wisdom is something that requires time to develop, time where a mixture can take place. It's the mixing of godly knowledge and practice exercising that knowledge in specific circumstances. Through this process, godly wisdom is acquired, through this process a man or woman of God becomes skillful in their response to situations by applying the word of God in the midst of circumstances, which they've probably encountered before, where they previously applied their own understanding, failed, and now coming around and facing it again, there is another opportunity to apply the wisdom of God.
 
Actually, that's what the word "understanding" literally means in the Greek of the Ephesian passage "for it to come together". In other words, there is a union between knowledge and practice, which results in comprehension. In other words, "Oh, I get it!" or "Ah ha! I see now."
 
Take the Psalm that I just referenced. This Psalm is written after great trial and tribulation, after much heartache and pain. It's written by a man who thought that he knew God and thought that he knew what would make his self happy and satisfied, but the results of his choices left him in a state of brokenness and despair (2 Samuel 11:1-12:24).
 
But from the place of brokenness and despair, he was able to remember that what he was lacking was God. In this place one receives revelation that self isn't okay. And in this place, self can cry out to God for revelation.
 
Nobody likes Egypt (the slavery of sin: that place where sin goes from being fun to misery) when they're there. In other words, no one wants to be a slave of sin, but until a person is delivered out from Egyptian bondage and goes through the process of longing for what it once offered only to find it still results in the same heartache and pain, then and only then can a person gain the comprehension or wisdom necessary to understand that Egypt is slavery not freedom.
 
Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
 
The idea that's being portrayed here is one of control. The word excess being used was used in the original language to describe being "soaked".
 
When a person is soaked with wine, they're controlled by it. The effects of the wine control the person through a variety of ways: the senses are dulled where what is heard and seen are not properly perceived, resulting in a clouded mind where understanding can't be achieved. The wine, beer, Vicodin, marijuana, Prozac, psychological counseling, the program....all these things cause a dulling of the spiritual perception, because we are being soaked in another way that's not God's way; therefore, it's just one more way to keep us disconnected from the truth and life that's in Christ.
 
And then someone from the crowd screams, "Hey, crazy preacher! The program, the counseling, and the Prozac are there to help me get my head sober not drunk, so how dare you say that!"
 
That's what you're told, but it's a sobriety void of the knowledge of God. And in essence these entities control us and move us in a direction opposite of God's prescription for victory. He has one way for true victory. His answer is the sending of His sinless Son to die in Matt's place and for Matt to trust his plan by faith and when faith is placed in God's plan the old Matt born like Adam dies and a new Matt born again in Christ is resurrected and if there are preachers that aren't telling the people that every time they get a chance, then they aren't preaching the gospel, and if it offends you that a pastor would say that then you need to find another one, and let me give you a news flash-- God's offended!
 
God's offended because He sent the darling of heaven to remedy our malady and the hireling stands behind the pulpit and he gives God's people an alternate version that never sets the captive free.
 
The scripture says, "but be filled with the Spirit."
 
This scripture describes control issues. In one scenario, the person is controlled by sin, and in the other, he's controlled by the Spirit of God.
 
Romans 6:6-23
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
And that's what this long passage in Romans describes: how a person who was originally born a slave can experience transference of kingdoms where he's no longer a slave of sin, but he becomes a willing servant of God.
 
When we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us up with His presence and control our lives, we begin to be led by His presence in the right direction. You know that comment that your spouse made the other day that got you so mad you wanted to make a fool of yourself? When you're filled with the Spirit of God, it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal.
 
There are people who will lie about you and tell others things about you in a way where you look bad. But when you're filled with the Holy Spirit at that moment, it just seems kind of trivial and silly. It's a wonderful thing to no longer be controlled by your circumstances but instead be controlled by the Spirit of God.
 
How do I do that preacher? How do I get full of the Holy Spirit? First, you must be born again, and if you're born again, you need to ask Him to baptize you with His Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues, but it doesn't end there, because every day you need to be filled with the Spirit of God.
 
You need to let Him know you want more of Him, because you know that more of Him makes you have more of Jesus. And remember this child of God; Jesus paid a high price for you to be filled up with the Holy Spirit.
 
Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
 
We did a study a while back on this verse, and we covered in detail these specific words. For tonight's study, I would just like to make a couple of brief points about these musical concepts:
 
(1) the word psalms literally is psallo and describes lyrics accompanied by music, even more specifically, in its original meaning, it denoted lyrics with the strumming of strings.
 
Furthermore, the connotation of this New Testament passage would obviously be giving reference to the Old Testament Psalms that were written by King David and his musicians. It has been well documented that the Jews sang the Psalms through the years of their history and utilized them as we would congregational hymns.
 
(2) hymns are not that different from a Psalm. In the early church, they were songs that were sang by the congregation as a whole in order to worship God, providing an opportunity to corporately worship God.
 
(3) spiritual songs are simply another way to describe music and singing that glorifies God. As a matter of fact the Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest makes the point that there shouldn't be too much work done attempting to find specific, distinctions between these words. When the whole thought is taken together, the idea is that these words describe music that's being offered to God in adoration and praise to Him.
 
Ultimately, what God has showed me about the church's music is that it must preach the gospel. Yes, we use music to usher in the presence of God, but let me say this, "I've been in music services where you could feel something in the air that was making you experience all types of emotion, while at the same time not one of the songs even mentioned the name of Jesus, the blood or the cross.
 
We must remember that Satan is also a spiritual being and he transforms himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); furthermore, Paul warned us that Satan has a plan to offer another gospel containing another Jesus, which has another spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4), and spirits can move on the emotions of people.
 
When discussing music, we must consider the enemy of our souls because there are passages that explain to us in detail that he was created with music in his person (Isaiah 14:11; Ezekiel 28:13). Furthermore, we have biblical proof that he has used music in the midst of fallen society to teach man a way to soothe the pain of his soul through the playing of music and the singing of song (Genesis 4:16, 21). The point being made here is that Cain went out from the presence of God (Genesis 4:16), and he and his offspring began constructing a pre- flood society without the presence or will of God involved in their endeavors. Furthermore, it was Cain’s offspring who first created musical instruments on the earth (Genesis 4:21). Therefore, we must be reminded that there is music from another source that is being produced from another spirit.
 
It must be understood that music is a very powerful entity. And last week we were exhorted by the apostle to walk a certain way:
 
 

Ephesians 5:15, 16
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
 
The word circumspect means with caution. The church is exhorted to walk with caution because the days are evil; furthermore, Paul speaks in multiple other places about the subtilty and deceptive devices of our enemy:
 
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
 
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
 
With all this said, I want to point out some things about music that most pastors wouldn't address for various reasons:
 
(1) They would say it's not necessary because they've been called to focus on the truth; therefore, I don't have to worry about exposing everything else.
 
(2) They wouldn't do it out of fear that it would make people in the congregation mad.
 
(3) They wouldn't do it because they just wouldn't feel as though it’s that big of a deal.
 
Lyrics to those songs:

Take me to Church—warning contains un-godly material

There Must Have Been something in the Water—need to watch the video after reading the lyrics to get the full effect
 
The point in exposing all this is to reveal to you the deceptive practices of Satan. If he can get us to embrace a counterfeit, no matter how closely it resembles the truth, then he keeps us away from the truth. The first song is blatantly wrong; yet, countless Christian listen to secular music, and in my opinion Carrie Underwood’s song is more dangerous because it’s pretending to be something that its not.
 
Ultimately, the apostle tells us that the purpose of this music is that it would make a melody in our heart towards God. A melody has a specific sound. The melody of a song is arranged in such a way that the music and the lyrics work in unison. As the lyrics accompany the music in this way, there is a sound produced that is conducive for harmony, which is a synonym for (unity) rather than cacophony, which is a synonym for (disunity).
 
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
 
There are many times that things happen in the life of the Christian that just don't make sense. Trials and tribulations, failures and frustrations plague this world and the people in it. If we're not careful, we will have a tendency to think that all these nuisances are simply an attack of Satan, which requires an exhaustive rebuking in order to be released from his grip.
 
The reality is that God uses these occurrences in our lives for a bigger purpose than what our natural eyes are often willing to perceive.
 
The child of God must remember that while it is true that Satan has a plan to destroy our faith and walk with God, God's plan is that our faith fail not in the midst of the trial:
 
Luke 22:31-32
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
 
God used the wilderness in Israel's life to humble them:
 
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
 
God uses trials in the life of the believer to prove him, to let him see what is really in his heart, and ultimately to bring him to a place where he (man) can become a partaker of His (God's) holiness:
 
Hebrews 12:5-11
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
 
I want to close this section by pointing out that often when we're in the trial or in that process where we are finding ourselves remaining under the struggle of sin, we find ourselves in misery. When we dwell in Egypt as slaves, there is no joy in sin. When we wander in the wilderness, there is no joy in sin. There is only misery. But listen close Christian, there will come a day, if you will hold onto the Lord, that Egypt and the wilderness will have served their purposes.
 
What is that? You may ask. It's the process of convincing your free will that what you thought you wanted only left you broken, busted and disgusted. God will use Egypt and The wilderness to convince your free will that what you are really longing for is Him!
 
The main thing we're fighting in this process is self and self's perception of what is good. I know this to be true at least regarding my own life. I've been through a big portion of this process already-- the process where God convinces me that what I thought was cool was killing me, and what I thought was un-cool (biblical things) was my only hope. But my problem was that I was more concerned about what my old friends and the world thought was cool more than I was concerned about what God wanted for my life.
 
I'm convinced now on what is right. As a preacher, I pray that the Lord would help me to articulate these truths to people in such a way that their own journey from Egypt (world) to Canaan's rest (victory in Jesus) would be greatly shortened.
 
I started this discourse because I simply wanted to say that there will be times in your life when you will hate the season you are living in, but be encouraged: Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
 
because... we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
 
Once God brings you through the trying times and you're finally convinced that sin will destroy you (no matter its flavor), you will be able to look back towards Egypt and say, "Lord, Egypt hurt; it caused a lot of pain, and there was a lot of bondage. Lord, the wilderness journey on my way to the Canaan rest was so difficult, but I thank you God! I thank you for Egypt, and I thank you for the wilderness, because without them, I could've never recognized the blessing of the Promised Land, also known as the Canaan rest."
 
Ephesians 5:21
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
 
The word here for submit is hupo- Tasso.
 
Hupo= under
 
Tasso= describes military arrangement of submission, having the idea of willingly bringing one’s self under the submission of another. It must be understood that the whole premise of this thought is built upon the Spirit filled life, which will result in a meekness and humility, a lowering of self. This is the opposite of pride:
 
1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
 
The word charity is actually agape in the Greek, which is the sacrificial love of God. This certainly speaks about the fruit of the Spirit of God being produced in the life of the believer.
 
Look at the adverbs used to describe this type of love: (1) it's long suffering. Long suffering means patience in relationships. What does that mean? It means that the first time I do something, the second time I do something, maybe even the third time I do something you don't like, you don't just quit on me; instead, you ask God for grace in dealing with me, and you pray for me if you think that I'm going the wrong way, but look at
 
(2) & (3) It doesn't envy. The word here is where we get our word zeal, and in this context, the meaning is that agape love doesn't allow a burning anger towards a brother or sister to remain. Many times envy begins with some form of jealousy, but before we realize, it can quickly result in bitterness and a zealous anger.
 
Lastly, true love doesn't vaunt or puff itself up. The Greek scholar Vincent describes these words like this: the word puffed up is bloated; therefore, it describes a person who is full of inner pride. Whereas, the word vaunteth describes the inner pride being manifest outward. Essentially, the person who walks this way is a braggart.
 
When discussing submission one to another, it must be understood that this process requires humility and a teachable spirit. Sadly, there are probably people who would want others to submit to them; yet, they're puffed up and full of pride. 
 
It has been my experience that these people think they know something about God and in reality their understanding of God's word is minimal at best; yet, they portray themselves as a spiritual giant.
 
As we close this teaching, I would like to point out that next week the text starts with wives submitting to their husbands. As Jesus is the head of the church and His bride submits to Him, God has established a certain order in the home. However, let us view verse 22 in light of verse 21. As brothers and sisters in the Lord, we’re to approach one another with humility and a willingness to submit to one another in the fear of God. Already, we see that the husband’s leadership position is to be one of humility, remembering to fear God, because his wife is also his sister in the Lord, and his sister in the Lord belongs to Jesus first…that’s sobering, at least for me it is. Now, help me to act right Lord : )  

#20 Where's the Purge?

Last week we covered Ephesians 5:1,2. The essence of that study was that the "new man" IN CHRIST was exhorted to be a follower of God and walk the way He walked. The way Jesus walked was in sacrificial love.
 
Furthermore, His sacrificial love produced a sweet smelling savor in the nostrils of God. We discussed various aspects of His love, the way He was treated, His response to the treatment, and even the results of His responding towards maltreatment with love; for example, one of the thieves that was crucified next to Him had a heart change somewhere throughout the day as he hung on the cross and observed the Lord's reaction to the world and religion both, as they ridiculed and mocked Him.
 
The sweet smelling savor aspect of Ephesians 5:2 brought us to the book of Leviticus where we discussed the five Levitical offerings. In those sacrifices, we delineated the fact that some of them were sweet savor sacrifices, and some of them weren't. From there, we discussed the fact that there were similarities to be noted to this truth when compared to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
 
In other words, there was an aspect to the cross that produced a sweet savor for God, and there was an aspect to the cross that reviled the Father. More specifically, it was Jesus' willingness as an obedient sin offering that produced that sweet smelling savor typified by those certain Levitical offerings, and it was man's disobedience for which Jesus had to die that reviled Him, causing Him to turn His face from the darling of heaven.
 
Matt's sin laid upon the Savior, caused the Father to turn His head, and Jesus felt separated and forsaken from the presence of the Father, because of something that He didn't do. He experienced that for me and for you. I can only imagine the anguish His humanity must have felt as the whole world's sin was laid upon His back, and now the one thing that He always was sure of, communion with the Father, was gone.
 
A while back I preached a message, "He was a man acquainted with grief and sorrows. In that message, I wanted all of us to be reminded never to say I'm all alone again, because the truth is that He was separated, so that we don't have to be.
 
From there, I missed the point to my conclusion. I was supposed to close by pointing out this passage in Corinthians in order to tie everything together:
 
2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
 
The context of what Paul is saying in this verse surrounds the idea that he and others are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. As this takes place, there is a twofold process:
 
(1) people's hearts are softened towards the truth, they open their heart towards God, and they are saved.
 
(2) People harden their heart towards the gospel, and they're moved further away from the presence of God.
 
No matter the result of the individuals: whether they are hardened or softened, the result of Paul's obedience is that it produces a sweet smelling savor for God. And the same goes for us Christian. When it comes to ministry, God isn’t grading us on how many are converted; He will grade us on whether or not we were faithful to do our part.
 
Now, let's tie that together. Jesus' love was sacrificial in nature, and when our mind becomes renewed to the fact that our new birth in Christ produces a new man who is connected to the vine and receiving power from the Holy Spirit, which is strengthening the inner man and producing the fruit of the Spirit in his life, which is manifest by love, then I as a living sacrifice become a sweet smelling savor unto God:
 
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 
Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
 
Now, the text transitions from the place of Jesus' obedience to the world's Mardi Gras parade. I say it this way because essentially this is the idea being construed. The pagan world worshiped false gods through sexuality.
 
And the world still worships false gods today through sexuality. I don't want to spend an inordinate amount of time discussing this thought, but everywhere we look there's a Mardi Grad parade going on. There's sexuality on every TV show, in almost every movie, in all the music, the commercials....
 
God has within His word a proper order towards sexuality. It's the marriage bed that's not defiled in God's eyes. All other forms of sexual variance are being incited by the spiritual world in an attempt to get humanity to transgress the written word of God.
 
Studies have shown that when a person begins to get emotionally excited over someone of the other gender, there is a flood of neurotransmitters that cause a euphoric state or a feeling of well being. This can happen just talking to someone on the phone. "I'm excited about this person, maybe they will be the one, and maybe this will be happiness."
 
Then when it doesn't work out, there is a drop in Serotonin and Dopamine in the brain and depression ensues, driving someone like a drug addict towards their next fix. This is literally why you see women addicted to men, and men addicted to the sexuality of women even though these relationships are destroying them.
 
And Christians deal with these issues also, and the problem in this sense is that there was no real time to get to know the person in a spiritual sense. In other words, do they see the gospel the way I do? Are they hungry to see souls saved? Or are they of the Nimrodic order, "Come let us build a name for ourselves, let us build ourselves a city.... In other words, are they more about material possessions and worldly gain, or are they really sold out to God’s plan, which is Jesus?"
 
And because we make decisions about the other gender based mostly upon what we think they can do for us-- whether it be sexually, financially, or help for the kids..., rather than how all this fits into God's plan for my life, we end up in relationships that don't promote an advance towards kingdom work. Now, that doesn't mean that in some cases it doesn't help our personal situation. It doesn't mean that the building of your little "city" or "society" didn't resolve some of the pain you were feeling, but this the age old temptation. This is Cain's city, this is Nimrod's society. Let us figure out how we will make our lives more comfortable because of this fall we're experiencing, but it's a comfort produced with individual will rather than God's will as the mortar holding the bricks together.
 
The spiritual entities that are inciting all this know what they're doing. But ultimately their goal is to get man to transgress God's word. And so here we are living in the midst of a world system that is full of evil and sexuality, and we are being bombarded with these images from everywhere we turn.
 
And don't think your children are safe (common core comment).
 
And this is what Paul was talking about: you can't be part of this world's system, remember what he said previously:
 
Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
 
The word fornication is literally porneia, where we get our word pornography. And the thought regards all manner of sexual impurity of which I'm not going to list, but just go back and review our teaching on the Nephilim, and their influence on Canaan (Leviticus 17-21) and you will have the idea, but then add to it all the thoughts and mindsets produced through all the bombardment of the world's message.
 
The next word in this verse that caught my eyes is the word uncleanness. We won't attempt to break down every word; nevertheless, let's take a few in an attempt to get a better thought of the overall text. The word uncleanness here is literally “a”, which in the Greek means-- without, and “katharsis,” which is where we get our word catharsis, meaning a purging, a cathartic induces vomiting and in the old days was used as a way to purge the body of something poisonous that was ingested.
 
Ultimately, the idea here is that the heathen/ pagan/ un-redeemed world has an unbridled lust towards things that are contrary to God's nature and word. I like the word "purging" and "catharsis,” because in the midst of true Christian grace, there is a cleansing that takes place. It should be noted that there is a counterfeit to true Christian grace. Because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the believer is convicted and made aware when there is behavior that isn't right. When there is something in the heart of the believer that isn't right, it's supposed to be brought to the Lord, where a purging or catharsis can take place.
 
One word in verse three that we can't afford to pass over is the word saints:
 
...let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
 
The word saints, once again, is hagios, meaning holy or separated. If you will remember, we have discussed this word on multiple occasions, and have pointed out that this word is also translated from the Greek as sanctified, meaning to make holy or separated out unto God.
 
But we must always remember that true holiness for the believer starts with the new position or standing before God. We are seen as separated, sanctified, holy, or righteous in the eyes of God because through faith, we connected ourselves to God's plan, which resulted in a spiritual miracle where we were translated from the kingdom of darkness (world) into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13). Furthermore, through this miracle, the "old man" born of Adam died, and a "new man" born of Jesus resurrected. Therefore, the "new man's" position or standing before God is in Christ, and in Christ, there is righteousness not guilt, and there is now access to grace, which isn't just forgiveness, but power from God to live right.
 
With all this on the forefront of the mind, let the reader be made aware, if you're born again, you're saints, hagios, sanctified, separated, from the world, and you belong to God; furthermore, you have access to grace:
 
Romans 5:1-3
herefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
 
In other words, we are without excuse because God has provided a plan where we can be separated out from the world both in His eyes because of our new position in Christ, and in the world's eyes because of our access into grace, which empowers us to order our behavior as the children of God.
 
Ephesians 5:4
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
 
Filthiness= shamefulness or obscenity.
 
Foolish Foolish talking= morologia.
 
So before we get going good, we need to remind ourselves that there has been a clear distinction drawn between the world and the believer, and in the world, there is uncleanness, and now we have added the idea that there is going to be talk also in the world. Just with this information, we should be made aware that at the workplace, family functions, and anywhere else your path may cross with the world, there will be foolish talk taking place. Furthermore, it's important that you understand you can’t just stop going to everything because the instruction we’ve received from the Lord wasn’t to isolate; rather we’re to separate. We are pilgrims on a journey, and the purpose of our presence is to expose the lost to the light.
 
Let's focus a little on this statement "morologia," which is the Greek for foolish talking.
 
Most of us who have been in Christianity are familiar with the word Logos, it's one of the Greek words that we translate into "word" or "preaching". Examples would be:
 
In the beginning was the word (Logos)....,(John 1:1) or:
 
the preaching (logos) of the cross is foolishness to them who perish.... (1 Corinthians 1:18).
 
So the essence of the word logos is: words, speech, or thoughts that are communicated, so Jesus when called the word is the physical manifestation of God's communication.
 
Here, the idea of logos has the word moro attached to it, which is where we get our word moron and logia, which is speech or conversation. Essentially, the overall context is that there is a speech or conversation that takes place amongst those who are blinded by the truth of God, and we as those that are called out from the dead aren't supposed to be of the morologia persuasion.
 
So moro, meaning dull in intelligence or stupid and logia speech, in a Christian sense would describe a person caught up in worldly conversation that contradicts the things of God.
 
The word jesting is eutrapelia. It's a compound word made up of eu and trapelia.
 
Eu= easy
Trapelia= from tropo, which is to turn, meaning “easily turned.”
 
In English, the word jesting can also have the connotation of ridicule or making crude jokes to be funny at the expense of another person's feelings. If we run through the files in our minds, surely we can retrieve a mental image of the court jester, with his funny hat, providing entertainment for the king, through his witty words making fun of anyone available including the king, as a matter of fact, he was usually the only one who was allowed to make fun of the King.
 
But if you've ever been in a situation like that, if you could retrieve another mental image, like when you were a kid amongst a group of kids, and then all of the sudden someone gets the bright idea to single out something that they don't like about one of the people in the crowd: their nose, a birthmark on their face, the way they talk, and then suddenly, the entire crowd is turned towards and against this one individual. Hence, the idea of the word "easily turned."
 
In a similar fashion, Christians often find themselves in an environment where there is foolish talk about worldliness. Specifically, foolish talk about: fornication, uncleanness, or mammon, and when this takes place, it's almost as though the Christian, unaware, begins to be easily turned in their direction. "Christian" finds himself smiling, laughing, and even in some cases adding to the conversation and becoming a partaker with them in what they do.
 
Who are you talking about when you use the plural pronoun "them" preacher? I'm talking about the world. I'm talking about the un- redeemed.
 
Describe the situation of how kids are impressionable. Young Christians can also be impressionable, but the world can also be impressionable towards a believer who has their speech seasoned with salt: i.e. flavor (palatable) [Colossians 4:6] one who is wise as a serpent (have you ever watched a serpent hunt? He has stealth and a plan) and harmless as a dove (a dove is kind and sweet. In addition, it should be noted that the two main symbolisms I find in scripture re: the dove are: (1) peace between God and man—the dove brought an olive branch back to the Arc when the waters were subsiding, signaling Peace between God and man (2) the Holy Spirit whose job it is to convict the world of sin and move people to Jesus) [Matthew 10:16].
 
Here is some personal experiences about talking to people about things that would normally be difficult to discuss or just witnessing in general. One time the Lord spoke to my spirit and said, "What's the plan son? Are we reaching the lost and helping people get redirected on the path, or are you just showing everyone what you know and that you're right and they're wrong?"
 
Let me give you a couple examples, but I will be honest. In order to witness this way, you will have to have patience and be willing to learn from each occurrence. By the way, we should always pray and ask the Lord to show us after we witness to people if things could have been done different.
 
Santa Clause:
 
I explained a while back that Danielle and I never taught our kids about Santa Clause. We both agreed that we would focus our efforts on the fact that God was the giver of all that was good. Now, we didn't know then what we know now; nevertheless, we felt like it was most important for us to instruct our children and point them to Jesus.
 
We took a lot of heat from different people for that, but to be honest, we really didn't have much of a way to explain why we were doing it, part of it was that others had taken that stand, and it felt right to us, so we did also.
 
Then we had the episode where she was teaching children's church and she was teaching on the birth of Jesus, and then some kid said, "Yeah, and Santa."
 
I can see Danielle trying to keep her composure, and the children feeding off the first comment, are catapulted into a frenzied state, and the names of various entities are blurted out in a simultaneous cacophony, "Yeah, Santa!" Another one screams.
 
"And the Easter Bunny," says little Sally.
 
"What about Barney?" Seth screamed.
 
Then the whole class erupted into pandemonium, and like frenzied little natives they started circling her and screaming, "Barney! Barney! Barney!"
 
And in a state of disequilibrium and confusion, she blurts out, "Jesus can beat up Barney!"
 
Immediately, the mob is silenced and Seth's upper lip begins to quiver, and his right eye begins to fill up with a tear, and he causes a change of emotion to sweep over the congregation, where the previous chants of Barney are replaced by sobs and crying and suddenly the door swings open, church is over and the parents are ready to pick up their crying, wounded kids.
 
Now, I will be honest and say that I embellished the story a little bit. But a lot of it was true. The point I wanted to make is that as we learn more information about things that we have always believed were right but begin to realize that many of these things stand in the way of Jesus, we will want to take a stand. And I think we should, but let's think about this for a second:
 
(1) the person we're talking to doesn't have a clue of what we mean. We have to learn how to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove in these situations in order to get the proper response.
 
(2) we have to be able to properly explain ourselves. You can't just make a comment about your opinion and expect to get the right results if you can't properly explain your position.
 
(3) but then again, what's your purpose to begin with. Do you really want to help people or do you just want them to do what you want?
 
If we want to help, then maybe we need to try a different approach.
 
Example: I have developed a technique over the years where I use the conjunction "if." Some of you may say, "I would never use the word "if" when talking about God. Well, I usually explain myself, I say, "I use the conjunction "if" on purpose, because even though I'm convinced God is real, because He transformed my life, I realize that others I talk to aren't convinced."
 
I have also many times formulated a question after I know they believe God is real. For instance, "Well, I know you think God is real, and I'm talking about the one who sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins."
 
Stopping for a second, I give them the opportunity to respond, which they usually do with a head nod in the affirmative.
 
"So," I continue "If God is real, wouldn't you agree that there is also the opposite of God?"
 
They’re nodding the head again.
 
"Ok, then wouldn't you agree that if there is a real devil, and his whole purpose is to deceive people away from Jesus who paid for their sin, that one way to do that would be to come up with multiple religions in hopes that people would pick something other than Jesus who paid for man's sin?"
 
And this concept can be used for any discussion regarding the enemy pulling people away from Jesus:
 
Discussing the Santa issue or Christmas the way it is now is very easy during the holidays because people often ask me, with a big smile on their face, "Are you ready for the holidays?"
 
And my response is usually something like this, "Do you mind if we talk about that for just a second because I'm confused? I thought that Christmas was supposed to be about the birth of Jesus, and how God gave a gift of life to humanity by freeing us from our sin problem, but what I see is people focused on Santa not Jesus, statistics show that more people get drunk during this time and are depressed more than any other time of the year, so to answer your question: yes, I'm ready for the holidays. I'm ready to remember the fact that unto us a gift was given. His name is Jesus. The prophet said he would be called Emmanuel which means "God with us." I'm so glad God gave me that gift, and I want to thank him on that day just like every day. And I want on that day to teach my children that Jesus gave us the gift of life."
 
Or:
 
"Do you think the commercialization of Christmas brings glory to Jesus? Because I'm confused, I thought the whole thing was to celebrate what the Angels spoke of when they brought good tidings about the fact that the Christ had come into the world!"
 
"And for that matter how does this whole Santa issue help the cause of exalting Jesus?"
 
Lastly, I will remind you about the conversation I had with the guy on the street when I went to hand him a tract and ask him if he thought that God was real, and his response was, "No man. I used to believe in God, but it's like the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause, when I grew up, I learned they weren't real."
 
Paul is speaking to Christians and he has already explained that Christians aren't to walk as other Gentiles do.
 
The text is clear-- these people aren't partakers, they don't have an inheritance in God's Kingdom.
 
We must come to the proper conclusion that a true conversion will result in a true change in the walk.
 
Now, we must also be careful not to forget the process part of Christianity.
 
In other words, it takes time for a new Christian to have a renewed mind that begins to operate properly within the realm of victory where Jesus is the source of victory, the Holy Spirit is the force of victory, and the cross is the means or the access point, which allows the powerful grace given by the Holy Spirit to flow into the person. Why? Because, now the person's standing is righteous in the eyes of God. And he has access to grace and grace is more powerful than sin:
 
Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
 
And Romans 8:2
 
And so in this context, the believer is given access to grace, which strengthens towards victory.
 
Ephesians 5:5
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.E
 
We must all understand that there is a difference between someone who is a Christian that is in the process, struggling with sin, but unhappy about it, and a person who calls themselves a Christian, is living in sin, and isn't convicted at all about what they're doing. It’s unlikely that a person who is comfortable living in sin is really saved.
 

Regarding some of the wording of this verse, let's focus on the covetous idolator. Covetousness describes an insatiable desire for more, especially, when you desire something that belongs to someone else.
 
Mammon was a name given to money in order to personify the wickedness that was associated with it. In other words, Mammon was given life and seen as the god behind the money that people were worshipping; therefore, the covetous idolator has chosen to worship Mammon. His God is money and what money can provide for him. This god stands between him and God, taking the place, even the heart's desire away from God. Because more of it can bring fleshly pleasures, it's sought for diligently and the heart is deceived into thinking that what it needs is more because it brings pleasure.
 
Mark 4:18-19
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
 
Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
 
We've discussed this word vain on several occasions in this study on Ephesians. The word simply means empty. In this context, the vain words are directly connected to all the previous behavior discussed regarding the walk of the unredeemed: fornication, uncleanness...
 
Therefore, vain words would be any communication that would allow a believer to continue living a life of sin without conviction.
 
Just briefly I would like to mention a couple scenarios:
 
(1) the world system has always had within it this that Paul warned against:
 
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
 
In other words, mankind has created its own wisdom on how to live life without God’s help.
And the word deceive here literally means to cheat. There are men who will cheat you out of the truth and deceive you through empty and vain words.
 
The context here is specifically referring to Christians being deceived by vain words. It should be noted that vain words can come from a multiplicity of sources. These empty words, which represent empty thoughts, can come from family, friends, and the world system: music Hollywood, or even from preachers.
 
When coming from preachers, these words can take on further variations. They can be empty in the sense that they give you meaningless information towards victory for your life. For instance, I can remember being in one service where we were asked to write our sins that we struggle with on paper. We were supposed to let someone read it and then we were supposed to put it on the ground and stomp on it, which was supposedly going to give me victory over the sin that was written.
 
Well, I have a few problems with that. Number one, you can't just trust anyone with everything that's going on in your head. If you need an accountability partner, let it be Jesus. That doesn't mean that there are never times that we need people to talk to about things we're going through, but I don't need to confess my sin to you to get free; instead, I need to confess my sin to Jesus. There is one mediator between God and men:
 
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
 
But there is also the problem with preachers telling people that there isn't a problem with sin at all, as though sin weren't the problem between man and God.
 
I can give you two examples:
 
1. I personally know a young lady who was struggling in her walk. She went to her youth pastor in an attempt to tell him that things weren't right in her life, and his response was, "No you're alright." No she wasn't alright preacher. She's in sin and she's hurting and she needs you to help direct her in the right direction, which is to bring it to the cross.
 
2. There is a prominent preacher on TV now who is preaching heavily on grace, but his grace message is wrong, because it's taken to the extreme that you don't have to confess your sins to God because you've already been forgiven. Furthermore, this preacher whose name is Joseph Prince comes from the word of faith camp, which states that if you think about your sin, you become sin conscious and stay bound by sin. Therefore, you should think as little as possible about your sin and not confess it because that will be a negative confession and make you remember that you have a sin problem, which you were already forgiven of.
 
Well, it's certainly true that you were already forgiven when Jesus died on the cross. It's a done deal. But God requires that we confess our sins.
 
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
The word confess here has the same root as a word we spoke of earlier, logia, this word is homo= meaning same and logia= meaning say. When we confess our sins, we are saying the same thing about our sin that God says. We are acknowledging that something isn't right, and we need His intervention.
 
This is the way that true grace works:
 
Ezekiel 36:25-27—grace changes the heart and spirit of a man
Jeremiah 31:31—in the covenant of grace, man knows when he sins because the Law of God is written on is heart, because the Holy Spirit lives in him now.
John 2—the wedding of Cana miracle shows us that the New Testament causes an internal transformation. Grace changes the inside of the vessel.
John 14—Jesus promised in this chapter that the Holy Spirit would live in our hearts. That’s the difference between Law and grace. In the Law God’s requirements were written on stone. In the New Testament His presence and plan is in our heart.
Ephesians 1—when we get saved we’re sealed with the Spirit
Titus 3:5—when we get saved we’re renewed by the Spirit.

It’s also imperative that we understand that grace is nearly synonymous with the Holy Spirit. In other words, the Holy Spirit is the one that pours grace into our lives and our every day circumstances.
 
What these passages have in common is the transformation miracle of the human heart and its connection or union with the heart of God, now that the Holy Spirit has come to live within it. This is the first work of grace, a regeneration miracle has taken place allowing the Holy Spirit to live within the heart and reveal to the heart of man the error that is in him.
 
Next, true grace operates through dependence upon God, because He is the one that changes the heart of man.
 
Grace- a divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life_Strong’s Greek Dictionary (paraphrased)

In order for true grace to operate, the focal point of faith must be the finished work of Jesus on the cross; for it is His work alone that allows the regeneration to take place. It's His work alone that allows righteousness to clothe a guilty sinner. It's His work alone that split the veil in the temple signifying that access into the presence of God was now made available.
 
Fasting isn't the miracle that changes or gives access to the presence of God. Prayer, quoting scripture, nor going to church...none of this is what allows the heart to be changed. It's Jesus and His cross alone that allows the sin in the heart to die and resurrection power to take its place.
 
But let me say this about prayer, fasting, and the word of God: if you want your heart softened by God, or you want more of Him, or you want freedom, as you fast and pray denying yourself, so He can be magnified, He will show you what needs to confessed, and He will point you back to the cross, because that's what the Holy Spirit does:
 
John 16:13-15
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
 
Ephesians 5:6
....: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
 
It's because of vain [empty] words that the wrath of God is poured upon the children of disobedience. We should remember the passage we covered previously in conjunction with this thought:
 
Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
 
We already covered this thought in great detail, but let us visit this place again. A suppression of the truth regarding God's word, whether it be suppressed purposefully or accidentally, will result in bondage rather than freedom. Persistent failure, or bondage, or repeated sin, whatever you would choose to call it, will result in a form of God's wrath being poured out. It will cause a slow, insidious decay of morality, and can eventually, with time lead to the erosion of faith, and I don't care what any preacher tells you, if your faith is eroded by sin, and you apostasize, or turn your back on the faith, then you are no longer in covenant with God. And people who aren't in covenant with God are the children of disobedience upon which His wrath will be poured out.
 
Ephesians 5:7
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
 
Partaker= symmetochos, means to be connected to. Ultimately, the idea is that there isn't supposed to be a connectedness between us and the world, because we are saints i.e. hagios or holy one's, separated out, you guessed it in Christ.

#19 A Sweet Savor for God

Ephesians 5:1-2
e ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.
 
Jesus' love was sacrificial. Sacrificial love concerns itself with what is important for the other person's life. In other words, Jesus laid His life down, so we could have life and that is the manifestation of God's love:
 
John 15:8-10
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love....
 
John 15:13-15
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
 
 Friends- One of the bridegrooms friends who, on behalf of the bridegroom, asked for the bride's hand in marriage and helped in various ways with the nuptials and closing of the ceremony_ Strong's
 
The first part of the verse I wanted to discuss was the fact that Jesus' love is sacrificial in nature. He loved us when we were against Him. Within this John 15 passage, Jesus is explaining that our union to Him provides us the opportunity to abide with Him, which means we can stay connected to Him through faith, and in turn, we will receive grace to be strengthened to produce fruit.
 
He said people will know we are His disciples by seeing our love. He said that His commandments were:
 
Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? -- Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
 
When a person is changed by God to the point where their inner man begins to hunger and thirst for the things of God, a place where pleasing Him supersedes the wishes of one's own self; now, the heart, the soul, and the mind are becoming connected to God in the deepest sense. At this point, the mind of man is becoming renewed, and the man's will is becoming swallowed up in his Master's will.
 
”But I don't want to love sacrificially towards this person. They hurt me deeply God. They betrayed me don't I have any rights?”

I wonder if Jesus’ response would be,  “How many times does an individual betray me? How many times did you betray me? How many times do you propose I forgive them and you? Should I have not lived sacrificially through the cross because of humanity's betrayal, or is this the purpose for why I came?”
 
Matthew 27:27-31
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
 
Hebrews 10:1-10
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
 
The main point I want to expose from these two long passages of scripture is the heart of Jesus and the concept that we have been made to be partakers of His love. Earlier He said that all the commandments hang on these two: Love God with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself.
 
When we begin to review the love of Jesus, it should melt our hearts towards people that have offended us. It should soften us towards them, because what we learn from these passages is that Jesus suffered cruel punishment from the very creation that He came to redeem; furthermore, while none of us have ever physically spit in His face, with some of our decisions and behaviors, we have taken lightly the sacrifice of our Lord.
 
He said in the Hebrews passage, "I have come to do your will O God."
 
As I was studying these various passages, I became focused on this one in John:
 
John 15:13-15
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
 
The idea of the word friends oftentimes referred to the closest companions of the bridegroom who would have the distinct honor of asking the bride to marry the bridegroom.
 
As noted above the idea of the friend was one who helped the bridegroom by giving the offer of marriage to the bride on behalf of the bridegroom. This is the plan of God. He's asking us to make a proposal to those out there on whether or not they are willing to marry the Son. And in order for them to get a glimpse of the Son to see whether or not they want to spend eternity with Him, they will first have to look at us, and the question is: do we love as He loved? Are we making Him desirable to others?
 
I can only imagine what it must seem like if we are allowing anger and bitterness to stay rooted in our lives towards people, and at the same time trying to give them an invitation to marry Jesus.
 
"You've wronged me. You disgust me. I don't really like you or want to be around you, but I know someone who does, so I was just wondering, would you like to marry my Jesus?"

Regarding the second part of Ephesians 5:2, we deal with the thought of Jesus’ sacrifice being a sweetsmelling savor unto God
 
The Levitical sacrifices, which are described in the first five chapters of the book of Leviticus describe various aspects of the sacrifice of our Lord. Once again, these are Old Testament types and shadows, which paint a portrait for us of Jesus' eternal sacrifice on the cross. We won't discuss all the aspects of these sacrifices now; instead, I want to quickly focus on the sweet savor vs. non sweet savor sacrifices and how they relate to the cross.
 
But before we do that, let's just take a moment to discuss what the terminology Levitical sacrifices means. First, they are called the Levitical sacrifices because they are described in the book of Leviticus. The book of Leviticus is one of the first five books in the Bible, which was known by the Jewish people as the Law or Torah, and was called later by the Greek speaking Jews after the conquests of Alexander the Great as the Penteteuch, where pente means five i.e. five books.
 
The book of Leviticus goes into great detail regarding the ministry of the Levitical priests. It discusses their responsibility in the ministry of the tabernacle, the offering of the sacrifices, and the purification of the people of God.
 
The name Leviticus is derived from Levi. Levi was the third son of Leah and Jacob (Genesis 29:34). Four hundred years later Moses and Aaron descended from the tribe of Levi, and God took the tribe of Levi as a tithe for Himself from amongst the children of Israel. Their sole purpose was to minister to God for the people through the offerings and tabernacle/ temple work.
 
The priests that came from the tribe of Levi were able to perform various tasks, but only the descendants of Aaron functioned as the high priests.
 
Now, we return back to these sweet savor vs. non sweet savor sacrifices. It should be noted that Jesus’ life and sacrifice is typified in these sacrifices
 
In the first five chapters of the book of Leviticus, there are five Levitical offerings discussed:
 
 (1) whole burnt offering:
the specifics regarding this offering is that the whole animal was offered other than the skin, which was given to the priest. The animal was flayed open, inspected for defect, and its inward parts were washed. Then the entire animal, including the fat was offered as a sacrifice unto God.
 
This sacrifice shows that God offered everything (whole) He had when He gave us Jesus; furthermore, it shows that Jesus, in His obedience to the Father offered His whole self in our place.
 
This sacrifice was known as a sweet savor sacrifice unto the Lord, which means as the smoke began to rise into the heavens towards God, there was an aroma of reconciliation that filled the nostrils of God. 1400 years before Jesus, this sacrifice painted a portrait that He would offer His whole self in our stead.
 
(2) the meat or meal offering:
 
This can be somewhat confusing because the word meat in old English really described food in a general way, and in reality, this sacrifice had nothing to do with meat in any fashion; rather, this sacrifice was made of fine flour, which was unleavened. There are two quick concepts to note regarding this thought: first, grain isn't fine on its own. In order for flour to be fine, it must be ground into fine flour. When the grain is ground and all chaff removed, there is the purity of fine flour that remains. Jesus was pure.

Second, the concept of leaven is synonymous with yeast and from a scriptural standpoint, speaks of sin. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, the concept of leaven speaks of fermentation and corruption, which sin has done to the human race, but Jesus was without sin, and the meal (meat) offering, which was always offered with the whole burnt offering had no leaven, and in this sense, it represented the sinless life of Jesus being offered in our place.
 
And once again, the meal offering was known as a sweet savor sacrifice unto the Lord, as the smell of unleavened flour rose into His nostrils, He was constantly reminded that the plan was moving forward and that one day the obedient one would come and offer His sinless life in order to make things right.
 
(3) the peace offering:
 
The essence of the peace offering is that it represented reconciliation between God and the sinner. Out of all the offerings, the peace offering was the only one that the offerer "sinner" was allowed to partake of (Lev 19:5-8).
 
Within this offering, there is explicit detail as to how the visceral fat is to be removed from inside the animal and offered on the fire to God (Lev 3:3-5), and the burning fat, once again, produced a sweet smelling savor unto God (Lev 3:5). Lastly, regarding this offering, there was a portion for God (Lev 7:31), a portion for the priest (Lev 7:31), and a portion for the believer (Lev 19:5-8).
 
(4) sin offering:
 
In a general sense, the purpose of the sin offering was to cover sins committed against God in ignorance.
 
Furthermore, there is much to be considered in reference to the gospel and redemption.
 
First, this offering is explained in three distinct circumstances. In the first scenario, there was always a priest designated to offer sacrifice for the people. Many of the priestly duties were assigned according to a rotation [see Zechariah's turn to burn incense (Luke 1:5,9)]. In this first scenario, the priest would offer sacrifice for the people's sins of ignorance as an overall blanket sacrifice, but it didn't mean that the individual necessarily understood or was aware that they had sinned against God.
 
This is a similar scenario to the fact that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world:
 
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
 
But unless the gospel is preached and the soul of man made aware there is a problem and a solution, that soul remains ignorant:
 
Romans 10:11-15
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
 
In this sacrifice, the fat is offered as in the other sweet smelling sacrifices, but it's not called a sweet savor unto the Lord.
 
Second, there is a offering for the leaders of Israel, and once again, the fat is offered to God on the altar, but it's not called a sweet smelling sacrifice, because God sent His Son ultimately to die for individuals.
 
Lastly, there is a sin offering for the common man who gains revelation that he had committed a sin ignorantly, but now it's been brought to his attention, an a sin offering is offered up. Once again, the fat is separated and offered unto God and this time, the sacrifice is known as a sweet smelling savor unto the Lord. The reason why is because this is the gospel.
 
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
 
God sent Jesus to die for sinners. And this is a personal invitation. His sacrifice isn't just for a person's mom or dad or a whole nation. This is an individual decision, and when the gospel is preached, and the heart of man goes from ignorant to aware, and that heart responds to the gospel by faith, that is the plan of God, resulting in a sweet savor unto the Lord, because this is the way He intended it to be.
 
(5) trespass offering:
 
 The trespass offering (ch 5 & 6) deal mostly with the people committing sins against one another. There is no mention of fat for the Lord, and there is no mention of this offering being a sweet savor unto God.
 
Thus far, we've noted that there are four distinct sweet savor offerings:
 
Sweet savor
 
(1) whole burnt offering
(2) meat or meal offering
(3) peace offering
(4) sin offering, when offered for the common man who becomes aware of his guilt.
 
Un-sweet savor
 
(1) sin offering offered by priest for the congregation that's in ignorance or one offered for leadership in general
(2) trespass offering
 
It should be noted that in all the sweet savor offerings which are animal sacrifices, there is a direct correlation between the sweet savor and the fat being burned unto God; furthermore, in regards to the meal offering, there is the interesting thought of the flour being unleavened.
 
In addition, it should be noted that God specifically states that there are two parts to the animal that are never to be eaten:
 
Leviticus 7:25-26
For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people. Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.
 
The truth I believe to be found here has to do with these things: the fat and the blood representing Jesus and His sacrifice. In addition, the leaven represents His sinless humanity.
 
We need not spend an inordinate amount of time convincing most people that the blood represents the sacrifice of Jesus that would come; for the word of God makes that very clear:
 
Leviticus 17:10-11
And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
 
But regarding the fat it should be noted that this fat was to be separated out from the rest of the carcass, and after studying more deeply the concepts behind this fat, it was noted that this type of fat was visceral, meaning it was that fat which was connected to the inward parts of this animal. As previously spoken in bible studies before, these animals were closely inspected both inwardly and outwardly, making sure there was no blemish, resulting in rejection.
 
The purpose of this inspection is that in God's omniscient mind these sacrifices typify the sinless sacrifice of our Lord, and as the fat, our Lord was pure throughout, even in the deepest recesses of His heart. Besides the fact that it was noted as specifically belonging to the Lord, what stood out to me most was how this fat was intricately separated out from the rest of the carcass.
 
This type of fat wasn't just the kind that was intermingled with the flesh as in a ribeye steak; rather, this fat was connected to the internal organs and had to be intricately cut away and then offered upon the altar to God, as His portion, resulting in a sweet savor unto Him.
 
There is little doubt in my mind that this fat, which produced a sweet savor offering is represented of our Lord Jesus in the offering of Himself as a sacrifice for our sin. Simply stated, we have a New Testament precedent in this Ephesians text stating that Jesus' giving of Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God was a sweet smelling savor; furthermore, we are told that the Lord's portion of the fat was a sweet smelling savor.
 
One last thing to note is thought of the separating out of the fat and the fat's connection to our Lord.
 
Hebrews 2:9-18, specifically:
 
Hebrews 2:14
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

He became us

Hebrews 7:23-27
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

But He is separate from us
 
The first passage says that He became a partaker of flesh and blood, so He could offer Himself through death in order to free us from the tyranny of death; furthermore, He is such a high priest that He remains forever. Like the fat, He is the Lord's portion. He comes from heaven, and He is:
 
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens
 

Let’s go back to the thought about the sweet vs. un-sweet savor sacrifices. There is a part to the cross that is sweet in the eyes of God, and there is a part to the cross that reviles Him. 

The aspect of the cross that brings pleasure to God is the willing obedience of Jesus offering Himself in our place, resulting in the reconciliation of sinners back to God. 

The aspect of the cross that reviles God is the offensive presence of our sin that had to be laid upon the back of the sinless one. 

Hence, we have these two opposing scriptures referring to the same cross:

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

It should be understood that it wasn't the obedience of Jesus that resulted in His experiencing separation from the Father; rather, it was my sin, it was your sin that caused our Savior to experience the feeling of being forsaken from the Father's presence. He experienced the separation of our sin for us so that we wouldn't have to. I hope that we can get a glimpse of the magnitude of this. I hope that for just a moment in time, we can imagine the eternal pain a lost soul will feel separated from the presence of the Father. 

Let me say it again as the fat was separated from the carcass, Jesus was separated from sinners. While He became a partaker of flesh and blood, becoming us as human, He was altogether separate from the human race in that He was sinless. And it was His sinless life offered in our stead that procured for us a righteous standing before God. Lift up your head faithful pilgrim. God has provided a plan of reconciliation where you soul can restored unto God. 

Let's close by connecting the first part of the verse, which spoke of us emulating the love of Jesus by walking in His love, which was sacrificial in nature. We used that passage out of John, which spoke of our love towards God, resulting in Jesus calling us friends. We discussed the fact that a main context of the friend in those days was connected to the bride and bridegroom. Specifically, the friend was given the distinct offer of inviting the bride to marry the bridegroom. 

Now, we have the concept of Jesus who has offered Himself as a sacrifice for us so that reconciliation can be provided between sinful man and holy God. His sacrifice is a sweet smelling savor to God, because His obedience has secured the eternal covenant, and the covenant’s purpose was to connect wayward man back to God, but there remains one problem: people remain ignorant of the plan of God. 

Just as in the first context of the sin offering, much of humanity, like Israel, is engaging in a sinful lifestyle outside of God's will simply because they don't know, simply because no one has told them. 

 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

The whole point to this passage of scripture is that Paul is referring to the preaching of the gospel. He refers to "we" becoming a sweet savor of Christ. Jesus' sacrifice was a sweet savor unto God, and our living our lives in such a way that we bring Him glory results in us functioning according to God's will. As we let others know of our Lord and the plan of God to save sinners, we become friends of the bridegroom as we invite others to become His bride. And then and only then do we function according to the purpose we were created for. 

#18 A Renewed Mind Produces Right Behavior

Ephesians 4:22-24
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
 
So last week we covered the concept that when we are born again in Christ, the old man is put off, and the new man is put on; furthermore, the believer who has a revelation of this truth allows a process to ensue where the mind is renewed. When the believer becomes more and more aware of how God is creating a new creation in Christ and how the plan of God works through the operation of grace working in the heart of man, he learns to rest in the finished work of Christ, allowing an inner change to take place, allowing a new thought pattern to emerge, a renewed mind:
 
Now, Paul begins to exhort the Ephesians this way...Ephesians 4:21
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
 
If you've really been taught the doctrines of Christ, and you're beginning to operate with a renewed mind, then some new behaviors will begin to emerge, because bondages will be broken in your life, because Jesus defeated the forces of evil at the cross.
 
Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
 
John 8:33-52
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
 
Psalms 51:6-7
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
 
In the John passage, we're given a glimpse on why God hates lying so much; simply stated, lying finds its genesis in the father of lies; furthermore, it's a tool Satan used to deceive the first family and throw God's creation into disarray. God hates a lie because it keeps everything concealed and shrouded in darkness. God wants His people to tell the truth.
 
The Psalmist found this out the hard way. Through his disobedience with Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, a mighty warrior has been murdered in battle. The illegitimate offspring of their unholy union is also dead, and David has fasted and repented in sack cloth and ashes. Now, he has picked himself up from the floor and with time for reflection, he sees himself. He sees his own ways, his failures, his schemes, his lies. He sees how his methods have grieved the heart of God, and with all this, he puts stylus to papyrus and writes: God desires truth on the inward parts and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom.
 
Let me say this child of God, "If you want God to make you to know wisdom in the hidden part, in the deep recesses of your Christian spirit, you better quit living a lie with Him. You don't have to come clean with the preacher, and I'm sorry if this makes you feel uncomfortable, but God wants truth. You don't have to come clean with me, but you better come clean with Him.
 
...for we are members one of another.
 
In reality, the whole underlying context of this passage we are studying is discussing how people should live amongst their brothers and sisters, remembering that we are all members of one body. But before we move forward notice how the Apostle points out the fact that we definitely shouldn't be lying or operating in deception with one another. We're all members of one another. All this time the Holy Spirit has been painting a picture of the eternal family of God i.e. the body of Christ, and the thought is why would we want to lie to and deceive our own body? We're in this together. We're all on the same team, and we're all supposed to be about the Father's business operating for the same purpose, so why would we operate like the enemy of our soul and lie about and to one another?
 
Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
 
The emotion of anger is attributed to God in the Old Testament and to Jesus in the New Testament. With this in mind, it's important for us to understand that there is such a thing as righteous anger. Righteous anger will have at its source a stand against something that's in opposition to God. The Greek scholar Vincent makes the point that righteous anger isn’t only condoned in the New Testament but it’s expected.
 
As an example, let's use one of the passages we discussed last week. We used Hebrews three to describe God's people not operating with a renewed mind towards God because of an inability to perceive His ways, and being influenced by the world (Egypt) so that their "worldview" was changed.
 
But now let's use the same text to describe a time when God gets mad:
 
Hebrews 3:7-11
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
 
So here we see that God is swearing according to His wrath that He's not pleased with the behavior of His people. To be truthful, the biggest part of the problem is that they didn't know His ways, which resulted in improper behavior. Furthermore, because they refused to learn His ways and stop the error of theirs, He said that He wasn't going to let them enter His rest.
 
Maybe there is a sobering message here for the people of God that transcends time: learn the ways of God and hearken unto them. Then, just maybe then, you will find rest for weary soul.
 
Our main point though is that it's possible for Christians to become angry especially when one person's behavior seems to be contrary to the will of God in a situation. But we must remember two things:
 
(1) there are certain behaviors we can exhibit when we're angry that aren't godly that would be sin by themselves.
 
(2) our text says that we aren't to let the sun go down upon our wrath. Now, Sister Toot used to use this specifically in marriage situations, and she would tell people to make up and kiss before they went to bed, and while there is some truth to that, the reality is that we better not let anger simmer and embitter our hearts towards anyone.
 
If you get to know me, you will learn that if I feel like there are some things going on between us that aren’t right, I will have to talk to you because I can’t live that way.
 
Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

The scripture says that if someone has a problem with you, that you're to go to them. I’ve learned through the process of time that it's easier for me to get things out in the open. I've learned something through the last several years: Satan wants to play tricks on my mind. Maybe he doesn't mess with you that way, but he does me, so I disarm the situation. I go to the person. One day, I may come to you and say, "Hey, is everything alright between us?"
 
And your response may be, "Yes, why."
 
And then maybe I might for a second feel silly because I made myself look foolish, thinking something was wrong when it wasn't, but I've actually learned something else about that: humility and humiliation come from the same thought, and Matt needs humility, and I've learned something about that:
 
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
 
Jesus likes humility, and I really like Jesus : )
 
The main point is bring your situation before the Lord. Don't hold onto something in your heart that you can't change, letting it simmer and fester into a mess. If you do, you are hurting your own walk with God.
 
Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
 
In the KJV, there is a colon after the previous verse meaning the translators felt like there was a direct connection between verses 26 and 27, so the idea would be that if you do let the sun go down on your wrath, or you're not letting God deal with your frustrations about these things, then you could give place to the devil.
 
In addition to that we should understand that there are multiple ways that we could give place to the devil, so what does this thought of giving place to the devil even mean?
 
The word for "place" in the Greek is literally topos, and the overall thought describes a foothold or giving permission for someone to enter and live in a place, so in this sense, when a believer allows anger to simmer, he's opening a door and allowing Satan to move in with his seeds of bitterness in hand.
 
But it should be understood that it's not only anger that allows this process to ensue. The gospel teaches that "In Christ" we have protection from the powers of darkness. We are clothed in the armor of God, which we will get to soon enough, and when we get there, we will learn that Jesus is our armor. You can't get better protection than that.
 
However, when we open a door, Satan sticks his foot in quickly, and now he's wiggling his way into the heart. He wants permission through the free will that God gave you to come in, and so he works his subtlety. As he works quietly and softly he wiggles a little more: whispering, “this isn't that bad." 
 
Whispering, “This won't hurt you. Some people are just overboard with Christianity. They operate in legalism. You, on the other hand have been given freedom. You can do this. They may not be able to, but you can."
 
And as we do the conscience is seared and he wiggles a little more and we let him in a little more and the whole while he's not really forcing himself. Instead, he's just waiting for us to give him permission. And before you know it, you've rented him a topos, you've rented him a room, and you've given place to the devil.
 
Ephesians 4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
 
We would all agree that stealing is against the character of God, so don't steal, which is an act of taking away from someone else. But notice how this first part of the verse, which describes taking from others, is contrasted to the next part, which describes labor for the purpose of having something to give others.
 
The "old man" takes; whereas, the "new man" gives. And don't just pass over the wording labour here:
 
Labour- kopiao= To toil, labor, be weary and fatigued.
 
Remember what God said to Adam after the fall:
 
Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
 
The curse has brought manual labor. It's caused hard and fatiguing work, even the sweat of the brow to take place. But hallelujah we can glorify God with the way we work.
 
Maybe as they watch us work, they would ask in their hearts, "Why is this guy different? Why is this girl different? The work load is more; I'm becoming frustrated, but they seem to be happier. I'm slacking, but they're working harder."
 
Ephesians 4:29-30
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
 
The word corrupt literally means rotten. There are some words we can speak that just aren't redeeming. In other words, their purpose isn't of God, they are slanderous and injurious to the body of Christ, and God wants His people built up. I looked up the English word grieve in my Bible app and this is the only time the word is used in the New Testament. While there are certainly other ways the Holy Spirit can be grieved, we know for sure that speaking rotten words to people or about them will.
 
Instead, our words are to produce edification, a building up where grace is ministered to the hearers. It is beholden upon us as followers of our Lord to learn the truth of the gospel and minister the word in such a way that they are learning grace and God is changing their lives.
 
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
 
Bitterness- poison: hatred
 
Wrath- passionate anger that's not rooted in righteous purposes. In other words it's human anger and probably demonic in origin. The difference between wrath, which is thumos in Greek and anger is that this word describes a sudden outburst of passion.
 
Anger- orge anger is a mind set that remains in a state of anger and is contrasted to the outburst passion of thumos.
 
Clamor- the word describes the croaking of a raven and is connected to the outburst of anger. In other words, yelling in association with anger.
 
Evil speaking- the word in the Greek is blasphemia, and it describes slanderous words. Why would we want to purposefully say things about people if we knew that they would hurt them.
 
Malice- badness, depravity, naughtiness. In this passage of thought, malice seems to be the root behind all the previous behaviors, so we see a person who lives in a state where his mindset is anger, he has passionate outbursts of anger, his words are loud and full of bitterness and slander; ultimately causing injury instead of edification.
 
The concept of malice is also used in these verses and describes things left over from the "old man" and shouldn't remain present in the new man:
 
James 1:18-24
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
 
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
 

#17 The Renewed Mind

Ephesians 4:20-21
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
 
Paul's referring to the previous passages of scripture where he described the other Gentiles, those that are unredeemed, the ones he spoke of previously that were in ancient days without the Christ, the covenants, and the promises of God; and specifically, he discusses their "walk," which literally describes a person's manner of life or how they conduct their business. Ultimately, the exhortation is don’t walk in darkness like those without the promises you have:
 

Ephesians 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know...
 
Paul is addressing the church in Ephesus and saying, "You aren't like the other Gentiles who walk in a darkened state towards the truths of Messiah:
 
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him...
 
The word learned is specifically instruction. Paul's point is that the church of Ephesus was instructed in the truths of the Christ...if so be that ye have heard Him... One Greek scholar makes the point that this verse could have been translated, "If as is the case you were taught Him."
 
The prepositional phrase that we speak of often is utilized twice in these verses:
 
(1). ...have been taught by him... Is literally en autoi or "In Him.”
 
That's why I repeatedly draw the stick men on the board. I'm trying to ever keep in the forefront of your Christian mind that as a new creation in Christ, you've been translated into a new sphere, a new environment, a new kingdom, from darkness to light, you live in a new place, a new "house," a new "neighborhood," a place called "In Him."
 
In this new sphere in which you abide, there is abounding grace and instruction from the Holy Spirit for you to be taught the things of God. In this place, you learn Jesus. We aren't just talking about the historical figure named Jesus. Jesus' message is who He is.
 
What are you talking about? The other day Robert and I were in El Toro eating after we had been working, and we ran into someone Robert used to go to church with. At one point, he challenged me and said, "I asked my Pastor if he could tell me what the gospel was, and he couldn't," so can you tell me-- what is the gospel?
 
I responded, "Jesus is the gospel!"
 
"No, that’s what my pastor told me too, but the gospel includes things like repentance also," was his retort.
 
I would never want to be demeaning but your brain isn't firing on all cylinders sir. You think you've dug deep, but you're still just scratching the surface, because Jesus is the gospel:
 
He doesn't just preach on Jubilee or the kingdom of God. He is the jubilee and the kingdom
 
He is the Sabbath
 

He is the resurrection and the life.
 
He is repentance, because when one embraces Jesus, that person is turning from the world and turning to Jesus.

He doesn’t just preach deliverance. He is the deliverer.

He is the truth, the way, the life….
 
(2). ...the truth is in Jesus:
 
en Ieosus or "In Jesus."
 
Once again, we are faced with this prepositional phrase, describing a new place in which the believer resides, and in this place, the truth of God is found!
 
Ephesians 4:22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
 
The thought of putting off has the essence of a person removing a garment, a garment that is old, worn out, and outdated. The word conversation used here is an outdated old English used in the same fashion as walk, and once again, describes, the manner of lifestyle or one's behavior.
 
When the whole thought is considered together, the idea is that our lifestyle and behavior should no longer reflect the "old man's" lifestyle and behavior; instead, our life should reflect the new man that lives in Christ.

So who is the "old man?"
 
In a generic fashion, the "old man" is who we were born in Adam, when we were physically born under sin’s dominion. The pictograph of the stick man we commonly refer to teaches that in God's mind, the "old man" died in Christ at the cross, was buried with Him in the tomb, and resurrected with Him as a new creation in Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
 
Specifically, regarding our "old man" today, how can we know when he attempts to come alive
Maybe the safest thing to do is for the preacher to use himself as an example. That way no one gets offended because he’s talking about himself-- not you.
 
So Matt's "old man" had multiple bondages and character flaws:
 
I was consumed with the party and whatever that entailed. I said it last week, but I will say it again, "Whatever made my flesh feel good I wanted a lot of it."
 
But anything that wasn't fun I ran from. Things like responsibility or work.
 
For instance, all I was concerned about was smoking pot and drinking, which killed my desire for work. Even after I was a Christian, my mindset was bent to the way it was before. I was the first to volunteer to go home early even though I now had a wife and kids. I thank God that over time, He has changed that about me drastically.
 
Another aspect about me was that I always had to have my way in relationships. It didn't matter at all what the other person wanted. I was going to get what I wanted no matter what or I wasn't going to play anymore. Over time, God began to convict me. I have a long way to go, but I constantly think about the other person's position and opinion. It doesn't mean that I always agree but I'm mindful of others.
 
When it came to spending money, if I wanted it, I went and got it. It didn't matter whether I had the money to pay for it. Purchase today pay tomorrow. I should be clear when I say this. People can do what they want with their own money they work for, but if we live outside of our means, then we have a root that needs to be dealt with. For me the root was that if I want it, I'm going to get it whether you like it or not. This went on until I got to the point where I didn't like it anymore, because it doesn't matter how much money you make, you can still live above your means.
 
I used to feel like I had to win every argument. God's still working on me, but when I realize that I'm acting like the "old man," I can shut up, and I can say I'm sorry when I'm wrong.
 
There are many other things that people continue in attempting to fix their problems. They continue to allow their "old man's" logic to fix their problems:
 
Men and women both still seek companionship in an attempt to fill a void in their lives that only Jesus can fill. They attempt through material possessions to fill voids, through drugs or alcohol, through a better job, through....
 
Men try to prove their manhood by dominating relationships and attempting to rule their spouse in fear, and some women allow themselves to be used as a vessel, like Eve did, for the serpent to once again usurp the position of the man’s spiritual leadership in the home, which throws everything in the house into chaos and disarray, and just as the fall left God’s children in a place of heartache and pain, the children of the family are left in disarray. And then she wonders why he won’t step up and lead? Oh please you wouldn’t let that man lead if he wanted to.

People attempt to fix their financial burdens by more financial burdens but they never let God deal with the over spending issues in their lives.
 
These are some specific issues that affect people's daily lives, but the commonality is that they represent "old man" behavior that was supposed to have died in Christ at the cross. However, if we don't understand how the Holy Spirit works in our lives through the finished work of Christ, then we continue to struggle.
 
So how does it work? God operates in sovereignty within our free will. If there is an area, He wants gone, but we want to cling to, He allows the wilderness wandering to ensue. He allows certain things to take place in our lives to bring us to the end of self in that area He wants to deal with. I can assure you that God has more patience than we do, and if we refuse to submit in a certain area, then He just waits and lets us have our way until finally one day we say, "No mas. No more God. I quit. I give up and defer to your will."
 
Lastly, about this verse is the phrase...according to the deceitful lusts...literally means a delusional craving for something that is forbidden. When my flesh desires something contrary to the will of God, and I'm moved in that direction instead of towards the Father's will, I'm being deceived by sin and operating according to the mindset of the "old man."
 
Ephesians 4:23-24
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
 
The terminology here: "renewed in the spirit of your mind" is reminiscent of the terminology used in chapter one "...that the eyes of your understanding would be enlightened."
 
Does the mind have a spirit? Does the understanding have eyes? The thought is that when the spiritual aspect of man is born again, that man's spirit is quickened or given life towards the things of God (Ezekiel 36:25-27) and a renewal of the mind ensues. In other words, the Spirit of God through the word of God begins to transform and renew the thought processes, better yet, the viewpoint in which this vapor called life is seen is transformed i.e. renewed by the Holy Spirit.
 
This process requires various factors to be in place. For example, the Holy Spirit must be living in the heart of the person, so they must be born again. Secondly, the word of God must be preached, taught or understood in such a way that the believer is made aware of how the renewed mind takes place.
 
The reason I emphasize this so much is because for so long I was taught that all I had to do was read the Bible and my mind was being renewed. While it is true that reading the word introduces me to the truths of God, if I don't spiritually understand the underlying meaning of the text, my mind will be tricked, with the help of unknowing preachers into believing that it's the simple act of reading pages in the Bible that's renewing my mind when the reality is that-- it's a spiritual understanding of God's word that changes the context of my worldview.
 
Titus 3:5-6
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
 
This scripture does a good job of explaining somewhat the process I'm speaking of. It's not through the works that we do that the renewed mind is received. Man cannot, through his feeble attempts at reading more Bible, praying more, or fasting more save himself. Man cannot do a regeneration miracle in his own heart through his own works of righteousness; rather, a regeneration miracle takes place in the heart of  a man when he is born again  as taught in Romans 6:3-5, Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Jeremiah 31:31. Human words can't properly describe what happens in the spiritual realm, but let it be known that when a person is born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit, they will never be the same.
 
The word regeneration describes the initial conversion. One Greek scholar likened it to a building permit, which allows the continued work to ensue. The renewed mind is a renovation project. When a person is born again, the Holy Spirit comes to live in them and they now have a receiver.
 
Ezekiel 36:26-27
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
 
That which was previously born of Adam and dead to God has been born again and made alive to God. This event allows the renewing to ensue.
 
The word "renewing" in Titus and "renewed" in our Ephesians text come from the same root and mean exactly that: a process of renewal. So the renewed mind is transformed because the Holy Spirit, through salvation has awakened our spirit from the death of sin, and the process continues as the believer learns and submits to the Holy Spirit's renewal of the mind through the word.
 
One of the big problems we have is that much of our mindsets have been developed from the world; furthermore, we now live in the midst of a timeframe where the church has embraced much of the methodologies of the world, which further obscures the line between godliness and holiness; therefore, it becomes more difficult a process for the mind to be renewed. This same thing happened to Israel.
 
Hebrews 3:7-4:11
 
The revelation God gave me about this passage that connects to the renewed mind concept is the fact that God said, "They always erred because they didn't know His ways." paraphrase
 
As I began to ponder this concept, I asked the Lord, "But why Lord? Why didn't they know your ways? They were Israel, the nation you had created through the promises given to the one man named Abraham. You had delivered them from Egyptian bondage. They previously had known of your covenant through the sign of circumcision you had given Abraham-- why God?"
 
I firmly believe God's answer for me was the same problem that God's people deal with today. His answer was that they had been Egyptian slaves for 400 years, and even though they had been given the circumcision and the promises, as they lived in Egypt, a type of the world, they forgot the ways of God and became indoctrinated with the ways of the world.

Paul has a similar warning for the church.
 
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed [to be molded from an outer source] to this world: but be ye transformed [metamorphosis the inside {Jesus from the new birth} comes out] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 
Essentially, these two scriptures explain the same concept as the one we just covered in Hebrews. Just as Egypt (world) had influenced the mindset of Israel's thinking, the world today wants to influence the thinking of God's people—the church. God doesn't want His people to err repeatedly because they don't understand His ways.
 
In this Romans passage, the exhortation reaches backwards to all the previous teaching that had come forth:
 
Ch 1-3: all men, both Jew and Gentile are guilty according to God's standard of righteousness which was the Law.
 
Ch 3:21-4 & 5: the righteousness of God apart from the Law has been revealed and His name is Jesus. Man is justified and the curse reversed through faith in the sacrifice of the righteous one.
 
Ch 6: upon faith in Jesus and His sacrifice, the old man dies and a new man is resurrected anew.
 
Ch 7: when the believer attempts to live daily for God through faith in works and Law, grace is frustrated and failure rather than victory is the result.
 
Ch 8: there are spiritual laws that are in effect. The only way to victory over sin is through the fact that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death.
 
Ch 9-11: Israel is an example to the church. They attempted to establish their own righteousness and forsook the righteousness of God which was Jesus.
 
12: the believer is exhorted to live a life of sacrifice, where he becomes a walking worship service for God. Remember, the reader of this letter would have already read Romans chapter 6, where he would have been taught that the “old man’ was dead, and a “new man’ was resurrected; Therefore, when they read the words… be a living sacrifice…this was the exhortation.
 
The person who understands that the old is dead and the new is resurrected gains revelation that he is crucified to the world, he will not be conformed to their ways, and instead his mind is transformed as the new man begins to gain revelation about the wonderful plan of God, which created new creations in Christ. Ultimately, this is the renewed mind—a revelation that the believer is a new creation in Christ.

#15 Jesus Gives Gifts to His Body, Part 2

Jesus Gives Gifts to His Body: Part 2

Evangelist
 
Paul was an evangelist can you see him and Silas in the prison. Right after Lydia the seller of purple, the first European convert gets saved, they're in the streets preaching the gospel. And Paul casts the devil out of that young girl who was filled with the spirit of Python, a spirit of divination or fortune telling. And because of that they get thrown into jail because with the demon gone, she could no longer tell people their fortune, so her masters who made money off of her lost their finances.
 
But even in the jail Paul and Silas said, "We've come to lift Jesus up. We've come to praise His name. We're going to sing unto Him, and the chains break and the earth quakes and more people get saved. We should learn a valuable lesson from these men: when we are working for the Lord, there will be times that we will come against opposition. It’s in these times that we must hold onto Jesus more than ever before. We must be willing to sing His praise in both the good and bad times, and I have learned from personal experience that when I face circumstances I can’t control, if I will turn it over to Him, He will carry it, He will resolve it.
 
What about Phillip in Acts 8:26-38. He was led by the Holy Spirit to go down from Jerusalem into Gaza where he found the eunuch reading Isaiah, the spot where it foretold 600 years before our Jesus was born that He was a lamb led to slaughter, and He didn't open his mouth.
 
Candace's eunuch had to know, "Who does this speak of? Tell me does the prophet speak about himself or someone else?" And from that point forward Philip preached Jesus to him. "What prevents me from being baptized in water?" The eunuch inquires.
 
"Nothing, you just have to believe with all your heart."
 
The modern church has all but kicked the evangelist out. They have said, "We don't want the people stirred. We want to work our programs the way we have them set up, and don't you say that we're asleep, preacher, because we're doing stuff. We're moving and shaking."
 
But the people perish in the pew because the preacher refuses to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. And because you kicked out the evangelist the gospel is being preached without evangelical zeal and the people in the pew have no desire to see the lost saved.
 
Pastor- Teacher
 
The word pastor is closely connected to our English word pasture, and the thought is literally a shepherd. We won't take the time to separately discuss the concept of a teacher. Most Greek scholars explain that these two words are connected to one another according to a certain Greek language rule. Nevertheless, we should point out that certainly there can be teachers who aren't pastors; however, it's unlikely to be God's will for a person who isn't a teacher to be a pastor.
 
By nature a pastor's job is to provide food for the sheep. The food the sheep need in a Christian sense is the covenant God has provided where man can have relationship with Him, which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
 
As long as I'm teaching you Jesus and how to hear His voice, you're in the right place, a safe place where like the Psalmist said the Lord is the shepherd. He will lead you to a place where there is provision in your time of want. He will lead you to green pastures. If you really want to know Him, He will send you to a place where you can be fed right.
 
He will also lead you beside still waters. There is chaos abounding in this world. But if the under- shepherd can feed you Jesus, if He can teach you to hear Jesus, then there can be peace in your environment even though chaos abounds.
 
There are also some good concepts regarding shepherds for us to learn in John 10.
 
1st scenario: (John 10:1-8). The shepherd is Jesus. The sheep are His people, the others are imposters of false doctrine, and the scenario is that the porter is in charge of allowing entree' of the true shepherds.
 
In ancient times, there were fenced areas in pastures where multiple flocks could be kept for safe keeping. The sheep were trained to know their shepherd's voice; therefore, when the shepherd would come for His sheep, He would follow the proper protocol, going through the gate with permission from the porter, and calling His sheep by name, the sheep, in turn, would follow Him because they were used to His voice. Satan is always trying to get God’s people to go in an opposite direction of God’s plan. Jesus entered through the doorway, meaning He was obedient to the Father’s will. While Satan wanted Jesus to go another way a crown without a cross, He didn’t succumb to his deceptive devices.

Parable: story para- side ballo- throw-- (a parabolic teaching throws two things alongside each other for the purposes of comparison and contrast).
 

The parable being offered here is that the shepherd (Jesus) operates  according to the Father's will. There is no hidden agenda. However, the thief and the robber are going another way, a way of deception.
 
2nd scenario: (John 10:8, 9).
 
Once the shepherd's flock was gathered, they were then brought to a safe place where a smaller enclosure was provided for their safety. In this enclosure, the shepherd allows access in and out of the gate, for he becomes the gate. And the sheep can come in and out safely as needed. Walvoord says that the concept is that it's only through Jesus that the sheep are able to enter into the true provision and safety of God; for He (Jesus) alone is the gate for the sheep.
 
3rd scenario: (John 10:9-10). In this scenario there is still the thought of thievery, but also added is death and destruction. It should be noted that there is no doubt there is reference to our enemy Satan here; however, the reader should also be made aware that the immediate context is that Jesus is directly addressing the blinded and deceived Pharisees (John 9:39-41).
 
So a more specific interpretation would be that Jesus as the only real door to the sheep, which allows entrance into life is being contrasted with the false doctrines of those that have come before Him, who's purpose was to bring destruction to the sheep of God.
 
Lastly, as part of the contrast between Jesus' ministry and the Pharisees, which also applies to ministers today, Jesus, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep; a hireling, on the other hand, is only concerned about a paycheck, and he won't do what's best for the sheep if it interferes what he thinks is best for him.
 
One obvious thing that strikes me in this regard is people's unwillingness to call out false doctrine or ministries that are presenting the gospel in such a way that it will harm the sheep.

Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
 
The purpose of the five fold ministry is: perfecting the saints for ministry work for the purpose of edification of the body of Christ.
 
There are three action words in this verse that drive the thought God is communicating:
 
(1) perfecting- kartismos. The thought of this word is to bring something to perfection or completion. This word was used in varied ways during New Testament times: re-fitting a ship, setting a broken bone, and mending fishing nets. Undoubtedly, the idea is that all of creation finds themselves in the same predicament; we are fallen in Adam; however, God wants His people’s nets mended, He wants to bring us to a place of completion, so that we can minister Him to a lost and dying world.
 
The root of this word is also used in this verse here:
 
Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
 
The word mending is kartizo. The overall thought that I'm trying to communicate is that the purpose of these gifts are to help bring God's people into a place of mending and maturity. The effects of the fall have left holes in our nets, we need mending, so we can properly function in the kingdom of God.
 
Work- is ergon, and the work is ministry, which is diakonos, and is where we get our word for deacon. While the word deacon isn't specifically used to describe people in Acts 6, this is the first reference we have to the idea of a deacon and it's related to the word service:
 
Acts 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
 
...is from the same root diakonos. So a deacon is a servant. If you go back and review the criteria of a deacon, you will see that they must be full of the Holy Spirit. When a person is full of the Holy Spirit, their heart beats for what Jesus' heart beats for. Jesus’ heart beats for the souls of men. We should never be deluded into thinking that busy work like feeding people, clothing them, or even working on this building is the essence of what is spoken here. Our focal point must always be to minister Jesus to others.
 
The overall essence of service in the New Testament surrounds spiritual service where others are learning Jesus, so the idea is that God will use some as a Pastor- teacher, making me a vessel to minister Jesus to you, and as you are perfected and equipped, others are ministered to out there. In some cases, those people will come to church with us, in some cases they won't. That isn't what matters to me. Don't misunderstand me, I want people to come to our church, but my immediate concern is that you be built up, and that you minister (diakonos) to the people that you encounter on a daily basis and help them find Jesus. There is an eternal reward in that. If I'm so consumed with a desire to increase the numbers in this building, that I can't get excited when you tell me that you talked to someone long distance and ministered Jesus to them, then God help me, because I'm in error!
 
(3) edifying- oikodomos. This word comes from the root oikoos, meaning house. In this sense, the word has connected to it architecture or structural integrity.
 
To be truthful, the local church is only as effective as the believer's within its walls allow themselves to be submitted to Jesus; furthermore, their ability to submit their lives to Christ is directly related to their understanding of the gospel, which allows the Holy Spirit freedom to work in their lives.
 
As the individuals in local churches grow in Christ, the church is strengthened, but as we will soon see, the danger of false doctrine looms in the air. Satan and his false ministers will attempt at every moment to change the gospel ever so slightly to prevent the people from being perfected and edified so that they could do their part in the work of the ministry:
 
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
 
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure (metronome: measurement) of the stature (adult maturity) of the fulness of Christ:
 
So the gifts given by Jesus to the body are for the purpose of perfecting and building in preparation for ministry, and all this is to take place until we all come in the unity...
 
We must take a moment and ponder what's being communicated here. The word unity describes oneness, but notice the place unity is supposed to occur. In other words, the idea isn't unity just for the sake of getting along with everyone. Instead, the idea is that the unity is centered upon "the faith" and "the knowledge" of the Son of God, which results in a "perfect" or completed man who is being measured against Jesus.
 
I've said it before, and I will say it again, "Jesus is the plumb line. He is the standard of righteousness by which we measure our growth in Christ."
 
We have discussed this before, but the terminology, "the faith" isn't speaking of faith as an action word; instead, it's speaking of faith in the sense of a noun. In essence it's describing the covenant of God, which is where we are to keep our verb faith placed. What is the New Covenant of God:
 
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
 
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
 
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
 
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
 
In addition, the word knowledge used here is epignosis, which is a Greek compound word with a prepositional prefix: epi= upon and gnosis= knowledge. The idea is upon knowledge or above just information. The word has an experiential aspect to it. When we walk with the Lord and are taught the scriptures from their right perspective, we travel the pilgrimage of Christianity. As we travel this path, learning of Jesus, we encounter trials and tribulations. When we have a right understanding of the scriptures, understanding that it's faith in Him and His work on the cross that gives access to grace, we are empowered for victory in the trial. Once we start seeing the hand of God move in our lives, we begin to gain epignosis about the way God's plan works.
 
Ex: a welder can be taught is trade school how to perform certain welds and how hot certain ones have to burn, but until he holds the rod in his hand and begins to weld, there is no experience.
 
Other ex of how added experience increases knowledge and understanding about a situation as opposed to just knowing something intellectually: suturing, sweating a copper pipe, filling a cavity.
 
So the New Covenant is Jesus and His sacrifice. Therefore, when the scripture says that we are to come into unity or oneness in "the faith," it's speaking of the fact that we are to be in agreement or unity in our understanding of Christ.
 
As already stated, the knowledge we are speaking of here is not just something superficial that we heard about once; instead, it describes knowledge that has become part of who we are. It has an experiential aspect to it. It's becoming part of who we are, and our daily walk is being changed by it. We're learning what works and what doesn't work in our Christian lives as we allow the Holy Spirit to operate in us.
 
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
 
Here is another great scripture with this Greek word epignosis. In this verse, we're told that God has given us everything we need to live godly in this life. Access to this power in some way is connected to knowledge. Once again, the knowledge spoken of here is experiential or a more full understanding. We all know that it's faith rather than knowledge that allows the believer to gain the benefits of God. However, if the believer doesn't know what to properly believe, or if his faith is superficial, then he will have difficulty believing God for victory because he doesn't really know where to keep his faith placed.
 
So Jesus has gifted the body of Christ with the five- fold ministry for the purpose of bringing believers into a right understanding of faith so that growth can take place. And the standard by which our growth is measured is Jesus:
 
Ephesians 4:13  ....unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
 
In other words, as the five- fold ministry operates properly according to its function, the body of Christ is taught proper faith which gives access to grace (Romans 5:2) and as grace is flowing in the life of the believer, we are conformed or molded into the image of Christ:
 
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
 
This passage is focused on two things:
 
(1) there is a process taking place in the life of the believer called sanctification, which means that they (believers) are being made to become holy like their savior through grace working in their lives (2) this process will continue until glorification. He was the firstborn (resurrected), and one day we will be like Him [glorified].
 
Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
 
And this is that ongoing process that takes place. It's started at salvation and completed through the lifespan of the believer's walk. Regeneration is made up of two words: palin= anew and genesis= beginnings.
 
In Christ, we receive a new birth and a new beginning. At conversion, you could say that we are given a "receiver," the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, and we now can receive from God. We can hear his voice.
 
The words: and renewing of the Holy Ghost;...describes an ongoing renovation. One scholar explained the process like this: "When the believer is born again, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in his heart, and it's as though a building permit has been received, allowing construction to begin; whereas, the renewal of the Holy Spirit is the ongoing process.
 
 

#14 Jesus Gives Gifts to His Body

Jesus Gives Gifts to His Body

For those who've been with us since the beginning of the Ephesians study, you know that a common theme has been prevalent: God is creating an eternal family. We covered on multiple occasions the concepts of adoption:
 
Ephesians 1:5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself...
 
Also, we spoke about the concept of being begotten of God through the sprinkling of blood and the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:2,3). It was pointed out that the terminology "begotten" specifically means to be given birth to.
 
So God has been, through the annals of human history, adopting and giving birth to a people for Himself.
 
But these are just two New Testament passages. And God has been active in forming this family since creation and after the fall through redemption.
 
Further clarity was given when Paul explained that God's plan contained both Jew and Gentile; whereas, in times past the Gentiles (those people who were not of Jewish origin) were without the covenants and promises of Messiah, now the two (both Jew and Gentile) were made one "In Christ."
 
Now, the only separation that exists is simply those who believe and are in covenant with God (church) and those who don't believe and are outside of covenant with God (world).
 
There is a common unity that exists between believers, and the common unity that connects us is our association and identification (Luke 9:23) with Jesus in His, death, burial and resurrection from the dead. For you see, the plan of God provides, in Christ, that the "old man" dies with Jesus at the cross, is buried with Him in the tomb, and a "new man" is resurrected to newness of life. And in this resurrection, the "new man" becomes a part in the body of Christ.
 
Furthermore, we learned from two different sources (1 Peter 2:4-6; Ephesians 2:19-22) that we are individual stones made alive by the lively stone, and we are being built upon a foundation upon which He is the cornerstone, a foundation completed by the disciples, and a continued building project is taking place where the lively stones are constructed into a habitable place for the presence of God to dwell. As we've pointed out on numerous occasions the word church is translated from ekklesia, which is ek= out and klesia= called; therefore, the church is constructed of individual stones that have the presence of God dwelling in them who were once of the world, but have been called out in Christ and are now His body—His church.
 
Then we moved to chapter four where the instruction transitioned from doctrine to practice. Furthermore, we came across the spot where we spent the last three weeks, discussing Jesus' descent into the underworld. When we started teaching that process, I made the point that these couple passages represented an accomplishment of many eras:

(1) He proclaimed His victory to the disobedient angels who sinned during Noah’s time

(2) He led captivity captive; in other words, every soul that had been saved on credit looking forward to the blood of the eternal lamb was released once His perfect blood was shed

(3) now, as He is seated at the right hand of God, He gives gifts unto men (church age i.e. many eras), so let's look at the gifts given by Jesus to His church.
 
To start with, it should be noted that there is a difference between the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12) and the gifts spoken of in this passage of scripture. The first set of gifts are worded in the Greek as charisma gifts, and this is where the thought of charismatic Christianity originated, because people of the charismatic persuasion allowed the operation of the Holy Spirit to manifest His gifts in their midst. These gifts are manifested to the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and He distributes these gifts through the members of the body. In other words, it's not only the preacher who will be used as a vessel through which these gifts will flow, but also the individual members of the body of Christ will operate in these gifts.
 
Now, there is one more distinction that should be noted. In these gifts, the gifts are the gifts themselves not the person who operates in them. In other words, the gift is: tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, wisdom, discerning of spirits.... While it is true that certain people tend to operate in certain gifts more than others, the gift is not the person, rather, it's the gift itself; furthermore, the gifts are not the person’s they belong to the Holy Spirit.
 
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
 
There is a slight difference regarding the gifts we are speaking of out of Ephesians. These gifts are didomai, describing a bestowing, which is given by Jesus directly to His church; furthermore, in some way the gift is connected to the person, because the specific person is the vessel that this particular gift flows through. These people that are called by Jesus are given as gifts to the body of Christ for the purpose of edification, meaning (building up, perfection, in the sense of completion), so there are the offices of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor- teacher, these gifts are also sometimes referred to the five- fold ministry.
 
For further clarity, it should be noted that just because a person operates in the gift of prophecy that doesn't automatically mean that they have been given as a gift by Jesus to the body of Christ to operate in the office of a prophet. This is just a general term to introduce this thought. I will try to clarify as we move forward. But before we do, I will say that the purpose of these gifts are to serve Jesus by building up His people. In other words, it's not the gift, nor the man or woman that operates in the office that is to be built up; instead, it is God's people that are to be edified or built up.

Apostle
 
Starting with the apostle, we have a "touchy" subject in the modern church. We have one side of the camp that label themselves as, "I am the apostle, prophet, evangelist... without hesitation. Then we have the other side that is almost scared to use the terminology of apostle, because they believe it's so reverential that it is a title only to be used of the original twelve, which were commissioned by Jesus in person and included the apostle Paul, because if you will remember his story, he was called and instructed by Jesus Himself to be an apostle.
 
But the reality is that there were others that the New Testament referred to as apostles, and a couple of these men are somewhat obscure within the pages of scripture:
 
James [the Lord's brother, who was not of the original 12] (1 Corinthians 15:7).
 
Barnabus (Acts 14:4,14; 1 Corinthians 9:1-6).
 
Adronicus and Junius (Romans 16:7).
 
So what does the word apostle literally mean?
 
Literally the word means a "sent one" with authority, an ambassador of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It seems to me as though a common denominator of the apostle is that he often fulfills the role of many, if not all, of the other offices. In other words, in the life of Paul and Peter, we can easily see the offices of: prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher.
 
More specifically, apostles are called to establish and are sent by God as overseers of His works. There is no doubt that there are probably times when an apostle may be sent by God; yet, the established order of the men in place don't recognize that God's authority has sent him; therefore, his apostolic purposes are rejected in that sense. Actually, this happened to the apostle Paul on more than one occasion.
 
Prophet
 
Nowadays, there are many people who are quick to label themselves with anyone of these titles. However, it should be clearly understood, as already stated, that there is a vast difference between the office of a prophet and the gift of prophecy. The latter is a word gift given by the Holy Spirit and distributed through a believer in order to bring a word from God to His people; whereas, the former is a gift by Jesus to His church and He functions as a prophet of God.
 
While a person may prophesy and foretell future events, just because person prophecies, it doesn't mean that he is a prophet. The office of the prophet for Israel had a specific purpose: he was to bring correction to God's people when they were in error. This role of the prophet could be labeled forth telling. In other words, the prophet speaks forth the oracles of God. He functions as a mouth piece to let God's people know where they are in error, and what they need to do in order to make things right with God.
 
The foretelling part of this ministry is often connected to warn of the effects that will follow a path of disobedience. In other words, what will happen if the correction is rejected.
 
I can't help but think of John the Baptist. While he was obviously evangelistic, he was very prophetic. He walked in the anointing of the great prophet Elijah. Elijah's anointing required that the people of God be turned from a wrong way of worship:
 
1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
 
In a similar fashion, John the Baptist was called to bring the people back to a straight path. The religion of the Pharisees had muddied the water; they had obscured the path, making it difficult for God's people to see their way in the right direction. And as a prophet of God, John the Baptist prepared the way for the way. He was a voice crying out in the wilderness for the hodos (Greek for way, which was Jesus): way-- an easily discernible path. And he brought a scathing rebuke upon the corrupt religion of the day just as Elijah rebuked Jezebel's prophets. Just in case you don't believe me, here is what John the Baptist told the Pharisees:
 
Matthew 3:4-8 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
 
And the Lord has been showing me for the last couple years and has recently confirmed it in prophecy through some of my World Evangelism Bible College student friends: God is going to raise up John the Baptist prophets in these last days who will operate with the same spirit that was upon Elijah, a fire and fervor to clean the house of God and herald a return to right worship of God. "How long will you halt between two opinions? If God is God then serve Him. And if the world is the world then serve it, but quit pretending that you're serving Him when you're really serving it."
 
Just as John the Baptist prepared a way for the first coming of Jesus, God is causing a stirring in the spirits of some to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to a lost and dying world. They will prepare the way for His return. He's coming back church. And He's looking for a church without spot or wrinkle, and their ain't no way you can look like that unless you understand what it means to be in Him because He alone is without spot or wrinkle.
 
Evangelist
 
Paul was an evangelist can you see him and Silas in the prison. Right after Lydia the seller of purple, the first European convert gets saved, they're in the streets preaching the gospel. And Paul casts the devil out of that young girl who was filled with the spirit of Python, a spirit of divination or fortune telling. And because of that they get thrown into jail because with the devil gone, she could no longer tell people their business, so her masters who made money off of her lost their finances., and they had influence with the officials.
 
But even in the jail they said, "We've come to lift Jesus up. We've come to praise His name. We're going to sing unto Him, and the chains break and the earth quakes and more people get saved. In the trial, when you’re burdened down, if you will go to Him and submit to Him, something beautiful will happen.
 
What about Phillip in Acts 8:26-38. He was led by the Holy Spirit to go down from Jerusalem into Gaza where he found the eunuch reading Isaiah, the spot where it foretold 600 years before our Jesus was born that He was a lamb led to slaughter, and He didn't open his mouth.
 
Candace's eunuch had to know; in other words, his heart was yearning for an answer, "Who does this speak of? Tell me does the prophet speak about himself or someone else?" And from that point forward Philip preached Jesus to him.

 "What prevents me from being baptized in water?" The eunuch inquires.
 
"Nothing, you just have to believe with all your heart."
 
The modern church has all but kicked the evangelist out. They have said, "We don't want the people stirred. We want to work our programs the way we have them set up, and don't you say that we're asleep preacher because we're doing stuff. We're moving and shaking."
 
But the people perish in the pew. Because you kicked out the evangelist the gospel is being preached without evangelical zeal and the people in the pew have no evangelical zeal to see the lost saved.
 
Pastor- Teacher
 
The word pastor is closely connected to our English word pasture, and the thought is literally a shepherd. We won't take the time to separately discuss the concept of a teacher. Most Greek scholars explain that these two words are connected to one another according to a certain Greek language rule. We also won't concern ourselves with those details, but we should point out that certainly there can be teachers who aren't pastors; however, it's unlikely to be God's will for a person who isn't a teacher to be a pastor.
 
By nature a pastor's job is to provide food for the sheep. The food the sheep need in a Christian sense is a good diet of Jesus, a good diet of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, which is the covenant God has provided where man can have relationship with Him.
 
As long as I'm teaching you Jesus and how to hear His voice, you're in the right place, a safe place where like the Psalmist said the Lord can be your shepherd. He will lead you to a place where there is green pasture. If you really want to know Him, He will send you to a place where you can be fed right.
 
He will also lead you beside still waters. There is chaos abounding in this world. But if the under- shepherd can feed you Jesus, if He can teach you to hear Jesus, then there can be peace in your environment even though chaos abounds.
 
There are also some good concepts regarding shepherds for us to learn in John 10.
 
1st scenario: (John 10:1-8)

The shepherd is Jesus. The sheep are His people, the others are imposters of false doctrine, and the scenario is that the porter is in charge of allowing entree' of the shepherd, giving access to the sheep inside.
 
In ancient times, there were fenced areas in pastures where multiple flocks could be kept for safe keeping. The sheep were trained to know their shepherd's voice; therefore, when the shepherd would come for His sheep, He would follow the proper protocol, going through the gate with permission from the porter, and calling His sheep by name, which would in turn follow Him because they were used to His voice.
 
The para- side ballo- throw (a parabolic teaching throws two things alongside each other for the purposes of comparison and contrast) being done here is that the shepherd (Jesus) and any under- shepherd that follows His lead through grace is operating according to the Father's will. There is no hidden agenda; whereas, the thief and the robber are going another way, a way of deception.
 
2nd scenario: (John 10:8, 9)
 
Once the shepherd's flock were gathered, they were then brought to a safe place where a smaller enclosure was provided for their safety. In this enclosure, the shepherd allows access in and out of the gate, for he becomes the gate. And the sheep can come in and out safely as needed. Walvoord says that the concept is that it's only through Jesus that the sheep are able to enter into the true provision and safety of God; for He (Jesus) alone is the gate for the sheep—there is no other access point.
 
3rd scenario (John 10:9-10)

In this scenario there is still the thought of thievery, but also added is death and destruction. It should be noted that there is no doubt there is reference to our enemy Satan here; however, the reader should also be made aware that the immediate context is that Jesus is directly addressing the blinded and deceived Pharisees (John 9:39-41).
 
So a more specific interpretation would be that Jesus as the only real door to the sheep, which allows entrance into life is being contrasted with the false doctrines of those that have come before Him, whose purpose was to bring destruction to the sheep of God.
 
Lastly, as part of the contrast between Jesus' ministry and the Pharisees, which also applies to ministers today, Jesus, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep; a hireling, on the other hand, is only concerned about a paycheck, and he won't do what's best for the sheep if it interferes what he thinks is best for him.
 
One obvious thing that strikes me in this regard is people's unwillingness to call out false doctrine or ministries that are presenting the Gospel in such a way that it will harm the sheep. Instead, "Sh-sh-sh, mum's the word. We don't want to rock the boat."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

#7 From a Lost Stranger to a Lively Stone

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
 

Remember the past, the time when you were without Christ and were aliens from the life of God?  The Gentiles, in their uncircumcised state were separated, and outside covenant with God;
 

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
 
The word Christ is the Greek language's version of the concept of "The Anointed One," and Messiah is the Hebrew version of the same thought, The Anointed One.
 
Who is The Anointed One? He is the one who was foretold and prophesied of from the times of old. He's the one who would crush the serpent's head in the garden. He's the seed promised through the ages of God. He's the lion of the tribe of Judah to whom the scepter of Shiloh belongs. He's the blood painted on the doorpost that fateful night in Egypt. He's the red or scarlet thread blowing in the wind as it hangs from Rahab's window signaling that there is one in this wicked town that believes the God of Israel will deliver. He's the one who was pierced in Psalm 22. He's the one who bore our transgressions and iniquities in Isaiah 53. And He's so much more than my little mind could ever conceive. He's Messiah, the Christ, the anointed one, and He's come to bring us the life of God.
 
But let's stay close to the text. We're dealing with the circumcision (Jewish people and their covenant with God) versus the uncircumcision (Gentiles who were without God or a covenant).
 
The Gentiles had no way of knowing the life of God. They were under the bondage of pagan idolatry, being driven through human history by fallen angels and demon spirits. Living according to the course of the world, spending their little vapor of life indulging their fleshly appetites, and thinking they were really living.
 
The Gentiles had no way of knowing that there was another way of life because they were under the control of taskmasters. The book of Daniel teaches us that there are spiritual entities that control regions of this physical world. In Daniel (Daniel 10:13,20), we're informed of the fact that there was a prince of Persia hindering Daniel's prayers. The archangel Michael had to come to the assistance of, who was probably, the angel Gabriel to combat Persia's prince. At the time of this Daniel passage, Israel was in captivity to the Medo-Persia Empire. Babylon had already been toppled by this current Empire just mentioned. The reference to the Prince of Persia shows us that there is more than meets the eye; there is conflict in the spiritual realm that is physically manifested in the spiritual realm. The prince of Persia is a fallen angel that is hindering the work of God, and Michael the archangel of Israel is dispatched to help; furthermore, we are told that there will soon be conflict with the prince of Greece. This is in reference to the fact that Greece would eventually conquer Medo-Persia, and Israel would then be under Greece’s captivity until the Roman Empire. Essentially, the point I wanted to make is that there are spiritual strongholds that have power over the spiritual realm, and they specifically rule over the Gentile nations, and are constantly trying to cause confusion to the kingdom of God.
 

In addition, these princes represent those principalities, powers, mights, and dominions that Paul mentioned in the early part of Ephesians chapter two, when he was explaining that "In Christ," those who believe, the ones in "the faith," have been given power over these principalities and powers.
 
At least the Jewish people understood these concepts. Now, you have to understand that at the time Paul writes this letter, the Jewish people as a nation aren't in covenant with God; instead, they've rejected Messiah. That doesn't mean that God is done with national Israel. Replacement theology is a lie that says the church has taken the place of national Israel. No! God isn't done with them as a nation, but in the meantime, only those that are saved through the blood of the Lamb are in covenant with Him.
 
But continuing the thought, it's important to note that it was to Israel that the promises were made. God called Abraham and promised him a place and a people through which Messiah would come. Isaac shall his name be called, who was father of Jacob, whose name change to Israel was given to his twelve sons, who were the twelve tribes, who became the nation known by the same name as they exited or made the Exodus on that fateful Passover night, and it was to this people group that all those prophesies and promises were made in reference to the manifestation of the anointed one, and then He came.
 
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
 
Just reflect on all that for a moment: the promise was manifest, the promise was Jesus, and now, we, like John, have beheld His glory-- at least spiritually for us.
 
But once again all this forewarning, foreknowledge, and promises were given to Israel. The Word of the living God was given to Israel.
 
Romans 3:1-2 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
 
Not only was Israel entrusted with the oracles of God, but they were given the covenant promises:
 
Abrahamic Covenant: a seed will bless all nations (Genesis 12:3): that seed is Christ (Galatians 3:16).
 
 Davidic Covenant: an eternal king will be given (2 Samuel 7:13).
 
Mosaic Covenant: Old Testament with all its sacrifices, the tabernacle, and so many other rich expressions foreshadowing the coming of Jesus.
 
New Covenant: promises were given to Israel, and we are simply beneficiaries of their promises through faith: (Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 31:31).
 
Israel as a nation was created by God with great purposes. She would serve as the womb from which Messiah would be birthed if permission to speak this way is granted; furthermore, she was entrusted with the very words of God. While all other nations may have flood stories containing some truth, only Israel has a flood story containing the truth. And to this people that He birthed through the loins of Abraham, He ultimately gave Messiah, but He also gave His eternal truth, to Israel, to them, He entrusted the oracles of life, and as much as Satan has tried to destroy the Word of God in an attempt to make the minds of humanity forget His existence, the Bible still stands. It stands strong and says, "Contained within the covers of this book there is power."
 
Preach the power of God preacher! Why do you trifle and meddle with strange fire? Why do you teach as commandments the doctrines of men? Why do you allow the gospel to be diluted in an attempt to make the masses happy?
 
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
 
But God changed all that for humanity; whereas, we were previously far away, we've been brought near through the blood of Jesus. The sin of Adam and our own "ante into the game" had left us in the most uncomfortable place of separation. As the Gentiles in the text, we too were without the life of God, but now we aren't. Hallelujah! And our children don't have to be. They will have to make their own choices to serve Him, but if we will, at least they will have been given that choice and chance, at least they won't be like the wandering Gentile without any knowledge of God in the midst of this godless society that keeps traveling in the wrong direction.
 
Ephesians 2:14,15 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
 
As previously noted, there were two types of people on the earth before Messiah's manifestation. The first of the people groups are the Jews, the nation God created for Himself, and the second of the people groups are the Gentiles, those who were unaware of the one true God. Verse 14 explains that Jesus is the peace between the parties because He has removed the barrier that separated the two groups when He made one man in Christ.
 
The wall acting as a barrier has been postulated as many things such as the wall separating the Gentile court from the rest of the temple. While it is true that this wall existed, the context here doesn't mention the actual temple. However, circumcision has been mentioned, which was a separating and distinguishing factor between the two people groups. And the circumcision really represents the Law, which certainly was a dividing wall.
 
The Law as righteousness was annulled when Messiah was manifest in the flesh, because Jesus was the physical manifestation of God's righteousness, He was the fulfillment of the plan!
 
Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God [Jesus] without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference
 
And to be truthful, the Law wasn't on Israel's side either because they didn't keep it; therefore, it called them guilty, but according to Colossians 2:15, the enmity (againstness) that was between us because of the Law was removed when Jesus nailed it to His cross, so quit living in the past Christian. You're not guilty if you're in Christ.
 
The word peace describes harmony and, and through the cross, the plan of God was completed for righteousness; therefore, there is no longer Jew and Gentile in the mind of God. The Jew may still look down upon what he calls the uncircumcised, but he is an unredeemed Pharisee full of hypocrisy and relative righteousness if he does.
 
Those who are redeemed in Christ are the people of God:
 
1 Peter 2:6-12 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
 

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
 

The word slain literally means to outright put to death, and the word enmity describes hatred, opposition, or let me make up a word "againstness." There was "againstness" between Jew and Gentile because the Law stood between the two.
 
Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
 
So Jesus' righteousness offered as payment for sin removed the dividing wall of Law for righteousness that separated Jew from Gentile, resulting in a whole new race of man being created, and that new man has a name. Today, we call him Christian, and he lives in a certain place, which we call "in Christ."
 
Now, a new concept is considered because the "againstness" here doesn't just refer to an enmity between Jew and Gentile; rather, the enmity in this verse refers to the "againstness" existing between God and man, whether that man is Jew or Gentile.
 
Jesus' cross fulfilled righteousness:
 
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4

 
And because the manifestation of Messiah has come, the vessel was changed from water to wine, the sacrificial system was fulfilled, Jesus sat down, and the Jew can't live for God according to the old way anymore; instead, he must come the way of the cross, or he won't come at all.
 
And this is the meaning to this thought...preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
 
Preached is Euaggelion, which is where we get our word, evangelize. There are other words that are translated as preach, but have different meanings in the Greek; for instance, the word kerusso means proclamation, and while it can be used to describe a proclamation of the gospel, it usually describes a legal pronouncement.
 
The preacher in this verse...he preached...is referring to Jesus. He proclaimed the New Covenant message that would bring peace between God and man, and it's the same message for both those that were far away (Gentiles) and those that were near (Jews), but don't be confused by the modern gospel. The peace was made through the blood of His cross:
 
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
 
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
 
The Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest explains this word access by describing a liaison providing availability to a national leader. He also states that the French word entree' is a perfect word to describe the thought-- permission is granted, you may now see the king.
 
Jesus opened the door for access through the cross, and the Holy Spirit brings us into God's presence, which is the presence of the Father, so we are painted a picture of the trinity in this verse.
 
Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
 
Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
 
Through faith in God's redemptive plan, the former foreigner, a Gentile has been grafted into the family of God (Romans 11:17-19), and has become part of the family of God.
 
Faith in God's eternal plan, causes the "old man" who was wandering aimlessly without hope, separated from the life of God to die, and the "new man" is resurrected into a new place called "In Christ," and "In Christ," the "new man" has become partaker of God's nature (2 Peter 1:4), which has changed his "pedigree"-- he's now been born again as a child of God, a new citizen of God's kingdom, a new child in God's family, a new resident member in the household of God.
 
It's not typical behavior that we just let anyone come live in our home. While many of us may have opened our doors to strangers for a night or two, sometimes even weeks or months, typically, the home is a place denoting intimate fellowship. You're of the household of God Christian, and God wants to have intimate fellowship with you.
 
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
 
There is a progressive thought being built in these last verses of this chapter. The people of God, who consist of both Jew and Gentile created in Christ are now one man in Him. And this "new man" exists in the household of God, but as we will soon see, the "new man" isn't just a partaker in the household of God; rather, he is literally part of the building itself.
 
The word for foundation in verse 19 can be used to describe the concept of both something’s beginnings, and  it can also be used to describe the substructure of an architectural endeavor. In this verse, the word foundation is being used both ways. In somewhat of a metaphorical sense, there is a building being constructed, which will house the presence of God, and the foundation of that building consists of the work of Jesus (the cornerstone) and the disciples (the finishers of the foundation).
 
As we've already explained over the last couple weeks, Jesus was given by God to lost and dying humanity, who were stumbling separate from God in the dark. Jesus accomplished the work of the Father on the cross opening the door for humanity to gain access to the presence of God. And the disciples continued the work, which was entrusted into their hands. What an amazing thought of how real God is that we're still considering this today. Review Jesus' prayer again in John 17 where He prays to the Father about helping the disciples as they've been chosen to continue the work. Jesus and the disciples have laid a foundation for the work, the house, the dwelling place of God.
 
We should not move past the truth that Jesus is the Cornerstone, which could also be thought of as the first foundational stone to be laid before the structure can be built.
 
1 Peter 2:4-8 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
 
Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
 
Once again, we see a form of that prepositional phrase we have spoken of in the past. In this case, it's worded as "In whom," but the whom is Christ, so in this place the believer (new man) is one aspect or part of an architectural building. The thought in the original language regarding the word "building" is an architectural structure; furthermore, the phrase, "...fitly framed together...," describes a joining, compacting, or union. If you could imagine a welding machine or a rivet gun connecting metal beams as a structure is being joined together for a purpose, you could imagine in your mind a "building" being erected for God's habitation upon this earth.
 
However, in this analogy, the connection or common union isn't a rivet or weld; instead, the common union is our connection in Christ, which came through our faith in His sacrifice killing the old, creating the new, and making us all part of one body in Christ.
 
Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
 
So the corporate body of Christ is made up of individual believers, in which God's presence dwells upon this earth. The word habitation literally means dwelling place. In us, through us, the presence of the Holy Spirit dwells upon this earth moving and operating in the hearts of humanity, moving and operating upon the hearts of those who are still strangers and foreigners and without citizenship.
 
In closing, I would like to consider the progressive concept of God's dwelling. Before the fall, God's presence dwelled with Adam and Eve, but since the fall, a large part of God's eternal plan has been to bring His presence back to His lost wandering creation. In the creation of His own nation Israel, a big step in bringing His presence closer was the building of the sanctuary.
 
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
 If we take some time to study the Tabernacle, we realize that this tent not only foreshadows the coming of Jesus, but it provided a dwelling place to house the presence of God. As mentioned last week, there were two chambers to the tabernacle. The first was the holy place, which contained the table of shewbread, also known as the bread of presence, which represents Jesus because He is the presence of God manifested to humanity in physical form.
 
Then in the middle before the veil was the altar of incense. A coal from the bronze altar, which was located in the front of the tabernacle on the outside, was placed on the altar of incense, also known as the golden altar. The bronze altar outside was where the sacrifice was offered to God, and a coal from the sacrifices remains was the only source of ignition allowed by God to burn the incense. The purpose of the incense was to provide intercession or a shrouding protection between the high priest and God when he entered through the veil into the holiest of holies. Jesus is our sacrifice, but He is also our intercession. His presence stands between us and the holiness of God protecting us, providing intercession for us.
 
To the left was the menorah or the lamp stand. The lamp stand provided light for work. It consisted of six branches connected to one middle branch all containing oil (Holy Spirit) providing light. Interesting to me is the fact that six is the number of man and seven is the number of completeness with God. Until man (the six outer branches) are connected to Christ (the middle and seventh branch) man is incomplete; furthermore, He is the light of the world, but as He taught in Matthew 5, in Him, we become the light of the world as we reflect His glory.
 
But the main point I wanted to make was the fact that God promised His presence would dwell in the inner sanctuary, also known as the Holy of Holies:
 
Exodus 25:18-22 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
 
But all these were types and shadows painting a picture that one day fulfillment was on the way, and that fulfillment came in Christ:
 
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
 
The word dwelled here literally means to tabernacle or sanctuary. So we see a clear progression in the word of God where He is bringing His presence back to man. And now, in the Ephesians passage, we are told that the body of believers who are connected in communion with Christ through faith in His sacrifice, have become the dwelling place of God.

#6 When God Transplants the Heart, Reviving and Remolding Will Start

As I was thinking about this title, which I felt like communicated the essence of this passage; I was reminded of an occurrence that happened when I was working in ICU. I worked on a unit where we took care of open heart surgery patients.
 
Now, these patients weren't transplants, but they needed bypass grafts to restore blood flow (life) to their heart; without that change to their hearts, they couldn't live.
 
There was one occurrence when I was working a night shift and a man who had had surgery that day went into V-fib, it's a heart rhythm that's not compatible to life because the heart isn't beating; instead, it's in a state of a weak quiver, and there is no real movement of blood, no real life circulating; sadly, this is where many Christians live, in a state of spiritual V- fib.
 
Anyway, we were frantically doing CPR, getting ready to shock the patient when the surgeon walked in to the room and said get the thoracotomy tray because we're going to have to open him up.
 
I can still remember her telling me, “Take those hemostats and rip those staples out!” And like unzipping a zipper, I ripped those hemostats through the staples, as they flew in all directions in the air, the skin covering his sternum opened, revealing the wires holding together.
 
"Come on Matt! Get the wire cutters and cut those wires! Hurry," so I did.
 
"Come on Matt! Get those retractors and open that chest up." I can still remember opening his chest and seeing that big quivering heart he had, it was barely hanging on for life.
 
"Grab it!" She said. "Grab it and start squeezing," so I squeezed, and then we shocked with internal paddles, and I squeezed and then we shocked...on and on, we feverishly worked to bring life back to this Man's quivering heart.
 
Unfortunately, he didn't make it through that trial in his life, and I don't know where he was spiritually at that moment, but I wanted to use that as an illustration to speak about the spiritual heart of man.
 
In his fallen state, man's heart (his spirit/ the part that connects to the life of God) is quivering at best, there is no life flowing through it. But God's plan has always been to offer hope through a heart transplant.
 
In the Old Testament, promised that there would be a day when He would do something different than ever before. He was talking about the New Covenant, a new agreement, where He would meet man according to His plan.
 
In this New Covenant, God said:
 
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
 
In this New Covenant, the promise was a heart change. God's plan would no longer work according to external religion; instead, He was saying that there would come a day when He would do an inner work, changing the very interior of man, that part of him which was driving his outward actions.
 
When God changes the heart, the reviving and remolding will start!
 
He also spoke through the prophet Jeremiah saying:
 
Jeremiah 31:31-33
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;which my covenant they brake,although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;After those days, saith the Lord,I will put my law in their inward parts,and write it in their hearts;and will be their God,and they shall be my people.
 
In this New Covenant, the internal miracle would result in God's Law being placed within the heart of the person. When the heart is "transplanted" by God, His Law or character (His Word/ who He is) is planted within the interior of man.
 
How does this happen? Because when a man or woman is born again, the Holy Spirit of God, the very life of God, and the author of the Law of God, now lives in the heart of man. So long before the sin is committed, the Holy Spirit is convicting, instructing, pleading with the believer not to transgress God's word.
 
Lastly, before we start, it's important that we understand the role of the Word and the Spirit in all this. God's word is His communication to this lost and dying world. Fallen humanity's thoughts are far removed from God; therefore, God sent His language to earth in the form of His word.
 
As the believer, begins to place God's word in him, the Holy Spirit that now lives in the transplanted heart begins to transform the whole view of reality. In this scenario, the transplant has been effective, blood flow has been restored, and the life of God is transforming the mind and conforming, even molding the believer into the image of Christ.

 
 When God Transplants the Heart, the Reviving and Remolding will Start

Ephesians 2:3
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
 

…by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
 
The word children here is specifically related to the process of birth, or the production of offspring, and these children are described as those that by reason of their inherent nature were children facing wrath. Furthermore, earlier in the verse, Paul explains to the Ephesians that they also used to be among these ranks.

Sinful Nature

When God created Adam, He created him in His image and likeness Genesis 1:26,and Eve was brought forth from the side of that image, but since the occurrence of the fall, the procreation of man has followed a replication pattern of Adam's fallen image instead of the original state where Adam was created in the image of God, the image given him when he was formed of the dust and God's life was breathed within His lungs. Genesis 5:3.
 
Romans 5:12 teaches that the effects of Adam's sin has spread through the entirety of the human race.
 
Interestingly, along the "sinful nature" thought line, in the book of Romans starting at the end of chapter 5 through all of Romans 6, the word sin is used 19 times, but only once in all those places is the word used as a verb. Every other time, it's being used as a noun, which describes a person, place or thing, and in this case the noun is describing the nature of sin we received from our father Adam in our first birth.
 
Another way to describe this thought is that the sin nature (noun) is the root of sin and the (verbs/ actions) of sin are simply the fruit of the root. In essence, we need a miracle from God at the root system, because this alone will change the fruit that's manifested in the life, at least for the believer who is willing to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way.

I put this thought in the notes a couple weeks ago, and while I don’t intend to be redundant, as I was originally writing this idea, I believe God was giving me a revelation that I had previously not had. Just as Eve, Adam’s bride, was brought forth in a pristine state without spot or wrinkle from Adam’s sinless side, the bride of Christ has been grafted and is being re-created in Him, progressively being conformed into the image of our Lord until that glorious day when we will see Him (1 John 3:2), and then we will be as He is; we will have a sinless glorified body, and we will be restored to a state that truly reflects the image of God.
 

Ephesians 2:4, 5
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
 
We were dead in sins, which ultimately refers to being dead to the life of God, a separation from His presence. Sin in Adam and Eve's life resulted in expulsion from the garden, separating them from the presence and life of God (Genesis 3:24). This is why Paul describes the fact that we used to be one with them (unbelievers); we were previously amongst the unredeemed, separated from the presence and life of God; therefore, "children of wrath," because those found outside of Christ, will face the judgment of sin.
 
In this state man is dead to the light of God, no access to His presence, no access to His life. How lonely this feels as I type these words. My heart becomes heavy when I think about the countless souls who slip into eternity every day. I know that I don't do enough! Please help me God to do all I'm supposed to do!
 
Adam's banishment from the garden was a result of his disobedience and new gained knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17; 3:4, 5, 22), a knowledge only rightfully belonging to God, because He alone can hold the universe in His hand.
 
This knowledge moves man away from his focus on God alone; for now, he will spend his time and efforts playing the part of God. He will attempt to rectify the problems of sin by taking his own fallen ingenuity and logic and build a society that's more conducive to his perception of his own needs, a society that helps his physical discomforts resulting from the fall, but a society that disregards the knowledge of God.
 
The banishment from the garden results in separation from both God's presence but also God's life. There is no re-entrance, the flaming swords of the angels stand at the gate refusing entree' into this place where the presence and life of God exist. How they must have longed to partake of that tree again, to eat of its life giving fruit.
 
It must be understood that this tree can be partaken of again today, even right now; for that tree is Christ. He is the tree of life, and the cross as payment for our sin opened a new door to let man in. I wrote it a couple weeks back, but let's say it again, His side was riven (to make an opening), so we could be planted into the vine and be infused by the tree of life John 15.
 
Man is faced with a decision: which way will he turn, from which tree will he choose to eat? I want to love Jesus more than I love sin. I need a revelation from you God of this great love where with you loved, a love that reached even when I was dead and against you, even when I was born in Adam as a child of disobedience, you loved. You loved with your life.
 
Being restored into the presence of God changes everything about a person. I was able to spend some time with my brother in law this past weekend: what a blessing that was. But the most touching thing for me was when he started, through tear filled eyes, to talk about the pride of life. He said something like this, "Even my perception of appearances and clothing has changed. Why? Why clothes? Why are we so worried about trivial perceptions? Souls are hanging in the balance!"
 
You have to understand that I understand his thoughts. His "old man" and mine are much the same in this spot. The spot I speak of is the perception of appearance. With one quick glance, the mind has determined the value of another based upon their appearance. The question asked in the heart and mind is, "Can I be seen with you in public?  Let me assess this situation and scan your appearance. Let me take note of your looks and your style. Yes, you're an acceptable one, but I'm sorry, you over there go to the discard pile. You've failed inspection."
 
God help me because this is who I was, and I never want to be that person again. This is an eternal soul created by God, and God wants me to emulate my Jesus and my Jesus is love beyond comprehension. I know because He loved a prideful and arrogant person like me.
 
 
We have been given new life in Christ. Through salvation, we died to the old ways and have been born again to the new.

In verses five and six, the word together is used 3 times:

...quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

…raised us up together

… made us sit together

I just want to make one point about the Greek language here, all three of these words translated as together have in the Greek the prefix: syn or sum, and this is where we get our word sum from; the thought in the original language is an adding to, a connecting, an English word describing this thought is conjoint.

Conjointly- joined together; united; combined; associated.
pertaining to or formed by two or more in combination; joint_ American Dictionary

Faith is the connecting place. The object of faith is Jesus and His cross that instrument of death wherewith He paid our debt and purchased our soul. It requires humility to truly be saved. One must be willing to realize he’s not right and God is.
 

…quickened us together: alive together: by spiritual power to arise and invigorate: metaphorically used to describe seeds turning into life: germinating, springing up, growing_ Strong's.
 
While it cannot be understood by the natural mind, salvation has resulted in the sinner born of Adam sharing with Jesus. His cross is our cross, His death is our death, and His burial is our burial.
 
This speaks of what scholars call our vital union with Him: connected to the vine John 15
 
Ephesians 2:6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

…raised us up together: to rouse from death: revivify

We were dead in sin, but in Christ, we’re revived to a new life.
 
…made us sit together: to cause to sit down together: to have seat in company with

This is a very difficult concept for the Christian who doesn't understand that he's truly forgiven, but seated is a posture of rest. Jesus did His work. His work is a finished work, so He sits. His work was completed for you, so you are seated in Him.

The thought of rest

Hebrews 10:11-12
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
 
Certainly there is work for the kingdom that remains; however, the Christian operating with his spiritual eyes having been opened, understands that he works from a position of rest. In other words seated in Christ, in heavenly places, the Christian receives strength from another source; truthfully, he becomes the vessel of God, through which Jesus lives His life: Galatians 2:20
 
Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

When two beasts of burden (work) are yoked together for the purpose of hauling or plowing, there is always a mature animal, who knows what he’s doing, yoked with a younger animal. As I have studied this thought in the past, I learned that when this process is started, the younger, weaker animal isn’t even pulling the load; instead, he’s just following the lead of the elder. In a similar fashion, it’s imperative that the Christian gain this insight: Jesus is the load bearer; He is the “workhorse” in this team; and we must learn to let Him carry the burden in order for the kingdom’s work to really be accomplished.
 
And when the believer begins to operate in this place, where he remains connected to the vine, seated in Christ, trusting in the finished work of Christ, realizing that all this is a gift from God, and that it's not of His own doing, God will use him greatly.
 
Ephesians 2:7
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
 
The thought of God showing the exceeding riches of His grace towards the saints is that the redeemed ones will be put on display for all creation to see the riches of God's mercy. In some way you become a trophy, you're part of the memory of the victory as the ages roll along; of course, we cannot forget those nail scarred hands. The book of Revelation refers to Jesus five times as the Lamb of God in the last two chapters of the Bible, even after the new heavens and the new earth, even after Satan is completely destroyed, the cross is remembered. And we are the trophy won through the war. What a glorious day that will be in those ages to come:
 
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
 
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall profess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.
 
The following stanza was written by an an anonymous author, often replacing the sixth stanza, or inserted as the fourth.
 
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
 
Chorus:
 
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
 
Your soul represents a trophy in the display case of God! How many more are there? How many at work? How many next door?
 
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
 
We've discussed this before, but salvation is a gift, and the specific gift of salvation is righteousness, Romans 5:17
 
The gift of righteousness is granted by God through grace to the "faithing" woman or man. God's part was the giving of His righteous Son as payment for the penalty of our sin. Our part is to receive by faith the gift of righteousness, resulting in salvation. What a blessing to have that burdened rolled away that previously plagued our person. Did you feel that Christian? When you made that step towards God and bowed your knee to Him, asking forgiveness of your sins, did you feel that release? How do you explain that to someone? Help me tell them Lord what you've done in my life!
 
Ephesians 2:9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 
Sadly, many in the church today have attempted to live their righteousness through works, thinking that their daily righteousness was different than their original gift of righteousness. No you're in the gift. You're supposed stay in Him. Don't leave this place right here Christian. This is the safe place to abide-- "In Christ."
 
When you begin to think it’s what you do that makes you righteous you enter a place called relative righteousness or self- righteousnes. This place isn't in Christ. Relative righteousness is self righteousness determined in the heart of the religious by comparing or relating their righteousness to some other standard other than Jesus. This is the religion of the Pharisee when compared to the tax collector in Luke 18:10-14
 
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship (a thing that is made), created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
  
We are being created in Him. There is a process of molding taking place. Since the fall of man, there is an ongoing conforming of humanity into a child of God or a child of disobedience. Just as Adam was formed into the image of God, man is being conformed into an image today.
 
And once again, this conforming is a molding after a pattern. We are either being molded after Christ, or we're being molded after the world.
 
Romans 8:28-29
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
 
While the ultimate result of the conforming process will be the glorification of the believer after his resurrection, this passage describes the fact that not only was salvation, which is also known as justification, because if you will remember, we learned in the past that justification is God’s declaration that a sinner is righteous after  they placed faith in the plan of God: Jesus Christ and Him crucified  predestined "In Christ," but also sanctification, and lastly glorification are also predestined in this place or plan called "In Christ."
 

Conformed (Symmorphus)- sym or sum- to be added or joined. Morphus- shaped.
 
Symmorphus...formed; fashioned like unto.
 
(Ephesians…we are his workmanship)… (conformed to the image of his Son …Romans)

In this thought the believer, through his connection with Christ, is being molded by the hand of God through the sanctification process. Just as a reminder, the word sanctified is the same word in the Greek where the word holy comes from. It's imperative that Christians understand that sanctification, or the process where one is conformed, being molded by the hand of God to look more like Jesus is both positional and progressive. It's both a state of being and a state of changing.
 
In other words, through salvation, we were miraculously placed into the person of Christ, where the verdict over our lives was changed from guilty to innocent, which gives us access back into the life changing power of God, where we are, once again, being conformed or molded into the image of our glorious savior. We spoke about it a couple of weeks ago that our purpose was to bring God glory. The only way we can bring God glory on this earth is if our lives reflect the love of our Savior, and the only way that can happen is if we understand how sanctification or the making of one holy takes place.
 
The alternate molding is where one allows themselves to be molded from an outside source. In this scenario, they are willingly partaking in the process and molding themselves according to the standard of the world:
 
Romans 12:1-2
​ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 
A living sacrifice is one who's "old man," born of Adam has died and his "new man," born of Christ is living. Paul exhorts those born again from the dead not to mold themselves according to the pattern of the world; instead, let the new life of God permeate your mind, allow the work of the Word and the Spirit to transform you towards the things of God.
 
The word for transform here in the Greek is where we get our word metamorphosis. Just as a caterpillar has butterfly DNA in its pre- butterfly state and must be transformed to become what it was created to be, the believer has become a partaker of the divine nature, and must allow the word of God and the Spirit of God to begin the process of transforming his heart and his perception of the world around him.
 
The alternative is that the person allows the world to conform or mold them according to their image.

#5 Broken Teeth and Lame Feet Cripple a Body!

Broken Teeth and Lame Feet Cripple a Body!

When Jesus was on earth in bodily form, He was somewhat restrained geographically. In other words, while he was in Nazareth, He couldn’t touch someone in Jerusalem. Of course the kingdom’s power transcended time and space with some of His miracles. He spoke and the centurion’s servant was healed long distance. He spoke and a four day dead man walked out of the tomb. But for the most part, if He wasn’t there, it didn’t get done.

Looking back, we can see God’s plans and purposes for this time-frame known as the church age; His intent was that the church would function as His body. Once people are born again, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live within them, and collectively, that group of people known as the church becomes the body of Christ.

Jesus said that It was expedient (a good thing) that He go back to the Father; for if He didn’t go, then the comforter couldn’t come. The comforter is the Holy Spirit of God, and if you are a born again believer, He lives in your heart, which makes you a part of the body of Christ.

So the church is His body, it isn’t a building or a denomination, it’s an organism. It’s a global organism made up of people from every nation. This intricately arrayed organism accomplishes His will, through His Spirit, all over the world—there is no geographic restraint in the church age, because God’s Spirit is strategically located globally. God’s just looking for His people to be available and function according to His purposes and plans.

As I was writing, I thought about the Sermon on the Mount. I thought about the crowds thronging this new Rabbi who was previously unknown named Jesus. I thought about how bright His light must have shined in the midst of their darkness, how His light was such a new hope that contrasted the extorting and blinding religion of the Pharisees, which had kept the people from the truth. What clothes did this crowd wear? How did their countenance appear? Was He viewing saddened faces of despair that were spiritually hungry? Is that what ignited the words of His teaching…the poor in spirit…those that mourn…the meek…were they hungry and thirsty for His righteousness and desperate to know God?

Then the light of the world given by God to darkened man tells them that they are salt and light. Already, in His first message, He is preparing those that will follow Him to be His body once He’s gone, because His light in them will bring continued light into this darkened place and their saltiness will preserve this fallen world and make others thirsty for righteousness.

When the people of God begin to reflect His hope and glory in the midst of this pain riddled world, it makes the people around them thirsty for the things of God. When the body of Christ allows the light of Jesus to shine out of them, it begins to illuminate a path of righteousness for others to see. But if the salt loses its savor, it loses its function, and its purpose becomes useless. Unsavory salt will make no one thirsty, it’s lost its function, it’s useless, throw it out and let it be trampled under the foot of men.

In a similar fashion, the light of the body of Christ is like a lighted city on a hill. In ancient times weary travelers had to hike the dangerous rocky crags of the Jordan rift system, and from afar, a glimmer of hope lied ahead, elevated illuminated cities showed the way. Surely, as long as they saw the light, there was hope in their hearts. But if that light be hidden under a basket, it’s lost its purpose. It no longer functions and the travelers are lost.

Likewise, the functioning of this organism known as the body of Christ requires that its body parts operate according to their proper function. The body of Christ must emulate the person of Christ, and when the church acts like the world instead of Jesus, it becomes a crippled body, with broken teeth and lame feet. In other words, instead of bringing healing, like a broken tooth, it brings pain; and instead of carrying the gospel to the lost, like a lame foot, it loses its function.

Ephesians 1:19-21
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us- ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
 
Last week the emphasis on the passage revolved around the people of God being able to see spiritually. There were three things the Holy Spirit wanted God's people to see, but the last one we covered was the awesome power that God gives to those believers who are in Christ.
 
The power spoken of is directly related to the resurrection. It should be understood that the cross and the resurrection represent one event where the forces of evil were overcome. Jesus' offering of Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, paid humanity's sin debt in full; therefore, death had no right to hold Jesus in the grave.
 
The resurrection proves that Jesus has conquered death, hell, and the grave. It's true to the naked eye that it appears this victory was not secured because we see death and dying all around. We are currently in a time-frame that scholars call the "already- not yet." In other words, Satan's kingdom was defeated at Calvary, the resurrection proves it, but the physical fulfillment of the kingdom of the Christ lies somewhere near on the horizon. A similar concept is that David was anointed king as a teenage boy; however, the manifestation of his kingdom didn't occur until approximately 20 years later. Some may say, “I need further proof. I don’t see any of God’s power working; instead, all I see is chaos and confusion.” For this person, my response is that God’s presence is resident and active in the lives of His true believers, and through them, according to the working of His mighty power, He is progressively moving forward with His plan.
 
Hebrews 2:8-9
hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
 
The purpose of this time-frame is for believer's, empowered by the resurrection dunamis of the slain Lamb, to do the work of the kingdom. It is beholden on the regenerate man (born again believer) to be about his Father's business. But there is a day upon the horizon where this present age will be physically brought to an end, and the Lamb of God will rule upon this earth in physical form (Revelation 20:4, 6).
 
So as we transition into verse 22, we must be reminded of God's power given to us "In Christ." This power is necessary as the church functions within this "already- not yet" time-frame; for the forces we will face in this battle are powerful.
 
The text says: Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion...
 
The power that is resident in the resurrected one, which same power resides in us through the moving and operation of the Holy Spirit, is far above principalities and powers, might and dominions. Who is Paul referring to with these words?
 
We will cover some of these concepts in detail when we get to chapter 6, but briefly, the word principality is arche in Greek, which means chief or first in order; just a couple verses down, the word prince is used to describe Satan. Jesus used this same word three times in the gospel of John to refer to Satan, as the prince/ archon. Obviously this word is a variant of arche, which is where we build the word archangel. What this means is that Satan is the chief ruler of this current evil age; more specifically, the realm that he rules is within the sphere of unredeemed man.
 
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion...
Anyway, the idea is that Satan, his power ([exousia]- the word power here is used in chapter 6 and refers to demon spirits), his might (dunamis), and his dominion (kingdoms) he has ruled, have been defeated through Calvary, and are awaiting their judgment. The point for the believer is that he understand at least three things: (1) "In Christ," we have victory over the archon {the prince} and exousia {demons} (2) "In Christ," we are the vessels God chooses to inhabit in order to accomplish His will upon this fallen earth (3) "In Christ,” we have been given the power we need to overcome the evil one.
 
Ephesians 1:22-23
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
 
In these two verses, the emphasis surrounds the relationship of Jesus' power to His church, through HIS victory, all things, all powers have been placed under His feet, which signifies supremacy and ultimate authority. Personally, I can visualize Jesus' foot on the throat of the dragon right here; nevertheless, another thought of supremacy is that Jesus is the head; furthermore, He is the head of a body, and the body is the church.
 
Now, we have discussed this multiple times, but the word church is ekklesia, meaning called out ones. It must be understood that the church isn't a building or an organization; rather, it's an organism. The church (ekklesia- called out ones) is a functioning organism making up Christ's body upon the earth through the energy or power of the Holy Spirit, which is made available to the believer because of his righteous position given "In Christ."
 
Jesus is the head of this body. He supplies the power and the plans for its purposes and function upon the earth. Through the written word and the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus completes His work upon this earth during this "already- not yet" time frame.
 
This thought will be expanded upon in a couple of chapters, but let the title of tonight's message ring loud in the ears of the hearers: Broken Teeth and Lame Feet Cripple a Body!
 
Proverbs 25:19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
is like a broken tooth (painful), and a foot out of joint (can’t function properly).

In other words, when the body of Christ doesn’t function like it’s supposed to, the work of God is hindered in some way. It’s not operating at capacity. No one wants to be responsible for their own actions; rather, they would prefer to live their lives the way they want, pretending that their daily decisions don’t have consequences for the kingdom of God. I’m sorry that is a lie. Every time we, who call ourselves “Christian,” make a decision contrary to God’s will, there is a result.

Many times our decisions are made based upon selfish motives, but the results don’t just affect us, they affect countless others. For instance, let’s pretend for a moment that we are having a hard time getting our flesh under control. We’re irritated with others and just don’t have any patience with anyone at work. Many times this will result in the believer thinking his problem is the work place, resulting in the frustrated believer wanting to run in another direction to solve the problem, but the problem isn’t the environment; instead, the problem is the believer’s perception of his situation. This person is viewing their circumstances from their own eyes instead of God’s, from their own desires instead of God’s.

By the way this can also be true for relationships, whether they are marital or companionship in nature, and once the decision is made to move on, countless people are affected, the witness left the building. I understand that God moves witnesses and brings new ones, but we are supposed to be making sure that the decisions we make, as His body, are lining up with His will. Other scenarios can be attitudinal. When we behave or respond a certain way to people, we either bless them, giving them a positive perception about the kingdom of God, or we offend them and give them a negative perception about the kingdom of God. The salt just lost its flavor, the light was dimmed, the tooth was broken, and the foot’s out of joint.
 

Just as humans require body parts that are wholly functional in order to operate at capacity and accomplish work in the physical realm, the organism known as the church operates at capacity when its individual parts work in unison as it carries out the orders from the head, which is Christ.
 
There is so much that could be said here; yet, there is so little time to say it. But let's try an abbreviated version.
 
First, without a proper understanding of God's word, the body is void of knowledge regarding proper function to begin with. This problem can have multiple reasons for its existence-- a couple are: (1) the believer refuses to study to show themselves approved (2) the preacher doesn't properly teach the scriptures from God's perspective; instead, he teaches them from a mindset that wants to meet the people where they are instead of the mindset of bringing the people where God is.
 
But one other main thought that comes to mind is this question: what is unity? Is unity of the body where we all gather around the campfire, sing songs, and tell each other what a wonderful job we're doing for God's kingdom? True unity surrounds our holding to the gospel of faith?
 
Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
 
1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
 
When a person is born again from the dead and begins to gain a revelation that daily faith in the finished work of Christ provides a standing of righteousness before God, allowing the believer access into the presence of God, allowing the believer fellowship with the presence of God, a deep work is begun in the heart of that man.
 
This New Testament believer is being properly positioned within the body and is now receiving its signals from the head. The thought here is similar to the anatomy and physiology of the human body. There are sensory and motor pathways that send and receive signals from the brain to the body parts resulting in action. But if there is a body part severed from the whole, that body part can't receive its proper signal; therefore, it can't operate as it’s supposed to.
 
It would be like a severed hand lying on the ground trying to hand a Christian tract to an individual two blocks away, it has no feet to get there, and it has no mouth to speak with. While there is the chance that a passerby may happen upon this isolated hand and receive the tract, the separated hand is not as effective because it's in disunion, it's in disunity from the body. Also, worth mentioning, it becomes obvious at some point that something isn't right. My point is that a hand is supposed to be a part of a larger whole in the same way that a Christian is supposed to be a part of the body of Christ. And when there is a person in isolation unable to coincide with anyone, there is a problem. All these scenarios are just a couple everyday examples of broken teeth and disjointed feet affecting the proper operation of the body of Christ upon this earth.
 
…Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
 
He wants to fill His body (the church) with Himself, so He can operate through them.
 
 

Ephesians 2:1-3 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
 
These three verses are rich with details, but the main thought shouldn't be missed: there is a juxtaposing of two thoughts here when these verses are viewed in light of what we've been studying. In other words, a comparison and contrast is taking place between the redeemed (believers) and the unredeemed (unbelievers).
 
What's being compared and contrasted is God's plan for humanity compared to the current fallen order of things. In the first part of Ephesians, we learned that we were adopted of God. Once again, God is in the process of creating an eternal family. Entrance into this family comes by way of birth. While it’s true the terminology adoption was used, and in that sense likely refers to the differences in God's plan regarding Old and New covenants and Jew versus Gentile believers; nevertheless, entrance into the kingdom or family of God, comes through a new birth in Christ.
 
Upon faith in the plan of God, the believer is born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Spirit makes your heart His home, and you become the temple of God, the dwelling place where the God of the universe performs His day to day operations, even the body of Christ.
 
So the born again believer is being led by the Holy Spirit as he travels his pilgrimage, and this thought is being contrasted to our new thought: …the spirit of the air that is working in the children of disobedience.
 
 

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
 
Those that are born again are born out of the world system, and while they were previously dead in sin because they were separated from the life of God, now they've been quickened or given life through their connection to Jesus.
 
The words trespasses and sins have specific meanings.
 
Trespasses- describe a wandering from the right path. This is descriptive of a lifestyle walking in opposition to God's will.
 
The context of this verse related this thought to unbelievers, but how often are churches filled with people whose journey is heading in the opposite direction from God's will?
 
Sins- this word means to miss the mark. The idea is a spear-man missing the bull’s eye. The thought for everyday life is that there is right and wrong, and wrong choices miss the mark of God.

While the first describes chronic behavior, the second describes acute failures along the way, and the person walking the path of the first word, will repeatedly perform the works of the second.
 
Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
 
As human beings we all have one thing in common: we've all walked "according to the course of this world." The hope is that we no longer are. While we will certainly miss the mark because of our frail humanity, we shouldn’t be constantly failing in the same area time and again.
 
From being born in Adam until being born again in Christ, we walked the course of the world. We were enslaved to the prince of the power of the air. As mentioned earlier, Jesus called Satan the prince of this world. Satan is the chief ruler of this fallen age of sin, but he is not sovereign-- God is in control. Furthermore, notice the words...the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
 
The people that are bound by the kingdom of Satan are those who are unredeemed. The born again Christian is no longer under the power of Satan's kingdom. Unfortunately, if the preacher doesn’t preach the gospel for the way God wrote it, believers will not be equipped to travel the freedom path; sadly, they won’t even know it’s there even though it’s in the very book they’re reading. The same thing happened to the Pharisees, who were reading and searching but never seeing (John 5:39, 40).
 
The spirit that works disobedience is synonymous with the spirit of antichrist spoken of in:
 
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
 
It should be understood that the spirit of antichrist is the spiritual power that Satan exerts over God's creation humanity, which was made possible through Adam's fall. From the beginning of his associations with the human race, he has been a seductress.
 
I use the feminine form of the word because the book of Revelation calls his lying false system of religion a harlot that causes humanity to live in a state of intoxication and fornication (Revelation 17:1-6). Proverbs seven gives a good rendering of how this seductive spirit operates within the hearts and minds of God’s people. This spirit uses beauty and sensuality, religion and carnality, in order to entice and seduce the people of God into bed with it, and the whole time it’s a trap, a snare to entrap, a leading to the slaughter house to destroy.
 
This spirit has been seducing and usurping from the garden, through Babel's corporate rebellion, and will not stop until Jesus destroys him with the sword of His mouth. We should be reminded that a couple weeks back we discussed the fact that the family of God isn't only Father and children, but it's also Bridegroom and bride, and there is nothing that will ruin a marriage faster than the presence of a harlot in the house.
 
…worketh in the children of disobedience:
 
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
 
The word "worketh" is energeo in the Greek. Just as the spirit of antichrist is influencing the unredeemed to do the works of his kingdom, God, through the Holy Spirit, gives us the desire to accomplish His work.
 
We will complete this thought next week, but the ability of Satan to operate in humanity is related to the inherent sinful nature man receives from Adam; whereas, the redeemed have been spiritually transformed, becoming partakers of a new nature, and receiving new desires from God (Ezekiel 36: 25-27; 2 Peter 1:4).