·
Praise
·
Pray
Text
scripture:
Eph
4:12
For
the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ:
*One separated from the world and consecrated to
God; one holy by profession and by covenant; a believer in Christ.
· Psalm 16:3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
· Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
· Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
· My only point here is that the Bible calls those who believe in and confess Christ as Lord and Savior are saints.
· Interesting that in the 4th century, the believer was relegated to a common person and the Biblical term for believer “saint” was made a title of high esteem. (you had to have been an apostle of Jesus, performed miracles or both and be dead)
· We can then understand our text scripture Eph 4:12 better. (re-read)
1. Paul reminds Ephesians who they are and what they are to be doing. (I know – but we can logically surmise that if they are to “perfect the saints” it is implied that they are saints themselves).
2. Revelation given to Paul regarding building the Church (body of Christ, re-establishing The Kingdom Of God)
3. We are to teach people, who teach people, who teach people, who teach people – etc.
4. If we are to be effective in “perfecting the saints” we must 1st realize who we are in Him, and what Christ has done for us.
· Who we are in Christ can be defined by what He has done for us!
·
We must realize – God’s plan to
re-establish Kingdom depends on believers in Christ spreading the Church - perfecting
the saints
·
We need to realize it will be done
with - or without you and I.
Jesus told disciples that the gates of Hades
would not withstand The Kingdom Of God – NOTHING WILL STOP THE CHURCH!
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (explain Gate of Hades being a real place real place)
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (explain Gate of Hades being a real place real place)
This
is a point many Christians lose sight of in a culture of declining morality
they think the Church will be derailed. They don’t know - or forget that all
along, God’s plan was to re-establish His Kingdom right over the top of Pagan
religions that ran rampant in those days.
·
We will do it because we love Christ –
He loved us first
·
God sent His only Begotten Son to make a
sacrifice we can’t imagine on behalf of us
John 3:16, (read) (father who’s
son dies – let alone sending Him to His death)
Col 2
14 Having canceled the written code, with its regulations,
that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it
to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a
public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
·
Christ sacrificed Himself for us – to
preserve us, the only way we will be preserved is if the Church is established
and The Kingdom is re-established
·
Think of this – Christ entrusted the
establishing of His Church on earth to 12 disciples who did not have a clue
until that final 3 years of Jesus life.
·
He trusted them and now He trusts you and me
·
If we are His servants – bought and paid for
with his blood we must realize a few things:
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