The word ‘grace’ takes on its most full meaning when joined with God’s heart, through the faith He gives to His children. See how Paul takes up this theme.
Ephesians 2: By Grace Through Faith
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience---
3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ---by grace you have been saved---
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
One in Christ
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands---
12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit
Ephesians 3: The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles---
2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith---that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Things to think about…
1. Were you really in such a bad state before your salvation in Christ? Well, only if you consider ‘death’ as a bad state to be in, Eph 2:1. What does this really mean? We were still alive of course, but we were dead spiritually. Essentially it means we were cut off from eternal life and we lived for ourselves – by making a temporal life here on earth. Paul goes on to explain the difference.
2. Paul really wants us to get the message of grace by saying it twice. He says in Eph 2:5 and again in vs 8 ‘by grace you have been saved’. He is saying to these Ephesians – you didn’t deserve this – this came from a Source outside yourselves. Grace is something that cannot be earned – it is bestowed upon someone. Does this sound unfair to you? It is, that’s why it’s called ‘GRACE’. We really don’t want ‘fair’ folks. None of us would be saved at all if we all had ‘fair’.
3. If you have not started memorising scripture, why not start with Eph 2:8-10. These verses serve as both an encouragement as well as giving you a life purpose. We have been saved by grace – something we didn’t deserve, but now that we are saved we now have a life commission and a calling, to perform ‘good works’. These works don’t save us, but they show the fruit of our salvation in Christ. This is the purpose of your salvation.
4. Paul’s whole point in Eph 2:11-22 is that we can only be united to the ‘Commonwealth of Israel’ through faith in Christ. Sacrifices and offerings are now obsolete. Christ Jesus is the cornerstone of this temple, Eph 2:20, 21. We are part of the building and should encourage others to join. Prayer is essential here as we are only able to join by grace. Pray for those around you that we may have an influence in their lives.
5. Paul says the whole reason he is in prison is because of the gospel, Eph 3:1. The problem for him is that he had revealed a mystery hidden in the scriptures kept until now and now is paying the price for his faithfulness in proclaiming the mystery. We are all called to count the cost of following Christ. We know of course that the payoff is well worth the investment.
6. The Greek word for mystery is ‘mysterion’, Eph 3:3. It means something that was hidden has now been revealed. It is not as we would say today – something that is unresolved – a mystery. The scriptures speak about the gospel and the Saviour in many places, but Paul says that “which was hidden for ages… now made known” Eph 3:9,10. The truth of the gospel had always been in the scriptures but was only now being realised during the time of Christ and the Apostles. How many things do we read in the scriptures that we simply gloss over and don’t fully understand? They are there, but still remain a mystery to us. Pray for wisdom and insight that we may have them revealed and then for the boldness to proclaim the mysteries. The mystery has been revealed and our Lord wants the mysteries of His word made known to you.
7. The mystery, Eph 3:6 is that the Gentiles would also become part of the family of God. The gospel was not just for Israel, but for the entire world. This was always in the scriptures and the blessing through Abraham, but now in Christ, has been realised. The gospel needs to go out to everyone. Are you sharing the mystery of the gospel with those whose eyes and hearts are presently closed?
8. Look at who are entrusted with this mystery, Eph 3:10 – the church. We have been given this charge. Let’s encourage each other to keep sharing the truth of Jesus and the cross with our generation. The times have changed very rapidly in recent days, but the calling to share the gospel has not changed. Pray we can all do it effectively in this season. Do everything you can to support and encourage the witness of the church.
9. God wants his children to lack no good thing, Eph 3:14-21. He wants us to be firmly established in the truth, Eph 3:17, with each other, while understanding the immeasurable love that comes from Christ, vss 18, 19. As such Paul says, the Lord can do even more than what we ask in our prayers. All we have to do is simply trust the power that is working in us, vs 20.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon:-“Can we trust the bible as God’s word” – 1 Peter 1:15
a. Do you trust that the bible is the word of God? What role does your faith play in this, Heb 11:1?
b. What examples can you give and the evidence for trusting the bible through stories like Noah’s flood, Gen 6-9 and the Tower of Babel, Gen 11. What evidence do we see? Discuss.
c. How did the Hebrews copy the scriptures from one scroll to another and what effect did the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1948 have on trusting the accuracy of the old testament.
d. The NT has over 5600 Greek manuscripts, 10, 000 Latin manuscripts and 9000 manuscripts in other ancient languages from the Middle east. Why does this matter when we compare it to other ancient writings like Plato, Homer and Caesar’s Gallic Wars?
e. Jesus Christ is the Logos – the Word. Knowing the bible means knowing Him better. Discuss how you read/receive the word of God.
Prayer Points
1. Continue to pray and Andy in Ipswich hospital and for Sally as she continues to battle Alzheimer’s. Give thanks for Andy’s brother Tad and a loving husband and example of Christ – Richard.
2. The processing of our insurance claim and the repurchasing of equipment.
3. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
4. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
5. Pray for Kids@church and our Youth group.
6. How you can serve in ministry this year.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Sunday was a great encouragement thankyou to all who served in the sound and worship team as well as the meeting afterwards. A long but blessed day.
2. Our insurance claim has been accepted. Now to buy and replace the equipment.
3. Young adult’s ministry – keep praying as this ministry grows.
4. Kids@Church ministry is a great blessing. Pray for Rosie and balancing her teaching, family and church worlds.
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Young Adults meeting at Dan and Mel’s house on Sunday after the service.
2. Remember to check your duty rosters for term 2.
3. Community Day Saturday 24th June at Church. More details to follow.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 8. Who are they? A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Bible References – Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
