2023-07-24
Given by Pastor Ibrahim
Ephesians 1:3-14 is one sentence.
Pastor's thoughts went to a word that was repeated in Ephesians, we will find that word appearing 8 times, the overall theme of the two sessions is the Christian Walk. Let us go for a walk, but a spiritual walk, to start, with Ephesians 2.
Pastor does not know if he will cover all 8 aspects of the Christian life, hopefully 4 today, and 4 on Friday.
Ephesians 1.1-2
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 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:
When we speak about walk, we speak of the Christian life, the manner of life, the lifestyle of the Christian. The Greek word for walk has the idea of habitual, steady practice. Once a person is saved, he has a different kind of walk, not physical. The believer in the Bible walks with a purpose and for a purpose, not like children who run around.
In the Bible you read so many times about the verb to walk. The verb is always action. "Enoch walked with God (Gen 5). Abraham walked with God. David walked with God". What was the thread? What was the mark of believers in the OT? They walked with God.
You walk in closeness and attention to God, but also with the same direction, and the same cadence.
Amos 3.3
3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
When you come to the NT, observe in Colossians 2:6
Colossians 2.6
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
We also read "walk in the spirit" often.
2 Corinthians 5.7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
In 1 Peter 2, we are told to "walk in the steps of Christ". We are also told to walk heavenward, to set out attention on heavenly things. Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 3 John 6, walking and walk. The Christian is mobile, and never standing, he is progressing.
It is important to also notice that the Christian walks against the flow. Puritans said that only dead fish swim with the current, it is easy for us to melt into the crowd, but the Christian walks against the flow because the crowd does not know where they are going. The Christian has a direction, knowing where he is going.
To walk requires a rhythm and cadence, but also a discipline. One foot after the other. Ephesians is a wonderful letter, here is the homework - if you have not challenged yourself to read one book of the Bible - read Ephesians this week.
Ephesians has been called the crown of Pauline theology. This is Paul's theology, and the crown is in this letter. It has also been called the third heaven letter. Th e expression heavenly places is found only in Ephesians. HW1: Find the 5 references to heavenly places in Ephesians. It is Calvin's favourite letter.
In Romans you find the necessity of faith. In Galatians you find the liberty of the Christian faith. In Hebrews - the superiority of faith. In James - the productivity of faith. In Ephesians - the prosperity of our faith.
In Ephesians 7 times, you find something said about our riches. HW2.
It is a pattern of true worship. It opens with thanksgiving. If you turn to chapter 6, it also closes with a blessing. It is a pattern of worship for believers, starting and ending with worship to enlighten our heart and strengthen our soul.
In Ephesians there are also 3 pictures of the church. HW3 find them.
Ephesians is also divided into two parts. Chapter 1-3 are the doctrinal sections, 4-6 are the practices of the believer. To put it all together, if you want, the first section is the wealth of the believer. HW4 - just take chapter 1 and the first 14 verses, underline all the blessings you can see there. When Satan is telling you you are not a believer, that will help you a lot with assurance, remembering that you have been chosen, redeemed and sealed with the Holy Spirit. You will find 15-20 blessings in Ephesians 1. List the blessings you receive by grace through chapter 1.
Who are the people who have received Ephesians. There are 4 marks, all in Ephesians 1:1. The 4 things are for all believers.
Paul writes to the saints, the city of Ephesus was shrouded with sexual immorality, but a place that was like this has saints - what a miracle, to find holy people. There was once a wedding at Tab, a vestry wedding. The mother of the bride came, looked at Pastor Ibrahim and asked if there were saints in the church. And a few believers came in the door, Pastor Ibrahim said here is one, here is another. The visitor was a Catholic. These saints are alive, who have experienced the greatest miracle, they were given new hearts, new nature, new walks. Have you trusted in Christ? You are a saint. This is the nomination that Christ has given to us. HW6 - find saints, at least 9 times.
The second thing is faithful. Full of faith. They are loyal, obedient and faithful to Christ.
The third thing is he is in Christ. HW5 - Underline every time in Ephesians Christ is mentioned, at least 30 times.
The fourth thing is that they are in a local church. That is why we say that a believer is born again, baptised, a member of a church and serving. That is our fourfold calling.
Your plight was terrible, look at it in Eph 2:1-2. We were like walking carcasses, we did not have any fellowship with the Lord. We walked in our sins. We walked according to the power of darkness. The father of lies was our father. We were outsiders, Christless, just living for the here and now, captives of Satan, condemned into hell. Paul said we were dead.
Never underestimate your state before God. If you do that you will never be saved. It is very hard for a sinner to admit sin. But that is the beginning, when you go to the Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.
When we say that we are dead, it does not mean we are incapable of good, we can be morally, ethically good. But we believe in total depravity of man, God will not receive us. Our deadness is also universal, God presents our situation to run to the physicians of soul. We are enslaved by our own will, we loved our sins, we loved pleasure more than God, this is you and me without Christ. We see people running to the mortuary and we run after them to judgement, to the crematorium. We join people, not even thinking where you are going to? If you are without Christ, you are following a deadly carnival.
Pastor does not think there is a greater gain than to sleep tonight, knowing all my sins are forgiven. It is better than diamonds, gold and silver. Living 22 years without Christ is terrible. Seek the Lord, we are told we are to seek the Lord while he can still be found, because there is a day when God will stop speaking. Which is why we hear of God giving them up in Romans. The Bible says you will never be free without trusting in Christ - that is true freedom. We want to be free by the Lord, sin is not a jacket which you can take off as you please. God has a high definition camera, that sees everything in you and me. It does not need a photograph from somebody, he knows all things about us. Our natural mind sets the devil as monarch, but when you trust in Christ, you have the king of kings. Have you realised how he is called in Ephesians 2:3 - "the prince of the air".
We only fulfil the role of our natural father with Christ.
Ephesians 2.10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
You should know, with fresh minds, the whole Bible by heart. V8-10 all useful in witness. You witness to a Catholic or a Muslim who believes in works - you are saved by grace through faith.
We were brought nigh by Christ, the enmity is over. Salvation is God's merit. His initiative. In v4, we have the powerful conjunction, many have preached a sermon just on that "but". We now have a different walk, how do you know you can do good works, you should never stop being amazed about calvary. Everyday we should meditate on Calvary, if you are downcast, sad and gloomy, take 10 minutes to do this. Pastor was told when he found the Lord at 22, to learn the books of the NT by heart. When you are downcast, there is hope for a man who sits, thinks and prays. Your mind goes to the Bible when you recite the books of the Bible by heart when under gloom and sadness. It will help you in your Christian life.
Eph 2:4 - blessings of the Christian life. True repentance and faith is so important in the Christian life, we are not spectators, we serve and work for Him.
The Greek for workmanship is the word from which we get the word "poetry". We have been fearfully and wonderfully made by the great designer, God.
The first one is Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Good works of life, good works of holiness.
Acts 9:36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
1 Timothy 5:9-10
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Titus 2:7-8
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Titus 3:14
14 And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Hebrews 10:24
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
James 2 - the great chapter on good works. We just read v26
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Revelation 14:13
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Ephesians 2.10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.