Praying Ephesians 1:15-23

Father God, give us the Spirit from whom there is wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. May we have the eyes of our hearts enlightened, that we may know what is the hope to which you have called us, that we would know that we are the riches of your glorious inheritance, that we would know what is the immeasurable greatness of your power toward us who believe, according to the working of your great might that you worked in Christ when you raised him from the dead and seated him at your right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Father, you put all things under Jesus’ feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Praise be your name. To you be the glory! Amen.

I have quoted no other verse more than this in my life.
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I have quoted no other verse more than this in my life.

(via prevailzine)

Source: followandreblog

5 Worship-Quenching Attitudes

As I studied Ephesians 1:7-14 for a recent message, Blood-Bought and Sealed, the Spirit showed me Five attitudes of the heart that will choke out a heart of worship.

1.    Ingratitude – It’s far too easy to view blessings from based on what we should be receiving materially rather than what God has promised and delivered in the “heavenly places” (Eph 1:3). When we have this mindset, we take for granted the glorious blessings that are ours in Christ. This ungrateful heart brings bitterness and does not cultivate a heart of worship. Paul’s writing Ephesians while in prison (3:1, 4:1, 6:20), and yet he can begin his letter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” He understood and was grateful for all of the spiritual blessings that were his, although his external circumstances were difficult. 
 
2.    A cheapening of Grace – A grand hindrance from living as an instrument of praise is a cheapening of God’s grace. The power of the blood of Christ demonstrates the riches of God’s grace, which covered the “cost” of our bondage and bring forgiveness for our trespasses (Eph 1:7-8). However, some people diminish the value of God’s grace with a “He’ll forgive me” mindset. This “I can sin and then ‘repent’” attitude tramples upon God’s grace. “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may abound? By no means!” (Rom 6:1-2). God’s grace is of infinite worth driving us to worship. An attitude that cheapens God’s grace quenches worship.

3.    Allowing past bondage prevent present worship – In Christ, you have been redeemed from the bondage of sin (Rom 6:6-7), death (Rom 8:2), Satan (Hebrews 2:14-15), and the Law (Rom 7:4-6) and delivered from the wrath of God (Rom 5:9). In Christ you have been forgiven! Yet, some of us live as if this were not the case. We believe that Jesus had died for us, but still back in our minds we feel like we still must earn God’s love or acceptance. So we feel chained by our past sin. But there is nothing you can do to free you from your guilt. Jesus has done that through his blood. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus, remember that you have been redeemed and forgiven (Eph 1:7). God’s grace has been lavished upon you. Don’t let your past bondage prevent present worship.

4.    Despair over the struggles of this life (personal, local, global) – It’s easy to despair when we here of Christians being arrested for their faith. It’s easy to despair when we hear of suicide bombings. It’s easy to despair when our country is in the midst of a financial crisis and jobs are lacking but bills are increasing. It’s easy to despair when we read statistics of sex trafficking, statistics of child abuse, statistics of families breaking down. It’s easy to despair when we watch the news at night. Although it seems our world is unraveling, we must trust God’s sovereignty that he will unite things under Christ (Eph 1:9-10). When the fullness of time comes, amidst the great hurts and pains of this life, God will redeem those who are His and execute judgment on those who reject. He will unite all things under Christ. So do not let despair quench your worship. Hope in God, for He is sovereign.

5.    Unbelief – Nowhere in the Scripture does the Spirit come into the lives of Believers in a “quiet” way. When the Spirit comes, he comes in power! He comes to change your life by giving you a new one in regeneration. He comes to seal you with a sure hope. He comes to enliven godly affections that stir your heart to worship. But where there is unbelief, the Spirit is not present and there is no heart to worship God because there is no Spirit within. Unbelief is a deadly venom that will prevent a heart of worship. But when we have heard the gospel and believed in Christ, the Spirit has sealed us securing our salvation and giving us a heart of worship (Eph 1:13-14).

Our God is worthy of all worship so let us be unquenchable worship of Him, to the praise of His glorious grace!

What I’m reading: William gouge is the Puritan I’m studying for my dissertation.
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What I’m reading: William gouge is the Puritan I’m studying for my dissertation.

Sunday's Sermon: Blood-Bought and Sealed

Here’s the message I preached yesterday (Sunday, January 22, 2012) at Good News Bible Church. We’re in the early stages of an expositional series on Ephesians that has been such a treat! My text was Ephesians 1:7-14. Praise God for His remarkable grace!

Praying Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be You, O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for you have blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. You chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless. In love you predestined us for adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. This was done just as you planned, according to the purpose of your will. How can we but praise your glorious grace for you have blessed us immensely in your Beloved son Jesus Christ. 

Jesus, in you we have redemption through your blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of the Father’s grace. The Father was not reluctant or sparing in the distribution of his grace. No, in you, Jesus, the Father lavished it upon us with such wisdom and insight! The Father made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in you Jesus, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in you, things in heaven and things on earth. Just as the Father gave the Jews who first hoped in you an inheritance of eternity according to his counsel, he has done so for us Gentiles who put our trust in you too! Jesus, you are worthy of praise for you are glorious!

Holy Spirit, when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in Jesus, you sealed us as was promised. Spirit of God, you are the guarantee of our inheritance, our eternal reward, until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of your glory.

Triune God of the Bible. We worship you. We celebrate your mystery. We marvel at your grace. We humble ourselves before you. We were made for this purpose, to adore you…to the praise of your glorious grace. Amen.

Revelation Song

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:13-14

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”

Revelation 5:11-12

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10