Committed Because of Him, Part I
Sermon Notes
Lesson Text: Ephesians 1:9-14: Having made known unto
us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he
might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an
inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh
all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the
praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted,
after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,14
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, unto the praise of his glory.
- Eph 1:12-13 that we who first trusted
in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted,
after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom
also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
- Eph 1:12 in order that we, who were the
first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Points:
- We
are for the praise of His glory
- The
race is one of patience
- Our
trust in Him stimulates the desire to offer continual praise & circumspection
- We are for the praise of His glory:
His splendor is praised celestially and terrestrially. His church is committed
to offering the terrestrial praise of His glory through song, prayer, teaching,
preaching, giving, loving, sacrificing, etc.
- 1 Cor 15:39-40 All flesh is not the same
flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts,
another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies,
and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the
glory of the terrestrial is another.
- Ezek 1:28-2:1 As the appearance of the
bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of
the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of
the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard
a voice of one that spake.
Failure to give God
the glory is a fatal mistake:
·
Acts
12:20-23 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they
came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain
their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's
country. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his
throne, and made an oration unto them. 22 And the people gave a shout, saying,
It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the
Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms,
and gave up the ghost.
·
Isa
2:10-12 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD,
and for the glory of his majesty. 11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled,
and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be
exalted in that day. 12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every
one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall
be brought low:
- The race is one of patience:
·
Heb 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
·
Ps
119:32-33 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my
heart. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto
the end.
- Our trust in Him stimulates the desire
to offer continual praise & circumspection:
- Our
daily life can render a type of daily praise to God, but how do we stay
on track?
- Eph 5:11-16 And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a
shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for
whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou
that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Committed Because of Him, Part II
Sermon Notes
Lesson Text: Ephesians 1:9-14: Having made known unto
us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath
purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he
might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven,
and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an
inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh
all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the
praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted,
after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,14
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased
possession, unto the praise of his glory.
- Eph 1:12-13 that we who first trusted
in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted,
after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom
also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
- Eph 1:12 in order that we, who were the
first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Commitment is a necessary component in Christianity and it
stands as one of the most elusive characteristics of a follower of Christ. How
much more solid, influential, and productive congregations would be if the
majority of congregational members were committed. It takes commitment to
continually be for the praise of Gods glory. From the perspective of inquiry,
what does it take for complete commitment to commence? It seems to be a
complete dissolving of pride, self-importance, and arrogance. It is best to
submit to Christ before falling into his hands.
- It is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God. (Heb 10:31)
- It is a dreadful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God. (Heb 10:31)
- It is a terrifying thing to fall into
the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:31)
Notice the life and dynamics of David, Peter,
and Paul:
- David: 2 Sam 12:5-7 And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man;
and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing
shall surely die: 6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did
this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou
art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and
I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
- Peter: Luke 22:61-62 And the Lord
turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord,
how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
- Paul: Acts 9:5-6 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I
am Jesus whom thou persecutes: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to
do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall
be told thee what thou must do.
The
culminating impact of the aforementioned encounters provided terrifying and
embarrassing introductions to God. However, after the episodes, David, Peter,
and Paul proceeded to do great things for God. How do you want to meet Christ?
Do you want to give yourself to Him or fall into His hands? Make your own
applications to the scriptural text, but something must transpire to evoke
your true commitment to Christ. We cannot casually coast in Christ without
discomfort, non-event, or persecution. Such a condition may be a strong indicator
a person is not practicing Christianity.