We are very changeable; but when God is with us, when the days are spiritually bright and long, and we have come into the midsummer of our heavenly bliss, we would not change places with the angels, knowing that by-and-by we shall be nearer to the throne than they are; and, while they are God's honoured servants, yet they are not beloved sons as we are. Take heed; thou wilt go further still; there is no stopping in sin. He gives him a glory. When the elder called at this old woman's cellar with the cards, he found that she had gone. He may sit in the heavenlies; Christ is there as his Representative. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth [inwardly applied, and thus bracing us morally], and having on the breast-plate of righteousness." 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. They want to be saved by their own morality, and all sorts of things that they put instead of salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. They are clearly identified in each blog post. When we get "together with Christ", then are we made alive, then are we saved. Scripturally-based resources for worship planners and leaders. What did he mean? "But God, rich in His mercy, in His love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins." Man merely needs teaching. It is not for God's ambassador to wash his mouth beforehand; let him boldly reprove, as men do boldly sin. Nostrums and palliatives aggravate rather than allay the disease. ; because all that is connected with man in the flesh and in the world is a sign to unbelievers, showing them the goodness of God, and the defeat of that wicked power which governs human nature as it is. That is not the result of some great effort on my part. The, good for an Israelite, for a Gentile, for a man, is wholly different from the good for a Christian, because their relationships are not the same as his. Unquestionably the Spirit of God does evermore dwell in the Christian, though I am not aware that He is ever said to dwell in our hearts. It was not even lawful to render help to a Gentile woman in childbirth, for that would be to bring another Gentile into the world. Here are some indexes that might be helpful: INDEXES: For a complete list of all the indexes on this blog, click here. "What set you cleaning and polishing these old engines of yours?" But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, God loved us even when we were dead in sins. (v) The Gentiles were without hope and without God. (ii) We saw that sin killed the ideals by which men live. (Ephesians 3:1-21) The closing theme shows us where and with whom are our true conflicts as Christians. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Well, then, we have a new life. (There is no need to credit the re:Worship blog itself.). Let this, then, be held as a fixed principle, that the union of our soul with God is the true and only life; and that out of Christ we are altogether dead, because sin, the cause of death, reigns in us. WebSelect from the options below to find worship ideas that fit what you're looking for. I took pleasure where it pleased me, and passed on. In Romans, in 1st and 2nd Corinthians, and in Galatians righteousness was largely used. At the same time, we learn by our experiments. Gideon went out and faced his troops and said, "All right, all of you that are afraid to go to battle, you can go on home." "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." The sinner sees no beauty there; and no human power can arouse him to act for God, anymore than human power can rouse the sleeping dead, or open the sightless eyeballs on the light of day. Chrysostom, famous preacher of the early Church, says that it is as if one should melt down a statue of silver and a statue of lead, and the two should come out gold. In other words, Christ was not raised up as an insulated individual, severed from all others by His glory and their sin and shame. Previous year: 2021-2022 | Next year: 2023-2024. Now, some may have come closer than others.If we decided to go sailing out here in the channel and maybe sail to Catalina, but half way across the channel we sprang a leak in the boat and it starts to go down, and some of you who can't swim go down with the boat. Paul can never have too much of Christ. As our children grow older, do we come nearer to them, or do they drift away until conversation is often difficult and we and they are practically strangers? He has not come to God consciously. For without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sins (Heb. Ah, the last stage of death, the last stage of corruption, oh, how hideous; but the last stage of sin, hideous far more! There was the sovereign love of God in Christ forgiving us; there was love of complacency, inasmuch as we were to love according to that love with which we were loved, as shown us in the matchless love of Christ. fol. In Corinthians we have this, and properly in its place. Maybe it is because we like to do things theway that weve alwaysdone them that creates barriers and excludes strangers, preventing them from ever having the opportunity to experience the reconciling power of Jesus in their lives. Grace alone would not suffice, glory alone would not serve, but both. He came so as to be left absolutely free to occupy Himself in love for God's glory and our desperate need. That is, there is a creative connection between God and man which is the source of man's moral relations with God, and the reason why man, and man alone of all creatures on the earth, shall live again and give an account of himself to God. Isaiah had heard God say: "Peace, peace to the far, and to the near" ( Isaiah 57:19). Is He not satisfied with giving us a nature like His own? At the same time we know with utter conviction that we must spend all life in trying to be worthy of it. 11Therefore, remember that formerly(X) you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcision (which is done in the body by human hands)(Y) 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners(Z) to the covenants of the promise,(AA) without hope(AB) and without God in the world. Reader 1 But now in Christ you who once were far away. (E) 3All of us also lived among them at one time,(F) gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a](G) and following its desires and thoughts. Modern progress has made the world a neighbourhood: God has given us the task of making it a brotherhood. "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living," and, unless we are made alive unto him, he cannot be our God either here or hereafter. They have tried everything. Another plan discloses itself. Forgive the poverty of our accomplishing. Whither shall we flee to avoid the noxious odour of that reeking corpse? "Because I live, ye shall live also." HOMER: I do know you would. (J) 6And God raised us up with Christ(K) and seated us with him(L) in the heavenly realms(M) in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,(N) expressed in his kindness(O) to us in Christ Jesus. But at this point, Paul is just saying, and you. He was a sinner. When the Rabbis spoke about accepting a convert into Judaism, they said that he had been brought near. There is his lust; what a combat he will have with that, for many a month! You may search it through and through to find a single flattering word to unregenerate man; but you will search in vain. There is his habit of swearing; how often will an oath come into his mouth, and he will have as hard work as he can to thrust it down again! HOMER: Jethro, if you had two big luxurious houses like those ones in the Beverly Hills and I was livin yonder under the bridge without no home, would you give me one of your big luxurious houses? 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once(AC) were far away have been brought near(AD) by the blood of Christ. As Christ fills the whole body of Christian believers with his fulness, (Ephesians 1:23,) so had he dealt with the converted Ephesians, who before were dead in trespasses, and dead in sins. (iii) It is a life characterized by disobedience. I cannot help reminding you, that you must not overlook the fact that Paul will not go a hair's breadth away from Christ. WebCalling Adapted from 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 God says, If my people, Who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, And seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. When last evening trying to realize the thought, it utterly overcame me. One of the regular passengers commented on the change. Or secret places of the heart's own love. So the apostle says, "You hath he quickened, who were dead in offences and sins;" for now we can bear to learn anything, however humiliating, and He can speak of anything, no matter how exalted or holy. height; and to know the love of Christ." The Jews believed that only by keeping the Jewish law was a man good and able to attain to the friendship and fellowship of God. Let no man think that, because he has escaped the grosser sins of the body, he has avoided the sins of the flesh. Suppose a motorist by careless driving kills a child. And if children that had a relationship with their parents in the flesh and under law did so (for it was indeed right), how much more did it become Christian children to pay them reverence? All lost sinners are dead, and the only difference between one sinner and another is the state of decay." "Like trying to get an octopus into a paper bag." Finally, "receive the helmet of salvation, [there the head is lifted up, not in presumption, but with none the less joy and courage,] and the sword of the Spirit," which is expressly said to be the word of God. Please note: If you use material from this blog, please be careful to credit the original author and source. says one, "I have lived fifty years, and I have never felt anything of God." I dare not come downstairs without speaking to him. Where God now seats me together in Christ in these heavenly places, or in the heavenlies. Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; You are not only in the kingdom, but you are in the royal household, which is better still. You will never discover it all. Look back to what you used to be, to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged: "You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.". It isn't just our talking, it is our whole manner of life. make us bold as we claim your victory in the world. He found her in an attic room. Such is not the character of God's dwelling now. We wish that death did not remain, the old nature hampering us; but, in perfect proportion as the new life is really in us, we now run parallel with God. Grace, empowered by hope and love, shows how God is active in the lives of the faithful. He may shed abroad the love of God therein; but He is rather said to dwell in us, making the body God's temple. All other combats are outside the calling of a Christian. The third case goes further still in the manifestation of death; for it is the case of which Martha, using strong words, said, "Lord, by this time he stinketh; for he hath been dead four days." And God throughout eternity is going to be revealing the exceeding greatness of His mercy and of His kindness, these things that He has given and provided and done for you through Jesus Christ. L: Come into this time of peace and Who is delighted when He sees you happy and joyful. The second picture Paul uses is that of a building. It is an adjective meaning the anointed one. It is not here deliverance, let it be ever so complete; it is not the knowledge of our position in Christ as inEphesians 1:1-23; Ephesians 1:1-23; but rather the converse Christ dwelling in us by faith, and the heart entering into the positive excellency of the Son, the only adequate object of the Father's own delight. Sin is the death of the soul. This and nothing less or else is what He chooses us to be before Him chooses us to be in Christ in His own sight, and therefore with the fullest certainty that it shall be according to His own mind. 110 and 2:1122. This new life makes us capable of walking with God; that is a grand thing. Numbers are of small account here. Finally, He enunciated the motive for our calling (i.e., the unmerited grace of God, Ephesians 2:1-10). Oh, to live in heaven, to dwell there, to let the heart be caught up from this poor life into the life that is above! "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. And we at one time were following that course, dead in our trespasses and sins, living an aimless life without purpose as we follow the trends that were being set by Satan. We confess our praying to you, and ask for your Spirit to pray within us. ver 3, 11-13; Ro 11:30; 1Co 6:11; 5:8; Col 3:7; Tit 3:3; 1Pe 4:3, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Revelation, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Galatians, Paperback, Comfort Print, NIV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture. 76. That is what Christ does for a man. Ay, so it is with the young woman or the young man I mean to describe now. He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, "that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." He would have something more. His sin is as yet a secret thing, kept to himself: as yet there has been no breaking forth of iniquity, but only the conception of it in the heart; just the embryo of lust, not as yet broken out into act. The consequence is that we find the Spirit of God, now sent down from heaven, not only putting the saints into relationship with the Father, but, besides, dwelling in them and making them God's habitation through the Spirit. What you think that you and I knew from our birth, we did not so know; we had to learn it. (ii) It is life lived under the dictates of the prince of the air. But what are difficulties to the Spirit of God? 3. There are some personages in St. Paul's Cathedral; I have not seen them lately, but I have seen them. The enmity, even the law of commandments containeth in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he. Oh, the many dead prayers that are heard at the bedside; so many good words rushed through at a canter! This covenant relationship involved not only privilege, but also obligation. You say, "Well, I believe God. The first is nature; the second is relationship. It was grace in its deepest character and in its highest form, and so the apostle Paul was the suited vessel that God employed to instruct others, not merely the one to whom the revelation was made, but by whom the revelation was to be communicated. [Using THE FAITH WE SING, p. 2080, "All I Need Is You", offer the following call to worship] L: Place your trust in the Lord. P: Cast away those things which detract from your faith in God. L: God will provide for all your needs. P: The love of Jesus Christ and his witness strengthens and sustains us. ALL: AMEN! So he came and preached peace to you who were afar off, and peace to them who were near, because, through him, we both have the right of entry into the presence of the Father, for we come in the one Spirit. Those who walk in trespasses and sins, and according to the course of this world, walk according to the prince of the power of the air. The young man's was given more publicly. Naturally this prayer grows out of the two great truths he had been urging. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. "[1] (1Timothy 5:6; Revelation 3:1). All were dead alike. Not only was His resurrection this manifestation, but also whatever God put forth toward us was in virtue of that display of His energy was, so to speak, morally included in that power which raised up Christ from the dead. Is it so? The living child of God likes to get as far as ever he can away from the death that once held him bound. Vid. Such is the very power that has taken you and me up in divine grace, and wrought toward us. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul lists the sins of the flesh. The Call to Worship: As followers of Jesus Christ, living in this world - which some seek to control, but which others view with despair - we declare with joy and trust: Our world belongs to God! Upon his repentance and confession, his father forgives him; therefore, he spiritually "came to life again." Paul had begun by saying that, as we are, we are dead in sins and trespasses; now he says that God in his love and mercy has made us alive in Jesus Christ. The moral order of this is exceedingly beautiful. So many of you have begun to form habits that are evil; you know that already the screw of the devil is tightening on your finger. He to whom I look up, by and in whom alone I can know God and the Father, is God Himself Let the notion of time come into the conception given of Godhead and of the persons Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and all would be falsehood and confusion. P: We come to celebrate Gods abiding love! 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