Ephesians 3 14-21
The letter is written to encourage them. A number of early manuscripts didn’t have verse one so there is a theory that this letter went to more than 1 church. Paul prays with total confidence and faith in his father. Paul kneeling here is showing humility. Like Paul we know our mistakes and the people we’ve hurt. Yet God still loves us.
Solomon David Ezra Daniel Peter and even Jesus prayed on their knees. The posture of our bodies matters less than the posture of our hearts. After all, some of us if we get down on our knees, we’re not getting back up without help. Paul’s shows us what humility means.
Pauls prayer should be our prayer as well. Praying for strength as we cannot do life without the power and strength that the Holy Spirit gives us.
Paul uses the word dwell deliberately. God should not be a short term visitor to our life and hearts.
No room in our heart is off limits. We need to surrender our entire inner being to him.
Why would Jesus want to love us? Why would he want to live in us? He created us we are not a mistake.
A rooted and established plant will grow. So will we, rooted in God’s love part of His family.
Whilst we still sinners God died for us. God wants us to know how much he loves us. His love covers our live and into eternity. It encompasses everything.
His love is deep enough to forgive us, to support us in our darkest moments.
Yvette shared her anger about when her mum died. She needed her yet God took her. Amanda Judith and Yvette had to immerse in prayer.
Jesus death on the cross was not a plan B. It was the sacrifice that was needed.
Jesus went to the cross knowing a lot of people would not believe. Yet he took on our sins, became human and died in pain for us. Why? To heal the separation between us and God.
We should be able to say to others I know that God loves me. We need to be able to share this with others. People need to experience it for themselves. V19 talks about full measures. No short measures from Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Amazing things happen if we experience the fullness of God, if we invite him in, if we put him first.
We need to be the people he moulded us into. God wants everyone to be saved, not separated for eternity.
It’s life changing and infectious. We want to share with others.
You are worth dying for, you are special, you are loved.
The lectionary today 1 Peter 2 2-10 tells us to crave pure spiritual milk. Being with God, like a baby, helps us to grow and mature in faith.
Peter the Rock is using stones for a different illustration here. We no longer need a mediator to talk to God. We learn how much we are loved, and we need to share this.
Jesus wants to live in us.
Yvette closed by using the words of Ephesians 3: 14-21 as a prayer for us all.
Conferences, workshops and courses
Prayer as a new thing
Matty brought us the message that prayer was the topic discussed two weeks ago. He said that for some on the alpha course this might the first time they encounter the idea of prayer. He referred us to James 4:2. when we do n0ot pray we limit what God may do in our lives.
Matty also drew our attention to 1 Thessalonians’ 1:2.
Prayer is important, but the good news is there is no queuing system when praying to our Lord.
Matty also drew our attention to 1 Thessalonians’ 1:2.
Prayer is important, but the good news is there is no queuing system when praying to our Lord.
The Word of the Lord stands forever
1 Peter 1: 13 to 25
This is the Peter who got things wrong, who struck of the soldiers ear, who denied Jesus and fled. Yet hear he is speakiing with boldness and confidence. Why, because he had seen his Lord and Saviour rise from the dead. He’s standing here telling the Jewish people the enormity of what they have done. They begged him to tell them what they could do. Repent and be baptised was his answer.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Amanda used a jug of water and juice as symbol of what this looks like, when the Holy Spirit comes to fill our life, to infuse our whole being.
Luke wrote Acts to show that God is doing something new in the world through Jesus Christ and no human barrier would stop this happening.
With many words he warned them and pleaded with them. 3,000 were saved that day.
We have to be ambassadors for Christ. Peter penned his letter to the world, to all people.
Jesus is here for everyone. Jesus came for all, every human being. Amanda mentioned a Muslim student Nabeel Quereshi “Seeking Allah, finding Jesus”. His roommate was a Christian who showed love and gentleness, did not push a message but simply lived as a Christian should.
1 Peter 13 tells us that we will get to see the full power and person of the Son of God.
Some of our friends from Alpha are finding a difference in their lives as they come to know Jesus.
One of the congregation had also shared that she had put herself between two people as a peacemaker, speaking gently, calming the situation. The Holy Spirit works through us. Don’t be fooled though. At an early point in her life she had been trained to resolve things in a much more physical way.
Remember that God sometimes gives us life experience to understand people and offer empathy but the results are all His.
How do we do what he calls us to do. Well be holy , like Peter shared. Not with money, but through the precious blood of Christ. ….Your faith and hope are in God.
We are to live out our times as foreigners in reverent fear. Put a fleece out for the Lord, asking for clarity, but know that you will have to walk in faith, renew your spirits as set out in Ephesians.
Amanda used a bottle of J2O to demonstrate using the settled sediment to show that we need to shake up our life and renew and use our faith daily.
Romans 12 1-2 is clear about this need for renewal.
Amanda also shared an event from her training. An example had been offered about a group of people who went on a religious retreat. Their lives changed so much they worried about returning to the real world of jobs or family.
The word s displayed on our walls in church were put away because someone thought they were just a word for the 1980’s. They’re back on the wall because God’s words given to us do not have a sell by date. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us very clearly of this.
Are we ready to give our answer?
We closed with a prayer of thanks that starts “Good Morning God” and asks for discernment and a heart of obedience.
This is the Peter who got things wrong, who struck of the soldiers ear, who denied Jesus and fled. Yet hear he is speakiing with boldness and confidence. Why, because he had seen his Lord and Saviour rise from the dead. He’s standing here telling the Jewish people the enormity of what they have done. They begged him to tell them what they could do. Repent and be baptised was his answer.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Amanda used a jug of water and juice as symbol of what this looks like, when the Holy Spirit comes to fill our life, to infuse our whole being.
Luke wrote Acts to show that God is doing something new in the world through Jesus Christ and no human barrier would stop this happening.
With many words he warned them and pleaded with them. 3,000 were saved that day.
We have to be ambassadors for Christ. Peter penned his letter to the world, to all people.
Jesus is here for everyone. Jesus came for all, every human being. Amanda mentioned a Muslim student Nabeel Quereshi “Seeking Allah, finding Jesus”. His roommate was a Christian who showed love and gentleness, did not push a message but simply lived as a Christian should.
1 Peter 13 tells us that we will get to see the full power and person of the Son of God.
Some of our friends from Alpha are finding a difference in their lives as they come to know Jesus.
One of the congregation had also shared that she had put herself between two people as a peacemaker, speaking gently, calming the situation. The Holy Spirit works through us. Don’t be fooled though. At an early point in her life she had been trained to resolve things in a much more physical way.
Remember that God sometimes gives us life experience to understand people and offer empathy but the results are all His.
How do we do what he calls us to do. Well be holy , like Peter shared. Not with money, but through the precious blood of Christ. ….Your faith and hope are in God.
We are to live out our times as foreigners in reverent fear. Put a fleece out for the Lord, asking for clarity, but know that you will have to walk in faith, renew your spirits as set out in Ephesians.
Amanda used a bottle of J2O to demonstrate using the settled sediment to show that we need to shake up our life and renew and use our faith daily.
Romans 12 1-2 is clear about this need for renewal.
Amanda also shared an event from her training. An example had been offered about a group of people who went on a religious retreat. Their lives changed so much they worried about returning to the real world of jobs or family.
The word s displayed on our walls in church were put away because someone thought they were just a word for the 1980’s. They’re back on the wall because God’s words given to us do not have a sell by date. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us very clearly of this.
Are we ready to give our answer?
We closed with a prayer of thanks that starts “Good Morning God” and asks for discernment and a heart of obedience.
Following Christ does not mean entering a hotel for the healthy.
The Word today was John 11: 1 to 47.
Verse 3 tells us Lazarus was a friend. John tells us that these are people who love Jesus. Yet Jesus waited 3 days. Telling Jesus seems a natural thing for them to do. But Jesus doesn’t leave straight away. He needs to leave time for God’s glory. He knew Lazarus would die and he would raise him to life again..
Jesus knew that this would get the attention of the religious leaders and that this would lead to his own death.
People who walk with Jesus though do not need to fear the dark, to fear death..
Raising someone who has been dead for four days shows that Jesus has power over death.
The disciples were probably very confused. They’d been told Lazarus would not die and then he did.
How many of us ask God why our prayers haven’t been answered.
Lazarus had been dead 4 days and both sisters were unhappy that Jesus was not there.
Yvette shared that she was angry with God when her mum died. He could have saved her. But she shared that God knows the beginning, the middle and the end.
As an example she asked those who knew her to imagine what her mum would have been like in lockdown.
Romans 8:28 shows that God understands that pain. He always has a reason for not answering a prayer. It works out for our good in the end.
Martha shows despite her disappointment she is saying I still trust you I still believe in you.
She doesn’t yet know. That Jesus will raise her brother. Not in the future but there and then.
Here is one of the seven I am statements in John’s gospel “I am the resurrection”
We know in Revelation 21 that there will be a new heaven and earth,
Mary repeats the same doubts and questions of Jesus. Martha and her both questioned and doubted.
Yvette shared that the words for weeping in this passage meant different things. The weeping of Mary and Martha were load full on wailing. The shortest bible verse Jesus wept was a quieter more controlled weeping.
The four days is key. The blief at the time was that the first three days meant the spirit was still lurking, still looking for revival. Day 4 was seen to be the end.
Jesus here is testing Mary and Marth’s faith. We need to stop trusting how we feel and instead trust in God’s word.
Imagine if you were Lazarus? Why raise him from the dead? Verse 4 tells us it’s for God’s glory. Verse 40 tells us why. More people believed than would have done if Lazarus had simply been healed.
More people than Lazarus entered into new life that day.
Soon Jesus would go on to prove once and for all that he is the resurrection and the life.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus is a story of hope where Jesus understands our grief and lets us know he is here.
Ultimately Jesus says that we need to trust him, whether it is for losses or for family to find Christ’s words.
Verse 3 tells us Lazarus was a friend. John tells us that these are people who love Jesus. Yet Jesus waited 3 days. Telling Jesus seems a natural thing for them to do. But Jesus doesn’t leave straight away. He needs to leave time for God’s glory. He knew Lazarus would die and he would raise him to life again..
Jesus knew that this would get the attention of the religious leaders and that this would lead to his own death.
People who walk with Jesus though do not need to fear the dark, to fear death..
Raising someone who has been dead for four days shows that Jesus has power over death.
The disciples were probably very confused. They’d been told Lazarus would not die and then he did.
How many of us ask God why our prayers haven’t been answered.
Lazarus had been dead 4 days and both sisters were unhappy that Jesus was not there.
Yvette shared that she was angry with God when her mum died. He could have saved her. But she shared that God knows the beginning, the middle and the end.
As an example she asked those who knew her to imagine what her mum would have been like in lockdown.
Romans 8:28 shows that God understands that pain. He always has a reason for not answering a prayer. It works out for our good in the end.
Martha shows despite her disappointment she is saying I still trust you I still believe in you.
She doesn’t yet know. That Jesus will raise her brother. Not in the future but there and then.
Here is one of the seven I am statements in John’s gospel “I am the resurrection”
We know in Revelation 21 that there will be a new heaven and earth,
Mary repeats the same doubts and questions of Jesus. Martha and her both questioned and doubted.
Yvette shared that the words for weeping in this passage meant different things. The weeping of Mary and Martha were load full on wailing. The shortest bible verse Jesus wept was a quieter more controlled weeping.
The four days is key. The blief at the time was that the first three days meant the spirit was still lurking, still looking for revival. Day 4 was seen to be the end.
Jesus here is testing Mary and Marth’s faith. We need to stop trusting how we feel and instead trust in God’s word.
Imagine if you were Lazarus? Why raise him from the dead? Verse 4 tells us it’s for God’s glory. Verse 40 tells us why. More people believed than would have done if Lazarus had simply been healed.
More people than Lazarus entered into new life that day.
Soon Jesus would go on to prove once and for all that he is the resurrection and the life.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus is a story of hope where Jesus understands our grief and lets us know he is here.
Ultimately Jesus says that we need to trust him, whether it is for losses or for family to find Christ’s words.
Mud in Your Eye….Seeing clearly in an out of focus world.
Amanda preached on John 9. So here we have a man born for his time.
Despite the views of the religious leaders at the time Jesus said that his parents had not sinned. The man was born for Jesus to heal. Born so God’s power could be glorified through Jesus. We don’t know their names but that they were a family of faith, attending synagogue and following God.
The blind man could see the Messiah when the religious leaders could not. He wasn’t afraid like his parents were. He wasn’t afraid because he was gaining more than he lost. He was healed.
Yet again the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. He made clay and then he healed. Two things they saw as work.
But Jesus was doing what God called him to do. Both physical and spiritual sight were restored.
Amanda used the analogy of an artist looking through a frame or lens to see the picture in front of them. She asked what do we see in front of us. She remined us that what we see depends on the lens or filter we look through. Our own beleifs and values colour the picture in front of us.
She reminded us in Ephesians 5 8-14 that light makes everything is visible. Nothing can be hidden from God. There’s no time to be idle. The only time we are guaranteed is the here and now. Spend your time wisely. Live wisely. Your words have to be correct. You need to be ready to give an answer regarding the hope that you have in Jesus.
Amanda shared that she had a challenge to answer 3 questions in 140 words…. Don’t people realise how much she has to say. But the point of the exercise is that you may only have a minute to share something so have you got the words already prepared?
Do you know what your answer will be?
Night is coming when no one can work. He is coming and that is time we will all have to stand before Almighty God.
We will be filled with reverent fear but we know that God loves us.
Amanda shared the story of the writer of Blessed Assurance, Fanny Crosby, who was blind from birth yet thanks to support from her mother and grandmother was able to write over 8,000 hymns under a variety of names.
Despite the views of the religious leaders at the time Jesus said that his parents had not sinned. The man was born for Jesus to heal. Born so God’s power could be glorified through Jesus. We don’t know their names but that they were a family of faith, attending synagogue and following God.
The blind man could see the Messiah when the religious leaders could not. He wasn’t afraid like his parents were. He wasn’t afraid because he was gaining more than he lost. He was healed.
Yet again the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. He made clay and then he healed. Two things they saw as work.
But Jesus was doing what God called him to do. Both physical and spiritual sight were restored.
Amanda used the analogy of an artist looking through a frame or lens to see the picture in front of them. She asked what do we see in front of us. She remined us that what we see depends on the lens or filter we look through. Our own beleifs and values colour the picture in front of us.
She reminded us in Ephesians 5 8-14 that light makes everything is visible. Nothing can be hidden from God. There’s no time to be idle. The only time we are guaranteed is the here and now. Spend your time wisely. Live wisely. Your words have to be correct. You need to be ready to give an answer regarding the hope that you have in Jesus.
Amanda shared that she had a challenge to answer 3 questions in 140 words…. Don’t people realise how much she has to say. But the point of the exercise is that you may only have a minute to share something so have you got the words already prepared?
Do you know what your answer will be?
Night is coming when no one can work. He is coming and that is time we will all have to stand before Almighty God.
We will be filled with reverent fear but we know that God loves us.
Amanda shared the story of the writer of Blessed Assurance, Fanny Crosby, who was blind from birth yet thanks to support from her mother and grandmother was able to write over 8,000 hymns under a variety of names.