Ephesians-Our Battle Manual 6

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Righteousness and Judgment

Ephesians 1:3-10 MSG How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people-free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

  • We are nothing without Christ.
  1. “In Him” we live and move
  2. “In Him” we have redemption
  3. “In Him” we have an inheritance
  4. “In Him” you were sealed
  5. “In Him” you are built together
  6. “In Him” we have boldness

We are nothing without Christ.

John 12:27–33 27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

  • “Peoples” vs judgment.
  • Draw all peoples because we are not under God’s judgment.
  • Power Supply. Electricity board vs Light switch.
  • Unconditional love to those who walk according to the Spirit.
  • Vessels of honor, consecration factors in on how God can use you.
  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit vs chosen ones – God is not partial to anyone.

If Salvation offered by Christ is rejected, the solution God has given

If we choose to live according to God’s parameters, then we qualify to receive what he has to give; both now and eternally, and I gladly add that he is only too happy and willing to give to those who comply and ask.

If we do not live according to God’s parameters, then we get to live with and as others who don’t; both now and eternally.

Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, If Sanctification offered by the Holy Spirit is rejected

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Romans 15:15–16 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit

  1. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
  • Jesus and miracles

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

John 16:8-11 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

  • The world vs kingdom of God. Imagination vs Hope
  • Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit for those born again
  • Is this one way that the Holy Spirit is grieved?
    • That we still walk in sin?
    • That we don’t walk in victory?
    • That we don’t believe/act that we are God’s righteousness? Without that how can we even stand the presence of our Heavenly Father?
    • That we don’t have hope?
    • That we don’t drive demons out even though we have authority?

To be continued…

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