WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.820 The scripture reading comes from Ephesians chapter 3, starting in verse 1, we read, 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:16.640 For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, on behalf of you Gentiles, 00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:23.179 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:29.120 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly, 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:35.640 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:40.600 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations, 00:00:41.579 --> 00:00:48.020 as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:55.460 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, 00:00:55.460 --> 00:01:01.000 and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:07.560 Of this gospel, I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:11.299 which was given me by the working of his power. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:18.040 To me, though I am the very least of all the things, this grace was given, 00:01:18.040 --> 00:01:22.920 to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 00:01:23.620 --> 00:01:30.120 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:37.320 who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God 00:01:37.320 --> 00:01:43.420 may now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 00:01:43.420 --> 00:01:51.260 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus, our Lord, 00:01:51.960 --> 00:01:57.740 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:04.879 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:06.980 This is the word of God. 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:12.539 Great. Thank you for stepping in, Tess. 00:02:13.200 --> 00:02:17.560 Why don't we pray together so we can, yeah, that God will speak to us. 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:20.280 Father, thank you for your word. 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:22.879 Thank you that it speaks deep to our hearts. 00:02:23.140 --> 00:02:27.180 Thank you that you reveal, that you make known your plan, your purposes, 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:31.319 that you make known the meaning of life, meaning of our life. 00:02:31.659 --> 00:02:33.080 Father, please speak to us today. 00:02:33.420 --> 00:02:36.819 Would each of us, yeah, in our hearts hear you speak to us? 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:40.060 And, yeah, draw near to us and give us grace. 00:02:40.439 --> 00:02:42.019 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:46.019 --> 00:02:46.459 Great. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:49.000 All right. 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:53.179 Now, I don't know if you're on the MTR, they always advertise movies. 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:56.079 I don't know if you saw the advertisement for Avatar, 00:02:56.899 --> 00:03:00.280 the movie from, I don't know, 15 years ago back in the cinema. 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:07.140 It's because the sequel's coming out in December, and so they thought, let's release it again. 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:10.060 And I thought maybe that'd be nice to go and see it. 00:03:10.539 --> 00:03:12.840 But then I also thought, actually, I've got Disney Plus. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:13.979 I can just see it at home. 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:15.340 Right? 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:19.740 I mean, cinemas, I think they've taken quite a beating over the years, right? 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:21.840 I mean, why go to the cinema? 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:23.740 You know, at home, you don't need to travel. 00:03:24.700 --> 00:03:27.000 You can watch it at your convenience. 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:28.800 You can watch it without a mask. 00:03:29.140 --> 00:03:29.780 Isn't that nice? 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:34.939 You know, it's, okay, sometimes it's nice if there's a big crowd of people 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:36.900 and you're watching this blockbuster together. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:39.260 But sometimes other people are really annoying, right? 00:03:39.320 --> 00:03:40.320 They're on their phones. 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:41.020 They cough. 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:45.580 Or you're one of those small Hong Kong girls, and you're sitting behind me, 00:03:45.640 --> 00:03:47.300 and I'm blocking your view, right? 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:48.060 That kind of thing. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:52.300 You know, why go to the cinema? 00:03:52.460 --> 00:03:53.439 Why not just stay at home? 00:03:54.820 --> 00:03:59.340 But isn't it exactly the same thing that we've been having over the past few years with church? 00:04:00.480 --> 00:04:01.640 Why go to church? 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:02.820 Right? 00:04:02.920 --> 00:04:04.740 You can just watch it online at home. 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:08.400 Isn't that, you know, so much easier? 00:04:08.480 --> 00:04:09.240 You don't need to travel. 00:04:09.820 --> 00:04:10.760 You can see it. 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:11.579 You can have a coffee. 00:04:11.739 --> 00:04:12.899 You can sing without a mask. 00:04:13.359 --> 00:04:14.280 Isn't that so much nicer? 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:15.319 Right? 00:04:15.479 --> 00:04:18.000 I mean, of course, it's nice to sing together with other people. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:21.420 But some of them can't sing very well, and it's quite distracting. 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:23.579 They might give you COVID, right? 00:04:25.000 --> 00:04:27.039 No, actually, we've all had that issue, right? 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:30.180 Actually, online church, is that church? 00:04:30.659 --> 00:04:34.079 Or is there something about us coming here together? 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:36.240 I mean, I'm so glad to see many of you here. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:40.120 If you're watching at home, really great that you're here as well. 00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:42.980 But why go to church? 00:04:43.039 --> 00:04:46.079 I think today's passage is going to be really helpful for that. 00:04:46.159 --> 00:04:52.620 It's really a passage that goes to the heart of, you know, who we are as a church, who we are as Christians, who we are as Watermark. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:57.639 And, yeah, it's going to be hopefully eye-opening for us. 00:04:58.300 --> 00:04:59.740 Actually, what is the church? 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:02.000 What is God's plan for us? 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:03.800 That is what this passage is about. 00:05:04.220 --> 00:05:06.860 Although, if you hear it, you might wonder, is that really what it's about? 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:11.520 Because it seems to be just Paul talking about his job, right? 00:05:11.900 --> 00:05:18.100 You know, he's just been, for two chapters, he's been explaining what an amazing thing God is doing, right? 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:23.520 He's got this plan for the whole creation to bring everything together under Christ. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:31.800 I know he's made Christ head over everything, brought us from death to life, brought us all together under Christ in the church. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:35.500 And now he, well, he turns to pray, all right? 00:05:35.579 --> 00:05:41.660 3 verse 1, for this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:42.920 But then he stops. 00:05:43.460 --> 00:05:47.180 And he, okay, assuming you've heard about me, let me tell you a bit about my job. 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:49.759 And then 3 verse 14, he starts again. 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:53.100 Well, for this reason, I bow my knees before the Father. 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:56.400 Why is he talking about his job? 00:05:56.399 --> 00:06:06.419 Well, actually, this passage kind of connects what we've seen before with the rest of the letter, which is more about what we need to do. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:15.179 Because so far, we've been seeing what God has achieved, what God has done in Christ, the amazing riches of grace in Christ. 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:19.839 But today, as you've heard, with a, you know, look at the repeated words. 00:06:19.919 --> 00:06:20.839 What is today about? 00:06:20.919 --> 00:06:23.279 It's about God's plan made known. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:28.500 Verse 3, the mystery was made known to me by revelation. 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:37.439 Verse 5, which was not made known to the sons of men and other generations, as it's now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets. 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:40.619 Verse 9, to bring to light for everyone. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:45.239 Verse 10, so that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known. 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:46.399 You've heard that, right? 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:50.439 Made known, made known, revealed, brought to light. 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:55.000 God's plan, it's amazing, but it's invisible. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:59.120 But today, well, God's plan has come into the world. 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:00.060 It's been revealed. 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:01.719 It's been made known. 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:03.740 That's where we're going. 00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:06.240 And, yeah, that goes right to who we are. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:09.839 But this making known, it happens in three stages. 00:07:09.980 --> 00:07:12.100 So, with three different prepositions. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:16.379 So, first of all, God's plan was made known for us. 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:18.639 To Paul, for us. 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:21.639 All right, that's what he says in verse 3. 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:23.839 How the mystery was made known to me. 00:07:24.479 --> 00:07:25.399 No, verse 2. 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:29.360 The stewardship of God's grace that was given me for you. 00:07:30.219 --> 00:07:31.159 And what is that? 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:35.959 Well, you know, Dave, God has made known to me the mystery. 00:07:36.419 --> 00:07:39.419 Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:44.480 But he says, yeah, he's talking about, okay, well, what is my role? 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:47.300 Well, I've been, God has revealed to me the gospel. 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:48.480 Now, it says mystery. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:50.560 There's different kinds of mysteries. 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:53.620 Some mysteries are just things we can't understand, right? 00:07:53.640 --> 00:07:54.280 Like the trinity. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:55.879 The trinity. 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:59.180 How can God be free persons in one nature? 00:07:59.300 --> 00:08:01.560 That's something that I can't understand. 00:08:01.840 --> 00:08:03.020 Maybe you're smarter than me. 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:05.319 I don't think any of us can understand it, right? 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:10.560 But other things, it's a mystery because, well, it was hidden, but it's now revealed. 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:14.060 And Paul says, well, God made known to me this mystery, right? 00:08:14.299 --> 00:08:18.599 And it wasn't made known before, but now it has to the apostles. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:21.099 God has made the mystery known. 00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:22.139 And what is that mystery? 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:29.379 Mystery, verse 6, this mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:33.159 and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:39.220 And what we saw last week, this amazing thing that Gentiles can be part of the people of God. 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:42.559 The world was divided into two groups. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.299 Here's the Jews. 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:44.279 They're God's people. 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:46.279 They've got the law, and they're close to him. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:48.819 But then the Gentiles is the rest of the world. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:54.459 Dirty, immoral, idolatrous pagans like me and you. 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:57.339 And we were far from God. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.419 We had no hope. 00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:02.120 And without hope and without God, that's how Paul described us. 00:09:02.860 --> 00:09:06.259 But the wonderful news is, you know, you can be included. 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:07.360 We heard that last week. 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:13.439 We can, well, verse 12, you can have boldness and access with confidence. 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:18.500 The God of the universe, the king of the universe, he invites us in, all of us. 00:09:19.260 --> 00:09:20.500 And we can have boldness. 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:26.220 We, you know, we can just waltz in and speak to the creator of the universe. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:28.160 Isn't that amazing? 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.820 That wasn't there before, right? 00:09:30.900 --> 00:09:35.120 That was, you know, in the Old Testament, yeah, God seemed close to the Jews. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:36.240 They had a temple and stuff. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:39.000 But Gentiles were very far from God. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:44.740 And maybe the only thing you could do is kind of get closer and look in from the outside. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:48.799 And, you know, maybe, you know, you can be a second-class citizen. 00:09:49.559 --> 00:09:50.539 But not anymore. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:51.860 You can now be in. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:52.559 And how? 00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:55.600 Well, as we heard last week, 2.13. 00:09:55.779 --> 00:10:01.399 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:06.399 It's through Jesus' death on the cross that washed us totally clean, as we heard earlier, right? 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:07.399 Totally. 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.759 Our sins were like scarlet, but now white as snow. 00:10:11.319 --> 00:10:12.779 And we can come to God. 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:14.600 Amazing. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:15.939 Your background doesn't matter. 00:10:16.079 --> 00:10:17.299 Your performance doesn't matter. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:20.279 It's just through Jesus that each of us can come to God. 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.159 That's the gospel. 00:10:21.319 --> 00:10:22.240 That is the great news. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:25.159 That's the wonderful thing God has done. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:27.839 But can you imagine not knowing that? 00:10:28.719 --> 00:10:32.219 Can you imagine if God sent Jesus but then just didn't tell anyone? 00:10:33.719 --> 00:10:35.579 I mean, that wouldn't work, right? 00:10:36.959 --> 00:10:39.120 Now, of course, God kept it hidden for a while. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:42.079 Maybe you think, why didn't God just make it known straight away? 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:44.639 Why didn't he always say, just everyone, come on in? 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:49.319 I think we'd have a very warped view of God's standards then, right? 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:54.860 If all these dirty Gentiles could just walk into God's presence, you might think, well, God doesn't have any standards. 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:58.240 Actually, God has the higher standards there are. 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:00.379 You know, God is so holy. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:05.519 Now, it's only when Jesus died and rose, that's when, yeah, the curtain was torn, right? 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:08.879 That is when, when Jesus died, now we can come in. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.480 That's why now it's been made known. 00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:13.399 But, yeah, God had to make it known, right? 00:11:14.339 --> 00:11:16.579 Otherwise, how would anyone know? 00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:18.379 I don't know. 00:11:18.439 --> 00:11:19.199 Silly example. 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:21.840 Imagine you want to see the White House. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.220 And not just on the outside. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:26.640 You want to go into the White House to see it inside. 00:11:26.780 --> 00:11:28.800 How would you, how could you ever get into the White House? 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:37.240 Maybe you can break in with some James Bond equipment and some serious ninja skills, kind of try to get in. 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:38.860 It's a lot of work, right? 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:43.240 Or there was this sports team that was, got an award in the White House. 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:51.360 So maybe I can move to the U.S. and join that sports team and then we win the national championship and we get invited to the White House and then I can see the inside. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:53.940 Actually, there's just a tour. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.279 You could just go to a website and sign up. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:57.259 Hey, I want to join the tour. 00:11:57.340 --> 00:11:58.259 You can just go in, right? 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:00.980 Imagine, you know, but you need to know that. 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:04.639 And the wonderful thing is God has made it known. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:11.439 Again, imagine not knowing the gospel and you want to get close to God. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:12.539 What do I do? 00:12:12.899 --> 00:12:14.819 How do I get to this holy God? 00:12:15.679 --> 00:12:17.120 How would I ever have a chance? 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:19.139 And then you read the Old Testament. 00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:24.199 Well, okay, I need to get circumcised and there's 613 laws that I need to keep perfectly. 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:28.259 And maybe that's when I can kind of come a little bit closer to God. 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:29.960 No. 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.220 There's the gospel. 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.700 God has revealed it. 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:36.540 You know, you can just trust in Jesus and come in. 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:37.700 That's wonderful. 00:12:38.560 --> 00:12:40.120 And, yeah, that had to be made known. 00:12:40.280 --> 00:12:42.700 But God has made it known and it's wonderful. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:45.980 I hope if you're a Christian you feel, yeah, this is so wonderful. 00:12:46.140 --> 00:12:47.780 And I'm so glad I was lost. 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:50.040 You know, I didn't know this. 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:56.140 I was away from God or I was religious and I tried to, you know, get my way to God and I couldn't. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.780 And then the gospel. 00:12:59.140 --> 00:12:59.480 Wonderful. 00:12:59.480 --> 00:12:59.560 Wonderful. 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:03.779 And if you don't know this yet, if you're not yet trusting in Jesus, come and talk to me. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:05.360 This is such wonderful news. 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:08.820 God's plan made known, well, yeah, for us. 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:13.940 But, of course, if only Paul knows it's not enough, right? 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:17.680 So, step two, God's plan made known to us. 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:20.879 Paul's job was not just that God revealed it. 00:13:21.479 --> 00:13:22.399 What did he do? 00:13:22.519 --> 00:13:31.319 Well, verse 8, to me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:34.079 You know, Paul had to go and preach it. 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:35.319 He had to tell it to people. 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:39.959 If just Paul knew it and, wow, that's really cool, and then just keeps making tents. 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:42.860 Of course, again, the gospel wouldn't get to us, right? 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:45.400 The gospel needs to be proclaimed. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.900 It needs to be made known. 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:50.080 After all, it's not automatic, right? 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:53.259 It's very clear, you know, when you believe. 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:58.879 Verse 12, boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:00.580 People need to hear the gospel. 00:14:01.560 --> 00:14:08.300 And so, Paul went around and preached the gospel, and the other apostles and other people preached the gospel, and so on. 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:11.920 And, you know, people believed, and that's how they got in, right? 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:12.660 We need to believe. 00:14:14.520 --> 00:14:16.759 Yeah, I mean, I think that's an obvious point, right? 00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:17.900 But it's worth saying. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:20.180 People need to hear the gospel. 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:23.720 Because most of us weren't there, right? 00:14:24.160 --> 00:14:25.700 None of us were there when Jesus died. 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:28.259 You need to hear it from others. 00:14:28.660 --> 00:14:30.120 I mean, the quarantine stuff, right? 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:32.779 The best news in ages, zero plus three. 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:36.539 Now, most of us weren't at the press conference, right? 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:38.779 How many of you were there when John Lee announced it? 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:39.899 None of us. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:45.679 No, we heard it, you know, because they published it in the newspapers, and you texted your friends, hey, we can travel, right? 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.039 News needs to spread. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.179 Good news. 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:50.299 And people were dying for good news. 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.860 So, you, yeah, great news. 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:54.600 Well, here is even better news, right? 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.100 The gospel. 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:58.000 Of course, people don't know they need it. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:00.100 Maybe why we don't text it to everyone. 00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:03.379 But, you know, good news needs to be made known. 00:15:04.200 --> 00:15:06.580 And so, let's make sure we tell people, right? 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:09.139 Paul puts it so well in Romans, Romans 10. 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:14.740 How will they call on the one whom they have not believed? 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:18.759 And how can they believe him whom they've never heard? 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:21.659 How can they hear without someone preaching to them? 00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:24.680 How can they preach if they're not sent? 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:29.500 As it is written, how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who preach good news. 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:30.259 Right? 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:32.320 If people want to believe, they need to hear. 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:35.080 And therefore, Paul preached the gospel. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:38.080 In a way, that's why we should preach the gospel, right? 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.560 Churches, we preach the gospel. 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:44.139 But it's not the main thing here in Ephesians. 00:15:44.239 --> 00:15:45.439 I mean, it's important. 00:15:46.959 --> 00:15:48.859 But Paul has something more. 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:54.579 It's not just that churches just go and evangelize, even though important as it is. 00:15:55.219 --> 00:15:56.639 No, Paul is now in prison. 00:15:56.739 --> 00:15:57.539 He's done his job. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.099 Maybe the churches are worried. 00:15:59.199 --> 00:15:59.679 What now? 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:03.339 Well, actually, there's a step three, Paul says. 00:16:04.459 --> 00:16:05.839 He's preached the gospel. 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.000 Jews have believed. 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:08.139 Gentiles have believed. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.899 The church is now here. 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:11.159 What now? 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:14.500 Well, it leads to the climax of this section, verse 10. 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.080 So that, right? 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.559 So that this was God's plan. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:21.199 God's plan made known through us. 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.199 Through us. 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:24.539 All right? 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.159 So, verse 10 and 11. 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:34.319 So that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:38.520 Now, after Paul's done, it's time for the church. 00:16:38.640 --> 00:16:41.420 That through the church, the wisdom of God might be made known. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:47.040 Now, wisdom of God, the manifold, it's Joseph's code. 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:48.140 The many colors. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:52.160 The rich, varied wisdom of God, which he shows. 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.860 In Ephesians, it's always about his plan. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:59.240 Like, how he saved us in all wisdom and insight. 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:02.639 So, God's plan revealed through the church. 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:08.000 In a way, just showing how amazing God is through his plan. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:11.200 As we put it in chapter 1, to the praise of his glory. 00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:14.480 The church is to show God's glory, God's plan to the world. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:17.880 But what kind of making known? 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.480 To whom? 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.660 Is this about evangelism? 00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:20.960 No. 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:25.460 Because it says, well, to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:29.880 My guess is we don't really know what that means or are confused about it. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:32.180 Chapter 6 makes it quite clear. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.259 So, 6, verse 12. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:38.059 Now, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers. 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:39.299 Against the authorities. 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:42.299 Against the cosmic powers over this present darkness. 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:46.200 Against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.960 That's the rulers and authorities. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:54.799 And that is to whom the church makes known God's plan. 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:57.440 And then now, how does that work? 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:59.980 I mean, I assume this is not a gospel conversation. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:03.019 Any of you have done two ways to live with a demon? 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.779 I don't think so. 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:05.480 Right? 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.579 No. 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:10.579 Just think about, you know, God is bringing the whole universe together. 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.980 Why does it need to be brought together? 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:15.000 How did it ever get broken? 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:17.259 Well, Genesis 3, right? 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:18.559 Genesis 3. 00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:20.519 God made this beautiful world. 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:23.159 And Adam and Eve lived together with God. 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.159 And everything was great. 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:26.960 And then Satan made his way into the garden. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.939 Tempted Adam and Eve. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:32.299 They turned away from God. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.200 They fell out with each other. 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.720 They fell out with creation. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.539 It was broken. 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:40.700 And the result is the mess we see in the world today. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:41.680 Right? 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:44.400 In a way, it's all due to Satan. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.840 He kind of messed up God's plan. 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:49.659 Of course, God knew it was going to happen. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.459 That's another point. 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:54.339 But in a way, God's plan was messed up. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:57.099 But God has this plan to make it all right. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:59.559 To everything back together under Christ. 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.000 Right? 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.699 And how is he? 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:04.480 But where do you see that in action? 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:06.619 You see it in the church. 00:19:06.619 --> 00:19:10.679 Because what has he been doing? 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:12.239 He's put Christ over all. 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:14.459 And made his people from death to life. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:16.399 And then brought people back together. 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:17.439 Under Christ. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.339 But where is that? 00:19:18.459 --> 00:19:19.299 Here in the church. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:24.539 And so, the church displays God's plan. 00:19:25.439 --> 00:19:27.039 It displays what God has done. 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:27.259 Right? 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:30.899 Because, as Kevin said, the church is like a trophy. 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:34.079 It is the sign that God has won. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.359 Right? 00:19:34.479 --> 00:19:35.519 And Satan has lost. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:38.660 Because, you know, Satan divided everything. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:41.460 But now, here, here's a Jew and a Gentile. 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:43.079 And they are worshiping God together. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.940 And they love each other. 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.920 They're family. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.460 It's back together. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:53.619 The church is, yeah, it's God's plan in action. 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:55.200 It's seen here in the world. 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:58.279 As kind of people get back together under Christ. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:01.680 And so, the church, it shows the plan. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:03.680 And it shows to Satan that he's lost. 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:04.599 Right? 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:06.879 That's kind of what Paul is getting at here. 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:10.159 The church, yeah, it's a trophy. 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:12.879 It shows what God has done. 00:20:14.159 --> 00:20:16.159 Because, yeah, it's back together. 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.599 I hope you see that. 00:20:17.699 --> 00:20:19.119 So, it's not about evangelism. 00:20:19.199 --> 00:20:20.459 It's about displaying. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:25.480 We display God's glory through us being together. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:32.480 You know, different people, Chinese, Western, Filipina, you know, coming together, being community, loving each other. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:34.740 That is what God is doing. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.940 That is God's plan. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.340 And that's what he made. 00:20:38.340 --> 00:20:38.500 Right? 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:40.859 And not just the rulers and authorities. 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:42.039 As we heard last week. 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.859 That was always the point of the temple. 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:45.119 Well, we are the temple. 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:52.119 The whole world should be able to see what an amazing thing God is doing in the church. 00:20:52.119 --> 00:21:00.019 They should see that God is doing something real here in church as people love each other. 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:03.159 And like we see in other places in the Bible. 00:21:03.479 --> 00:21:04.479 John 13. 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:08.779 By this all men will know you are my disciples if you love one another. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.119 Right? 00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:11.659 It's through our community life that people can see Jesus. 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.220 In this case, they can see God's plan. 00:21:14.380 --> 00:21:17.080 So, it's like a billboard, as Kevin said last week. 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.820 The church is this huge billboard. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.080 Now, that's how significant the church is. 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:25.140 But the church, this is God's plan for you now. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.360 What does God want from us? 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:28.640 He's done everything in a way in Christ. 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:36.460 But he wants to display his glory through the church, through our community, through our life together. 00:21:37.040 --> 00:21:38.259 That is what he is doing. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:43.240 And I think a billboard, it's a great illustration. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:45.779 But it's not even strong enough language. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:50.420 The thing about a billboard is that the billboard doesn't have much to do with the thing. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:50.599 Right? 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.960 You have a billboard about a car. 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:54.559 But that billboard, that's not the car. 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:54.759 Right? 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:56.059 The billboard says go over there. 00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:00.059 The church is not pointing a way. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:03.640 The church is actually part of God's plan. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:07.519 It's funny that Kevin used an iceberg this morning. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.460 I've got an iceberg. 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:12.119 I think the church is like the tip of the iceberg. 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:15.819 Here is God with this huge plan for all creation. 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.059 But most of it is spiritual. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.119 It's in a heavenly place. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.859 You can't see it. 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.879 Ninety percent of the plan you can't see. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:23.879 But ten percent of God's plan is visible. 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.500 It's the church. 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:31.940 Ten percent of God's amazing plan is right here, right now, here in this building. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:34.840 So we don't say, oh, go to God over there. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:35.880 No. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.880 Come to God here in church. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.920 Go to experience heaven over there. 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.200 No. 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:43.460 Experience heaven on earth right here. 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:44.440 Right? 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.840 That is what Paul is saying. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.600 And it's amazing, right? 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:49.940 Just the default of church here. 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:52.660 This is the future coming to the present. 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.700 This is heaven come to earth. 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:57.500 This is God's plan here in action. 00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:01.380 This is such a, yeah, just pause it, right? 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:03.360 What a huge vision of the church. 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:09.900 For many of us, you know, church is easily just a spiritual discipline or even a hobby. 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:13.660 You know, read the Bible, it's a good thing to do. 00:23:13.840 --> 00:23:15.140 Praying is a good thing to do. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.960 Coming to church, it's a good thing to do. 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:19.240 But if you don't find it helpful, it's okay. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.799 No, right? 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:25.940 But us being together, that's the whole purpose for why God saved us. 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.859 Church is not something you do. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.180 Church is who you are. 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.220 Community is not something you do. 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.519 It's something you are. 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:33.960 We are God's family. 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.980 We are God's people. 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.899 God's new humanity. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.079 Right? 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.680 That's how we should see ourselves. 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.879 Not as a social club. 00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:49.399 Let me come back to, you know, if you're watching this online, I know there's many of you and you've got an Amber health code. 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:49.480 Right? 00:23:49.840 --> 00:23:54.759 Or you're in isolation because you're a close contact or you've got COVID and all that stuff and you want to be here. 00:23:55.040 --> 00:23:56.800 And I'm so glad you can join us online. 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.680 There's others of you. 00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:02.280 Actually, you know, it's just much easier to watch online. 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:06.740 I hope you see from today's passage, that's just not church, right? 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.259 Church is us being together. 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:15.759 And, you know, there's not much glory to be seen if we're just at home on the sofa watching YouTube. 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:16.819 Right? 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:18.420 We need to be here together. 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:24.099 And not just come in and, you know, attend the service and as soon as we said to Benediction, rush out. 00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:25.740 It's like a cinema. 00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.740 We're not a cinema. 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.859 We're a family. 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:34.959 So we hang out and we love each other and we have real community and we're committed to each other. 00:24:35.219 --> 00:24:38.559 And, you know, membership, being members of one family. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:39.419 Right? 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:41.919 That is what church should be. 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:44.319 That's what spiritually we are. 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.159 We are united. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:53.419 When it says here, gospel community mission, that's not something that, you know, people thought. 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.500 Oh, that's a great unique selling point. 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:55.939 You know what? 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:58.000 There's all these churches, we're going to be a community church. 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:58.900 No. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.200 Right? 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:02.059 Community is God's idea. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:06.920 Every church should be gospel community mission, we think. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.160 I hope that's clear, right? 00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:10.160 It's so exciting. 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:11.700 Right? 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:14.220 I mean, do you want, we want to be in heaven, right? 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:17.360 We want to, what God is doing for all eternity. 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:19.700 I hope we want to go there. 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:21.580 Well, we can experience it here. 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:26.879 And if we don't like church, well, you're going to be very disappointed for all eternity, I think. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:29.679 Because that's when we're all going to be together under Christ for all eternity. 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:30.419 Right? 00:25:32.639 --> 00:25:34.720 Now, what a wonderful vision. 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:38.860 I hope that's something that touches our hearts. 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:41.940 I hope it's something that people can see. 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:44.019 If you're here and you're not a Christian, I hope. 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:47.039 Spend enough time with us that you can see something real. 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.660 Something supernatural. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.519 I mean, I can tell you about God. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.240 I can tell you about his plan. 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:54.559 But you probably think, well, I can't see it. 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.600 Why should I believe it? 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.839 Well, come to church. 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.600 Spend time with these people. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:03.059 And hopefully you can see, wow, the way they love each other. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:08.659 The way they, people who shouldn't get on, they try to make it work. 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.279 And they sacrifice for each other. 00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:13.279 That's something real. 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:15.579 Maybe there is something to the gospel. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:17.719 I hope you can see that here. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:21.619 Now, I know churches sometimes fall short of it. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.859 We fall short of it. 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.819 Watermark isn't perfect. 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.759 Mainly because of me, right? 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:28.419 And all our sin, right? 00:26:28.439 --> 00:26:29.159 All our problems. 00:26:30.459 --> 00:26:34.839 Now, it's very clear that, okay, this is a spiritual unity. 00:26:35.439 --> 00:26:37.579 Well, we need to realize it in practice, right? 00:26:38.719 --> 00:26:42.539 You know, if you feel like, okay, church isn't great. 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:44.679 And maybe you've been hurt by a church in the past. 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:47.659 Now, this is something God has done. 00:26:47.699 --> 00:26:49.359 But we need to work it out in practice. 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:51.500 And some churches are not very good at it, right? 00:26:51.959 --> 00:26:56.219 I mean, chapter 4, what does Paul say in chapter 4 we should do? 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.439 4 verses 1 to 3. 00:26:58.440 --> 00:27:05.059 I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:06.120 to which you've been called. 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:08.160 Live this out. 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.340 Live in a worthy way. 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:12.100 With all humility and gentleness. 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.360 With patience. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.720 Bearing with one another in love. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:19.580 Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:22.259 And clearly, it's not automatic, right? 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:24.419 He calls on people, okay, be gentle. 00:27:24.939 --> 00:27:25.839 Bear with one another. 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.960 Forgive one another. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.240 You know, try to maintain this unity. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:33.380 It's something we need to work out. 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:37.079 And sadly, Satan isn't gone yet. 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:41.759 I mean, as we've heard before, you know, Satan really hates the church. 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:45.980 When he sees the church, he sees that he's failed, that he's doomed. 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:51.900 And so, what Satan loves to do is just divide and sow conflict and all that stuff. 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:55.039 And sadly, some churches, he's very successful. 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:59.039 And that's partly why chapter 6 we're going to talk about spiritual warfare. 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:02.539 You know, because Satan wants to destroy the church. 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:06.039 He wants to destroy this billboard because he doesn't want anyone else to see it. 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:13.000 So, yeah, those reasons, yeah, the church often doesn't live up to what it should be. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:17.720 And yet, if you look in a true church closely, I hope you can see something. 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.759 But what if we're Christians? 00:28:22.879 --> 00:28:24.879 You know, isn't this exciting? 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:32.599 We did Ecclesiastes over the summer, and the universe has no meaning, and your life has no meaning. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.099 It was so depressing. 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:37.199 I hope you see the universe is not meaningless, right? 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:38.139 It's going somewhere. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.939 God is bringing everything under Christ. 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.519 But your life has meaning. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.179 You are part of that. 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:46.899 By his grace, he's included you, chosen you, blessed you. 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:51.719 But also now, he wants you to display his glory. 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:55.480 He wants us together to display his glory, right? 00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:58.059 That's what life is now about. 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.480 This is the big thing. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:06.259 You're playing a part in something so much bigger than your job or whatever, right? 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:09.019 Think about the big thing God is doing. 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.519 Isn't it so exciting? 00:29:11.099 --> 00:29:12.220 You know, you are the tip. 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.599 We are the tip of the iceberg. 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.720 God's plan is here. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.420 It can be seen. 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:19.000 Church, also individually. 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:22.880 I mean, chapter 5, he talks a lot about how we just live in the world. 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:27.100 You know, God's glory is seen here as we love each other. 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:31.780 God's glory is also seen when you just, you're at work and you honor Christ. 00:29:32.360 --> 00:29:35.640 Because it shows you've been brought from death to life and you're now under Christ. 00:29:35.780 --> 00:29:38.380 And all your friends are sleeping around, but you don't. 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:40.320 It shows God's glory. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.880 It shows that God is doing something. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:45.460 And even when no one else sees it, Satan sees it. 00:29:46.040 --> 00:29:47.580 And he grinds his teeth, right? 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:52.399 Because he can see that you, I mean, I talk a lot about Satan because the passage does, 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:52.639 right? 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:56.519 Because the Ephesians, they were really, it was a city full of the occult. 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:58.500 They were much more aware with it than we are. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:30:00.619 But actually, we should realize that. 00:30:00.679 --> 00:30:05.339 And that means that, you know, whatever we do in church, it matters. 00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:10.659 Even if there's no visitors, God's glory is still revealed to the spiritual forces. 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.699 But it's so exciting, right? 00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:13.740 I hope you see that. 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:15.339 Individually, together. 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:18.740 And so, yeah, let's live it out. 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:20.799 I hope we feel encouraged, right? 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:24.980 I hope you are excited to be a Christian, excited to be part of the church. 00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:27.319 And here is God's plan. 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:28.740 Let's live this out. 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:32.859 Let's walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. 00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:35.339 Let's maintain our unity. 00:30:35.699 --> 00:30:40.799 Let's walk in a way that shows who God is, that shows what a great thing he's doing. 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:43.819 What a, yeah, that is God's plan for us. 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:48.240 I know what you're feeling now. 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:52.119 I mean, this sounds all great, but then it's very daunting, right? 00:30:53.199 --> 00:30:54.539 I mean, I know my heart. 00:30:55.699 --> 00:30:56.939 I know my sin. 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.419 My brokenness. 00:30:58.980 --> 00:31:00.119 I know, like you. 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:03.019 How are we ever going to display God's glory? 00:31:03.699 --> 00:31:04.859 That's a great question. 00:31:05.199 --> 00:31:10.220 You know, and it's very, there's a passage that we jumped over. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:12.519 Before we go to chapter four, there's a prayer. 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:14.400 We really need God's help. 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:16.420 That's what we're going to look at in two weeks' time. 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:18.940 You know, we can't do this without God's help. 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:20.900 But I hope you catch the vision. 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:26.140 I hope you're excited about what God is doing and that we want to live that out. 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:28.680 So, why don't we pray together? 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:37.160 Father, thank you so much for the gospel. 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:46.160 Thank you for sending Jesus and, yeah, bringing us back to you, bringing us to each other as your new family. 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:51.680 Yeah, making Christ's head over everything, it's, it blows our minds. 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:56.460 And it's wonderful that, by grace, you've included such sinners as us in this. 00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:58.900 Father, we want to show this. 00:31:59.040 --> 00:32:03.259 We want everyone to know this good news, everyone to see your glory. 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:05.040 And we want to live this out. 00:32:05.120 --> 00:32:09.980 But we also confess that, yeah, we are broken sinners and we need your help, Father. 00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:10.980 Please do that. 00:32:11.040 --> 00:32:12.140 But give us this vision. 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:19.620 And when we are at work and it sucks and we are just feeling like nothing matters, no. 00:32:20.320 --> 00:32:21.800 We are part of your plan. 00:32:22.640 --> 00:32:24.900 We live here for your glory. 00:32:25.520 --> 00:32:26.700 And it's beautiful. 00:32:27.040 --> 00:32:30.520 And, yeah, you will glorify yourself through us. 00:32:30.820 --> 00:32:32.020 Give us that vision. 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:38.140 Give us meaning and hope and purpose that we may live for you here in Hong Kong. 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.740 In Jesus' name. 00:32:40.300 --> 00:32:40.640 Amen.