WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.240 We're going to read from 2 Peter, chapter 1. 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:12.439 ! I think in the church Bibles, like the one I have up here, it's 1, 2222. 00:00:12.439 --> 00:00:17.280 Page 1, 222. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.179 We're going to read the whole chapter. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.979 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness 00:00:30.979 --> 00:00:36.539 of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have received a faith as precious as ours, grace and peace 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:40.060 be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 00:00:40.060 --> 00:00:46.080 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge 00:00:46.080 --> 00:00:49.420 of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 00:00:50.480 --> 00:00:55.460 Through these, He has given us His very great and precious promises so that through them 00:00:55.460 --> 00:01:00.079 you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:00.939 by evil desires. 00:01:02.140 --> 00:01:07.900 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness knowledge 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:14.180 and to knowledge self-control and to self-control perseverance and to perseverance godliness 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:18.719 and to godliness mutual affection and to mutual affection love. 00:01:20.200 --> 00:01:24.520 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective 00:01:24.520 --> 00:01:27.640 and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:40.640 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:45.159 For if you do these things, you will never stumble and you will receive a rich welcome 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:48.460 into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:54.139 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established 00:01:54.139 --> 00:01:55.539 in the truth you now have. 00:01:56.439 --> 00:02:00.059 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 00:02:00.479 --> 00:02:05.799 because I know that I will soon put it aside as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 00:02:07.039 --> 00:02:11.159 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure, you will always be able to remember 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:11.740 these things. 00:02:12.939 --> 00:02:18.039 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord 00:02:18.039 --> 00:02:21.919 Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 00:02:22.859 --> 00:02:28.019 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the majestic glory, 00:02:28.859 --> 00:02:32.560 saying, this is my son whom I love, with him I am well pleased. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:37.719 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:42.800 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:47.860 and you will do well to pay attention to it as to a light shining in a dark place, 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:51.800 until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:56.819 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about 00:02:56.819 --> 00:02:59.379 by the prophet's own interpretation of things. 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:02.639 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:07.379 but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along. 00:03:07.719 --> 00:03:08.900 By the Holy Spirit. 00:03:10.500 --> 00:03:11.259 That's God's Word. 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:19.500 So this series is entitled, Why Bother Coming to Church? 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:23.300 And the title I've got tonight is God's Word. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:25.079 We're going to look at two passages. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:27.379 We've looked at 2 Peter there. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:30.180 We'll look at Ephesians a bit later on as well. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.840 But first, I was wondering if you have thought about the power of words before. 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:40.340 Words can make or break relationships and friendships. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:43.740 They can build people up or tear them down. 00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:48.840 In high school, we studied the play Julius Caesar, 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:53.199 where the character Mark Antony was able to completely reverse 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:56.240 an angry mob's opinion with just a speech, 00:03:57.159 --> 00:03:58.599 just a few rhetorical tricks. 00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:05.419 The Bible itself starts off showing God's power in his speech, 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:07.280 in that he was able to say, 00:04:07.459 --> 00:04:09.060 let there be light, and there was light. 00:04:10.299 --> 00:04:13.979 It says he created the world simply by speaking it into existence. 00:04:15.620 --> 00:04:19.100 His speech is so powerful that it can make things happen physically. 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:24.080 God still speaks today through the Bible. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:28.480 And so since this series is on why bother coming to church, 00:04:28.580 --> 00:04:31.360 I'm hoping to show you that it's worth coming, 00:04:31.520 --> 00:04:36.780 because through church, we can get the full experience of God's Word. 00:04:38.400 --> 00:04:41.540 God wants us to experience the power of His Word as a community, 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:43.340 as well as individuals. 00:04:43.339 --> 00:04:48.939 So firstly, we'll think about the nature of God's Word, 00:04:49.579 --> 00:04:52.119 looking a bit closely at 2 Peter. 00:04:54.659 --> 00:04:56.399 What we mean by God's Word, to be clear, 00:04:56.500 --> 00:04:58.639 is the Christian Scriptures, the Bible, 00:04:59.299 --> 00:05:01.679 composed of all the books in the Old and the New Testament. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:05.799 What we affirm as Christians is that these books 00:05:05.799 --> 00:05:08.239 are fundamentally different in nature 00:05:08.239 --> 00:05:11.239 to any other book and any other piece of writing. 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:15.519 In this chapter, 2 Peter tells us why. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:18.980 Firstly, the Bible is sufficient for salvation. 00:05:20.019 --> 00:05:22.519 And secondly, the Bible is spoken by God. 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:26.639 So we look at verses 3 and 4. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:27.800 It says, 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:30.980 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:35.759 through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:40.400 A slightly different translation, it says, 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:44.299 God's divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:50.339 When Peter says us there, it's not a sort of general us. 00:05:50.419 --> 00:05:53.339 He's talking particularly about the group of people known as the apostles. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:57.859 They were the people that Jesus taught face to face 00:05:57.859 --> 00:06:00.199 and went around the world to spread His teaching. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:05.180 They received that teaching, that gospel from Jesus, 00:06:05.740 --> 00:06:10.500 and Jesus told them all that's required for someone to be saved and to live a godly life. 00:06:12.659 --> 00:06:16.599 And this knowledge is what's preserved for us in these written scriptures. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:18.719 The New Testament comes from the apostles. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:22.920 It's written by them and it builds on the foundation of the Old Testament. 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:30.560 So the Bible contains everything required to have eternal life in the future 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:32.960 and also to live a godly life now. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:39.539 As the free church, we adhere to the Westminster Confession, 00:06:39.599 --> 00:06:41.039 and there's a good part of that that says, 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:45.819 the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, 00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:48.399 mankind's salvation, faith, and life 00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:50.859 is either expressly set down in scripture 00:06:50.859 --> 00:06:55.279 or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from scripture. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:07:02.039 You might be someone today who wants to know how to live properly. 00:07:03.119 --> 00:07:06.139 Maybe you've explored some different philosophies or religion, 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:08.539 and this is the first time in a church. 00:07:10.159 --> 00:07:13.159 I'm telling you today that the Bible contains all things 00:07:13.159 --> 00:07:15.399 that pertain to life and godliness. 00:07:16.059 --> 00:07:18.699 All the answers are found in the Bible. 00:07:21.719 --> 00:07:23.719 On the other hand, perhaps you're already a Christian today, 00:07:23.799 --> 00:07:24.699 but you're wanting more. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:27.179 How do I understand God more? 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:29.599 How do I know more about what He wants? 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:35.319 Well, that part of the Confession says that the whole counsel of God, 00:07:35.859 --> 00:07:37.799 that's all His commands, all His promises, 00:07:38.479 --> 00:07:40.039 all His wisdom for our lives, 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:43.239 is either set down explicitly in scripture 00:07:43.239 --> 00:07:47.659 or comes as a logical consequence of what's written. 00:07:48.339 --> 00:07:49.539 So there's nothing missing. 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:54.119 All the instruction that God has given you 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:59.800 in how to live a godly life is expressly set down in scripture or implicit. 00:07:59.800 --> 00:08:04.319 We might wonder how this is possible. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:10.759 How can a finite set of words contain all that's required to be saved and to be godly? 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:18.259 And you might notice the repetition in this chapter of the knowledge of God, 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:19.980 the knowledge of Christ. 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:21.759 It says, 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:24.300 He's granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:25.060 in verse 3, 00:08:25.599 --> 00:08:29.199 through the knowledge of Him who has called us to His own glory and excellence, 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:30.639 the knowledge of Christ. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:33.580 Through the scriptures, 00:08:33.740 --> 00:08:35.759 we come to know Jesus. 00:08:35.759 --> 00:08:38.279 In fact, 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:41.139 the scriptures are the supreme way of knowing Jesus. 00:08:43.399 --> 00:08:48.000 I've had conversations with people before who might say things like, 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:51.480 I experience God most when I'm doing the things I love, 00:08:52.299 --> 00:08:55.159 or when I'm listening to the music I love, 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.360 or around the people I love. 00:08:57.799 --> 00:09:02.360 Maybe they feel they experience God most when they're on some journey to a different country. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:10.139 But that fails to recognize that scripture is the primary way in which we know God. 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.320 And it makes sense in a way, doesn't it? 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:15.340 If you have a relationship with someone, 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.399 a friendship or something romantic, 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:19.519 you get to know them by listening to what they say. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:25.940 It's true that God gives us wonderful things like friends and music 00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:27.980 and a natural world to enjoy. 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:33.340 But saying those things are where you're closest to God is like saying, 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:36.740 I'm closest to my wife when I'm playing on the games console she bought me. 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:42.080 We come to know God more by listening to His words 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:44.259 and speaking back to Him through prayer 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:47.180 and taking them to heart. 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:52.719 The result of this is that we have eternal life. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:54.859 If you read verse 4, it says, 00:09:55.479 --> 00:09:58.899 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:02.719 so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, 00:10:03.539 --> 00:10:06.819 having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:14.179 It says that through the scriptures we participate in the divine nature. 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:19.319 I think a lot of the time when we talk about the divine nature, 00:10:19.459 --> 00:10:24.199 we're meaning the way God is God and He's different to us. 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:29.479 So we might be confused and think that this means that we're becoming gods 00:10:29.479 --> 00:10:30.419 or something like that. 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:33.599 But the rest of scripture makes it clear that that's not what it means. 00:10:34.579 --> 00:10:37.979 It doesn't mean we become divine or that we become part of God. 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:42.360 What it means is that ultimately in the end, 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:46.840 the believer in God will share in God's immortality and glory. 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:54.039 The believer will live forever in a new creation without pain, suffering, illness or death 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:57.860 if you hear and do what's written in this book, the Bible. 00:10:57.860 --> 00:11:04.220 So the scripture is sufficient to give you a saving knowledge of God 00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:07.320 and to enable you to live a godly life now. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:15.139 Secondly, the thing that makes it unique is that scripture is spoken by God. 00:11:16.460 --> 00:11:18.720 If you glance down to verses 19 to 21, 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:20.220 it says, 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:23.560 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable 00:11:23.560 --> 00:11:27.700 and you will do well to pay attention to it as to a light shining in a dark place 00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:31.160 until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 00:11:32.200 --> 00:11:35.060 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of scripture 00:11:35.060 --> 00:11:38.759 came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:42.160 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:45.840 but prophets, though human, spoke from God 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:48.740 as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:54.180 What Peter is saying in these verses 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:56.500 is that in the final analysis, 00:11:57.700 --> 00:11:59.060 the Bible comes from God. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:04.480 It is true that there is a great deal of human involvement 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.820 in writing the scriptures. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:09.620 They didn't descend from heaven on golden tablets. 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.639 They were written by people. 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:14.259 You can see that when you read it. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:16.879 Each author has a different style. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:20.539 They have distinct contributions to the message. 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:23.399 Sometimes they use different sources 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:26.279 and sometimes they borrow words or concepts 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.820 from their surrounding cultures. 00:12:30.059 --> 00:12:32.139 But as the authors did their writing, 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:34.480 spiritually they were carried along 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:36.019 by the Holy Spirit, 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.639 as it says in verse 21. 00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:42.019 The Holy Spirit was the Bible's divine editor. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:44.299 He superintended the gathering, 00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:46.620 editing and writing of these books 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:49.460 in such a way that they can be said 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.519 to be God's words. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.919 Men spoke from God 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:55.419 as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:59.000 In the final analysis, 00:12:59.199 --> 00:13:00.639 every word in scripture is there 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:02.519 because God intended it to be there. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:06.740 Scriptures come from God. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:10.879 This is a couple of implications for us, 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.159 doesn't it? 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.580 Firstly, because it comes from God, 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.080 it has authority. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.860 It's like receiving a decree from a king. 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:19.919 It comes from the top. 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:22.379 It warrants being taken seriously. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.940 If I went to work one day 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:28.320 and I received an email from the CEO, 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.120 the owner of the company, 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.419 I'd sit up and pay attention. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:34.419 Not that I don't usually sit up and pay attention 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:36.299 if anyone from work is watching. 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:38.559 The Bible has authority 00:13:38.559 --> 00:13:40.339 in our individual lives. 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:42.339 So we need to take it seriously. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.959 Are we sitting under its instruction 00:13:45.959 --> 00:13:47.699 in our personal lives? 00:13:48.479 --> 00:13:50.219 Does it impact you beyond Sunday? 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:52.979 Are you making your decisions 00:13:52.979 --> 00:13:55.219 with reference to what God has said? 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.179 As well as individually, 00:14:00.319 --> 00:14:01.399 the Bible has authority 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:03.139 over us as a community, 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:03.819 as a church. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:08.019 Here's a part from that same confession 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:08.679 I quoted earlier. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:10.339 It says that the Holy Spirit 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:11.479 speaking through the Bible 00:14:11.479 --> 00:14:13.360 is the supreme judge 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:15.719 by which all controversies of religion 00:14:15.719 --> 00:14:17.139 are to be determined. 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:19.039 And all decrees of councils, 00:14:19.319 --> 00:14:20.559 opinions of ancient writers, 00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:21.959 doctrines of men, 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:22.839 and private teaching 00:14:22.839 --> 00:14:24.159 are to be examined by them 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.159 and in whose sentence 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:27.179 we are to rest. 00:14:29.819 --> 00:14:31.240 What that's saying is that 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.599 Scripture has the final word. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:35.980 in all matters of church life. 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.279 How do we know 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.600 if our church is teaching 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:41.139 the right thing? 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:43.159 We examine it 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:43.960 in light of Scripture. 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:48.000 If a certain issue comes up 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.580 and starts to divide people 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.820 in the church, 00:14:50.860 --> 00:14:51.879 how do we settle it 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:53.840 with reference to Scripture? 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:53.960 Scripture. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.860 The Scripture has authority 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:59.000 because it comes from God. 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.120 Secondly, 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.259 since the Scripture 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.720 has its origin in God, 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.720 it has a particular 00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:07.440 excellence 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.980 or a particular 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.440 glory. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:10.440 Glory. 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:13.700 Peter says in verse 19 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.680 that it's like a lamp 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.379 shining in a dark place. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.280 Scripture is a good thing. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:23.500 It's good for our souls. 00:15:24.339 --> 00:15:25.720 It reveals God to us. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.639 God who is perfect 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.399 without fault, 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.259 evil, 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.059 or any darkness. 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:33.600 And God says good things 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.120 to us 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.339 through the Scriptures. 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.939 I compared it before 00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:38.579 to a decree 00:15:38.579 --> 00:15:39.759 given by a king, 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.179 but the Scriptures 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:42.379 are also like a love letter. 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:45.279 God says wonderful, 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.159 loving, 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.259 sweet things 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.120 to us 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.779 through the Scriptures. 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:50.879 words to be enjoyed, 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.139 words to be encouraged by, 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:55.139 words to give you comfort 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:56.679 in times of distress. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.000 What do people do 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.559 with love letters? 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.959 They enjoy them, 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:04.039 they read them repeatedly, 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.699 thinking about the person 00:16:05.699 --> 00:16:06.419 on the other end. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.279 The love letter reveals 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.120 how much affection 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.679 the writer has for you. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.360 The writer pours out 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.639 their heart to you 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.220 and reveals 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.799 their goodness and love. 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.919 So it is with the Bible. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.799 They're a sweet thing. 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:24.899 The Bible is God's 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:25.740 love letter to you. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:27.699 Through it, 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.740 God shows His people 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.959 that He's good, 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.980 that He's glorious, 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.679 that He cares for you, 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:33.620 that He loves you, 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.379 that He forgives your sins 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:37.059 and can satisfy you 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:37.939 with eternal life. 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.940 God's love letter to you 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:40.940 and He loves you. 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:42.360 I sometimes meet people 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:42.960 who feel bad 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.420 for not reading 00:16:44.420 --> 00:16:45.280 the Bible enough. 00:16:46.660 --> 00:16:47.960 Maybe I'm like that sometimes 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.060 and I'm sure you are too. 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.620 And we sometimes think 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.500 the solution is just 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.340 to try harder, 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:56.420 just to have a better schedule, 00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:58.680 read it more times per day. 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:01.779 I think in those times 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.579 we've understood 00:17:02.579 --> 00:17:03.759 the authority of the Bible. 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.980 We take it seriously 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.700 and we feel bad 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.859 for not giving it enough time. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.000 But in those times 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.639 perhaps it's helpful 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.799 to remember its goodness. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.940 If you can grasp 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.480 that the Scriptures 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.299 are a good thing, 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.000 a sweet thing, 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.899 a wonderful thing, 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.119 a healthy thing, 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:22.419 then perhaps our hearts 00:17:22.419 --> 00:17:24.000 will draw us to them. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:27.099 God's Word is a treat 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.140 for the soul, 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.059 a loving Word 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.460 from a loving God. 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:34.819 So God's Word 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.980 is sufficient for salvation, 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:37.420 sufficient for us 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.119 to know God 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:39.200 and to live Godly lives. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.559 And the Scriptures 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:41.680 are spoken by God, 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.059 meaning they have 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.099 a particular authority 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.680 in goodness. 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.799 We're going to turn now 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.539 to our second reading 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.480 in Ephesians. 00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:51.759 It's Ephesians chapter 4. 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:56.059 Let me find the page. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:00.879 It's page 1175. 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:04.460 1175 in the church Bibles. 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.500 Ephesians 4, 11 to 16. 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:14.019 Let me just read that. 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.240 So Christ Himself, 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:19.119 after He ascended to heaven, 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:20.599 gave the apostles, 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.339 the prophets, 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:22.559 the evangelists, 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:23.379 the pastors, 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.099 and the teachers 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.799 to equip His people 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.919 for works of service 00:18:26.919 --> 00:18:28.740 so that the body of Christ 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.599 may be built up 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:31.399 until we all reach unity 00:18:31.399 --> 00:18:32.179 in the faith 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:32.899 and in the knowledge 00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.740 of the Son of God 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.099 and become mature, 00:18:35.699 --> 00:18:36.879 attaining to the whole measure 00:18:36.879 --> 00:18:38.059 of the fullness of Christ. 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.439 Then we will no longer 00:18:40.439 --> 00:18:41.039 be infants 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:42.099 tossed back and forth 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.740 by the waves 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:44.379 and blown here and there 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.519 by every wind of teaching 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.539 and by the cunning 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.699 and craftiness of people 00:18:47.699 --> 00:18:49.720 in their deceitful schemes. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:51.400 Instead, 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:53.180 speaking the truth in love, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.880 we will grow 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:55.680 to become in every respect 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.980 the mature body of Him 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.680 who is the head, 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.819 that is Christ. 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:00.539 From Him, 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.319 the whole body, 00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.720 joined and held together 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.019 by every supporting ligament, 00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:06.019 grows and builds itself up 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:06.420 in love 00:19:06.420 --> 00:19:08.240 as each part does its work. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:12.220 This next heading is 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.359 The Power of God's Word 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.039 in the Church. 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.160 This part of Ephesians 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:19.180 shows that God's program 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:21.759 for how the word works 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.740 is through community. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.140 I think some folks might 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.460 see the Christian life 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.900 as an individual exercise, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.940 something that's just 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.980 between you and God. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.319 I've heard a number of times 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:34.900 people saying 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.539 you don't need to go to church 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.240 to be a Christian. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:41.299 But the Bible challenges that. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.519 What we see in Ephesians 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:45.380 is that what God is doing 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.700 in the world 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.880 is building a community 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:47.740 of united, 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.839 mature, 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.740 and stable believers. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.120 And He does that 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.819 through the ministry 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.779 of His Word. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.099 Look at verse 11. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.960 Paul is talking about 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.460 the gifts 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:01.440 Jesus gives to the church 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:03.019 since He was resurrected 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:04.099 and ascended to heaven. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:06.519 He gave apostles, 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:07.139 prophets, 00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:07.839 evangelists, 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.259 shepherds, 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:08.779 and teachers. 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.659 Shepherds is just 00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:11.919 another word for a pastor. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.419 And it's a surprising idea, 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:14.779 isn't it? 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.899 What gifts does God 00:20:16.899 --> 00:20:18.039 give to the church? 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.959 He gives the church people. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:23.840 And these particular people 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:24.480 that are talked about 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.019 in Ephesians 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:26.559 have something in common. 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.059 They're all 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.240 scripture people. 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.360 They're all word people. 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.000 The apostles 00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:31.759 and the prophets 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:33.000 wrote the scriptures. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:34.740 The evangelists, 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.420 the shepherds, 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.880 or pastors, 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.240 and Bible teachers 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.620 are people 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:39.299 who expound it 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.759 to people. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:43.220 James and your 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.000 other elders 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.660 at this church 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.500 are gifts from God 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.920 to you 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.259 to build you up. 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.559 This is something 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:49.960 you miss 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.740 if you try and do 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.039 the Christian life 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.720 by yourself. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.160 You'll miss the gift 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:55.019 of other people. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:58.019 A faithful ministry 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.500 by pastors and elders 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.299 is a wonderful gift 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.900 to a church. 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.539 There are people 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.160 who we can ask 00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.779 our questions 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.240 to about life, 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.099 faith, 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.740 and the Bible. 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.079 There are people 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.119 who can help guard us 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.539 from bad teaching. 00:21:11.979 --> 00:21:12.739 There are people 00:21:12.739 --> 00:21:13.479 who can capably 00:21:13.479 --> 00:21:14.239 use the scriptures 00:21:14.239 --> 00:21:15.899 to help us 00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:16.759 when we're struggling 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.319 with life. 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.619 All those things 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.079 are true. 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:23.419 But in this passage 00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:24.179 the big thing 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:25.059 the Bible teachers 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.579 are doing 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:27.039 is they're training 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.139 and equipping you 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:30.199 in the church. 00:21:32.219 --> 00:21:32.959 If we read 00:21:32.959 --> 00:21:33.939 verse 12 00:21:33.939 --> 00:21:34.599 in a slightly different 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:36.039 translation than ESV 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.879 it says 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.459 he gave these 00:21:37.459 --> 00:21:38.139 scripture people 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.460 to equip the saints 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:39.940 for the work 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.500 of ministry 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:42.000 for building up 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.500 the body of Christ. 00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:46.100 It's striking 00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:46.420 isn't it 00:21:46.420 --> 00:21:47.080 that in this passage 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:48.180 the work of ministry 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:50.080 or service 00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:50.860 as it's translated 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:51.480 in the NIV 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:53.780 is done by the saints 00:21:53.780 --> 00:21:54.980 which refers 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:55.520 to everyone 00:21:55.520 --> 00:21:56.500 in the church. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.900 And this ministry 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.920 looks like 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.320 speaking God's word 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:02.960 to each other. 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.560 If you look 00:22:04.560 --> 00:22:05.240 at verse 15 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.680 it says 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.820 speaking the truth 00:22:06.820 --> 00:22:07.180 in love 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.840 we're to grow up 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.560 in every way 00:22:08.560 --> 00:22:09.400 into him 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.160 who is the head 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:11.340 into Christ. 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.480 The truth 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.480 in love 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.100 that it's referring 00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:16.940 to is primarily 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.980 the truth 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.620 of the gospel 00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:20.680 given to us 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.940 in the scriptures. 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:24.960 We can tell 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.740 because it's placed 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.360 in contrast 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:27.320 to verse 14 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:28.600 where it refers 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:30.140 to the false doctrines 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.280 and deceitful schemes 00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:32.560 of humans. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.580 There's a lot 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:36.080 of ideas 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.780 that go around 00:22:36.780 --> 00:22:37.600 in our culture 00:22:37.600 --> 00:22:39.020 on the internet 00:22:39.020 --> 00:22:40.320 various philosophies 00:22:40.320 --> 00:22:41.580 that are wrong 00:22:41.580 --> 00:22:42.800 incomplete 00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:43.400 and against 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:43.920 the gospel. 00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:46.480 We read 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:47.500 from 2 Peter 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:47.820 earlier 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:48.620 and the big problem 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:49.900 that congregation 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.520 was facing 00:22:50.520 --> 00:22:51.180 was a group 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:52.020 of false teachers 00:22:52.020 --> 00:22:53.320 that said 00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.080 Jesus isn't really 00:22:54.080 --> 00:22:54.800 coming back 00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:56.400 and that you get 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.320 the most out of life 00:22:57.320 --> 00:22:58.380 by indulging 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.380 every sinful desire. 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:02.740 What that church 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.440 needed back then 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:03.960 is the same 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.480 as what we need today. 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.180 We need to speak 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.840 the truth 00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:09.020 of the gospel 00:23:09.020 --> 00:23:09.720 in love 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.460 to each other. 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.100 What are we trying 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:16.160 to do as a church 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.600 when we have 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:17.340 our small groups 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:19.380 or I think you guys 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.240 have student lunches 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:20.660 what are we trying 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.340 to do with that? 00:23:22.520 --> 00:23:23.160 What are we trying 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.940 to do when we meet 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.980 each other for coffees? 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.960 We're trying to speak 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.000 the truth of the gospel 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.740 in love to each other. 00:23:31.040 --> 00:23:31.960 Reminding each other 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.720 about the truth 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.560 of the Bible. 00:23:34.860 --> 00:23:35.820 Encouraging each other 00:23:35.820 --> 00:23:37.740 with different parts 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.280 of the gospel 00:23:38.280 --> 00:23:39.360 maybe challenging 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:39.920 each other 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:40.900 were required. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.180 Paul is saying 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:45.840 in Ephesians 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.820 that the church 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.380 grows 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.620 when all the members 00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:49.240 of the church 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:50.100 are ministering 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:50.680 God's word 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.920 to each other. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:51.960 together. 00:23:54.580 --> 00:23:55.420 Now this doesn't mean 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.180 that you have to have 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.340 all the answers. 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.759 It doesn't mean 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.720 you have to be a theologian. 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.360 It doesn't mean 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:00.980 you can't be 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.519 questioning things yourself. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.640 All it means 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.320 is that we're willing 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.220 to open the Bible 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.120 with each other. 00:24:07.860 --> 00:24:08.400 That we're willing 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.360 to think and speak 00:24:09.360 --> 00:24:10.320 about the Bible together. 00:24:13.300 --> 00:24:14.279 It could be as simple 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.240 as spending a Saturday 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.400 morning getting a coffee 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.360 with someone 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.019 from the church 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.500 and reading a chapter 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.400 of a Bible book together. 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.799 Coming to church services 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:25.720 is an example of that. 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.879 The preacher speaks 00:24:27.879 --> 00:24:28.539 to you from the front 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.379 but after it 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:29.740 when we're all 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.400 talking together 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.819 we're all encouraging 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.319 each other 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:34.099 with God's word. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.639 And what's the result 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.079 of this? 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.480 God gives the teachers 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.319 to equip everyone 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.859 in the church 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:44.039 to speak the word 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.660 to each other 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:46.379 and the result 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.259 is unity, 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:47.920 maturity, 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:49.319 and stability. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.519 Let me just read 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.019 some of these 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:56.119 sections of Ephesians again. 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.859 So from verse 12 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.339 it says that 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.859 he gave those people 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.819 to equip his people 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.920 for works of service 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:06.000 or ministry of the word 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:07.259 so that the body 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.680 of Christ 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.539 may be built up 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.859 until we all reach 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:11.220 unity in the faith 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.379 and in the knowledge 00:25:12.379 --> 00:25:13.259 of the Son of God 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.759 and we become mature 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:16.519 attaining to the whole measure 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.440 of the fullness 00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.139 of Christ. 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.539 Then we will no longer 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.160 be infants 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:22.259 tossed back and forth 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.900 by the waves 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:24.259 and blown here and there 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.440 by every wind of teaching 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.639 and by the cunning 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:27.400 and craftiness 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.299 of people 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.460 and their deceitful schemes. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:33.500 So the picture there 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.480 is that God gives 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.539 Bible teachers 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.319 to the church 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.940 and they equip 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.380 the people 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:37.980 in the church 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.559 to build each other up 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:42.420 using God's words. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.799 In verse 13 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.279 it says 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.279 that we build 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.819 each other up 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.640 until we attain 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.600 to the unity 00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.559 of faith. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:55.039 Paul is clear 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.559 earlier 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:56.740 in the letter 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.440 to the Ephesians 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.099 that unity 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.620 in the church 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.640 is bought by Jesus. 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.819 Jesus achieved 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:04.380 unity for the church 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:05.039 on the cross 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:08.259 in that he reconciled 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.839 us to God 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.380 and he reconciled 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.259 us to each other. 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.940 If you read 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:14.799 the rest of the Ephesians 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.720 you'll be able 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.500 to see that the big 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:16.980 divide 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:18.640 in the Ephesian church 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.160 was between 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:19.920 Jewish believers 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.059 and Gentile believers. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.039 But Paul is clear 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.039 that through Jesus 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.299 the two peoples 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.000 became one. 00:26:28.159 --> 00:26:28.879 Christ himself 00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:29.599 is our peace 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:31.299 who has made us 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:31.920 both one 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:33.019 and has broken down 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.740 in his flesh 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.920 the dividing wall 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.639 of hostility 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.879 is how he describes 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:37.700 it in chapter 2. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.359 Anything that would 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.200 have divided us 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:42.759 before 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.680 we became Christians 00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:46.099 is abolished. 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.180 We all approach 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.579 God 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.819 as equals 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.819 through Jesus Christ. 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:52.759 But through 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.639 speaking the gospel 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:55.300 truth to each other 00:26:55.300 --> 00:26:56.300 in love 00:26:56.300 --> 00:26:57.500 we build each other up. 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.820 I think verse 16 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.960 is what he's referring to 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.160 by the unity 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.900 of the faith. 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:03.980 From him 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.580 the whole body 00:27:04.580 --> 00:27:05.740 joined and held together 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:07.060 by every supporting 00:27:07.060 --> 00:27:07.580 ligament 00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:09.080 grows and builds 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:10.060 itself up in love 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:10.860 as each part 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.600 does its work. 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:16.120 Each bit of those joints 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:17.240 each part of the body 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:18.960 refers to one of us. 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:20.960 Through Christ 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.580 we're all part 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:22.180 of one body 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:24.240 and when we minister 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.820 God's word 00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:25.420 to each other 00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:27.160 speaking God's word 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.920 praying with each other 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:29.019 we build ourselves up 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.440 and the body grows. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.420 Paul uses the word 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.880 mature 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:36.400 in verse 13 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:37.259 to refer to someone 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.220 who's been transformed 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.440 by God's word. 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.340 God's word 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.100 transforms us 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:42.940 into new people 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:44.299 it renews our minds 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:46.039 changes our affections 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.180 and our desires. 00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.620 It molds us 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.180 into people 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:50.220 who reflect 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.700 the goodness 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.339 wisdom 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.140 and love 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:52.860 of Jesus Christ 00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.380 himself. 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.220 Through the word 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.539 of God 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:56.980 the body 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.579 of Christ 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.680 that is each 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.539 member of the church 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.059 grows 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:01.079 in depth 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.720 and maturity 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:05.440 but also results 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:05.880 in the church 00:28:05.880 --> 00:28:06.680 growing in number. 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.079 I don't know 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.519 if you've ever seen 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.279 The Da Vinci Code 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.900 it's a movie 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.620 that came out 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.539 a decade or two ago 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:15.559 but in that movie 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.839 it's claimed 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.360 that the church 00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:18.339 created the Bible 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:20.139 for some political agenda 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:21.919 that it was a human 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.959 invention. 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.359 But the reality 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.299 is the other way around. 00:28:27.959 --> 00:28:28.379 The reality 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.059 is the Bible 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:30.619 created the church. 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:33.019 Some have said 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.639 that God's church 00:28:33.639 --> 00:28:34.279 is a creation 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.759 of God's word. 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.599 None of us 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.159 would be here 00:28:38.159 --> 00:28:39.199 in this building 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:39.639 tonight 00:28:39.639 --> 00:28:40.519 if not 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.259 for the scriptures. 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:43.619 None of us 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:44.399 would know God 00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:45.179 and be saved 00:28:45.179 --> 00:28:46.599 if we hadn't 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.639 heard and believed. 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.819 The scriptures. 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.799 I think one application 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.339 of that is that 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:53.859 it should give us 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.720 great confidence 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.859 in the scriptures 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.459 when we're trying 00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:57.379 to evangelize people. 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.259 How does God 00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.939 grow a believer 00:28:59.939 --> 00:29:01.339 to be more mature 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.759 through the faithful 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.779 teaching of his word? 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.220 How does God 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.899 grow the numbers 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:07.980 of his church 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.699 and bring new people 00:29:08.699 --> 00:29:09.059 along 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:10.339 through the faithful 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.220 teaching of his word? 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.599 We don't need 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.639 to be super eloquent 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.759 or smart 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.720 when we try 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.339 to tell people 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:18.980 about Jesus. 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.599 We just need 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.039 to tell them 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.460 what the Bible 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:21.859 says. 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.519 Perhaps we could 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.119 even ask them 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:25.839 to read the Bible 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.319 with us 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.140 if they'd be interested 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:28.460 and discuss it 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:28.779 together. 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.400 My point is 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:32.740 that you should 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.480 have confidence 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.759 that there's power 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.660 in God's word 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.559 to save people. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:41.859 The other fruit 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.639 that Paul mentions 00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.319 is stability. 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:46.000 How does a church 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.819 where each member 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.279 builds each other up 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:49.419 with the scriptures 00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:50.619 respond to false 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.119 teaching 00:29:51.119 --> 00:29:52.859 and bad doctrines 00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:54.200 and the storms 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.759 of culture? 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.559 In verse 14 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.519 Paul uses a couple 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.179 of metaphors 00:30:01.179 --> 00:30:02.220 in the same sentence. 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.559 Christians built up 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.159 by God's word 00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:05.179 are no longer children 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.660 otherwise they're 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.539 no longer easily 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:09.460 persuaded and duped. 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.039 Secondly, 00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:12.680 they're no longer 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.779 tossed to and fro 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.820 by the waves 00:30:14.820 --> 00:30:15.320 like a ship 00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:15.940 in the storm. 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.900 We speak God's word 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.480 to each other 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.460 in the church 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.039 it will make us 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:22.900 a stable church. 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.660 A church that can 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:25.560 endure divisions 00:30:25.560 --> 00:30:26.900 like the church 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.880 in Ephesus 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.720 in this letter. 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.220 And one that can 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.200 tackle false teaching 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.500 like the church 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.200 in 2 Peter. 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:39.019 So why bother 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.840 coming to church? 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.680 Hopefully you can see 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.539 it's through church 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.680 that you can get 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.880 the full transformative 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:47.039 experience 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.220 of the word of God. 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:51.019 God gives teachers 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.220 to the church 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:52.560 who are able 00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:53.880 to equip the people 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:55.180 in the church 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.140 to know God's word. 00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.519 God's word 00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:58.960 that is able 00:30:58.960 --> 00:31:00.080 to save you 00:31:00.080 --> 00:31:00.820 and enable you 00:31:00.820 --> 00:31:01.900 to live a godly life. 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:04.560 scriptures 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:05.580 that come from God 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.620 and so have 00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:07.280 his authority 00:31:07.280 --> 00:31:08.000 and glory 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.860 shining through them. 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.560 As you come 00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:12.000 to church 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.320 and live 00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:13.080 as a community 00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:14.519 rather than 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.600 individuals 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:16.680 we build each other 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.000 up 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:18.320 with the scriptures. 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.300 God will do 00:31:20.300 --> 00:31:20.720 his work 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.460 through his Holy Spirit 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.440 to make you united 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.460 mature 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.040 and stable. 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:26.599 let's pray. 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:32.059 Father we 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.099 thank you 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:34.599 very much 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.619 for your word. 00:31:35.879 --> 00:31:36.339 Thank you 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.159 that it is 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:38.439 sufficient 00:31:38.439 --> 00:31:39.659 to save us 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:39.939 and 00:31:39.939 --> 00:31:41.459 it gives us 00:31:41.459 --> 00:31:42.319 knowledge of you. 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.539 Thank you 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.459 that it enables us 00:31:44.459 --> 00:31:45.459 to live godly lives. 00:31:46.959 --> 00:31:47.619 Thank you 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.339 also for everyone 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:49.299 who's in this church 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.259 Father we thank you 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.500 that 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:52.599 church is a community 00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.480 community 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.439 where 00:31:54.439 --> 00:31:55.599 we speak 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.019 the word 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:56.659 to each other 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:57.459 and build each other 00:31:57.459 --> 00:31:57.759 up 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:59.000 in love. 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:02.039 In Jesus name 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.480 Amen.