WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.480 Good. Well, good morning. Lovely to be back in Brunsfield and to do a new fellowship with you. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:20.859 If you have a Bible, it would be great to have it open at Ephesians chapter 1, which in these church Bibles is on page 1173. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:26.640 We'll be reading from verse 15 down to verse 23. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.740 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:43.960 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:54.480 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:03.399 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, 00:01:03.959 --> 00:01:12.539 the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:23.500 That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 00:01:24.080 --> 00:01:34.880 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:53.060 Well, we thank God for his word and let's just pray as we come to it. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:02:02.120 Lord, we ask now that you will give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation, that we may know you better, 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:08.939 that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened, that we may know the hope to which you've called us, 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:16.140 the riches of our glorious inheritance and your incomparably great power at work among us who believe. 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:20.719 And we ask this in the exalted name of Jesus. Amen. 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:26.740 Well, it's great to pray together, isn't it? 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:30.659 We have three daughters and our oldest daughter, Anna, is four. 00:02:31.420 --> 00:02:36.599 And it's quite instructive asking her what she wants to pray about every night before bed. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:38.340 We say, Anna, what should we pray about tonight? 00:02:38.840 --> 00:02:40.840 And she tells us the names of some friends. 00:02:40.960 --> 00:02:42.580 It's usually the same friends. 00:02:42.980 --> 00:02:45.719 And we pray, thanking God for her friends. 00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:49.860 She's begun to pray herself and she will just thank God for the lovely day she's had. 00:02:50.140 --> 00:02:52.280 And then she'll name her friends. 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:53.300 How do we pray? 00:02:53.400 --> 00:02:54.419 How do we learn to pray? 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:56.699 What ought we to pray for each other? 00:02:57.060 --> 00:03:00.500 I was very helped a few years ago when I learned the acronym ACTS. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:04.539 Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:07.580 That's some of the ingredients of prayer. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:10.900 Thanking God, asking him for the things we need. 00:03:11.159 --> 00:03:16.180 But one way to learn to pray is to study the letters and the prayers of Paul. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.620 In Paul's letters we have recorded for us many different prayers. 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:21.480 Prayers when he's in prison. 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:23.020 Prayers when he's free. 00:03:23.480 --> 00:03:24.580 Prayers for himself. 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:25.960 Prayers for other believers. 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:35.120 And it's very instructive to look at these prayers and to learn what Paul prayed for and how we can pray for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters. 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:39.840 If I had to recommend a book, I'd recommend Don Carson's book, A Call to Spiritual Reformation. 00:03:39.980 --> 00:03:41.379 You just have to pretend I've got it. 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:43.680 I couldn't find my copy, but it's great. 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:49.599 So we're going to look at Paul's prayer today, Ephesians chapter 1, verse 15 to 23. 00:03:49.860 --> 00:03:52.520 And we will do that really under two headings. 00:03:53.140 --> 00:04:01.540 Firstly, verse 15 to 17, Paul gives thanks for what he has heard about the believers in Ephesus. 00:04:01.700 --> 00:04:04.000 He's heard about their faith and their love. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:13.520 And secondly, from verse 18 onwards, Paul prays that they might understand better their God and the gospel which they have heard about. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:20.779 So Paul gives thanks for what he's heard about them and prays that they might understand more about what they've heard about. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:27.199 So firstly then, verse 15 down to verse 17, Paul gives thanks for two things. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:29.879 Firstly, for their faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:33.500 And secondly, their love for all the saints. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:37.680 Last week, I expect you studied the first half of chapter 1. 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:47.100 And Paul gives this wonderful, deep, rich summary of all that God the Trinity has done in calling people to himself. 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:52.160 Paul gives thanks for their faith because he recognizes, chapter 1, verse 3, 00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:55.759 that God has blessed them with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:02.879 That God the Father has chosen them to be holy and he has predestined them for adoption into his family. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:05.600 Secondly, he thanks God the Father for that work. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:11.139 Secondly, he thanks God the Son, verse 7, that he has redeemed them through his blood. 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:18.740 That he has provided for them the forgiveness of sins and lavished his grace upon them, giving them an inheritance. 00:05:18.740 --> 00:05:25.920 And thirdly and finally, he thanks God the Spirit, verse 13, who after they had heard the word of Christ, sealed them. 00:05:27.300 --> 00:05:31.100 And with that seal, their inheritance in heaven is guaranteed. 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:37.139 He thanks God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit for the work in the lives of these believers. 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:43.219 And that was quite a work, wasn't it, when you think about where they were before they heard the gospel. 00:05:43.419 --> 00:05:46.139 Chapter 2, you'll be studying this next week, I believe. 00:05:46.479 --> 00:05:49.779 They were dead in sin and trespass. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:52.379 They were children of wrath. 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:54.300 They were Gentiles. 00:05:54.419 --> 00:05:59.699 They were, chapter 2, verse 12, separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, 00:06:00.099 --> 00:06:02.120 strangers to the covenants of promise. 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:05.540 They knew nothing about God, nothing about the hope of the gospel. 00:06:07.280 --> 00:06:08.240 And they were idolaters. 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:13.100 If you remember Paul's travels in Acts 18, when he gets to Ephesus, 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:19.000 there was there this gigantic temple to Artemis, this great fertility goddess. 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:22.060 And the temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world. 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:26.759 This huge pagan shrine, this meteorite which fell to earth at the heart of it. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:29.699 And it was staffed by all sorts of temple prostitutes. 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:32.219 A massive, rich, powerful temple. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:38.819 The people in Ephesus said this, that this god Artemis, whom all Asia and all the world worship. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.980 The people were sold into idolatry. 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:44.719 They gave themselves to immorality. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:51.579 And these people had been called out of that by God to faith in Christ. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:55.379 And Paul says, I give thanks for your faith. 00:06:55.379 --> 00:07:01.279 When did we last give thanks for each other? 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:06.500 Do we know about the operation of God's grace in each of our lives? 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:08.480 Do we know how we came to faith? 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:10.680 Do we know the encouragements in our lives? 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:11.439 The difficulties? 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:14.219 Do we know, as we just prayed at the very beginning there, 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:16.579 the people who've come alongside us and helped us? 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:19.980 Do we give thanks for each other and for them? 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:25.980 And do we give thanks for the many gifts God has lavished graciously upon this fellowship? 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:32.060 Gifts exercised, ministering to one another, building up the body of Christ. 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:35.780 Paul gave thanks for the faith of these believers. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:39.780 And secondly, he gives thanks for their love for all the saints. 00:07:40.259 --> 00:07:42.980 There's been a lot of pictures of Kate and Wills in the news this week. 00:07:43.160 --> 00:07:44.540 And it's lovely to see, isn't it? 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:46.939 And she's expecting their second child. 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:49.319 A few years ago, of course, it was their royal wedding. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:53.680 And as is often the case at weddings, there was a reading from 1 Corinthians 13. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:58.339 And that contains these wonderful lines that these three remain, faith, hope and love. 00:07:58.579 --> 00:08:00.740 But the greatest of these is love. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:08.300 And Paul is keen, therefore, to draw attention to the love the Ephesian believers have for all the saints. 00:08:09.199 --> 00:08:12.240 You see, this is a world which lacks love. 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:16.420 I got the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh this weekend. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:17.980 I love that journey. 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:19.680 I love the other journey as well, I should point out. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:20.579 I love going to Glasgow. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:22.780 But it was interesting coming back in the evening. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:24.379 And I was reading a book. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:28.720 And the carriage, everybody sat in their own seat. 00:08:28.939 --> 00:08:30.259 Nobody sat next to anyone else. 00:08:30.900 --> 00:08:34.620 And almost immediately, everyone had their headphones and I was looking at a screen. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:36.620 And I thought, isn't this strange? 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.700 We're all on the same journey. 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:39.820 We could all be talking and interacting. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:43.180 But people just disappear, retreat into their own worlds. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:45.040 We're indifferent to one another. 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:49.000 And sometimes we're frankly hostile to one another. 00:08:49.140 --> 00:08:50.820 I visited an older chap this week. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:56.360 And as soon as I sat down on the sofa, he pulled out a DVD of an old Rangers Celtic Cup final and put that in. 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:58.759 I don't know if my conversation wasn't up to much. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:00.220 And he wanted distracted. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:02.660 But it was interesting to see again. 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:08.740 The beginning of the match and the Rangers fans had their Union Jacks and the Celtic fans had their Irish tricolor. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:13.879 And you could sense the antagonism, the historical wounds festering. 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:18.339 The old firm, people in the same city, just loggerheads with each other. 00:09:19.719 --> 00:09:24.360 And we've seen it internationally with the South Korean military exercise this week. 00:09:24.439 --> 00:09:27.579 And North Korea launching all these missiles into the sea. 00:09:27.720 --> 00:09:30.319 We've seen it with the Sunni and Shia Muslims in Iraq. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:31.779 And the list is endless. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:35.620 The tension, the friction, the conflict between different people groups. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:42.319 But exactly the kind of conflict there was in the first century between Jews and Gentiles. 00:09:42.839 --> 00:09:46.419 Paul can speak in this letter about the dividing wall of hostility. 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:49.419 Jewish people and Gentiles, they didn't mix. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:51.220 They wouldn't talk together. 00:09:51.339 --> 00:09:52.399 They wouldn't eat together. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:53.819 They wouldn't worship together. 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:58.480 And Paul says the wonderful mystery of the gospel is this chapter 3 verse 6. 00:09:58.860 --> 00:10:04.060 That Christ came and preached peace to them who are far away and peace to those who are near off. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:07.220 That he has taken away the hostility and made them one. 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.580 The Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.780 Partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:19.039 These previously alienated, hostile people are now one in Christ. 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:21.620 And Paul says, and they love one another. 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:26.860 I give thanks for your love for all the saints. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:31.319 What a wonderful, supernatural operation of God's grace. 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:36.300 I wanted to go and see the Angelina Jolie film Unbroken. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:38.580 Maybe you saw that January time. 00:10:39.160 --> 00:10:40.760 Didn't have a chance to go and see it. 00:10:40.780 --> 00:10:42.760 But it's about a man, a real man, Louis Zamperini. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:45.540 He died just before the film came out, aged 91. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:47.120 He was an athlete. 00:10:47.280 --> 00:10:49.879 He sort of fell into slightly criminal ways. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:51.980 And he joined the army in World War II. 00:10:52.540 --> 00:10:54.160 He was flying over the sea. 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:55.360 I think he got shot down. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:57.860 He was then on a raft for about a month. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:58.940 He was rescued. 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:01.240 He was taken into a Japanese prisoner of war camp. 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.019 He was tortured. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.799 He escaped from that. 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:05.080 He went back home. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:06.480 And he was a broken man. 00:11:07.100 --> 00:11:09.159 He was suffering probably post-traumatic stress. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:10.080 He turned to alcohol. 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.120 He became an alcoholic. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:13.139 Things weren't going well in his marriage. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:16.620 And I don't think the film got to the second half of his life. 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:17.560 Maybe there'll be a sequel. 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:18.000 Who knows? 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:21.600 But at that point, one day, somebody had taken to a Billy Graham crusade. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.799 And he heard the gospel preached. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:24.700 And he got converted. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.180 And he was delivered that night from alcoholism. 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:29.419 And he took his athletic skills. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:35.959 And he diverted them towards encouraging young people to take up sport as a way of getting them out of criminal behavior. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:44.299 And he used to travel back to Japan to meet the people who tortured them, to visit them in prison, and to preach the gospel to them. 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:48.199 Because he wanted these people to be reconciled to the God who'd made them. 00:11:48.479 --> 00:11:53.899 And to be reconciled to him, no longer as enemies, but as brothers in Christ. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:12:01.259 Paul thanks God when he sees the operation of the supernatural grace of love for all the saints. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:04.279 And it is supernatural, is it? 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:08.360 Because it's difficult to love people who are different from us. 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:10.000 People different backgrounds. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:11.720 People with different hobbies. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:16.720 People who maybe speak different languages, have different cultures, different ways of doing things. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:18.580 Perhaps even different generations. 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:25.060 And that's why Paul says in chapter 4 of this letter that we are to bear with one another in love. 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:26.800 To work at it. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:30.560 To ask God to give us a love for the saints. 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:34.700 That all people might know we are Christ's followers because we love one another. 00:12:36.160 --> 00:12:37.520 Paul heard of their love. 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:40.320 And for that he gave thanks. 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:43.260 So he thanks God therefore for what he's heard. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.540 For their faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:47.040 And their love for all the saints. 00:12:47.400 --> 00:12:50.560 And having done that, he then goes on having offered his thanksgiving. 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:52.320 He moves to intercession. 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.960 And he prays for them. 00:12:54.260 --> 00:12:57.620 That they will better understand the things that they have heard about. 00:12:58.060 --> 00:13:00.240 About God and about the gospel. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.400 Chapter 1 verse 18. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:04.940 I pray the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. 00:13:05.280 --> 00:13:07.760 In order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:10.759 The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:14.519 And his incapably great power for us who believe. 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.259 Prior to that verse 17. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:21.559 He asked the God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation. 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:24.480 That you may know him better. 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:28.080 There are a great many blessings in the spiritual life. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:29.919 We learn that in chapter 1 verse 3. 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:32.120 But Sinclair Ferguson writes this. 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:37.340 Knowing God is the single greatest privilege as a Christian. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.460 John Stott says this. 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:42.539 Our greatest claim to nobility is to know God. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:45.580 To be in personal relationship with him. 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:48.340 To love him and worship him. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:52.939 That is not just knowing God academically or theoretically. 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:55.379 As in believing he exists. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:58.059 It's not just knowing God theologically. 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:00.100 Reading the right books about doctrine. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.860 But it's knowing God. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:01.899 It's not just knowing God. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:01.920 It's not just knowing God. 00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:02.440 It's not just knowing God. 00:14:02.440 --> 00:14:02.759 It's knowing God. 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:02.879 It's knowing God. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:02.940 It's knowing God. 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.000 It's knowing God. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.180 In our experience. 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:06.100 To have a knowledge of God. 00:14:07.040 --> 00:14:08.759 Jeremiah promised in the new covenant. 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.480 The Lord said this. 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:11.580 Jeremiah 31. 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.519 They will all know me. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:15.480 From the greatest of them. 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:16.680 To the least. 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:20.360 The people in Ephesus at one point had been without God. 00:14:20.700 --> 00:14:22.220 And without hope in the world. 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:24.300 And now they knew God. 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:29.059 And Paul wants them to keep on growing in that knowledge. 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:32.859 Like the psalmist who wrote in Psalm 119. 00:14:33.319 --> 00:14:36.879 Open my eyes that I might behold wonderful things in your word. 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:40.240 Paul says I want God to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation. 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:42.799 That you may know him better. 00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:46.079 Growing in our knowledge and love of God every day. 00:14:47.579 --> 00:14:51.639 And then he specifies these three blessings of the gospel. 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:53.719 That he wants them to grow up into. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:57.080 Firstly the hope to which they have been called. 00:14:58.139 --> 00:15:00.060 And as Christians we are people of hope aren't we? 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:03.080 In the world our hope is often disappointed. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:06.840 I was quite hopeful at the half time of the England-Scotland game yesterday. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:10.480 That hope 40 minutes later was bitterly disappointed. 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:13.740 I imagine 53 days away from a general election. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:16.080 People will be offering us a lot of hope in the weeks ahead. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:19.820 Hope which almost certainly will come to nothing. 00:15:20.680 --> 00:15:21.720 We live in a world. 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:24.120 Where many people have happiness. 00:15:24.920 --> 00:15:26.540 But not many have hope. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:29.779 You'll probably have read the obituary of Terry Pratchett. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:31.759 Sir Terry Pratchett who passed away this week. 00:15:31.839 --> 00:15:34.699 Surrounded by a family with his cat on his bed. 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:36.159 He was a writer. 00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:38.059 A writer whose books I used to enjoy. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:41.539 He wrote I think for 44 years. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.719 He wrote 70 books. 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:44.759 Translated into 37 languages. 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:47.360 70 million copies sold. 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:49.860 He was knighted in 2009. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:53.039 International literary star. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.379 And this week he died. 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:56.039 Very sad. 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.319 Quite young. 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:57.860 66. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.939 And the last hours of his life. 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.179 Or shortly afterwards. 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:02.819 There was. 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:04.940 His assistant tweeted. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.640 Three comments. 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.140 About his death. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:11.080 The first two related to a character. 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.060 In one of his books. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.000 Called death. 00:16:13.660 --> 00:16:16.200 And how death had now met Terry Pratchett. 00:16:16.920 --> 00:16:18.620 And then the final tweet. 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:19.840 Very sadly. 00:16:20.400 --> 00:16:21.260 It just read this. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.379 The end. 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:24.900 Famous. 00:16:25.780 --> 00:16:26.300 Celebrated. 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:27.220 Honoured. 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:29.140 Hugely successful writer. 00:16:29.780 --> 00:16:31.440 Quite a well-known atheist as well. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:33.500 And all that could be said. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.300 As he lay dying. 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.620 In the company of his family. 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:38.480 Was the end. 00:16:39.380 --> 00:16:40.360 Lots of happiness. 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:43.100 But precious little hope. 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:45.200 And Paul says to the Christians. 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:47.240 I want you to know the hope. 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.800 To which God has called you. 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.700 What is that hope? 00:16:52.260 --> 00:16:54.140 What is your hope. 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:55.860 As a Christian. 00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:58.540 Well verse 10. 00:16:58.640 --> 00:16:59.260 Chapter 1. 00:16:59.760 --> 00:17:01.420 It draws their attention to this. 00:17:02.380 --> 00:17:03.040 God's purpose. 00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:04.980 When the times will have reached their fulfillment. 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:07.240 To bring all things in heaven. 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:08.779 And on earth together. 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.019 Under one head. 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.740 Even Christ. 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:14.340 God will unite everything. 00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:15.259 Together. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.539 In Christ. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.240 Chapter 2. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.059 Verse 22. 00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:20.740 You too are being built together. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.860 To become a dwelling. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.920 In which God lives. 00:17:24.320 --> 00:17:25.420 By his spirit. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:28.279 One day we will all be drawn together. 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:29.720 In Christ. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.319 Christ. 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:32.039 And God will be pleased to dwell. 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.100 Among us. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:36.100 That's what we see isn't it. 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:38.000 In very small compass. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:38.700 In the church. 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.940 People from different generations. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:41.839 And ages. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.559 And stages. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.360 And backgrounds. 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:43.980 And walks. 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.680 And ways of life. 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.480 Come together. 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.259 United in worship. 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.220 Around Christ. 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:50.019 In which God dwells. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.539 In the church. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.579 By his spirit. 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:53.059 And we are given. 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.159 Sunday by Sunday. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:56.059 Just a tiny little foretaste. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.939 Of that great multitude. 00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:59.199 Drawn from every nation. 00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:00.720 Tribes. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.139 Peoples. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.659 And tongues. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:03.599 Gathered before the throne of God. 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:05.179 And the Lamb. 00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:07.599 In which the presence of God. 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.679 Will shelter us. 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.699 He will guide us. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.980 The springs of living water. 00:18:11.579 --> 00:18:12.599 And every tear. 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.379 Will be wiped. 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.220 Away. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:16.059 From our eyes. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:18.119 All things united in Christ. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.639 God and the Lamb. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.099 Dwelling. 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.359 In the midst of them. 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:22.019 That is our hope. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:22.740 As individuals. 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.339 That is our hope. 00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.220 Corporately. 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.960 Well I wonder when the last time. 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.839 You actually sat down. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:30.440 And thought about that hope was. 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.859 It's very tempting isn't it. 00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.339 In Edinburgh. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:36.099 To think you're already in heaven. 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.559 Certainly as I. 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.440 Cycled through Holyrood Park. 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.039 This morning. 00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:40.899 And then the links. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.179 And then past all these nice. 00:18:42.179 --> 00:18:42.940 Coffee shops. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.579 And delis. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.679 And Brunsfield. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.440 And Morningside. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:45.859 You can think. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.699 Well I've arrived. 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:51.539 Very precious hope isn't it. 00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.639 We mustn't get distracted. 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:54.740 By the enjoyments of this life. 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.699 Of course it's fine. 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.459 To drink coffee. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.519 And to go to a deli. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:58.519 And to enjoy these things. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.979 With thanksgiving in our hearts. 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.119 But not to think. 00:19:01.199 --> 00:19:02.919 That's the sum totaling goal of life. 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:07.319 Very precious hope. 00:19:08.459 --> 00:19:09.399 When we're ill. 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.539 Or dying. 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:12.159 Or mourning the loss. 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.500 Of a loved one. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.899 Changes everything doesn't it. 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:16.259 The last time I was in this building. 00:19:17.060 --> 00:19:18.259 Was at the beginning of the year. 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.640 When a lady in our congregation. 00:19:20.280 --> 00:19:22.019 Died of cancer in her 50s. 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.380 And we have the service here. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:25.040 And just before. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.040 The day before. 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:27.240 I'd been speaking with a brother. 00:19:27.320 --> 00:19:27.960 Who'd flown in. 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.759 From New Zealand. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.560 To come to the service. 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.740 And he said. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.819 It's a shame. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:34.660 She was young. 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:36.200 And still working. 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.180 Friends etc. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.039 But they were believers. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.400 And he said. 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:39.960 But Jesus. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.640 Has called her home. 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.900 Transforms everything. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.500 Doesn't it? 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:46.819 It's not simply. 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.640 The end. 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.620 It is a new beginning. 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.000 A new life. 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.019 Waiting for her. 00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:53.720 In the age to come. 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:56.160 So the Ephesians knew that. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.759 They'd had this new start in life. 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.559 Through their faith. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.500 In Christ. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.619 And their love for the saints. 00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:02.759 And they had this new beginning. 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.720 Death was no longer the end. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.440 It was the beginning. 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.819 Of a new chapter. 00:20:07.160 --> 00:20:07.579 Paul says. 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:09.039 I want you to know the hope. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.039 To which. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.299 God has called you. 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.799 And more than that. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.839 I want you to know the riches. 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.220 Of his glorious inheritance. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:17.059 In the saints. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.660 When I was at college. 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.240 Last century. 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:21.039 We had this. 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.119 Block of flats. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.059 And it was quite different. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.859 To flats now. 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.779 The internet had only just been invented. 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.039 En suite toilets. 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.500 Were things you only found in hotels. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:30.819 And we all had these little sort of rooms. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.579 And across from me. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:34.500 There was a big chap called Tom. 00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.660 Who was quite posh. 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:37.339 And I didn't realize how posh. 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.240 But we got on okay. 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:40.579 And I looked up Tom a few years ago. 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.119 And it turns out. 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:43.099 He'd inherited this enormous manor house. 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.539 In England. 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.579 And he was the lord of the manor. 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:47.799 And I regretted not getting to know him better. 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.299 At the time. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:51.000 Tom had a wonderful inheritance. 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.539 And in the Bible. 00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:54.440 God promises his people. 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.119 An inheritance. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:56.240 Under the old covenant. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:58.519 It was the land flowing with milk and honey. 00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:00.160 A place where they would dwell. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.539 With God. 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:04.259 And the New Testament promises us. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.299 An inheritance. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.620 Something to come. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:11.240 Something Paul is able to describe. 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.440 As riches. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:14.279 Glorious riches. 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.839 Something that God has in store. 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.660 For his people. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:21.259 And the Ephesians probably needed to hear that. 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.579 Because when they became Christians. 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:24.140 There was a financial cost. 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:26.600 You remember the riot in Ephesus. 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:28.820 As the little silversmiths. 00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:30.140 Who made these little shrines. 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:31.060 Of Artemis. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.220 They were worried. 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:34.280 Because people stopped worshipping Artemis. 00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:35.080 And they said. 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:36.380 Well we're going to go out of business. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:39.000 Selling our religious trinkets. 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:41.160 Some of them. 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.600 Presumably became Christians. 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.520 Lost their business. 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.440 And then there were the magicians. 00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:47.160 The practitioners of black magic. 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:49.440 And they came under the conviction of sin. 00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:51.060 And they brought all their magic scrolls. 00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:52.100 And burned them publicly. 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:54.259 And Luke tells us in Acts 18. 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.539 That the price of these scrolls. 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:57.459 Would have been 50,000 pieces of silver. 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:59.639 These people had lost their riches. 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:02.819 When they came to know Jesus. 00:22:02.959 --> 00:22:03.599 But Paul says. 00:22:03.719 --> 00:22:05.279 God is no man's debtor. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.699 You have the riches. 00:22:06.939 --> 00:22:09.079 Of a glorious inheritance to come. 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.539 Jesus counseled us. 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.919 To store up treasure in heaven. 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:13.439 Didn't he? 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:16.119 And when we're given a picture of heaven. 00:22:16.219 --> 00:22:17.659 In Revelation chapter 21. 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:19.980 It's not just a posh country house. 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:22.839 In the southern English area. 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:25.099 It is a city of gold. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:28.839 Whose foundations are adorned with every kind of jewel. 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:32.539 It is a city full of riches. 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:35.259 Glorious to behold. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.860 Well what a comfort that is. 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.839 If you have suffered loss. 00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:42.880 Because of your faith in Christ. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.860 If you have suffered. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.700 In terms of your career. 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:48.039 If you have lost some means. 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:50.420 If you have chosen to live sacrificially. 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.580 In order to further the kingdom. 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:55.660 What a comfort that is. 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:57.059 If you see colleagues who. 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:59.180 Maybe don't want to live ethically. 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.980 Who don't want to do things God's way. 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:02.500 Becoming richer and richer. 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.220 In their cars. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:04.660 Becoming shinier and shinier. 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.240 In their houses. 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.420 Getting bigger and bigger. 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:09.259 To know that we have the true riches in heaven. 00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:11.080 We have treasure in heaven. 00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:13.400 Where thieves cannot break in and steal. 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:15.120 Where moths cannot destroy. 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:18.440 To enjoy the things we've been given. 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:20.500 To have godliness with contentment now. 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:24.240 And to know that we have these wonderful riches to come. 00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.360 And again friend. 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:29.360 When did you last think about these glorious riches? 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:34.220 When did you last think upon the inheritance God has for you? 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:37.400 And when did you allow that to change your priorities? 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.519 To change your time? 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:42.740 How am I going to spend the time I have? 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:46.000 Perhaps to influence the kind of work you're going to do. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:51.259 How am I going to spend my working years and expend my energy in the service of God? 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:55.559 To dictate or influence who you're going to marry. 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:58.400 Do I want to marry someone whose treasure is in heaven? 00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:02.900 Or am I going to marry someone who will just want to pile up treasure on earth? 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:07.960 And does it dictate what you pray for and work towards? 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:10.480 What you live for and what you look forward to? 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:16.060 Paul says I want you to know the riches in store for you. 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:19.379 And thirdly and finally and very quickly. 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:22.559 Paul talks about the immeasurable, incomparably great power. 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.299 Verse 19. 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:25.619 For us who believe. 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:31.000 We know elsewhere in Romans Paul talks about the gospel as the power of God for salvation. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:35.240 For all who believe the gospel had been very powerful in Ephesus. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:40.700 Turning these wicked, immoral, idolatrous practitioners of black magic. 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:44.440 Into saints who desired to be holy, who loved one another. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:47.539 Changing idolaters into worshippers of God. 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:51.039 Changing immoral people into sexually pure people. 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.819 Changing the violent into the peaceful. 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.980 Delivering substance abusers. 00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:57.460 Delivering people caught up in the occult. 00:24:57.640 --> 00:25:02.740 Delivering people whose mouths were full of filthy language and gossip and coarse joking. 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:05.100 Who had now become a people of pure speech. 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:07.160 As chapter 4 and 5 tells us. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:09.759 He says I want you to know the power. 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:12.740 That it continues to be at work in you. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:15.840 And he gives us an example of God's power. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.800 In fact the example of God's power. 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:19.019 In verse 20. 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:22.240 This power which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead. 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:24.660 Seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:26.860 Far above all rule and authority. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.140 Power and dominion. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.980 And every title that can be given. 00:25:30.100 --> 00:25:31.420 Not only in the present age. 00:25:31.820 --> 00:25:34.019 But also in the one to come. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:38.400 Jesus is in the place of supreme honour and power and authority. 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:40.639 In heaven and in the earth. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.740 You've probably seen in India. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:46.900 There has been a spate of attacks on churches. 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.839 In Delhi. 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.539 A lot of churches have been damaged. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:53.920 And the government which is a sort of militant Hindu government. 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.819 Is really turning a blind eye. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:58.859 Towards that Christians are under increasing pressure. 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.859 In India. 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:01.639 Even though it's a secular state. 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:04.980 And when the present Prime Minister Modi. 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:07.200 Who's a sort of radical Hindu fundamentalist. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.740 Got elected. 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:10.340 I wrote to a friend who works at a Bible college in India. 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.480 And I said. 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:11.759 You know. 00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:12.600 I just want you to know. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.759 We're praying for you. 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.580 And if persecution should come. 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.800 We'll be upholding you in prayer. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:19.480 And he wrote back just a wonderful email. 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.520 And he said. 00:26:20.580 --> 00:26:20.980 My brother. 00:26:21.300 --> 00:26:23.160 There have been no elections in heaven. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:25.120 Jesus is still on the throne. 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:27.719 And that's what Paul says here. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:29.699 God has raised Christ from the dead. 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:33.399 And exalted him to the throne of the universe. 00:26:34.239 --> 00:26:36.219 Why did they need to hear that? 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.919 Well I want to suggest two reasons. 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:38.559 Firstly. 00:26:39.239 --> 00:26:41.679 Because God had promised to take them to heaven. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.219 Hadn't he? 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:43.959 Chapter 2. 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:45.759 And Graham will be looking at this next week. 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.819 Verse 4. 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:48.239 Because of his great love for us. 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.779 God who is rich in mercy. 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:51.660 Made us alive with Christ. 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:53.319 Even when we were dead. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:55.120 In transgressions. 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:57.200 It is by grace you've been saved. 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:59.039 And God raised us up with Christ. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.400 And seated us with him. 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:02.680 In the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.539 In order that in the coming ages. 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:07.140 He might show the incomparable riches of his grace. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:10.000 Expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.980 God raised Jesus from the dead. 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.019 And took him to heaven. 00:27:13.359 --> 00:27:13.980 And Paul says. 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:15.220 He'll do the same for you. 00:27:16.120 --> 00:27:17.839 He will give you resurrection life. 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:19.699 He will take you to be with him. 00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:20.759 Where he is. 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.759 God has the power. 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:23.119 To raise the dead. 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:25.199 And to bring them into his glory. 00:27:26.699 --> 00:27:28.240 The second reason of course. 00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:30.459 Is that the Christian life is hard. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:33.679 And we can think we're going to run out of steam. 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:35.220 The first time I got on a tram. 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.619 In fact. 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.419 Only one of two times actually. 00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.759 Since they were started. 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.439 I took Anna. 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.399 On a tram. 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:42.939 A little inexpensive day out for her there. 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:44.839 And it was going along past Murrayfield. 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.859 And you know how it sort of goes up a hill. 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:48.579 And it just cocked out. 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.740 And I had a bit of a laugh. 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.759 I thought well there we go. 00:27:51.979 --> 00:27:53.939 And it started again a few minutes later. 00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:55.199 And changed the batteries. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.819 Whatever they do. 00:27:55.979 --> 00:27:57.059 But you see. 00:27:57.199 --> 00:27:58.939 The tram just ran out of steam. 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.259 And we can think as Christians. 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:02.179 We're just going to run out of power. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.279 For the Christian life. 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:05.179 And we're just going to stall halfway. 00:28:05.359 --> 00:28:06.799 And trip up and stumble and fall. 00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:07.599 And never get up. 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.879 But Paul says no. 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.039 God's power. 00:28:10.179 --> 00:28:11.819 His incomparably great power. 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:13.359 Is at work in you. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:17.419 He will fulfill his purpose for you. 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.899 He who began a good work. 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:22.339 Will carry it on until the day of completion. 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:25.240 Isaiah said that even youth shall faint and be weary. 00:28:25.719 --> 00:28:27.439 And young men shall fall exhausted. 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:30.500 But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:34.139 They shall rise up on wings like eagles. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.559 They shall run and not grow weary. 00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:38.299 They shall walk and not faint. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.659 Paul says keep going. 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:42.119 It is God's power at work in you. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.680 And thirdly and finally. 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:46.899 The reason I think they needed to hear this of course. 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:49.220 Was that Ephesus was a center of magic. 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:50.240 And of sorcery. 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.359 And occultic practice. 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:54.119 And presumably many of them had been involved in that. 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:56.740 And they had been delivered from it. 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:58.480 They'd got rid of their shrines. 00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:00.299 They'd burned their magic scrolls. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:02.220 At one point chapter 2 tells us. 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:03.879 They had followed the prince of the air. 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.859 That is Satan. 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:07.619 But now they had been delivered from him. 00:29:07.619 --> 00:29:10.979 But of course he doesn't give up easily. 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:12.699 I was saying to Graham. 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:15.179 As I cycled through the park this morning. 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.839 There was this little dog. 00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:18.179 I'd like to pretend it was a big dog. 00:29:18.239 --> 00:29:19.059 But it was a little dog. 00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:20.939 And it was chasing cyclists. 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.559 And I laughed to myself. 00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:23.359 And thought ha ha ha. 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:25.000 And then it began chasing me. 00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:27.039 And I thought well you know. 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.579 Come on. 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.239 Little Cocker Spaniel. 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:29.979 Whatever it is. 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.059 And I started cycling. 00:29:31.179 --> 00:29:31.659 And I looked around. 00:29:31.739 --> 00:29:32.819 And it was right on my tail. 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.959 And I kept going. 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.739 And for several hundred yards. 00:29:35.739 --> 00:29:37.439 This dog wouldn't give up. 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:39.059 And I thought what am I going to do. 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:40.939 And eventually I just sort of shouted at it. 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:42.039 And kept going. 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:42.739 And it gave up. 00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.339 Got bored. 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:45.079 It kept coming after me. 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.919 There was conflict wasn't there. 00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:49.719 And Paul says to the Ephesians. 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:51.279 In chapter 6 verse 10. 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.599 That you're in conflict. 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.239 The devil. 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.779 You have been delivered from him. 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:56.079 But he keeps coming after you. 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:58.639 Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. 00:29:58.959 --> 00:29:59.779 Against the rulers. 00:29:59.979 --> 00:30:00.819 Against the authorities. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.679 Against the powers of this dark world. 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:05.039 And against the spiritual forces of evil. 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.160 In the heavenly realm. 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:08.519 Take your stand against the devil's schemes. 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.580 The evil one was coming after them. 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.620 Wanting to drag them back. 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:13.660 Into darkness. 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:14.560 And sin. 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.480 And hell. 00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:16.600 And Paul says. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.860 Don't fear him. 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:20.680 God's incomparably great power. 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:22.720 Is at work in you who believe. 00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:25.299 He has delivered you from the kingdom of darkness. 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:27.539 Into his wonderful light. 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:29.379 He who is in you. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.819 Is greater than he. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.240 Who is in the world. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:35.200 Remember when Jesus sent his disciples. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.200 Out in Luke's gospel. 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.480 And he said. 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.079 Don't be afraid. 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:40.220 I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.379 I have given you authority. 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:44.159 To trample over snakes and serpents. 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:46.500 Nothing will harm you. 00:30:48.079 --> 00:30:49.279 They had been delivered. 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.980 From the power of darkness. 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:53.319 And God's power would protect them. 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.279 From it. 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.839 Well maybe that's a word here for you. 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:58.539 Maybe some of you have a background in. 00:30:58.959 --> 00:31:00.399 Tarot cards or Ouija boards. 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:02.019 Maybe you used to go and visit a psychic. 00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:04.720 Maybe you go into pretty extreme horror films. 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.740 Or heavy metal music. 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:07.639 And you feel oppressed by that. 00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.359 And the good news is. 00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:10.939 You can be delivered from that. 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:13.059 And God can protect you from that. 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:15.099 And stop you from going back there. 00:31:16.639 --> 00:31:18.339 So he wants them to know their hope. 00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:20.139 He wants them to know their inheritance. 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:22.179 He wants them to know the power of God. 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.099 At work in their life. 00:31:23.199 --> 00:31:24.899 And it's fitting we finish therefore. 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:26.339 With the words of first Peter. 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:29.319 Where Peter thinking on these same things says. 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:31.899 Thanks be to God who has caused us to be born again. 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:34.079 To a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:36.240 To our inheritance. 00:31:36.939 --> 00:31:37.500 Imperishable. 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.299 Undefiled. 00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:38.799 Unfading. 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:40.759 Kept in heaven for you. 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:43.019 Who by God's power. 00:31:43.959 --> 00:31:45.740 Are being guarded through faith. 00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.720 For a salvation. 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.919 Ready to be revealed. 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:49.379 In the last time. 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.760 Paul gave thanks. 00:31:50.760 --> 00:31:53.160 For the things he'd heard about these believers. 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:54.360 Their faith and their love. 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.980 And he prayed for them. 00:31:56.280 --> 00:31:58.940 Asking that God would help them to know and understand. 00:31:59.200 --> 00:32:01.200 More and more the things that they had in Christ. 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.620 Their hope. 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.880 Their inheritance. 00:32:04.520 --> 00:32:06.360 And his mighty power at work in them. 00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:07.880 Let's pray together. 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:07.980 Amen. 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:16.279 Father we thank you that. 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:19.140 In Christ we have every spiritual blessing. 00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:22.900 That you have laid up for us. 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.640 A wonderful inheritance. 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.480 Lord it is. 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.839 Kept in heaven. 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.960 Being guarded by your power. 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:31.259 Can never be stolen. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:33.019 Never be lost. 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:37.039 Never be lost in a financial crisis. 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:41.339 And Lord that your son beckons us. 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.920 On in our journey. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:46.240 That he has gone to prepare a place for us. 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:47.539 And he will return to take us. 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.259 To be with him. 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:51.400 To dwell in your presence forever. 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:53.539 And to enjoy. 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:57.000 All the wonderful things you have in store for your people. 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.639 So we thank you for that Lord. 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:01.319 We pray this week if we are discouraged. 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:03.480 That you will lift our heads. 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.879 To fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:06.279 And the hope he has for us. 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:10.460 And Lord if we are just getting a bit too comfortable in this world. 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:13.879 A bit too relaxed and settled in. 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:16.759 That you will help us not to be satisfied. 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:21.480 For the trinkets and shiny things of this life. 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:25.899 But to look forward to the glorious inheritance we have in Christ. 00:33:26.899 --> 00:33:28.460 And to make all of our decisions. 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:30.559 And to live our lives in accordance with that hope. 00:33:32.159 --> 00:33:33.220 So we thank you Lord. 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.819 It is by grace we have been saved. 00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:37.939 And it is your incomparably great power. 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.839 That keeps us going. 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.779 On our heavenward journey. 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.859 So bless us we ask now. 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:43.539 Encourage us. 00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:45.139 As we encourage one another. 00:33:45.339 --> 00:33:45.939 Through the singing. 00:33:46.159 --> 00:33:47.399 And the time of fellowship together. 00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:49.500 In Jesus name we pray. 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.419 Amen. 00:33:50.419 --> 00:33:50.519 Amen. 00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:50.579 Amen. 00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:50.619 Amen. 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:52.579 Amen. 00:33:52.579 --> 00:33:52.679 Amen. 00:33:52.679 --> 00:33:52.700 Amen. 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:52.720 Amen. 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:52.740 Amen. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:54.619 Amen. 00:33:54.619 --> 00:33:54.679 Amen. 00:33:54.679 --> 00:33:54.720 Amen. 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:54.779 Amen. 00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:56.679 Amen. 00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:56.720 Amen. 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:56.779 Amen. 00:33:56.779 --> 00:33:57.720 Amen. 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.720 Amen. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:58.779 Amen. 00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.720 Amen. 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:00.720 Amen. 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.299 Amen.