WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.540 Children, you are now dismissed to go learn about this guy named Jonah 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:10.540 and what happened in the stomach of a big fish. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:22.019 Salvation belongs to the Lord, is what Jonah discovered, in the stomach of a big fish. 00:00:23.460 --> 00:00:26.539 We're going to be hitting the book of Jonah next week. 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:30.719 We're going to do the book of Jonah in the month of June. 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:35.640 And so four sermons in Jonah in the month of June. 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:41.659 And today, of course, marks the last sermon out of the book of Ephesians. 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:44.379 We've been in this book for about a year and a half. 00:00:44.519 --> 00:00:46.620 We started in October 2013. 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:54.239 And there was a very specific reason why we started our life together as a church in the book of Ephesians 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:57.600 because the book of Ephesians is all about unity. 00:00:59.400 --> 00:01:03.800 If you would turn in the book of Ephesians to Ephesians chapter 6, 00:01:04.540 --> 00:01:09.840 to the last two verses of the chapter, the last two verses of the book. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:18.320 In verses 23 and 24, Paul writes to these Ephesians a benediction. 00:01:20.020 --> 00:01:21.880 In verse 23, he says, 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:24.240 Peace be to the brothers. 00:01:24.520 --> 00:01:26.020 And then in verse 24, he says, 00:01:26.140 --> 00:01:27.340 Grace be with all. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:33.560 Now if you would flip in your Bible in Ephesians to Ephesians chapter 1 verse 2, 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:35.280 you're going to notice something. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:42.599 Paul starts the book with an introduction with the same two words. 00:01:44.379 --> 00:01:48.120 Grace to you and peace from our Father and Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:49.879 you saints who are in Ephesus. 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:56.159 So here we have a book that starts with grace and peace and ends with grace and peace. 00:01:57.659 --> 00:02:04.640 And in between this grace and peace is a whole book about unity. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:10.219 If I were to summarize the entire book of Ephesians with just one word, 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:13.120 it would be the word unity. 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:15.060 Oneness. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:16.939 Togetherness. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:20.060 We-ness. 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:24.719 And that's why we started with this book in our life together as a church. 00:02:24.979 --> 00:02:29.599 To unite us together around what God has done for us in Christ. 00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:34.699 It's no wonder then, 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:40.740 that Paul in the very last words of this book on unity, 00:02:42.039 --> 00:02:45.079 closes with love. 00:02:46.859 --> 00:02:48.659 So if you notice in verse 24, 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:51.599 Grace be with all who love. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:54.079 Our Lord Jesus with love. 00:02:54.979 --> 00:02:55.539 Incorruptible. 00:02:55.539 --> 00:02:59.039 Peace be to the brothers in love with faith. 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:02.180 Love is at the heart of unity. 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:09.399 So to close our study of the book of Ephesians this morning, 00:03:09.400 --> 00:03:17.060 I want to remind you afresh of all that God has done for us in Christ. 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:25.439 He has united us together in Christ so that we would live united for Christ. 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:31.939 United in Christ in order to live united for Christ. 00:03:31.939 --> 00:03:39.439 So this morning, six unifying truths from the book of Ephesians. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:42.900 Oh God, open our eyes. 00:03:44.079 --> 00:03:44.960 Show us Christ. 00:03:45.939 --> 00:03:46.979 In his name we pray. 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:48.300 Amen. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:51.699 Unifying truth number one. 00:03:52.039 --> 00:03:55.439 It's found in Ephesians chapter 1 verses 3 through 14. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:04:00.099 We've been united by God's sovereign plan. 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:04.199 We are united by God's sovereign plan. 00:04:04.800 --> 00:04:06.079 In 1.4 we read this, 00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:09.060 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, 00:04:09.460 --> 00:04:10.919 that we should be holy and blameless. 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:14.560 He chose us in him before the foundation of the world. 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:18.000 The plan that unites us is an eternal plan. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:23.139 It was a plan that was in God's mind before the foundation of the world. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:29.159 And this sovereign plan, not only is it eternal, but it's Christocentric. 00:04:30.599 --> 00:04:32.839 I know you don't say that word that much. 00:04:34.740 --> 00:04:35.839 Will you say it with me? 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:36.899 1, 2, 3. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:38.740 Christocentric. 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:42.919 It's got some great kind of feel to it, doesn't it? 00:04:43.079 --> 00:04:44.219 Let's say it one more time together. 00:04:44.659 --> 00:04:45.079 1, 2, 3. 00:04:46.599 --> 00:04:46.919 Christocentric. 00:04:46.919 --> 00:04:47.120 Christocentric. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:52.139 What that means is that Jesus is at the middle of everything. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:54.699 He's the focus of it all. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:59.259 It's a plan for the fullness of time that's focused on Christ. 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:04.319 And we see that in chapter 1, verses 9 and 10. 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:06.479 He says, 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:09.939 Making known to us the mystery of his will according to his purpose, 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:14.079 which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:18.399 to unite all things in him. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:19.899 Christocentric. 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:24.899 We're united by a sovereign plan that's eternal and Christocentric. 00:05:25.079 --> 00:05:29.719 It's a plan that, through the Gospel, makes known a mystery. 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:34.899 God all along, from before the foundation of the world, 00:05:34.979 --> 00:05:38.099 had a plan to unite a people for himself. 00:05:39.679 --> 00:05:41.359 Made up of Jews and Gentiles. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:42.280 It's crazy. 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:42.360 It's a mystery. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:44.939 It was a mystery. 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:48.860 Revealed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:49.720 More on that later. 00:05:50.860 --> 00:05:54.680 This plan, this sovereign plan of God is salvific. 00:05:55.639 --> 00:05:57.420 It's a rescue plan. 00:05:57.420 --> 00:06:03.080 It's an eternal Christocentric rescue plan. 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:09.199 A plan that prioritizes the redemption of sinners. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:15.340 The rescue of men and women whose sin has separated them from God. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:20.020 You know what? 00:06:21.400 --> 00:06:26.620 God has addressed our greatest problem as human beings. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:28.259 In Christ. 00:06:29.300 --> 00:06:30.500 He's addressed it. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:33.259 From before the foundation of the world, 00:06:33.900 --> 00:06:39.860 God had the greatest answer, solution to our greatest problem. 00:06:40.720 --> 00:06:41.740 In Christ. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:45.280 We were redeemed by His blood. 00:06:46.980 --> 00:06:48.379 And I just want to add to you, 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:51.040 salvation is just not just a rescue from. 00:06:52.020 --> 00:06:53.560 It's a rescue to. 00:06:53.560 --> 00:06:57.280 God called us out of darkness and sin 00:06:57.280 --> 00:06:59.899 and brought us into light and life. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:03.800 Before the foundation of the world, 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:08.560 He chose us to be holy and blameless before Him. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:10.240 He called us to something. 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:17.019 This is a rescue plan from sin to Him. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:17.939 God. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:21.420 But it's just not about saving sinners. 00:07:21.660 --> 00:07:28.720 This plan is a comprehensive plan for the fullness of time. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:32.000 Look at verse 10. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:32.020 Verse 10. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:33.760 Chapter 1. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:44.600 As a plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in Him in heaven and on earth. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.360 Sin messed things up royally. 00:07:50.280 --> 00:07:52.460 It separates sinners from God. 00:07:52.459 --> 00:07:56.219 And then it separates a sinner from a sinner. 00:07:56.839 --> 00:07:58.319 It has internal effect. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:07:59.659 It throws us, doesn't it? 00:08:00.359 --> 00:08:02.099 And then it separates us from others. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:05.899 And then it brings hostility with our creation. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:11.159 Sin is made a comprehensive problem of things. 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:14.500 But the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:16.180 God's plan for the fullness of time, 00:08:16.260 --> 00:08:17.540 is a comprehensive solution. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.700 A solution that gets us right with God. 00:08:21.080 --> 00:08:22.900 That brings peace within ourselves. 00:08:23.200 --> 00:08:23.940 Peace with others. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:26.460 And one day, peace with creation. 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:29.260 Jesus comes back and He makes all things right. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:31.660 He recreates the heavens and the earth. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:33.879 No more threats. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:39.700 This sovereign plan which unites us is comprehensive. 00:08:41.159 --> 00:08:44.100 I'm not sure if you noticed this. 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:50.600 This is a sovereign plan worked out by the triune God. 00:08:52.199 --> 00:08:53.639 God the Father ordained it. 00:08:53.699 --> 00:08:54.179 Verse 4. 00:08:54.719 --> 00:08:56.519 Christ the Son accomplished it. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:57.120 Verse 7. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:00.519 The Spirit, verses 11-14, applies it. 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:02.939 If you just look at verse 3. 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:07.199 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:08.299 There's two of the three 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:11.439 who has blessed us in Christ 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:13.319 with every spiritual blessing. 00:09:14.319 --> 00:09:15.459 That word spiritual, 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:19.679 you can say spirit blessing. 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:23.699 As in the Holy Spirit. 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:26.719 This sovereign plan 00:09:26.719 --> 00:09:28.919 is a sovereign plan of the triune God. 00:09:28.919 --> 00:09:34.620 And it's a plan that brings about blessing. 00:09:38.459 --> 00:09:41.079 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:09:41.079 --> 00:09:43.860 who has blessed us in Christ 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:47.879 with every spiritual blessing 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:50.500 in the heavenly blessings. 00:09:51.079 --> 00:09:54.039 Blessing upon blessing upon blessing upon blessing. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.779 In Christ. 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:58.599 Blessing upon blessing upon blessing. 00:09:59.199 --> 00:10:01.240 This plan for the fullness of time 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:03.699 is a plan of blessing 00:10:03.699 --> 00:10:06.740 for all who would receive. 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:10.740 So here's what I want you to walk away with. 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:15.579 When we think about being united by 00:10:15.579 --> 00:10:17.360 God's sovereign plan. 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:22.519 God doesn't fit into our plans. 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:28.699 God has fit us into His eternal plan. 00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:32.939 And He's fit us into His plan 00:10:32.939 --> 00:10:34.039 for the fullness of time 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:36.000 by uniting us to Christ. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.399 That's who we are. 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.639 We are people united 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:43.000 by God's sovereign plan 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.199 for the fullness of time. 00:10:45.079 --> 00:10:46.779 The second unifying truth 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:47.960 that I want you to see 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:50.559 is in chapter 2, verses 1-10. 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:52.739 We are united together. 00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:55.039 We're united to Christ 00:10:55.039 --> 00:10:56.719 by God's grace. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:00.359 We were once dead. 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:02.359 Dead to God. 00:11:03.819 --> 00:11:04.659 Last year, 00:11:05.239 --> 00:11:06.159 almost to the day, 00:11:07.479 --> 00:11:09.619 I was walking by Southport Beach House 00:11:09.619 --> 00:11:13.239 and I saw a body in the water. 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:15.419 I ran down. 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.639 As soon as I touched the body, 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:19.600 I knew that this man was dead. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:21.819 He was cold. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:24.439 I dragged him out on the beach. 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:26.179 People ran. 00:11:26.679 --> 00:11:28.659 Multiple people tried to perform CPR 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:30.220 to resuscitate this man. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:32.080 He was dead. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:34.199 No life. 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:38.159 No one on the face of the planet 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:40.419 was able to resuscitate him. 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:42.639 Dead. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:42.740 Dead. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:46.200 No life. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:50.919 Apart from Christ, 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:51.899 we are dead 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:53.679 to God. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:55.939 No life. 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:59.960 We cannot resuscitate ourselves. 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:03.580 We cannot give ourselves life 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:04.399 to God. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:06.960 We can't manufacture 00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:08.319 from within ourselves 00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:10.039 that which is pleasing to God. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:12.159 You know what? 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:15.179 Chapter 2, 1 through 3 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:16.699 is not a pretty picture 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:18.100 for us apart from Christ. 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.319 Not only were we dead, 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:21.399 we were rebels. 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.219 Following the prince 00:12:24.219 --> 00:12:25.179 of the power of the air, 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:27.219 the course of this world, 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:29.620 we were living for our passions 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.459 and desires. 00:12:30.719 --> 00:12:31.740 We were by nature 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.500 children of wrath. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:38.279 We were under God's just penalty 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:40.439 for our sin. 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:44.259 And then, 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:48.379 verse 4, 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:51.500 two words, 00:12:52.199 --> 00:12:54.199 two little words. 00:12:55.579 --> 00:12:56.539 It's like, 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:59.720 it's like the dawning 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:01.799 of the sun, 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:05.159 the darkest part of day, 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:05.799 of night. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:08.099 Two little words. 00:13:08.339 --> 00:13:09.279 But God. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:12.359 But God, 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.359 being rich in mercy 00:13:13.359 --> 00:13:14.439 because of the great love 00:13:14.439 --> 00:13:15.399 with which He loved us, 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.539 even when we were dead 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:19.559 in our trespasses, 00:13:20.839 --> 00:13:24.620 He made us alive. 00:13:25.459 --> 00:13:27.219 He made us alive together 00:13:27.219 --> 00:13:28.159 with Christ. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:28.360 Christ, 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:29.939 for by grace 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:32.299 you have been saved. 00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:35.539 God, 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:36.839 in His grace, 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:41.199 gave us life 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:42.120 to Him. 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:47.480 None of us could earn this grace. 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:49.360 None of us deserve this grace. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:51.259 None of us solicited this grace. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.899 None of us in this room 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:54.039 could merit the grace. 00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:56.500 None of us in this room 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:58.059 could meet a condition 00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:59.559 so that this grace 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:01.299 would then be poured out on us. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.179 None of us. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.899 God's grace is unconditional. 00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:07.279 It's incomprehensible. 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.459 It's incomparable. 00:14:08.619 --> 00:14:09.819 As Chris Tomlin would sing, 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:11.699 it's indescribable. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:16.000 It's amazing grace. 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.819 Amazing grace. 00:14:18.959 --> 00:14:20.519 Amazing grace of our great God. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:22.259 And what He did for us 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:24.479 is that He made us alive 00:14:24.479 --> 00:14:25.559 with Christ. 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:28.159 He united us to Christ. 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:31.219 He bound us to Him 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:34.079 and so His resurrection life 00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:35.559 was granted to us. 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:39.279 And we were made new creations, 00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:40.199 fully forgiven, 00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.439 completely and forever, 00:14:41.599 --> 00:14:42.059 accepted, 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:42.719 adopted, 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.319 liberated, 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:43.939 redeemed. 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:47.459 Objects of God's grace 00:14:47.459 --> 00:14:49.359 for eternity. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.659 He's going to pour it out on you 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.820 for eternity, 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:54.720 Christian. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.960 He's lavish with His grace. 00:15:02.019 --> 00:15:03.480 So here's what all this means. 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:07.460 In Ephesians 2.10, 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:08.159 we read this, 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:10.440 for we are His workmanship. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:12.840 Literally, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.700 poema 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:15.120 is the Greek word. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:16.600 You hear the word poem? 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.139 Poetry? 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:19.159 We are His craftsmanship. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.899 We are His workmanship. 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.340 For we are His workmanship, 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:27.180 created in Christ Jesus 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:28.180 for good works. 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:29.879 Created, 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:31.100 made alive, 00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:32.180 regenerated 00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:33.159 in Christ Jesus 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:34.399 for good works. 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.240 Here's the walk away. 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.500 Good works 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:38.019 does not save us. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.200 We were saved 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.820 for good works. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.279 Good works 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:43.460 could never save us. 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:46.879 But God in His grace 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:47.879 did save us 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.360 in order to 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:51.280 walk in the good works 00:15:51.280 --> 00:15:52.340 that He has prepared 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:52.940 for us 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.040 in advance. 00:15:55.420 --> 00:15:56.980 So if you're not a Christian, 00:15:58.900 --> 00:15:59.860 today's the day. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:04.200 God is offering you 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:05.480 this fullness 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.860 and wonder 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.840 of salvation 00:16:07.840 --> 00:16:09.000 freely. 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:11.280 And all you need to do 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:12.320 is receive it by faith. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.640 take it. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.020 Take it. 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.260 And if you are a Christian, 00:16:19.800 --> 00:16:20.180 do you know how 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:21.040 we respond to this? 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.680 We rejoice. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.500 We say, 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:24.860 Amen. 00:16:25.760 --> 00:16:26.780 I was dead 00:16:26.780 --> 00:16:27.540 and now I'm alive. 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.180 I was blind 00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:29.060 but now I see. 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:29.879 I was lost 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.940 but now I'm found. 00:16:31.140 --> 00:16:31.440 Amen. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:31.700 Amen. 00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:33.540 Amen. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:39.480 We are in darkness 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.180 and He brought us 00:16:40.180 --> 00:16:40.720 into light. 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:44.640 We were dead in sin 00:16:44.640 --> 00:16:45.720 and He made us 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.840 alive with Him. 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.520 We are united 00:16:49.520 --> 00:16:50.700 by God's plan, 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.680 sovereign plan 00:16:51.680 --> 00:16:52.640 and we are united 00:16:52.640 --> 00:16:53.400 to Christ 00:16:53.400 --> 00:16:54.680 by God's grace. 00:16:54.800 --> 00:16:55.860 It's who you are, 00:16:56.140 --> 00:16:56.460 Christian. 00:16:57.780 --> 00:16:59.300 It's your identity now. 00:17:02.520 --> 00:17:03.879 Unifying truth number three. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:07.819 We are united 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:09.359 to each other. 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.000 Look around. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.720 Look around. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.880 We are united 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:15.420 to each other 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:17.339 by the blood 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.980 of Christ. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:22.099 We are bound 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.480 to one another 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:25.359 by the blood 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:27.279 of Jesus. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.059 In chapter 2, 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:30.319 verses 11 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.359 through chapter 3, 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.119 verse 21, 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:33.500 Paul makes 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.519 a seriously, 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.519 seriously crazy claim. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.139 It's incredible. 00:17:38.739 --> 00:17:40.079 See, up to this point, 00:17:40.439 --> 00:17:41.679 a good Jew like Paul 00:17:41.679 --> 00:17:43.179 would kind of 00:17:43.179 --> 00:17:44.779 consider all of humanity 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:46.579 in one of two camps. 00:17:47.179 --> 00:17:48.139 Everybody's either, 00:17:48.199 --> 00:17:49.239 you're either a Jew 00:17:49.239 --> 00:17:50.739 or you're not. 00:17:51.179 --> 00:17:52.059 It's that basic. 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:54.079 You're either Jewish 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:56.279 or you're not Jewish. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.299 You're a Gentile. 00:17:58.299 --> 00:18:04.879 But God's plan in Christ, 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.480 this Gospel 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:09.440 about Jesus 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:11.259 makes known 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.399 a mystery 00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:13.460 from before 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.240 the foundation 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.500 of the earth. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:18.919 God has always planned 00:18:18.919 --> 00:18:21.299 to do something amazing. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.119 And His plan 00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:23.980 was to take 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:26.039 sinners from the Jews 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.319 and take sinners 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.740 from Gentiles 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.740 and unite them together 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:34.079 into one new people group. 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.319 Christians. 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.119 The church. 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.119 That's His plan 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.259 for the fullness of time. 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:42.099 The mystery made known. 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:43.859 It's incredible. 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.119 He's made us 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.200 a new people. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:52.539 chapter 2, 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.140 verse 22. 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:55.500 We are the new dwelling place 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.140 of God 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:56.960 by the Spirit. 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.640 The church is not a building. 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.539 I mean, 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.500 if like 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:04.559 an army of bulldozers 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.299 came one day 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.440 and just plowed 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.940 this building down, 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:08.740 you know what? 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.980 We wouldn't be over. 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:11.299 We would just find 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.220 another place to meet 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:14.120 and glorify Jesus. 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:14.299 Jesus. 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:19.759 The church is not a building. 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:22.859 The church is a blood-bought 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:23.839 people. 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.919 We the church. 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:29.119 And we've been united together 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:31.200 through the blood of Christ. 00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:32.460 You see, 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.659 what God did 00:19:33.659 --> 00:19:35.240 in order to unite a people 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:37.220 is to unite them 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:37.940 through something 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.339 of incredible value. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.619 And that's the precious 00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:42.680 blood of Jesus. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:45.100 We read this 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:45.799 in chapter 2, 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:47.259 verses 13 and 14. 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:49.019 But now in Christ Jesus, 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.620 you who were once far off 00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.460 have been brought near 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.600 by the blood of Christ. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.940 For He Himself 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.039 is our peace 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.279 who has made us 00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:57.080 both one 00:19:57.080 --> 00:19:58.060 and has broken down 00:19:58.060 --> 00:19:58.759 in His flesh 00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.600 the dividing wall 00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:00.299 of hostility. 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:01.580 And He did it all 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.360 through the cross. 00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:06.840 God unites a people 00:20:06.840 --> 00:20:09.039 of various backgrounds 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.680 together 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:11.400 through Jesus. 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.799 through His blood. 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:20.299 If Jesus' blood 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:23.120 was able to unite 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:25.220 Jews and Gentiles 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:26.980 who really didn't like 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.360 each other, 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.860 His blood is able 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:32.680 to unify 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.180 black and white, 00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:36.180 rich and poor, 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.720 the haves and the haves-nots, 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:40.299 Republicans and Democrats, 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:42.419 Packer fans and Bear fans, 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.879 men and women, 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.539 older generations 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:46.720 and younger generations, 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.480 the blood of Jesus 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:50.379 is able to unite us all. 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:51.819 All. 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:51.879 All. 00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:59.139 God purchased our unity 00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.980 through Christ 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.039 and so our unity 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.460 as a church 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.659 is precious. 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:06.160 it's blood-bought. 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:08.279 We can't take it 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.740 for granted. 00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:09.880 It's something 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:10.460 we've got to be 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:10.980 working at. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.140 It comes through 00:21:13.140 --> 00:21:14.000 the cross. 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.019 It's God's gift 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.680 to us. 00:21:17.400 --> 00:21:18.480 So let me try 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.800 to help us 00:21:19.800 --> 00:21:21.580 think about this. 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.740 Each of us, 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:27.400 before we became 00:21:27.400 --> 00:21:27.900 a Christian, 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.180 we probably thought 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.740 of ourselves 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.860 through a particular lens. 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:34.959 kind of a primary way 00:21:34.959 --> 00:21:35.359 of saying 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.259 this is who I am. 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:38.099 You know, 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.399 this gives me worth. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.799 This gives me meaning. 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.879 This way of thinking 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.879 about myself 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.079 is the way 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.459 that I define myself. 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:51.679 When you become 00:21:51.679 --> 00:21:52.179 a Christian, 00:21:53.399 --> 00:21:54.299 that thing 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:56.459 that once defined you 00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:58.459 now takes a back seat 00:21:58.459 --> 00:22:00.159 because Christ 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.740 now defines you. 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:04.279 He is the primary 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.259 definition 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.340 and definer 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:07.040 of who we are 00:22:07.040 --> 00:22:07.580 as people. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.540 Everything else 00:22:10.540 --> 00:22:11.480 takes a back seat. 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:13.320 So let's get specific. 00:22:14.420 --> 00:22:15.120 Think about your 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:16.180 ethnic heritage. 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.759 Hey, there's no denying that. 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.620 I'm a Paisan. 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.160 I'm Italian. 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.600 Hey, yo. 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:21.700 Hey, yo. 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.340 Maybe you're Italian. 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:28.959 Or maybe your 00:22:28.959 --> 00:22:29.779 ethnic heritage 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.819 is Mexican 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.759 or Nigerian 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.359 or Kenyan. 00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:34.919 Or maybe it's 00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:35.439 Chinese 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.240 or Korean 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.839 or Irish 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:37.399 or German. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.339 Scottish. 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.379 Whatever that is, 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.599 there's no denying it. 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.639 But you know what? 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.599 Now that you're in Christ, 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.579 you've got a different 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.039 heritage 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.439 that trumps it. 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:56.960 that puts it 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.759 in its place. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.840 That brings 00:22:59.840 --> 00:23:01.019 definition to that. 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:03.519 That prioritizes that. 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:07.620 Your spiritual heritage 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.640 in Christ 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.799 frames your 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.920 ethnic heritage. 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.380 It puts it 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:14.440 in its right place. 00:23:15.080 --> 00:23:16.180 So we don't deny it, 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.759 but we don't elevate it 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.600 above Christ. 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:26.480 Think about your 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.420 financial status. 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.380 Hey, there's no denying it. 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.460 Maybe you're loaded. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.059 Maybe you've got nothing. 00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:32.759 Maybe you're like 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.340 the rest of us, 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.360 somewhere in between. 00:23:38.860 --> 00:23:40.059 But the immeasurable 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.740 riches 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.519 of God 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.720 in Christ Jesus 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.779 that are ours 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.460 in Christ, 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.240 you know what that's like? 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.320 That's like a shared 00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:49.080 bank account 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:50.140 that we all have 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.539 unlimited access to. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:53.240 It's all ours. 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:55.079 It's all ours. 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:58.000 It protects us 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.759 from being defined 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.299 by money. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.779 Whether you've got it 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.519 or you don't, 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:04.139 we're defined by Christ. 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.259 He is our peace. 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:09.019 So here's what 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.299 Ephesians is teaching us. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.740 What unites us 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:15.220 in Christ 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.759 is far more 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.519 greater than 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.279 and glorious 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:20.079 than all the 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:21.299 combined differences 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.940 we have between us. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.779 We are a people 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.839 united to 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.960 and united by 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.579 Christ. 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.559 It's all according 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:31.079 to His unifying plan. 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.539 That's who we are. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.519 We're a new people group. 00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:38.660 And our Jesus heritage 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.660 trumps everything. 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:45.579 It changes the way 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.319 you live your life. 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:49.939 We have been united 00:24:49.939 --> 00:24:50.599 to Christ 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.599 so that we would 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:53.399 live united 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:53.980 for Christ. 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:57.000 The first three points 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.579 that we've covered 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.839 are all about 00:24:58.839 --> 00:24:59.779 who we are in Jesus. 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:03.019 The next three points 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.659 move towards 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:06.099 how we live that out. 00:25:08.399 --> 00:25:09.539 This is who you are 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.099 in Christ 00:25:10.099 --> 00:25:11.679 united 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:12.700 by a plan 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.220 united 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.919 in Christ 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.519 united 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.539 together 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.400 by Christ 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:17.940 and now 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.900 we move towards 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:20.640 being united 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.600 for Christ. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.720 This is how we walk. 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.580 In chapter 4 00:25:25.580 --> 00:25:26.200 we read that 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.980 we are united 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.200 as a body. 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.640 It's one of Paul's 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.740 favorite ways 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:35.000 to describe the church. 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.220 A body. 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:41.100 Christ is our head. 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:44.899 He's got all the authority. 00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:48.359 We're dependent on Him. 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:49.339 He directs us. 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:51.659 We're accountable to Him. 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:53.579 Let me just be very clear 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.039 and frank. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.839 I'm not the head 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.480 of this church. 00:25:59.119 --> 00:26:00.000 Samir is not the head 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.459 of this church. 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:01.319 Daniel is not the head 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:01.819 of this church. 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.279 Any elder brought on 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:05.339 is not the head 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:05.980 of the church. 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.359 Even the elder team 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.039 is not the head 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.639 of the church. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.439 Jesus is the head 00:26:14.439 --> 00:26:15.019 of the church. 00:26:16.479 --> 00:26:17.119 He's the head 00:26:17.119 --> 00:26:17.839 of this church. 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:20.000 And so God 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.799 gives elders 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.799 to the church 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.819 in order to equip 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.379 the saints 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.379 to build them 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.619 up into the head. 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.199 Jesus. 00:26:27.479 --> 00:26:28.299 We're not commanded 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:28.859 to build them 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.459 into us. 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:32.139 We build 00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:33.379 into Christ. 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.539 We are members 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.240 one of another. 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.299 Jesus is our head 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.279 and we are members 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.519 one of another. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.399 In chapter 4, 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:44.960 verse 7, 00:26:46.159 --> 00:26:47.220 we see that 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:50.240 each of us, 00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:52.460 each of us 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.839 has been given 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.159 a measure 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:56.379 of Christ's gift. 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.440 Each of us. 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.839 Christ is the head 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:01.299 and He's gifted 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.259 each of us. 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.819 And He's gifted 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:05.099 each of us 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.639 for the common good. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:09.420 When we talk 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.000 about unity, 00:27:10.520 --> 00:27:11.320 we've got to be 00:27:11.320 --> 00:27:11.960 very clear 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.600 about something 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:14.140 and what we mean 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.700 by unity. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.160 When we talk 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.780 about unity, 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.620 biblically speaking, 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.420 we're not talking 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.640 about uniformity. 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.460 We're not talking 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.100 about everybody 00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:24.020 being the same 00:27:24.020 --> 00:27:26.280 because that's not 00:27:26.280 --> 00:27:27.120 how God 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:27.820 has designed it. 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.120 We are not 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:31.560 interested 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.320 in producing 00:27:32.320 --> 00:27:33.200 clones 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:36.120 unless they're 00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:36.500 of Jesus, 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:36.980 of course. 00:27:39.860 --> 00:27:40.740 God has made 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.340 each of us 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:41.779 unique 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.440 and gifted 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.620 each of us 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.360 with a particular 00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:44.860 gift 00:27:44.860 --> 00:27:46.259 and this glorious 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:47.380 design of the body 00:27:47.380 --> 00:27:49.299 is that there 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:51.080 are distinct 00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:52.480 and diverse 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.059 members 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.140 with unique 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:54.799 functions 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.680 that work 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.299 together, 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:57.640 united 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:59.559 for the common 00:27:59.559 --> 00:27:59.920 good. 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:01.440 So, 00:28:01.580 --> 00:28:02.019 brothers and 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.319 sisters, 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.180 don't feel 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:04.660 like you've 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.259 got to be 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.900 something you're 00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:06.319 not. 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:09.059 Don't feel 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.460 like you've 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:09.960 got to measure 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.639 up to something 00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.279 you're not. 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.259 Diversity 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.859 is part of 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.859 God's design 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.559 for the body. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:18.879 So, 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.259 I mean, 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.660 seriously, 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.440 we celebrate 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.299 diversity around 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.579 here 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:23.599 under the 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.119 headship of 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:24.379 Jesus. 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.119 God is 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:29.279 uniquely glorified 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:31.160 when diverse 00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:31.900 members 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.900 are humbly 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.700 working together 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.100 for the 00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:34.720 common good. 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:36.960 So, 00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:37.259 brother, 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:37.640 sister, 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.220 in Christ, 00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:38.680 what you need 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:39.140 to hear is 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:39.440 this, 00:28:39.600 --> 00:28:40.000 God has 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.580 uniquely 00:28:40.580 --> 00:28:41.900 gifted you 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:44.420 as a 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:44.820 Christian. 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.280 And so, 00:28:47.340 --> 00:28:47.780 the question 00:28:47.780 --> 00:28:48.019 is, 00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:48.720 how and where 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.100 can you 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.780 contribute to 00:28:49.780 --> 00:28:50.320 the common 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:50.860 good of 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.380 Christ's 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.660 body, 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.140 the truth? 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:59.140 God grows 00:28:59.140 --> 00:29:00.040 in chapter 4, 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:01.180 verses 15 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.759 and 16, 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.620 when we're 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:03.880 rightly 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.660 positioned to 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.040 each other, 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:05.720 when we speak 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.320 the truth and 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:06.800 love to one 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:07.060 another, 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:07.980 and we're 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:08.640 living humbly 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.160 with each 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.400 other, 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:09.960 you know 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.480 what happens? 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.740 Growth. 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.820 God grows 00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:14.120 us. 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.759 He matures 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.160 us. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.880 He grows 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.680 us up into 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.300 the head of 00:29:18.300 --> 00:29:18.660 our Lord. 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:19.380 God grows 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:19.940 us. 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.360 We become 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:20.779 more and 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.220 more like 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.540 Him. 00:29:23.080 --> 00:29:23.660 That's His 00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.200 design. 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:25.960 But, 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.940 what we learn 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:27.580 from Ephesians 00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.100 is not only 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:28.500 does He 00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.420 grow us 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.320 as a body, 00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:33.519 we are a 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.380 body in 00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:34.779 motion. 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:37.000 We are a 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:38.120 body that's 00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:38.580 walking. 00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:40.640 And so, 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.259 the fifth 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:43.180 point I want 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.580 you to see, 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.060 the fifth 00:29:44.060 --> 00:29:44.880 unifying 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.380 truth, 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:46.779 is that we 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.540 are a 00:29:47.540 --> 00:29:48.640 unified 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.620 united body 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:50.779 that walks 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:52.580 in holiness. 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:58.080 In chapter 00:29:58.080 --> 00:29:58.620 4, 00:29:58.800 --> 00:29:59.740 verse 24, 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.560 we are 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:03.120 told to 00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:03.560 put on the 00:30:03.560 --> 00:30:04.040 new self, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.840 created after 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.380 the likeness 00:30:05.380 --> 00:30:05.820 of God 00:30:05.820 --> 00:30:06.180 and true 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.660 righteousness 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.340 and holiness. 00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:08.140 We are to 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.880 walk in the 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.460 likeness of 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:09.700 God. 00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:11.019 And I'm 00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.400 not sure if 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:11.759 you remember 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.140 if you were 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.800 here when we 00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:13.220 were preaching 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.800 through this, 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.420 but this is 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.120 a whole passage 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:16.860 about regularly 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.660 putting things 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.100 off, 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.380 things that 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:19.840 aren't true 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.220 of us 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:20.640 anymore, 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:22.019 and then 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.680 putting things 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:24.400 on that are 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.120 like Christ. 00:30:26.320 --> 00:30:26.580 And so, 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:27.240 Paul just 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.200 hits us with 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:29.040 a flurry of 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:29.620 things that 00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:31.660 can't be true 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.440 of us anymore. 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.680 And then he 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:33.900 says, 00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.720 when you take 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.240 those off, 00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:35.620 you've got to 00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:36.600 put on these 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:37.200 things that are 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.800 like Christ. 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.120 So, 00:30:38.800 --> 00:30:39.420 you put off 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:40.019 falsehood, 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:40.960 and you put on 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.800 speaking truth to 00:30:41.800 --> 00:30:42.160 one another. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.259 You put off 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.360 sinful anger, 00:30:44.540 --> 00:30:45.380 and you put on 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.779 being quick to 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.399 make peace. 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.399 You put off 00:30:48.399 --> 00:30:49.200 stealing with 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.720 your hands, 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.799 and you put on 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.960 working hard, 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:52.539 honestly, 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.379 with your hands 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.879 to be able to 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.639 help others 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.259 with your hands. 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.480 You're to put 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.639 off talk that 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:58.839 rots people 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.319 out, 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.279 and you're to 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.839 speak words 00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.639 that nourish, 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.980 that build up. 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.819 We're to put 00:31:05.819 --> 00:31:06.680 off grieving 00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.399 the Spirit, 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.059 dividing, 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.019 disintegrating, 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:10.740 and we're to 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.859 put on pleasing 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.539 the Spirit, 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.680 uniting, 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:14.519 building. 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:16.359 We're to 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:16.740 put off 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.420 hardness of 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:17.720 heart, 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.160 and all 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.559 bitterness. 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.819 And we're to 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:21.220 put on 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:22.059 tenderness of 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.339 heart, 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.420 forgiving one 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:23.639 another, 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.259 just as God 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.639 in Christ 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.119 has forgiven 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:25.400 us. 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.480 You know 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.700 what? 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:31.079 We really 00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.420 need to 00:31:31.420 --> 00:31:31.900 depend on 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:32.400 our head, 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.220 Jesus, 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.779 in order to 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.339 live this 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:35.599 way. 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.200 In order for 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.660 us to 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.819 personally deal 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.059 with these 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:40.319 things, 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.920 and then help 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:41.339 each other 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:41.680 out with 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.139 these things, 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:42.940 can I just 00:31:42.940 --> 00:31:43.460 let you know, 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.380 this past 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:44.740 Friday, 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.360 I had a 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:45.860 dear brother 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.279 and sister 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:46.799 come up to 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:46.960 me, 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:47.440 and they 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.240 love me 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.039 so well. 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:50.340 They're 00:31:50.340 --> 00:31:50.840 helping me 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.160 see a 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.920 blind spot, 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.319 and I 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:53.740 got them. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.200 They love 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:56.579 me. 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.319 They're 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.840 helping me 00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.460 to walk 00:31:59.460 --> 00:31:59.779 in the 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.279 likeness 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:00.860 of Jesus. 00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:04.700 We're not 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.259 only to 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:07.259 personally 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.299 walk in 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:08.779 the likeness 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.200 of Christ. 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:09.500 We're to 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:09.960 help each 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.500 other walk 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:10.779 in the 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.259 likeness of 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:11.539 Christ. 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.360 We need 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:12.799 each other. 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:14.799 But not 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.120 only are we 00:32:15.120 --> 00:32:15.519 to walk 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:15.840 in the 00:32:15.840 --> 00:32:16.380 likeness of 00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:16.539 God, 00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:16.920 we're to 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.579 walk in 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:17.900 love. 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.600 Chapter 5, 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:19.240 verses 1 and 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.380 2. 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.019 We're a 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.660 body that's 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.420 walking together, 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:23.019 walking in 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.620 the likeness of 00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:23.840 God, 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.759 walking in 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.140 love. 00:32:26.140 --> 00:32:26.480 And in 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.240 verses 5, 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.600 1 and 00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:27.759 2, 00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:28.200 we read 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.539 that this 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:28.860 kind of 00:32:28.860 --> 00:32:29.340 love is 00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:29.960 an outward 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:31.160 and upward 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:31.700 kind of 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:31.940 love. 00:32:32.079 --> 00:32:33.039 We love 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.500 others up 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.079 to Jesus. 00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.380 We're 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:37.200 looking to 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:38.079 look out for 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:39.059 the best of 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.480 people, 00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:40.059 and the best 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.579 for people 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.319 is to love 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:41.940 Jesus, 00:32:42.600 --> 00:32:43.059 to follow 00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.359 him and 00:32:43.359 --> 00:32:43.960 obey him. 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:45.639 I mean, 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:45.940 that's how 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:47.059 Christ loved 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.480 us. 00:32:47.700 --> 00:32:48.779 So, would 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.039 you just 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:49.639 imagine with 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:49.980 me for a 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.279 little bit? 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.240 What happens 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:52.740 if more and 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.359 more of us 00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:54.720 as a church, 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.759 we were 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.419 loving each 00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:56.899 other this 00:32:56.899 --> 00:32:57.179 way. 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.980 We were 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.399 outward 00:32:59.399 --> 00:32:59.980 focused, 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.220 and we 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:03.019 were loving 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.679 people to 00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:04.099 Christ, 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:05.720 outward and 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.099 upward. 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.579 That's a game 00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:08.200 changer right 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:08.460 there. 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.620 I want 00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:09.940 to be a 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.160 part of 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.480 a church 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.079 like that. 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.039 Not only 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.259 are we to 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.700 walk in 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:14.940 love, 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.360 we are to 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:16.240 walk in 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:16.700 the light. 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:17.740 Chapter 5, 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.279 verse 8, 00:33:18.340 --> 00:33:18.840 we are the 00:33:18.840 --> 00:33:19.319 light in 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:19.819 the Lord. 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.440 We were 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.400 lit up by 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.160 Jesus to 00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:24.860 light up the 00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:25.279 world. 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.819 Another way 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.100 to think 00:33:28.100 --> 00:33:28.720 about it is 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:30.220 we're like a 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:31.019 glowing body 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.539 of Jesus, 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.960 in a 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.559 luminescent 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.039 body, 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:34.620 in a dark 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:35.120 world. 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:37.479 You know 00:33:37.479 --> 00:33:38.099 streetlights 00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:38.539 at night? 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:40.039 You know 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.339 how they 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:40.799 light up 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.299 certain 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.099 sections of 00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:42.500 the street, 00:33:42.739 --> 00:33:43.139 and then if 00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:43.419 you see 00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:44.059 somebody walking 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.339 on the 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:44.699 sidewalk, 00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:46.000 they'll walk 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.279 in the 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:46.500 light, 00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:47.199 and move 00:33:47.199 --> 00:33:47.419 in the 00:33:47.419 --> 00:33:47.699 darkness, 00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:48.299 and walk 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.579 in the 00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:48.939 light again. 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.179 You know 00:33:49.179 --> 00:33:49.339 what I'm 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:49.619 talking 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:49.879 about? 00:33:52.179 --> 00:33:52.659 We're 00:33:52.659 --> 00:33:53.379 like living 00:33:53.379 --> 00:33:54.319 streetlights. 00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.439 Wherever we 00:33:55.439 --> 00:33:55.819 go, we 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.219 have this 00:33:56.219 --> 00:33:57.379 radius of 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:57.919 light around 00:33:57.919 --> 00:33:58.199 us. 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:00.939 You know 00:34:00.939 --> 00:34:01.459 what happens 00:34:01.459 --> 00:34:03.219 as God 00:34:03.219 --> 00:34:03.899 adds to 00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:04.399 our number? 00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:05.599 He's going 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:06.019 to light 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.279 up 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:06.819 Kenosha 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.119 more. 00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:08.139 And then 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:08.679 as God 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.440 adds to 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.480 numbers of 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.159 other churches 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.619 in town, 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.079 and we 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.940 want that, 00:34:13.279 --> 00:34:13.699 He's going 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:14.460 to light 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.239 up our 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:15.900 city for 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.380 Christ. 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.400 And then 00:34:17.400 --> 00:34:17.880 when we 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:18.279 as a 00:34:18.279 --> 00:34:18.519 church 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:18.880 come 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.440 together, 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.159 there's 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.619 going to 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:21.079 be a 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.819 concentrated 00:34:21.819 --> 00:34:22.719 lightness 00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:23.319 in this 00:34:23.319 --> 00:34:23.920 room. 00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:28.819 But if 00:34:28.819 --> 00:34:29.659 we're 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:30.000 kind of 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.400 being lit 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.699 up as 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:30.859 we're 00:34:30.859 --> 00:34:31.099 supposed 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:31.480 to do, 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:32.819 it's 00:34:32.819 --> 00:34:33.319 also, 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.139 verse 00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:34.779 chapter 5, 00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:35.099 11, 00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.539 going to 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.719 expose the 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:37.359 unfruitful 00:34:37.359 --> 00:34:38.920 deeds of 00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:39.359 darkness. 00:34:40.359 --> 00:34:41.000 Because not 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.659 everybody wants 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:42.059 to live in 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.420 the light. 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.339 A lot of 00:34:45.339 --> 00:34:45.699 people just 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:46.059 want to live 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.480 in darkness. 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:48.900 And they're 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:49.239 not going to 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.719 like it when 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:51.239 we bring our 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:51.599 light to 00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:51.880 shine. 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.400 But you 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:53.719 know what? 00:34:54.319 --> 00:34:54.960 We're just 00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.739 taking after 00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:57.739 Jesus, the 00:34:57.739 --> 00:34:58.319 light of the 00:34:58.319 --> 00:34:58.659 world. 00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:58.759 Lord. 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.219 And if we 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:01.359 are to 00:35:01.359 --> 00:35:02.339 suffer for 00:35:02.339 --> 00:35:02.899 being the 00:35:02.899 --> 00:35:03.839 living light 00:35:03.839 --> 00:35:04.259 of our 00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:05.000 Lord Jesus, 00:35:05.339 --> 00:35:05.539 you know 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:05.699 what? 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.059 So be 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:06.239 it. 00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.099 In the 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:09.460 words of 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:10.000 Paul, it's 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:11.019 just light 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.000 in momentary 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.559 affliction 00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.559 preparing us 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:13.960 for an 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.539 eternal weight 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.059 of glory 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:15.480 beyond 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.159 comparison. 00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:17.339 You know 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:17.800 that is? 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:19.519 When I 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:20.360 see my 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.539 Savior face 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:22.220 to face 00:35:22.220 --> 00:35:24.000 and he 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.640 welcomes 00:35:24.640 --> 00:35:25.300 me in. 00:35:28.160 --> 00:35:28.740 The only 00:35:28.740 --> 00:35:29.039 thing I 00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.400 would add 00:35:29.400 --> 00:35:30.380 is let's 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:30.660 just make 00:35:30.660 --> 00:35:30.980 sure we're 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.320 picking the 00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:31.840 right fight. 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.180 You know 00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:32.300 what I 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:32.480 mean? 00:35:35.120 --> 00:35:35.500 So we're 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:35.880 to walk 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.140 in the 00:35:36.140 --> 00:35:36.460 light. 00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:38.300 We're to 00:35:38.300 --> 00:35:38.720 walk in 00:35:38.720 --> 00:35:39.260 wisdom. 00:35:42.140 --> 00:35:42.579 Chapter 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:43.019 5, 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:43.760 verse 15. 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.340 We are 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.240 to walk 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:47.959 wisely, 00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:48.579 making the 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:49.000 most of 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.339 the time. 00:35:50.459 --> 00:35:51.019 In order 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:51.399 to walk 00:35:51.399 --> 00:35:51.879 wisely, 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.039 we walk 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.419 under the 00:35:53.419 --> 00:35:54.000 influence 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:55.719 of the 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:56.079 Spirit of 00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:56.319 God. 00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:57.699 We're to 00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:58.099 be filled 00:35:58.099 --> 00:35:58.519 with the 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:58.839 Spirit. 00:35:59.899 --> 00:36:00.239 And when 00:36:00.239 --> 00:36:00.639 we're filled 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:00.979 with the 00:36:00.979 --> 00:36:01.199 Spirit, 00:36:01.299 --> 00:36:01.859 he fills 00:36:01.859 --> 00:36:02.259 us with 00:36:02.259 --> 00:36:02.739 the fullness 00:36:02.739 --> 00:36:03.659 of Christ. 00:36:03.919 --> 00:36:04.439 The Spirit 00:36:04.439 --> 00:36:05.359 mediates the 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:05.899 presence of 00:36:05.899 --> 00:36:06.899 Jesus in 00:36:06.899 --> 00:36:07.259 us and 00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:07.799 through us 00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:08.219 and fills 00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:08.559 us with 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:08.899 the fullness 00:36:08.899 --> 00:36:09.379 of God. 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.179 And when 00:36:11.179 --> 00:36:11.879 that happens, 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.179 we address 00:36:13.179 --> 00:36:13.739 one another 00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:16.099 in psalms, 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:16.419 hymns, 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:17.400 spiritual songs, 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:17.980 we sing and 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.440 make melody 00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:18.920 in our hearts, 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.300 we give 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:20.139 thanks always 00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:20.780 for everything 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:21.599 and we submit 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:22.320 to one another 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:23.119 out of reverence 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.639 for Christ. 00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.380 And you know 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:24.920 what that is? 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:25.880 Submitting to 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:26.260 one another 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:26.760 out of reverence 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.180 for Christ? 00:36:27.780 --> 00:36:28.380 That's called 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:28.840 unity. 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.220 That's called 00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:31.599 unity. 00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:33.360 And it's a 00:36:33.360 --> 00:36:33.960 fruit of the 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:34.659 Spirit in 00:36:34.659 --> 00:36:35.159 us, 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.760 filling us. 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:41.700 as a body 00:36:41.700 --> 00:36:42.120 we're to 00:36:42.120 --> 00:36:42.580 not only 00:36:42.580 --> 00:36:43.200 walk in 00:36:43.200 --> 00:36:43.660 wisdom but 00:36:43.660 --> 00:36:44.300 walk in 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:44.760 roles. 00:36:45.720 --> 00:36:46.160 Husbands 00:36:46.160 --> 00:36:48.380 leading wives, 00:36:48.580 --> 00:36:49.400 wives letting 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:49.940 your husbands 00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:50.200 lead. 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:50.660 Remember the 00:36:50.660 --> 00:36:50.980 dance? 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:51.700 Remember the 00:36:51.700 --> 00:36:52.000 dance? 00:36:54.080 --> 00:36:55.260 Parents loving 00:36:55.260 --> 00:36:55.760 your children, 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.520 children obeying 00:36:56.520 --> 00:36:57.260 your parents, 00:36:58.020 --> 00:36:59.300 supervisors slash 00:36:59.300 --> 00:36:59.900 masters, 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:02.100 exercising your 00:37:02.100 --> 00:37:02.580 authority as 00:37:02.580 --> 00:37:03.280 unto Christ, 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:04.240 and workers 00:37:04.240 --> 00:37:05.160 working as 00:37:05.160 --> 00:37:05.760 unto Jesus. 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:06.660 You see, I'm 00:37:06.660 --> 00:37:06.980 not sure if 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.280 you remember 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:07.900 that but that 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:08.640 passage in 00:37:08.640 --> 00:37:10.240 521-69 was 00:37:10.240 --> 00:37:10.700 all about 00:37:10.700 --> 00:37:11.120 Christ. 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:12.840 Wives submit 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:13.240 to your own 00:37:13.240 --> 00:37:13.860 husbands as 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:14.380 to the Lord. 00:37:14.740 --> 00:37:15.420 Husbands love 00:37:15.420 --> 00:37:15.960 your wives as 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:16.480 to Christ. 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.340 Parents, 00:37:17.540 --> 00:37:17.940 dads, 00:37:19.180 --> 00:37:19.620 raise your 00:37:19.620 --> 00:37:20.120 children in the 00:37:20.120 --> 00:37:20.380 fear and 00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:20.880 admonition of 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.260 the Lord. 00:37:21.640 --> 00:37:22.140 Children obey 00:37:22.140 --> 00:37:22.600 your parents 00:37:22.600 --> 00:37:23.160 in the Lord. 00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:24.740 Slaves, 00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:26.200 workers, 00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:28.100 as unto 00:37:28.100 --> 00:37:28.580 Christ. 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:29.280 Masters, 00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:29.860 remember you 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:30.040 have a 00:37:30.040 --> 00:37:30.540 master in 00:37:30.540 --> 00:37:30.800 heaven. 00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:33.360 We're to be 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:34.000 united in our 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:34.980 walking out the 00:37:34.980 --> 00:37:35.400 roles of 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:35.760 Christ. 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.920 It really does 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.760 separate us, 00:37:39.059 --> 00:37:40.019 set us apart in 00:37:40.019 --> 00:37:40.619 the way that we 00:37:40.619 --> 00:37:40.880 live. 00:37:44.740 --> 00:37:45.579 The sixth 00:37:45.579 --> 00:37:46.920 unifying truth 00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:47.480 and final. 00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:49.900 I mean, 00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:50.539 seriously, we've 00:37:50.539 --> 00:37:51.099 been talking about 00:37:51.099 --> 00:37:51.380 a lot of 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:51.720 walking. 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:54.579 Walk in 00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.139 likeness, 00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:56.260 walk in love, 00:37:56.480 --> 00:37:57.039 walk in light, 00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:58.639 walk in wisdom, 00:37:58.780 --> 00:37:59.300 walk in roles, 00:37:59.300 --> 00:38:01.760 and then in 00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:02.660 chapter 6, 00:38:02.780 --> 00:38:04.300 verse 10 and 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:04.740 forward, 00:38:05.260 --> 00:38:06.060 Paul says, 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:07.440 stand. 00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:09.780 We're united 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:10.920 in our stand 00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:11.680 against the 00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:12.360 schemes of the 00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:12.560 devil. 00:38:13.980 --> 00:38:14.460 Our enemy, 00:38:14.620 --> 00:38:15.000 Satan, 00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:17.820 is seeking to 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.740 devour. 00:38:19.740 --> 00:38:20.880 But our fight is 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:21.760 not against flesh 00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.240 and blood. 00:38:23.240 --> 00:38:24.420 He will use the 00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:25.660 world to tempt 00:38:25.660 --> 00:38:27.200 our flesh in 00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:27.739 order to bring 00:38:27.739 --> 00:38:28.519 about doubt, 00:38:28.939 --> 00:38:29.559 distraction, 00:38:29.879 --> 00:38:30.500 distortion, 00:38:30.779 --> 00:38:31.279 and division. 00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:34.199 But Jesus triumphed 00:38:34.199 --> 00:38:34.779 over the devil 00:38:34.779 --> 00:38:36.359 through his death 00:38:36.359 --> 00:38:37.000 and resurrection. 00:38:37.439 --> 00:38:38.739 God set all 00:38:38.739 --> 00:38:39.719 things under the 00:38:39.719 --> 00:38:40.399 feet of Jesus. 00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:41.119 Chapter 1, 00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:41.839 verse 22. 00:38:42.980 --> 00:38:43.819 He's defeated, 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:44.839 but he's on the 00:38:44.839 --> 00:38:45.119 run. 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.460 And in the 00:38:46.460 --> 00:38:46.899 meantime, 00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.359 we put our 00:38:48.359 --> 00:38:48.859 armor on. 00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:50.539 And we're 00:38:50.539 --> 00:38:51.559 strengthened and 00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.539 we stand firm 00:38:52.539 --> 00:38:53.220 against the 00:38:53.220 --> 00:38:53.480 devil. 00:38:54.059 --> 00:38:54.980 We are united 00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:56.440 in our stand 00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:57.240 against the 00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:57.500 devil. 00:38:59.099 --> 00:39:00.140 That unites 00:39:00.140 --> 00:39:00.539 us. 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:03.740 So six unifying 00:39:03.740 --> 00:39:04.460 truths this 00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:04.800 morning. 00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:07.420 Ephesians begins 00:39:07.420 --> 00:39:08.099 with the greeting, 00:39:08.400 --> 00:39:09.039 grace and peace 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.640 to the saints. 00:39:10.620 --> 00:39:11.460 Ephesians ends 00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:12.220 with the benediction, 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:13.140 peace be to the 00:39:13.140 --> 00:39:14.000 brothers, grace be 00:39:14.000 --> 00:39:14.440 with all. 00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.579 And in between 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:17.420 is a book all 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:18.920 about unity. 00:39:21.300 --> 00:39:22.240 We've been united 00:39:22.240 --> 00:39:23.559 in Christ so 00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:24.000 that we could 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:24.900 live united for 00:39:24.900 --> 00:39:25.340 Christ. 00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.340 And we are 00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:28.260 united by a 00:39:28.260 --> 00:39:29.579 love for Christ 00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:31.740 that is a love 00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:33.220 that's incorruptible. 00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:34.619 Let's pray. 00:39:45.619 --> 00:39:46.300 God, we do 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:46.780 thank you for 00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:47.180 the book of 00:39:47.180 --> 00:39:47.680 Ephesians. 00:39:49.060 --> 00:39:49.840 There's a lot 00:39:49.840 --> 00:39:50.160 in it. 00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:51.740 And it's all 00:39:51.740 --> 00:39:52.019 good. 00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:53.920 God, we do 00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:54.540 pray that the 00:39:54.540 --> 00:39:55.280 truths that we 00:39:55.280 --> 00:39:55.980 have learned over 00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:56.720 the last year and 00:39:56.720 --> 00:39:57.519 a half, that 00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.160 God, you would 00:39:58.160 --> 00:39:59.080 just press them 00:39:59.080 --> 00:40:01.260 in, that Jesus, 00:40:01.420 --> 00:40:01.680 you would be 00:40:01.680 --> 00:40:02.720 glorified and that 00:40:02.720 --> 00:40:03.460 we would live out 00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:04.320 the unity that you 00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:05.260 purchased for us 00:40:05.260 --> 00:40:05.600 through your 00:40:05.600 --> 00:40:05.860 blood. 00:40:06.980 --> 00:40:07.620 God, we give 00:40:07.620 --> 00:40:08.480 you all praise. 00:40:09.100 --> 00:40:09.600 In the name of 00:40:09.600 --> 00:40:10.519 Jesus, we pray. 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:11.320 Amen. 00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:11.480 Amen.