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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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August 15, 2010
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Contents:
1) Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians (Alan Hitchen)
2) The Storms of Life (Mark Mayberry)
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-1-
Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
by Alan Hitchen
One of the rich gems of Paul's prison epistles are his inspired
prayers. In each book, the Spirit allows Paul to reveal those things he
considers most important for their continued growth and
development. Since there is nothing new under the sun (Eccl.
1:9-11), the things that would help them grow and become strong will be
of great benefit to us. Since these are inspired and are set forth as
the goal for all the prayers Paul has prayed for them, we ought to note
two things. First, we should be praying similar things for
ourselves and others (Phil. 4:9).
Second, we should be striving with all our heart to bring about these
things in our own lives. If Paul believed it was important enough to
bring to God as a petition for the saints, we ought to put it on our
checklist of important things to accomplish in our lives.
He first explains to them the foundation upon which his prayer for them
is based. "For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord
Jesus which is among you, and the love which (ye show) toward all the
saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention (of you) in my
prayers" (1:15,16).
This congregation is full of trust in the Lord Jesus and love for the
saints. Remember that Paul has not seen these brethren for quite some
time. His last meeting was with the elders (Acts 20:17-38). But his two
years in Caesarea, his journey to Rome, and some time in Roman prison
have occurred since then. So three years may have passed. This message
has reached him and filled him with joy. The key to this prayer is
Paul's joy at hearing of their faithful service to Jesus and their love
for the saints. All Christians who have reached this level of spiritual
maturity ought to take note of the things he now expresses (vs. 16-17).
He first thanks God for what they are doing, then in making mention of
them in his prayers he sets forth his goal and purpose. It is "that"
God may "give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him." With these two things firmly in hand, the rest of
the prayer can follow. The spirit of wisdom refers to the attitude and
disposition with which we approach life. When we look at everything as
God says they are, then we have a spirit of wisdom. When we study
the proverbs we find that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
How we are developing in this area is our first point of comparison
here. If we lack this wisdom and insight then we need to ask God to
help us see things more clearly. "But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let
him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him" (James 1:5).
When we have the wisdom based upon God's word, we will have the
revelation in the knowledge (epignosis -- exact precise knowledge). We
will then see things the way they really are and can respond exactly as
we ought to respond. This will lead to "the eyes of your heart" being
enlightened: "having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may
know" (Eph. 1:18).
An enlightened mind is one that has mind, emotions, and desire
focused. As we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul,
mind, and strength, we can have our eyes lit up. When we walk in the
light as he is in the light (1 John 1:7) the eyes of our heart
gradually become enlightened (lit up) with the truth. In this case,
Paul's prayer for wisdom, revelation and knowledge focuses upon three
things: "having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know
what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his
inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his
power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength
of his might" (Eph. 1:18,19).
Paul was intensely concerned that these faithful and loving brethren
know the hope of their calling, the riches of the glory of God's
inheritance in the saints and the exceeding greatness of his power. So
the first order of business in our assessment is to honestly ask
ourselves if we have this yet? Are the eyes of our heart lit up with
these things? Do we know them? The term know comes from the Greek term
eido and Latin term video. It refers to our ability to see and
understand something. Can we see and understand these three things to
the degree that we can visualize them and feel the appropriate emotions
when we see them?
The Hope of Your Calling
In the everyday course of your life what does this hope of your calling
mean to us? Is our heart lit up with it, do we think of it often, do we
fully know what it is and are we prepared to give reasons for it (1
Pet. 3:15)?
Why did we obey the call out of darkness through the gospel (1 Thess.
2:13-14; 1 Pet. 2:9-10)? What hope did God offer to us that would
motivate us to do so (Eph. 4:4; 1 Pet. 1:3-4; Rom. 8:18)? A new home, a
new body, a new life. Does this hope light up your soul? The hope of
your calling should fill our life with so much joy and peace that
nothing else can enter. Christianity does not allow rival hopes (See
also Phil. 1:21-24; 3:8-11; Heb. 11:13-16).
The Riches of the Glory of His Inheritance in the Saints
Paul is praying that each of us will have our minds lit up with how
important we are in the eyes of God. Have you ever pondered what
God is going to receive out of all the effort He has put forth in the
creation and redemption of man?
God's inheritance: The world is to be burned up with fervent heat (2
Pet. 3:10-12). Wicked men will be cast into eternal fire (Rev.
20:11-15; Ezek. 33:11). The Saints are God's heritage and God's
inheritance! (Eph. 1:11).
Do we understand how valuable we are to God? All the work toil and
effort at creation, all the work toil and effort in the redemption of
mankind, the death of Jesus on the cross, EVERYTHING!! We are all God
is going to receive. Talk about a valuable gold nugget, the saints are
the most valuable of all (Ps. 116:15).
What the Exceeding Greatness of His Power to Us-ward Who Believe
So great that it passes knowledge (Eph. 3:20-21)! Paul wants us to
understand that it is exceeding great. His illustration is
enlightening in itself. The power at our disposal is equivalent to the
power God exercised when Jesus was raised from the dead. Remember also
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Remember Esther. Remember the
children sitting by the Red Sea. But above all remember Jesus dead in
the tomb. We are to know the power (1 Thess. 2:13; Isa. 55:10-11; Rom.
1:16; Heb. 4:12).
The word of God is our access to the power. The word is the power. Read
it, study it, memorize it, meditate upon it. The more of it you have in
your heart, the greater your own power and ability will become (2 Tim.
1:12; 4:7-8).
-- In Newness of Life, June 21, 2009
-2-
The Storms of Life
by Mark Mayberry
Introduction
The Bible frequently refers to the tempests that fall upon nature.
God's word also describes the storms of life that fall upon the
righteous, and the crashing waves that overwhelm the wicked.
Fall Upon Nature
The Song of Deborah and Barak, celebrating Israel's victory over the
Canaanites, says, "The stars fought from heaven, from their courses
they fought against Sisera. The torrent of Kishon swept them away, the
ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. O my soul, march on with
strength" (Judg. 4:15-16; cf. 5:19-21). Elihu, the friend of Job,
affirmed that God stands behind the storm (Job 37:5-13).
Demonstrating his supremacy over the forces of nature, Jesus rebuked
the wind and the waves, saying, "Peace, be still!" Immediately, the
wind died down and it became perfectly calm (Mark 4:35-41).
Fall Upon the Righteous
Job decried his present state of humiliation, saying, "You lift me up
to the wind and cause me to ride; and You dissolve me in a storm" (Job
30:20-22). Near the end of the book, God answered Job out of the storm,
rebuking the afflicted patriarch for his ignorant accusations (Job
40:6-9). Nevertheless, if not in time, then in eternity, he delivers
men from manifold storms of life (Job 42:10-17; cf. Ps. 107:23-32).
Fall Upon the Wicked
God will deal with the wicked: they as straw before the wind, and like
chaff which the storm carries away (Job 21:17-18). In his judgment upon
his enemies, God is like a whirlwind, a fire and a tempestuous storm
(Ps. 83:13-18). The consequences of rebellion are likened to a
dreadful storm and a calamitous whirlwind (Prov. 1:24-31). God's
judgment upon proud sinners is like a storm of hail and a tempest of
destruction (Isa. 28:1-2). Jehovah's greatness is seen in his creative
acts and his catastrophic judgments (Isa. 40:21-24).
Conclusion
God offers defense for the helpless and needy, a refuge from the storm
and a shade from the heat (Isa. 25:4-5). The Lord comforts the
storm-tossed (Isa. 54:11-13).
Jesus Christ, the Lord's Branch, offers shelter, refuge, and protection
(Isa. 4:2-6). In Israel's glorious future, her king would reign
righteously and her princes rule justly, each serving as a refuge from
the wind and a shelter from the storm (Isa. 32:1-2). Christ is the
foreshadowed King (John 1:49). The princes prefigure those who
faithfully oversee the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-2).
Jesus said, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of
life" (Rev. 2:10). Heaven is a place of perfect tranquility. God's
throne is surrounded by a sea of glass (Rev. 4:5-6; 15:2). No evil
disturbance will enter that glorious realm (Rev. 21:25-27).
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life (Heb. 6:13-20)? Do you know
the peace of God that passes understanding (Phil. 4:6-7)? Obey God so
you can enjoy his protection as you face the storms of life. Submit to
his will so that you may escape the storm of eternal torment.
-- Via Truth Magazine, April 20, 2006, Vol. L, No. 8
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for,
if
not,
salvation
can
be
lost
(Heb.
10:36-39;
Rev.
2:10;
2
Pet.
2:20-22).
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CHURCH OF CHRIST
201 Rushing Road (at the Hampton Inn), Denham Springs, Louisiana
70726
Sunday services: 9:15 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 4 PM (worship)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
tedwards@onemain.com
tedwards1109@gmail.com
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/audioser.html (audio sermons)
Directions:
Take the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) off of I-12. At the end of
the exit ramp, turn north. Go about a stone's throw to Rushing
Road. (You'll see a Starbucks, Circle K, and two other gas
stations; with each on each corner.) Turn left on Rushing Road,
and go a little less than 0.3 of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on
the
right. We assemble in its meeting room, which is very close to
the reception counter. Just walk pass the check-in counter; turn
right at the hall. The first and second doors on the left lead to
where we meet.