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After The Fact

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God Is Our Protector

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In order to walk in a greater boldness we must know that we serve a God who is our protector. He watches over us when we cannot even see for ourselves. He keeps us from greater harms. And while living in a world of free choice brings a lot of harms we would never want we are still with someone who helps us with things beyond our understanding.

How are we protected from greater harms?

You are protected from the temptation of evil because God is strong

Matthew 16:18

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

John 19:11

11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

1 Peter 2:9

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

You are protected from feeling alone amongst evil because you are never left behind

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Luke 12:32

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Change The Bitter Waters

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Exodus 15:22-24

[22] So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
[23] And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
[24] And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

We begin with a company of singing former slaves:

  • They had been set free
  • Their enemies have perished at the red sea
  • They had a reason to be singing

Onward they go to Canaan

  • Moses leads his people into the wilderness
  • Our lord knows the way through the wilderness
  • There are great lessons to learn in the wilderness

Three days into the wilderness and out of water

  • The containers they filled up at Egypt are gone

There was water at Marah, but it was bitter

This disappointed Israel, for they expected everything to go well

We all have trials on the journey – John 16:33 – [33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The people murmured against moses

  • Bitter experiences should not make us bitter
  • Bitter people cannot bless others
  • Saul was bitter towards david
  • The prodigals brother was bitter about his return

James 3:14-16

[14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
[15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
[16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Hebrews 12:12-15

[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
[12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
[13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
[14] Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
[15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

So what do we do now?

  • Moses cried to the lord
  • Pray when others criticize you
  • Moses didn’t know what to do, so he prayed
  • God promises wisdom for those who ask

James 1:5

[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Exodus 15:25-27

[25] And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
[26] And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
[27] And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

The tree made the waters sweet

  • The tree had been there all the time
  • The tree speaks of the tree of Calvary
  • Remember the cross when you face the bitter experiences
  • The cross will sweeten the bitter times in your life

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

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Lamentations 3:18-26

[18] And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
[19] Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
[20] My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
[21] This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
[22] It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
[23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
[24] The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
[25] The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
[26] It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Jeremiah is lamenting over the downfall of his people

  • The chastening of God upon them
  • The full and the captivity

No one seemed to care (Lamentations 1:12)

[12] Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.

We can share jeremiahs tears:

  • The moral condition of our land
  • Crime, drugs, immorality rampant
  • The cold condition of the churches

There is a message of triumph in this book of tears

There is a burst of delight in this book of despair:

  • God is faithful even when things look dark
  • God’s faithfulness revives his weeping prophet

Mercy: a word that bring hope to the troubled. To those in darkness, that despite your failures you can be forgiven

Compassion: a word of comfort, it lets me feel as you feel.

This reminds us of Christ and his compassion for the hurting multitudes.

To them that wait for him and to the soul that seeketh him: We can quietly wait for the salvation of the lord!

Living To Overcome

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1 John 4:1-4

[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
[4] Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Overcoming our adversaries and obstacles

Spiritual adversaries are always active

  • Speaking through false prophets
  • Walking in the spirit of the anti-Christ

We face 3 main types of enemies that the devil uses to attack:

  • Spiritual adversaries
  • Recurring anxieties
  • The world’s temptations

These adversaries are deceptive and powerful, using things unaware to our flesh to provoke it

Ephesians 6:11-12

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

You do not overcome by fighting in fear, you overcome by a perfect love and great faith.

John 4:18

[18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

  • Responding to God’s love brings faith
  • Fear and faith are opposites
  • Knowing that we are loved makes us unafraid

How do we overcome?

John 14:16-17

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

The one we have is greater within us then the one within us that tries to bring fear

We have the Holy Spirit which is not only our comfort and teacher but our weapon to spiritual wickedness

It will not only dispel fear but also help us to rebuke the world’s appeal and keeps us from lowering ourselves to that level

1 John 5:1-5, 13-15

[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
[2] By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
[3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
[4] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
[5] Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We can overcome the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life by faith.

We have faith given by God to receive his love and comforter that by this love we lose our fear and gain faith to use the weapons of our warfare not against flesh and blood but to the pulling down of spiritual wickedness!

Who’s In The Bottom Of Your Boat

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Mark 4:35-41

[35] And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
[36] And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
[37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
[38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
[40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
[41] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Here we begin at our lord’s long day of preaching.

The crowd was so great he had to teach from a boat

Topics were:

  • the parable of the sower
  • the candle under a bushel
  • the coming harvest
  • the mustard seed

He closes the day’s end with his disciples in an adventure they would never forget

The promise at evening 35 – let us pass over to the other side

  • speaks of a journey with Jesus
  • speaks of his fellowship on the other side
  • speaks of safe passage from the journey

The Christian life is like this journey

  • we may be weary when he calls us
  • we decide to travel with him
  • he goes with us through the entire journey
  • we are not only helped through the storm but are unto heaven eternal

The Peril of the storm (v. 37)

  • There arose a great storm of wind
  • The waves were beating upon the ship

Lessons we can learn from the disciples:

  • they were obeying yet the storm came
  • they were traveling with Jesus, yet the storm came
  • they were in the center of his will, yet the storm came

Storms come to us all!

The purpose of the storm (v. 38-41)

  • Jesus knew the storm would come
  • He was equipped to send the storm away
  • Rather than send it away he chose to go through the storm with his disciples

The storm enabled them to measure their faith

  • They learned that Christ was with them in the storm
  • They learned that he is up to any occasion

There are different storms for different purposes

  • Jonah’s storm was to bring him back to the lord
  • Paul’s storm was to provide a witnessing opportunity

This storm was to build their faith

Don’t judge the purpose of another’s storm

 

Tell My Servant Peter

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Mark 16:1-7

[1] And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
[2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
[3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
[4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
[5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
[6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
[7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

  • We begin at the early morning walk to the tomb
  • 3 women were coming bringing spices
  • They were coming to do the work of undertakers
  • They worried about moving the stone at the tomb
    • Unbelief is fertile ground for worrying
    • There was no need to worry
    • When they arrived it was already rolled away
  • The 3 were commissioned by an angel
    • They were to put away their fears: Christ was alive!
    • They were to tell the disciples Christ had risen
    • They were to be sure to tell Peter
  • So why did Peter had to be told?

Peter needed to know that he was not forsaken – Mark (14:22-72)

  • Jesus had prepared His disciples for what was ahead
    • The crucifixion
    • The persecution
    • and His resurrection
  • Peter vowed to never be offended, but broke the vow
    • He needed to know that Jesus still loved him
    • He needed to know that Jesus had kept this vow
  • To fail does not make one a lifelong failure
    • God’s love reaches out to those who have failed
    • The cross and the resurrection guarantee that love

Peter needed to know that he had been forgiven

  • He had followed Jesus from afar
  • He had mingled with the enemies of the Lord
  • He had warmed himself by the wrong fire
  • He had denied the lord three times
  • He didn’t want to be identified with Jesus
  • Cursed and swore while denying he knew Jesus

In spite of all of this you still can be forgiven!

Peter was a broken man, without Christ his foundation was unsure

Luke 6:6-11

[6] And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
[7] And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
[8] But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
[9] Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
[10] And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
[11] And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

  • His net was broken (Luke 6:6)
    • His pride was broken (Luke 6:8)
    • His partnership was broken (Luke 6:9-10)
    • He left all to follow Jesus (Luke 6:11)
    • Now he felt disqualified
  • Peter needed to know he still belonged to the lord

1 Peter 1:5-8

[5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
[8] Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

  • He called the resurrection his “Living Hope”
  • He then knew that God had not given up on him

Actions and Reactions

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Actions

An action is what you or another person does that is under your control.

We can go to church and act like a Christian, although we do not become a Christian because we go to church and act like one.

When you are saved people expect your actions to begin and be different. 

These are the things you do when your life is in a state of stability.

Galatians 5: 16-25

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The spirit is served to us not only as the teacher to lead our actions but as the comforter to help us better our reactions.

Reactions

A Reaction is defined as an action performed or a feeling experienced in response to a situation or event, thus revealing their true nature.

Sometimes we may not have time to think about what we are going to do or say before we react. 

A reaction will most often reveal the true nature of your comforts, beliefs and pleasures.

It’s what you do when your back is against the wall.

2 Peter 1: 2-13

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as

3 His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

4 Thereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And besides this, using all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge,

6 and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness,

7 and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Therefore brethren, give diligence all the more to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things ye shall never fall.

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them and are strengthened in the present truth.

13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance,

The Sufferings Of The Passion

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The passion of Jesus Christ stands alone as the most important event creation has ever known. The Bible tells us that long before the world began, God had planned that the crucifixion of Jesus would be the method and payment for sin – the only payment that would reconcile sinners to a holy and loving God.

There were 21 prophecies that were fulfilled related to the Passion:

 

Each and every part of the suffering of Christ was for us. Every part was necessary so that we would not only be free from our sins but also to have a new place that we could dwell for eternity.

Prior to these punishments Jesus had already been betrayed and sold out for 30 pieces of silver. He was also tried and condemned for doing evil, yet He had done none. Rejected for a murderer, the final phase of the Passion was set into motion.

Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Stripped and Whipped

John 19:1 – Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

The Romans believed that 40 lashes (Scourges) is the maximum number of lashes required to kill a person and that 39 is the default number for such punishment…prolonged punishment

Isaiah 53:5 – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Christ being scourge was for our healing…not only for physical ailments but for the multitude of things that leave us ill from living a normal life.

The Reed, Crown of thorns and Scarlet Robe

John 19:2 – And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

John 19:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

The crown of thorns

The crown is said to be made from the branches of a Jujube tree, a deciduous tree found near Jerusalem, with thorns measuring an inch long or more. Thorns were a product of the fall of man in the days of Adam, a consequence of the entrance of sin into the world. God cursed the ground, declaring that it would forever produce thorns and thistles. (Genesis 3:18) The crown of thorns represented that part of the curse that Jesus took upon himself in his crucifixion. There truly was no part of humanity and its ruin that he did not experience.

The purple robe

The Tabernacle’s only entrance faced east and was a wide curtain colored blue on one end and red on the other end. The colors blended in the middle to make purple. Likewise, the Veil in the Temple that tore at Jesus’ crucifixion had the same color scheme: Blue for sky was the color for deity; red for the red Judean hills was the color for mankind. Being blended to purple represented the God-Man who, by his death, became the Door, our only Access to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:6, “No man cometh to the Father but by me.”

The mockery and weakness of man

As the bowed and mocked him in their outfit they had placed upon the beaten and bloodied Messiah, they send him back to Pilate as their plan for his death continued. As Pilate feels the pressure of the Romans and religious, he feigns to the weakness of holding political power and esteem and ultimately gives the release of Christ for the final moments of his life.

Carrying The Cross and being nailed upon it with theives

Carrying the cross

By carrying the cross and being weak as man, man was then called to help bear the load. This shows the foretelling of the future fellowship with the sufferings of Christ. That if we would be willing to bear our beliefs in Jesus through witness and obedience we would have the crown of life!

The nails

Isaiah 33:20

Look upon Zion; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be dispersed; the stakes thereof shall never be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be pulled away

By the nail however on which anything is hung, is signified affixing and adjoining. Jesus was forever adjoined with our sins and sufferings that through his sacrifice we could be free from the penalty and power of sin

Christ was then adjoined with the Cross, with death itself at the place of the skull. Only one thing remained to occur.

The giving up of the Ghost and the earthquake

Matthew 27: 40-42

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

As the religious defended their temple by mocking the man who said He could build it back up, little did they know that they were standing by the temple that would be no more.

Matthew 27:50-54

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were do

As Jesus gave forth his life and spirit, the forthcoming events began to demonstrate the power that was not used for revenge, noteriety or pride. The power came forth bringing the temple of old down and establishing the temple within.

And as this temple was established, we then read of when we would receive this same spirit and power:

The promise of Christ within us (Holy Ghost) and it’s fulfillment

The promise

Luke 24:44-49

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The fulfillment of the promise, the filling of the inner temple

Acts 2:1-4

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Be Strong In The Lord

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Paul, under house arrest for 2 years, from 61-63 AD, begins to write to the churches at Colossae, personally to Philemon, Ephesus and Philippi. We know these letters by the chapter names of Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians.

This epistle is addressed to the saints at the church in Ephesus, a prosperous port city in the Roman province of Asia Minor. Ephesus boasted international trade, a thriving silversmith guild, and a theater that seated 20,000 people. Paul wrote this letter to encourage Gentile believers, and to make it clear that Jews and Gentiles have been brought together as part of one body in Christ. Paul is also concerned that his audience be made aware of the moral laws they may have been lax in following (or that they were unaware of).

Paul opens up with polite greetings and He then gives thanks for their efforts and prays for them to begin to grow in God’s wisdom and power:

Ephesians 1:15-19

[15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

He then begins to remind them of their previous condition:

Ephesians 2:1-8

[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

He then drives home the fact that through Christ that there is no more separation between Jew and Gentile.

Ephesians 2:18-22

[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
[22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

And by this he opens to the truth of the spirit before them by giving his instruction:

Ephesians 4:17-32 

[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
[18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
[19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
[20] But ye have not so learned Christ;
[21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
[22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
[26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
[27] Neither give place to the devil.
[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
[29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Paul closes with a powerful and life-changing word:

Ephesians 6:10-12

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Hope Renewed Through Christ

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Matthew 17:24-27

[24] And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
[25] He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
[26] Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
[27] Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

Hebrews 11:1-3

[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
[2] For by it the elders obtained a good report.
[3] Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Romans 5:2 – 5:5 

[2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
[5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 8:24-25

[24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
[25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Romans 12:8-15

[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Romans 15:4-13

[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
[5] Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
[6] That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[7] Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
[8] Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
[9] And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
[10] And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
[11] And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
[12] And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

If we are to realize the full potential of the promises we have received from God (whether by scripture or through prophetic exhortation) we must learn what is the substance that drives us as well as the determination that takes the substance and puts it into action.

Faith without action is dead for it is faith that brings the substance or energy to take action and uses it for its intended purpose. Faith is empty without hope. Taking action with faith and without hope in your life leads to no fruit (unprofitable). Without hope our faith is without substance…a vision…a final destination.

To take a shot on throwing your hook out there for 1 fish in a million would not only take hope that you would get the money…but hope that that you would hook that 1 fish.

To grow in God you must take action. To take action means you have got to be moving and not just be idle in the last days.

To save a lost world you must go after them. To rekindle hope in your brothers and sisters you must show it. To keep hope abounding in you the spirit must continually abide. The spirit will abide in a heart whom repents and is humble, believing in the propitiation for all of our sin.

So we know the money is in the fish. We know the fish is in the water. We know that we have the rod, reel and hook to go get it. That part in between is the very thing that is keeping you or has kept you from a deeper walk in God.

Such is the same of our pursuit for blessings in our lives. The money was enough for the tax, and god’s provision will be enough for you!