We Are The Body of Christ - Part 1

The Church: The Body of Christ

Series: Body Life

Ephesians 1:15-22

The church of Jesus Christ is under much attack today. Please believe me when I tell you the liberal left wing elements of society would like nothing better but to silence the church's voice on moral and social issues. There is an ever escalating spiritual war taking place and in America there is a manifested cultural war taking place, and Bible believing churches are the primary target for the forces of darkness that dominate our society and this present world system.

However, the greatest threat to the church does not come from the external attacks we encounter from the:

*liberal media

*liberal judicial system

*liberal, satanic inspired social activists

Jesus said, "The gates of hell would not prevail against His church."  (Matt. 16:18)

The greatest threat to the church has always been internal forces of: 

*apathy

*false teaching

*division

Never does a church die from external dangers.  Churches die always because of internal disintegration.

I want to begin a mini-series of messages on The Church.  I have entitled this series "Body Life."  And our goal is three-fold.

1. To elevate every believer's love and appreciation for the church.  Eph. 5:25 says "Christ loved the church and gave himself for it."

2. To help every believer recognize the privileges and responsibilities that are his/hers as members of Christ's glorious church.

3. Encourage every member to discover their God-given, God-gifted ministry with the church.

4. To lead the church to live and function as a Body of Christ rather than a lifeless business.

This Morning... I want to lay the foundation for our study beginning in Eph. 1:15-22, as we look to the scriptures for understanding concerning what it means for the church to be the Body of Christ.

Text Eph. 1:15-22

Something you will hear me say repeatedly is this:

1. The church is a living Body not a lifeless business.

2. The church is a living organism not a lifeless organization.

Now, this does not mean that a church is not to conduct it's affairs in good business-like manner.  Nor does it mean the church is not to have organization and structure.  A church must have these BUT they are what we do not what we are.

And we must be extremely careful never to lose sight of what we are and allow functions to be our primary focus.

Ex: I have seen churches where the entire membership shows up for every business meeting.  The people are worried about the business of the church ... 

BUT

Try to get some of those same members to:

*visit a hospital

*visit a shut-in

*minister to a family in crises

*contact a prospect

*go on soul-winning visitation

And they don't have time or interest in such trivial things.

I am afraid that the average church membership today is far more interested in "Business Meetings" than "Body Ministry."

I am asking God to help us be most interested in "Body Ministry."

Now, as we begin to lay a biblical, theological foundation for our study of "Body Life" let me point your attention to four foundational, biblical, theological truths related to "The Church, The Body Of Christ."

I.THE MYSTERY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (V. 22)

II.THE MANIFESTATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (V. 22)

III.THE MANAGER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (V. 22)

IV.THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (V. 23)

 I.THE MYSTERY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST (V. 22-23)

Note: In the book of Ephesians Paul uses 3 metaphors to describe the church:

1. Eph. 1:22-23 - The Church is the Body of Christ

2. Eph. 2:19-22 - The Church is the Building of Christ

3. Eph. 5:25-27 - The Church is the Bride of Christ

And six times in the six chapters of Ephesians, Paul refers to, "The Mystery" of the church or of the gospel.

Now the question is this:  "How is the church a mystery?"

Let me tell you 2 reasons why Paul refers to the church as a mystery.

A. Two Reasons The Church Is A Mystery

1. The church is a mystery because of it's parenthesis in history.

a. The church, as the Body of Christ, was a mystery because it was not foreseen by the Old Testament writers.

b. The church age is like a blind spot in the mirror of Old Testament prophecy.

c. You see, the Old Testament clearly prophesies the coming of Messiah and the coming of the kingdom, but the church age (which lies between the two) is not prophesied. Therefore, it is called a "mystery" (a previously hidden truth that is now divinely revealed).

d. "The church is not in the Old Testament." (W. A. Criswell, Great Doctrines of the Bible, Vol. 3, Ecclesiology, p.35 Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel)

e. Theologians call the church age the "great parenthesis" of human history, because it is like an unforeseen parenthesis in holy history.

f. It is unpredicted space of time that occurs between Daniel's 69th and 70th week.

2.The church is a mystery because of it's population.

Read Eph. 3:1-7

a. The great mystery of the church, that Old Testament saints never understood was that Jews and Gentiles would become one in the Body of Christ.

b. In the church, the Body of Christ, there is no distinction between:

*Jew or Gentile

*male or female

*bond or free (Gal. 3:28)

f. This is what makes the church so great--people from all walks of life come together in sweet love, fellowship and harmony, because we are one body in Christ!

Conclusion of Point: As the Body of Christ, the church is a mystery. It is a mystery because:

*it's parenthesis in history

*it's population (Jew and Gentile are all one Body in Christ.)

II. THE MANIFESTATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

Note: Eph. 1:22-23 tells us the church is the Body of Christ.  That is, the church is Christ's physical, visible, viable presence on earth.  When He ascended back to heaven, He ascended bodily.  However, He did not leave the world without a bodily presence.  He left His church on earth--which is now His visible, bodily presence on earth.

A. The Church Manifests Christ's presence on 2 levels. 

1. There is the church universal and the church local.

There is the inclusive church and the institutional church.

There is the invisible church and the visible church.

There is the church mysterious and the church manifested.

2. The church exists on a universal, invisible inclusive, mysterious level.  It includes:

*all believers

*from all walks of life

*from all areas

*from all ages in the body of Christ.

1 Cor. 12:12-13  "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ."  (13)"For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

3.The church also is manifested on a local, visible, institutional, manifested level:

*local assemblies

*visible congregations

*organized, institutionalized groups of believers

Ex: Faith Fellowship Church is a local, visible, organized institutionalized manifestation of the Body of Christ.

4. So all believers of all times are the Body of Christ and also each local assembly is the Body of Christ.

5. We are baptized into the Body of Christ.  Universal, by God's spirit when we are saved,

AND we are responsible, then, as believers to connect ourselves with a local assembly of believers and join the Body of Christ.

Robert Godfrey makes a good point when he says:  "Many Christians today seem to assume that all God requires is a relationship to the universal church that occurs automatically for the believer.  In other words, it is often said that "the church is people." Hence, belonging to the church means belonging to Christ, not to an institution. That is, however, not true. The Bible is clear that Christians are also required to be part of the life of the institutional church, particularly the life of the local church, which God Himself has brought into being and structured by His Word."

6. I have a hard time with these folks that say, "I don't believe in being a member of a local Body of Believers. I am a member of the universal, mysterious Body of Christ at large."     

Note: I want to say to them, "Okay, you go call the universal, mysterious, invisible Body of Christ at large when:

*you want to get married

*a family member dies

*you want a hospital visit

*you need financial assistance

*you need pastoral counseling

Conclusion of Point:  The Manifestation Of The Body Of Christ.  The Body of Christ is manifested on two levels:

*the universal, invisible level

*the local, institutional level

III. THE MANAGER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

A. Christ Is The Head Of The Church.

Eph. 1:22-23  "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church."  (23)"Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

This same concept is repeated twice more in Ephesians.

Eph. 4:15  "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Eph. 5:23  "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior."

Col. 1:18  "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."

Note: Since the church is a Body it needs a head.  No "body" can function without a head.

1. This means that Jesus Christ rules over His church.  He is in charge.

Note: The church is not an organization run by people ... it is an organism run by it's Head, Jesus Christ.

The church is not a democracy governed by the masses ...it is a theocracy governed by the Master, Jesus Christ.

A. There Are Two Beautiful Truths To Be Understood Concerning Christ's Headings Over His Church.

1. As head of His church, Christ is connected to His church.

a. The symbolism of Head and Body being

 a. In the physical realm, all bodily functions are controlled directly by the head--both voluntary and involuntary functions.  The head controls it all.

b. As head of His church, Christ is in control.

c. This church is Christ's church and He has the right to govern His church.

Col. 1:18 says it this way  "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."

Note: The word "supremacy or preeminence (KJV) comes from proteuo.  It means to be in first position, is first priority.

Note: This truth has a tremendous impact on how we make decisions and operate.  Our goal is to never, ever be this:  "Give everyone an opportunity to express their opinion, then vote, and the majority rules.  Our goal must be to come together and by prayer, fasting and the Word of God, discover the mind of Christ and do it!

d. Remember, the church is not to be a democracy ... it is a theocracy!

CHRIST RULES SUPREMELY OVER ALL!

e. On a practical level, this should suggest that we spend less time in "business meeting or "committee meetings," and more time in "prayer meetings."

Conclusion of Point:  The Manager of the Church. used to describe Christ's relationship with His church indicates there is a living, vital connection between Him and His church.

b. There is a living connection between Christ and His church and between Christ and you as individual members of His church.

c. No body can live or function when disconnected from it's head.

Ex: When I was a kid we would often spend an entire day killing chickens, cleaning them and putting them in the freezer.  Whenever you cut a chicken's head off, the body would flop all over the yard--going nowhere, just flopping.

I see a lot of churches in this same condition.  They have been disconnected from their head, and they are just flopping and floundering around in:

*moral relativism

*social activism

*theological liberalism

d. But through the Holy Spirit all true believers and all true churches are vitally connected to Christ in a life giving union.

2. As head of His church, Christ controls His church.

Jesus Christ is the manager of the church because:

He is the head of the church.

Christ alone is the life of the church.

Christ alone is the Lord of the church.

IV.THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE CHURCH

A. The Lord Jesus Has Exalted The Church To Share In His Glory.

Eph. 1:22-23  "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church."  (23)"Which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

1. Notice V. 23 says the church, His body, is the fullness of Him, who fills everything in every way.

2. The church is the "fullness of Christ!"

John MacArthur comments saying, "The church is the fullness or complement (pleroma) of Christ. As a head must have a body to manifest the glory of that head, so the Lord must have the church to manifest His glory (3:10). Jesus Christ is the only One for whom the word incomparable truly applies; yet in a thrilling and securing wonder, He has chosen us to display His incomparable majesty. We are guaranteed to come to glory in order that we might forever manifest His praise." 

The incomparable Christ is incomplete until the church, which is his body, is complete. Jesus Christ is fills all in all, giving His fullness to believers. But in God's wisdom and grace, believers, as the church, are also the fullness of Him. (John MacArthur, Ephesians, p. 49)

John Calvin said, "This is the highest honor of the church that until He is united to us, the Son of God reckons Himself in some measure incomplete. What consolation it is for us to learn that not until we are in His presence does He possess all His parts, nor does He wish to be regarded as complete." (John MacArthur, Ephesians, p. 49)

3. This is a message that needs to be broadcast today, because we are living in a day when the church is under increasing attack.  It is criticized maligned and devalued.  But the church is the Body of Christ:

*He loves His church

*He protects His church

*He sanctifies His church

4. I never mean to suggest that the church is without flaw.  No church is perfect because it is made up of so many imperfect members.

Eph. 1:9-10 Paul says, "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him."

c. Before Christ the Jews and Gentiles were sworn enemies, they hated each other.  But in Christ they become blood brothers.

d. This is the most incomprehensible mystery of all the ages--how God could take:

*Jews and Gentiles

*males and females

*rich and poor

*black and white

*strong and weak

*big and small people, and bond them together as one loving, thriving, unified body.

e. What a marvelous, mysterious miracle--how God can take all sorts of people from all walks of life and bring them together in one body, through His Son the Lord Jesus.

5. However, the Lord Jesus loves His church and He is perfecting His church and preparing His church for glorification with Him.

6. For instance, no believer is yet perfect, we fail and stumble, but Christ still loves us and continues His sanctifying work within us.  The same thing is true of believers corporately.  No corporate body of believers is perfect BUT Christ still loves His churches and works in them and through them to bring glory to Himself.

Conclusion:

The church is the Living Body of the Living Lord Jesus Christ.  We've talked about:

I.THE MYSTERY OF THE BODY

II.THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE BODY

III.THE MANAGER OF THE BODY

IV.THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE BODY

Question:  

*Are you a viable part of the body of Christ?

*Have you been baptized into the body of the spirit of God through the New Birth?

*Are you a member of a local body of believers?

*Are you investing your life in a local body of believers through an active, spirit empowered ministry?

 

 

Redeemed By The Lamb - Palm Sunday

The Sacrificial Lamb

Palm Sunday is a Day that we Celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to do something that would CHANGE EVERYTHING for you and I…. you see without His OBEDIENCE to enter the City… there would have been NO cross. Without the Cross there would have been no ATONEMENT for sin… without the atonement, there would have been NO forgiveness and without the forgiveness and the cleansing, there would have been No resurrection… and its the resurrection that gave us LIFE!

1. Palm Sunday is about peace and salvation.

The then Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, would come into Jerusalem with his soldiers for Passover, showing his strength through the arms his men carried. Jesus, however, came on a donkey with all His disciples unarmed, to demonstrate the Kingdom of God and His peace.

It was customary that during a time of peace a king would ride on a donkey, while a king would come sitting on a white horse after the victory in a battle, as suggested in Judges 5:10 and 1 Kings 1:33. So Jesus came as King but not to judge the people. He came to demonstrate God's grace.

2. Palm Sunday is the fulfilment of an Old Testament prophecy.

Matthew 21:4-5 notes, "This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: 'Tell the people of Zion, 'Look, your king is coming to you, unassuming and seated on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey,'" referring to Zechariah 9:9 in the Old Testament.

3. People accepted Jesus as Messiah.

Through the way in which Jesus entered into Jerusalem, He publicly declared Himself as the Messiah — the Savior that God had promised to the Jewish people. And He was accepted, at the time, by the people.

John 12:12-13 records, "The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!’"

4. People misunderstood Jesus' message.

Evangelist Billy Graham once explained why the same crowd that welcomed Jesus turned against Him at the time of His crucifixion.

"One reason the crowds turned against Jesus was because He refused to be the kind of king they wanted — a political and military leader who would free them from the hated Roman government," Graham wrote on his website. "Roman soldiers had occupied their land for decades, and they hoped Jesus would lead them in a successful revolt."

Jesus made clear to them that His goal was different.

"God had another purpose for Him — and that purpose was far greater than any mere political or military victory. His goal was to establish another kingdom — the Kingdom of God," Graham continued. "This, He taught them, wasn't to be a political kingdom, but the rule of God over our hearts and minds — and ultimately, over the whole universe. To the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, He declared, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight …. My kingdom is from another place' (John 18:36).”

Graham added: "How could this happen? It could happen only if sin and death and Satan were defeated — for these keep God's Kingdom from becoming a reality in our lives. And how could they be defeated? Only by Christ's death and resurrection for us — for by His death and resurrection Jesus Christ conquered sin and death and Satan.”

Graham concluded by asking the readers these questions: "Where would you have been during Jesus' final days? Would you have been in the crowd demanding His death — or would you have been among the minority who remained true to Him? And are you true to Him today?”

5. Palms represent immortality.

In Egypt, there was a tradition of people carrying the palm to funeral processions as it represented eternal life. The palm branch was also a symbol of spiritual triumph over death. 

Today I want us to take a fresh look at Jesus, the sacrificial lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

1 Peter 1:18-20

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

1. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb.

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

I want to look at two Old Testament sources to glean understanding of this aspect of Christ’s life and purpose.

Read Genesis 22:1-19

This is a hugely misunderstood passage of scripture. Many people attribute all kinds of nasty and sinful characterizations to the Father as a result of not properly understanding these events and their ultimate meaning. Many people read this and assume that it is an example of God giving us something very precious and then demanding that we surrender it. I have heard this passage used to explain why a child has died and all sorts of terrible things. In fact this is another case where we see God establishing what He is going to do in the earth by laying down a preview, or pattern or type if you will. This passage is not about father Abraham and his son Isaac. This is a type established for all time of Father God and His son Jesus.

Genesis 22:6

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac…

John 19:17

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

Do you see the established pattern here?

Genesis 22:6-8

…and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"

"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.

"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

         

Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

Notice who carried the knife and the fire. Who killed Jesus? Did the Jews kill the Messiah? Did Pilot or the Roman guards kill the Christ? No this was the Fathers plan from the beginning.

John 10:17-18

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

“This command I received from my Father.”

One more thing I want you to notice before we move on to the next point.

Genesis 22:13

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

Once the pattern is established, the only son, the son of promise, will be the sacrifice and the Father will offer him on the altar, then a substitute is introduced until the appointed time arrives.

2. Jesus is the only acceptable sacrifice.

Read Hebrews 9:1 – Hebrews 10:13

The earthly tabernacle was a type of the heavenly one, which is why the specifications had to be followed exactly.

Hebrews 8:5

They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

Goats and bulls were a temporary substitute to illustrate what was to come in Christ the final sacrificial lamb. God was never pleased with these, they were a temporary fix.

Isaiah 1:11

"The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?" says the LORD.

"I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals;

I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.

Hosea 6:1-7

"Come; let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

"What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. 

Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Like Adam, they have broken the covenant— they were unfaithful to me there.

Also notice that blood is a requirement for forgiveness. A will is not put into place until the death of the one who owns the estate.

Leviticus 17:11

For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.

The sacrifice Christ offered on the heavenly altar is “once for all”, which brings us to this mornings final point.

3. Now He waits.

Hebrews 10:11-38

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds:

"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day apronaching.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,

"He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

We live in a time when our message (The gospel) is being rejected. That is not a reason to change the message.

Going Deeper

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12 

Summary: Within this Scripture I see that we can be at four basic different levels in our walk with God…four varying depths of relationship with Him.

Going Deeper

Opening Question: How much of God are you experiencing?

Within this Scripture I see that we can be at four basic different levels in our walk with God…four varying depths of relationship with Him. These differing depths are our choice, not God’s. We decide how far we are willing to go w/ Jesus.

1. Ankle Deep – ankle bitters: You step in…

Illustration: World’s of Fun (MO)…the cement was so hot in the scorching sun that we literally had to run on our tippy toes to keep our feet from burning. We would take short breaks in the shadded areas or a puddle. It was only temporary relief until we got into the water.

You step in…you visit God once or twice a week to say hello. You like to listen to the worship but you never enter in. You like the “cooling” feel to be here, but you don’t allow yourself to become a part. You think the people here are nice and all, but you never build any relationships.

1. You don’t feel like getting wet, maybe you don’t even want to be here – excuses are a dime a dozen

b. You don’t want to change – you think that you’re just fine on the shore. Your feet might not be burning anymore, but the rest of you is still getting burned. Temporary relief doesn’t bring eternal results.

God’s doesn’t just want to be your aspirin…he wants you to go deeper with Him so that you can experience His fullness! You can’t do that standing on the shore ankle deep.

2. Knee Deep – knee knockers: Here is where you roll up your pants and go in a bit deeper…you actually start to sing during worship instead of talking or looking around…you get into the game time and have fun…but

a. You’re still not willing to go all the way with Jesus…you’re holding back

b. Your afraid of what people may think or say…your knees are knocking

c. You become a fence rider – hypocrite

You’re still too close to shore. You come to church, you’re in the water a little, having a good time…but tomorrow you’ll be on the shore again in the world.

3. Waist Deep – Wasters: This is where it really starts to get somewhat uncomfortable…the water starts hitting some very sensitive areas. We’re not sure if we really like it or not.

1. We’ve come to a cross road where commitment intersects with passion.

b. There is no halfway with God…no middle ground. (Rev. 3:16)

i. People that only go half-way look like idiots

ii. Only going halfway leads to backsliding

4. Swimmers: this is where you are so deep with God that your feet can’t touch the ground. This is where faith and works intersect…you have faith in what God has done, is doing, and will do, but now you have to “work” at swimming.

Swimmers move past how they feel and worship anyway.

Swimmers move past how they look to others and take a stand for righteousness.

Swimmers move past what they want and fulfill God’s commands to reach everyone everywhere with the message of Christ.

Swimmer are survivors…they’re not just treading water to stay afloat…they’re swimming in pursuit of God to save the world.

Swimmers experience the fullness of God!

Why be a Swimmer?

1. The water of God is Fresh!

1. Our pool when we were moving…gross

2. Everything in the water is Alive!

1. No floaters

3. The water will help us to Prosper!

1. Fruit that won’t fail

b. Leaves that won’t wither (Ps. 1:1-3; Jer. 17:7-8)

4. We will bring Food and Healing to the world!

a. Food – I am the Bread of Life, he who comes to me will never go hungry, he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (Jn. 6:35)

b. Healing – supernatural recovery both physical and spiritual

Until He Comes # 3

Until He Comes 

II Thess. 3:1-16 

(2 Th 3:5) "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

We are to live with the inner expectation that Christ may come today, but with an outward lifestyle that says He might not come in our lifetime. In other words, we are to work like He is coming back in the next 5 minutes, while realizing He may choose to tarry His coming until after our lives are over. Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to comfort the church about the imminent return of Christ. Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to correct an error in thinking about the imminent return of Christ. He was concerned that there were some who had decided to abandon a responsible lifestyle, citing the soon return of Christ as the reason for their laziness and irresponsibility. How do we do this? How do we live a balanced life, that expects Jesus to appear any moment, but lives as if he may not appear in our lifetime? How do we balance hope and responsibility?

I. PRAY for one another (vss. 1-2)

Q: Paul requested prayer for 2 things in these verses. What were they?

• "Pray for us" 
• "Pray for the Word to have free course"


A. Pray for the spread of the gospel.

1. We get discouraged waiting for Christ, when we see few being saved.
2. On the other hand, when the gospel is openly advancing, we are encouraged and reminded Christ is alive.
3. When iron curtain came down and the first efforts at evangelism yielded such a rich harvest, it was truly thrilling.


B. Pray for the protection of others.

Q: To whom, in our day, might we apply this type of prayer? Why, specifically, do they need it?

• Pastors, teachers, church workers 
• Missionaries


C. Prayer is vital to creating that inner expectation, as well as that outer balanced lifestyle that Paul is talking about.

1. Personal (i.e. individual) prayer is needed.

"Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually." (1 Chr 16:11)
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mat 26:41)
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" (Luke 18:1)
"Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:24)
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Th 5:17)


2. Corporate (i.e. church wide) prayer is also needed.

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." (Mat 18:19)

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." (Acts 1:14)
"And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying." (Acts 12:12)

II. TRUST in God's faithfulness (v3)

Q: What was Paul supremely confident in, according to verse 3?

• God's faithfulness 


Q: If God's faithfulness is taken out of the picture, is there any way for us to succeed in the Christian life? NO!

Q: If God's faithfulness is working for us, is there any way for us to fail at the Christian life? NO!

A, Deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea - looked hopeless, but God was faithful.

B. Deliverance of Elijah on Mt. Carmel - He thought he was all alone, but God was faithful.

C. Samson's last stand against the Philistines - He thought he had ruined everything, but God was faithful.

D. Two disciples on road to Emmaus - They thought that their hopes were dashed with Jesus' death, but GOD WAS FAITHFUL.

E. No matter how long it seems to take; no matter how bleak the outlook to us, GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS ABSOLUTE.

"Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" (Deu 7:9)
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" (Heb 10:23)
"Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." (Psa 36:5)

III. OBEY what we have been taught (v4)

Q: Concerning obedience, who was Paul's confidence in?

• Still, it was in God, not the Thessalonians!
A. Our ABILITY to obey comes from God.
B. Our faithful obedience fuels our inner expectation and hope.
C. Our faithful obedience demonstrates an outward, disciplined lifestyle.

IV. LEARN love and patience (v5)

Q: What 2 areas of our life are mentioned in this verse, which we should be working to improve? (ANSWER - Love and patience).

A. Learn to love like God loves.

B. God's love is UNCONDITIONAL

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8)


1. We need to learn to love God like He loves us.

"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deu 6:5)


2. We need to learn to love others like He loves us.

"Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Deu 10:19)
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Mat 22:39)
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35)
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." (Rom 12:9)




Q: How do we learn to love like God?

• By experience (we must know Him and His love for us personally) 
• By observation (we can see how He loved others, and how others who know Him love) 
• By repetition (we learn by actually doing it) 


C. Learn patience like Christ's patience.



NOTE: Two possible ways of understanding v5.


1. It is a directive to wait for Christ's return.
2. It is a directive that we should emulate the patience of Jesus, Himself.
3. The first is the theme of this book.
4. The second is the goal for us while we are waiting for His return.
5. Consider some examples of Christ's patience.

a. Dealing with Peter after his denial.
b. Dealing with the disciples as they argued over who would be greatest.
c. Dealing with Pilate's arrogance when he said he had the power to kill Him.

V. WORK while we wait (vss. 6-12)

A. The Problem

1. Some of the believers thought Christ's return was imminent (inner expectation),
2. So they were just standing around waiting (no outward lifestyle).

(Acts 1:9-11) "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. {10} And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; {11} Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."


B. The cause for such thinking.

1. Misunderstanding of the Word.
2. Note: 2:2-3 3. They misunderstood Paul and may have been influenced by false teachers. 


C. Correction for the problem.

1. They were to get to work (v12)
2. They were to follow Paul's example.(v7-9)
3. What should the response be toward those who refuse to work? (v6; 14)
4. Our attitude that should be 'brotherly love' (v15)


D. Consequences of the problem. (v11)

1. When folks are not involved in working for the Lord…
2. The next step is to begin to criticize those who are.
3. Ex. Nehemiah
4. "Idle hands are the devil's workshop."

VI. DON'T QUIT, ever. (vs. 13)

A. Sometimes we just need to hold on. (Poster of cat hanging from tree limb, "Hang in there baby!")
B. Sometimes we get too discouraged and weary, and we don't feel like praying
C. Sometimes we don't trust!
D. Sometimes we simply don't obey.
E. Sometimes we don't love like we should and our patience is shot.
F. Sometimes we wonder why we seem to be the only ones doing any work!!!
G. AT THOSE TIMES, we just need to hold on... DON'T QUIT.

(Gal 6:9) "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
(Job 23:11) "My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined."

What do we do until He comes? Pray, Trust, Obey, Learn to love and be patient, Work, and Don't Quit!