The People of God's Mission.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] We’ve been going through the book of Ephesians. I believe this is week 7 of our series [0:04] through the book of Ephesians and what we’ve seen so far is that God has a [0:10] plan [0:11] That he is working out throughout history and through his creation to bring himself [0:17] Glory and doing that means he’s redeeming people from their sin bringing them to himself [0:23] Giving them a life to live in which he transforms them and sets them on a path to live out

[0:29] the works that he has prepared for us and [0:33] Last week we took a look at the fact that through this what he is doing is he’s not [0:38] Redeeming us and separating us but through reconciliation with him [0:42] What he’s doing is is he wants to bring us together with other people who have experienced that redemption so that we can grow [0:50] in our redemption and experience this thing called discipleship and [0:54] What we have to understand is that you are redeemed in order to take the message of

[1:01] the work of Jesus or what is called the gospel or good news to other people and [1:06] Further the work of redemption we finished out in chapter 2 and what it says is that God is growing us together [1:14] Into a holy temple and what he does there in chapter 2 between verses 11 and through verse 22 [1:20] He takes us from this place where it says you were strangers and aliens [1:24] You were outside of the kingdom of God and what happens through those verses is we begin to see this process of [1:32] Transformation where we go from people who are on the outside full of sin in rebellion

[1:37] And he changes us through the work of Jesus and then says I’m growing you into a holy temple [1:44] But not just us he calls us fellow [1:47] Citizens members of God’s household [1:50] The people of the church into a holy temple so there’s this idea that this growth is not just happening in us [1:58] But it’s also happening in the other people who are being redeemed and we’re also to further and grow the church even larger [2:05] By taking the gospel to other people and so what we have through the book of Ephesians is that Paul?

[2:12] constantly gives us [2:13] Declaration after declaration of the gospel and then he unveils to us the [2:20] implications of the gospel or in other words what the gospel is going to do to us and [2:26] From verse 1 through verse 13. He does that again [2:29] He gives us a great declaration and also a lot of implications as to what the gospel is going to do and he begins [2:35] It in verse 1 by saying for this reason

[2:39] And when you see something like that or the word therefore in Scripture what he’s saying is is that since what I’ve just [2:47] Written is true. This is what it’s going to change in my life [2:51] and he says I Paul a [2:54] prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles [2:58] Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you [3:04] How the mystery was made known to me by revelation as I have written briefly

[3:08] When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ [3:13] Which was not made known to the sons of men and other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy [3:19] Excuse me his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit [3:23] This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs members of the same body and [3:29] Partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel of this gospel [3:34] I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given to me by the working of his power

[3:41] So let me sum this seven verses up for you very quickly because we got a lot of work to do we’re going through verse [3:46] 13 what he’s saying here is that trust in Jesus begins a journey of [3:53] Redeeming every part of life for the gospel [3:57] He uses this terminology that because what I’ve said about God’s work into forming us into a holy temple [4:03] Taking us from strangers and aliens to citizens and members of his household fellow citizens [4:10] Even the cause that it has in my life

[4:13] Is that I have become a prisoner of Christ Jesus in other words [4:17] I am captivated by what he’s doing and he has brought my life into his life [4:23] And I am captive to the very truth that I’m writing about and so much so that it has caused me [4:30] To take my entire life and focus it towards the work of the gospel [4:35] and he writes of a special revelation that God has given to him a [4:39] Mystery that God has unveiled to him and the other apostles and prophets that was not made known to people

[4:45] Previously and what that mystery is is the mystery that he’s been talking about throughout the entire book especially in chapter 1 [4:51] It’s the work of Jesus that all of history all of the Old Testament was God [4:57] Revealing himself and revealing our sin so that he could work the history of the people of Israel [5:04] towards Jesus and [5:07] then the mystery of all time was that God had a plan to ultimately triumph over sin and [5:13] Paul says if this is true

[5:16] Which he says it is [5:18] Then that means my entire life must be focused on [5:23] That work as well as getting the message of that work out [5:28] And he says that God is not just simply keeping the work of himself into the people of Israel [5:35] But rather he says he has done a work so that the entire world may know him [5:40] The Jews as well as the Gentiles and so what he’s doing is he’s saying my entire life is

[5:47] Towards this I’m working my entire life towards this every choice that I make every value that I have [5:56] Must come into [5:58] Submission to what God wants me to do and what he wants to do through me [6:04] But here’s what Paul is not saying [6:07] Paul is not saying that this is just a work for him [6:12] Because I think that’s very easy for us to especially when we read the book of Acts

[6:17] We oftentimes see the Apostles and see every character that we have in the Old Testament and read it kind of like it’s a movie [6:23] Kind of like it’s a story about someone with some great might and some great power that is beyond us and we are never capable of that [6:32] What Paul is really unfolding here is that God gave did give him a revelation that was not made known to everyone else [6:39] But the purpose for which God gave that revelation to him was so that [6:44] He could give it to everyone else so that they would know what he knows [6:51] Paul never receives a revelation of God that he does not give to the church

[6:58] The purpose of Paul’s apostleship is [7:02] So that the revelation that God has for him can be given to everyone else [7:08] Therefore the purposes and plans and vision that Paul has for his life through the transformation of the gospel [7:18] Is also for everyone else [7:21] Not his office of apostle, but the purpose for which he lives [7:26] The question we have for that. Well, how do we know that’s true?

[7:31] Well, we keep going [7:32] Told you that was gonna be quick [7:35] Look at verse 8 [7:38] To me in other words, he’s been working his power [7:41] See, this is where Paul’s so good and when we think there’s something so significant about Paul Paul says no [7:48] What significant is the work of the Spirit in me? This is not something I’m doing under my own power

[7:54] This is something that God is doing through me under his power because Paul will tell you he’s the weakest. He’s the least [7:59] He’s the chief of sinners. He always focuses the power for the work that he does on God [8:06] Which is what makes you capable not you not your abilities, but the power of God and he says [8:14] To me though. I am the very least of all the Saints [8:18] This grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to bring to light [8:27] Ever to everyone, excuse me

[8:29] What is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things? [8:34] So that through the church [8:37] The manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places [8:48] Notice that Paul writes that the very reason that everything God did for him [8:55] Even Jesus’s appearance to him on the road to Damascus [9:00] Every significant thing Paul God did in Paul’s life was for the purpose of

[9:06] discipleship in the church so that the church may also [9:12] become [9:13] captivated [9:14] By the same gospel he was and lived for the gospel in the same way that he does or did [9:22] And he writes some very interesting things in here that we have to [9:27] Kind of look through and the main text that I want to focus the most on this morning is verse 10

[9:34] The phrase that he says to begin this is so that through the church [9:40] The manifold wisdom of God might be made known on us stop there

[9:48] God is doing something significant through the church [9:53] And Paul is revealing it that he had never done in history before [9:58] We see in Acts chapter 2 there is a great transition where the gospel is first only for the people of Israel [10:06] And then we begin to see especially in Acts chapter 10 [10:10] where God begins to unfold that his plan is [10:15] more far-reaching than

[10:17] Israel will ever be able to comprehend and he sends Peter to the home of a guy that is not a Jew a [10:24] Gentile and he takes the gospel to him and then it moves on and further and further and further and we see Paul [10:31] Take the gospel to every part of the globe that he could take it [10:37] So God wants the gospel to go throughout the entire world. Is that not what Jesus said in Matthew chapter [10:45] 28 he tells them go make disciples of all nations in Acts chapter 1 [10:50] He tells them be my witnesses in Jerusalem Judea

[10:55] Samaria and then to the ends of the earth [10:57] The gospel is designed to go to the entire world to every man woman boy girl [11:04] Every creed every religion every place in life. The gospel must go to them all [11:10] Jesus gives the apostles and Paul [11:13] Then after that this great vision for the gospel where it will go throughout the entire world [11:19] And then throughout the work of the apostles he begins to unfold

[11:25] How he will take it from just 12 men taking the gospel to the entire world to an army of? [11:32] thousands of people so [11:34] Saturated by the gospel and captivated to the gospel [11:39] That it’ll be an army of people taking the gospel to everyone as they begin to live their lives [11:46] Under the same power and in the same purposes that Paul lived [11:52] And he calls this people the church

[11:56] This is what he was talking about in chapter 2 when he said I’m building you together [12:03] into a Holy Temple in [12:06] Verse 10 he makes it more specific [12:08] He says you will be the church and it is through the church that I desire to make my [12:15] manifold wisdom known to the entire world first

[12:22] The word for wisdom in chapter 3 verse 10 is the same word that he uses in chapter 1 twice [12:29] First in verse 8 and then in verse 17 and verse 8 [12:33] He says I will lavish upon you through Jesus [12:39] my wisdom and revelation [12:43] So through Jesus we have a special wisdom given to us [12:47] Which is the wisdom of God or which is the purpose of Jesus then in verse 17

[12:52] He says that through the spirit [12:55] My wisdom and knowledge will be made known to you [13:00] So we see it getting a little more specific [13:03] Then in verse 10 of chapter 3 [13:06] He uses it for the final time in the book and he says it is now through you who I gave my wisdom to [13:14] That I will make it known to the entire world

[13:19] This is what we’re talking about when we’re talking about the mission of Jesus [13:25] That the world who is in rebellion against God in their sin is to know God [13:32] Through the witness of those who have been redeemed by God [13:36] the church then is

[13:41] Central to the mission of God [13:44] The church is central to this mission [13:48] In other words God does not redeem us so that we can simply be a bunch of lone gunmen [13:55] Attempting to figure out how it is that we can take this mission to the entire world because I don’t know about you [14:01] But when I first was brought to faith in Jesus Christ when he gave me that gift and I repented of my sins [14:07] And I began to follow him there was much that I struggled with there was much that I did not know

[14:14] And there was much foolishness that I was capable of if [14:18] Only God had given a vehicle [14:22] Through which I could grow in my faith [14:25] He did and it’s called the church [14:30] For all of the problems in church for all of the pain that can be experienced in [14:38] Church for all of the issues in the baggage that can be laid upon us in the church the key thing that you have to

[14:45] Understand is that it is God’s plan a and there is no plan B

[14:53] God has designed for the gospel to go to the world through the vehicle of the church [15:02] You are not called [15:04] Simply to Jesus and then it’s just you and Jesus and there’s nothing else that you need [15:11] His grace is sufficient, but his plan is to also reconcile you to other people who have been redeemed [15:19] For the specific purpose of growing in your [15:24] Understanding of the wisdom of God as well as in your commitment to his wisdom and how do you commit to that?

[15:34] Paul will tell us that it is through the church [15:38] So then we understand that the church is not simply just a meeting place for a service [15:45] But rather it is an identity for the people of God to take on [15:51] So when you begin to have a feeling that there is more needed or something needs to be done [15:57] And you say where is the church?

[16:01] Look in the mirror

[16:07] You are the church

[16:10] It is very easy [16:13] to come into the mentality [16:16] That the identity of the church is only had by those who may be on the stage or those who are [16:24] On staff or those who begin to preach and teach and use that specific gift [16:31] When we do that we do not preach our believe in the manifold wisdom of God [16:39] That term manifold literally means multicolored or multi layered

[16:46] So what he’s saying is is that the church is a multi layered evidence of the wisdom of God and [16:54] We see in places that we’re gonna see in Ephesians chapter 4 that God has given many different offices many different [17:01] Giftings to people in the church in first Corinthians chapters 12 through 14 [17:05] He unfolds the many different spiritual gifts that make up the local church [17:10] But what is vastly important is for you to understand that what Paul is calling us towards [17:16] Is an identity as the people of God an identity that is consumed with

[17:22] understanding and taking joy in the fact that you have been redeemed in order to be a [17:29] member of the household of God and take it so [17:32] Seriously that you understand that you don’t simply go to church [17:37] But rather you are the church you are being the church [17:43] Every day in every way that you are living out your life you are the church [17:50] now

[17:51] Does that mean then? [17:54] that we are to form a community and huddle up and [17:59] Separate from the rest of society so that we can understand our identity as the church because that is a chief [18:06] Thought many people believe that throughout history many people have done that very thing [18:11] No

[18:14] No [18:15] The community of God which is the church is not the ends of God’s plan [18:23] But rather it is a means through which God is working his plan [18:28] So what is the community of the church to find as its purpose and find as its guide? [18:36] For how to live as the church [18:39] What has Paul talked about in chapter 2 and then the beginning of chapter 3

[18:44] The mission of Jesus to take the good news of the gospel to all of the world [18:51] So that the church will grow larger and larger and larger through it

[18:57] Okay [18:57] So the community of the church must be guided by the mission of God to find its purpose [19:06] Otherwise what we are left with is simply a club or a you know [19:11] We can be called a community you can build community around a great number of things [19:14] But the centerpiece of that community will be us

[19:20] We are the plan of God we are the centerpiece of God’s design [19:24] We are what God’s plan is all about therefore. We are more special than everyone else

[19:31] No [19:32] That is in no way the attitude [19:35] That Paul is giving this message through Paul’s attitude is the gospel is this great force that must go out [19:43] It must be pushed out therefore what he’s doing is he’s describing the church as a central hub of [19:51] Mission through which we are equipped and which we worship and which we dwell with one another in order to grow in our [19:58] Knowledge of God that is why in our community groups. We do not have a night

[20:04] Unless it’s game night

[20:09] That we don’t crack open the scriptures

[20:14] Because this is what we are called to pour into [20:19] ourselves and then by it we pour our lives into the mission and purposes of God [20:26] What then is the vision of God for his church his vision is? [20:33] Matthew chapter 28 [20:36] We had it up on the screens a few minutes ago, but let’s get that back up there

[20:41] And Jesus came and said to them he gives them his great revelation. This is what

[20:47] He spelled out more clearly the Apostle Paul all authority in heaven on earth has been given to me in other words. I am God

[20:55] Because of that authority go

[20:59] Make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [21:05] teaching them

[21:12] Teaching them [21:14] There’s so many times well, I’m I just I’m just not smart I can’t learn [21:20] Fortunately for you the Holy Spirit is very smart

[21:25] Fortunately for you the limitations aren’t based on your intellect [21:31] Fortunately for you in Ephesians chapter 2 and then back in John chapter 14 when he says we have access through one [21:38] Spirit to God in John chapter 14. Jesus said oh don’t worry about that [21:42] The Holy Spirit will bring remembrance to you of all things that I’ve taught

[21:47] See when you limit your ability to be discipled what you’re doing is as you are saying God is limited [21:54] Don’t say that [21:57] That’s not good theology by the way [22:00] But notice what he says then [22:03] Teaching them to observe all that I’ve commanded you and behold I am with you always to the end of the age [22:12] The manifold wisdom of God is revealed through the church because the church is

[22:21] the source [22:23] Where Jesus’s presence is for this age

[22:27] So what does that mean? [22:30] It means by the work of the Holy Spirit when we come together and when we are together as the church [22:36] we are to push each other as [22:39] Sending agents out into the world of mission so that we can bring people back to where the presence of Jesus is [22:47] So that we can then send them out

[22:54] So that’s what Jesus is saying [22:54] God then engages culture through his people the church

[23:01] See this is why there is great tension in the Christian life and a tension that needs to be there [23:09] We’re gonna talk in a couple of weeks about how what the church is called to do through its unity is to be both [23:16] centripetal as well as centrifugal [23:19] Alright, and if you know science, you know what that means. I didn’t know what it meant till I read it [23:23] So here’s what I mean by that. Alright [23:27] that the work of the gospel in the church is a

[23:31] force that holds you towards itself because that is the [23:36] Resting place of Jesus that is the source of God’s beauty that is the source of God’s wisdom [23:43] But it also at the same time works to push you out [23:47] Towards culture so that you can be the witness of God in this world [23:54] It’s kind of like you’re on a string [23:56] Swinging in a circle where that force is pushing you out

[24:00] But also the force of the string holds you back in because when you become disconnected from the people of God you become [24:06] disconnected from the source of God’s work and [24:09] That as we are out in the culture [24:13] We are taking part in a great godly feat [24:17] Of engaging the culture with the gospel of Jesus. Notice what he says in chapter in verse 10 [24:25] So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and

[24:32] authorities in the heavenly places [24:34] It’s so easy to read this and just kind of make it some existential mystical thing that you can’t comprehend [24:40] But what he’s saying there is this great truth about your life [24:44] In other words, God is literally working tangible redemption in your life [24:51] Someone brought you the gospel and got you in church [24:55] Someone did and when that took place it changed you to begin to take part in the same

[25:02] activity of [25:04] Taking every part of your life captive for the work of Jesus Christ [25:09] And what he’s saying is that the manifold wisdom of God through that act is being made known [25:14] To the heavenly realm in other words there are [25:18] Spectators to the work of the gospel in this present age those spectators are angels and demons [25:24] That’s literally what that means

[25:28] For for one the angels they are looking on not omniscient [25:35] They are not all knowing they are created beings [25:40] and [25:40] While God has made clear to them because you know they can read to the Bible [25:45] They know the back of the book he wins

[25:50] But what they are privileged to do is look on and [25:56] watch as [25:57] God [25:58] Conquers sin and redeems souls. That is why in the book of Luke Jesus says that the angels of heaven [26:07] Rejoice over one soul that is saved [26:11] Because they are looking on and it is fueling their worship of God as

[26:19] they watch him fulfill his promises to his people and [26:23] then the demons watch as they are being conquered and as they in futility

[26:31] Attempt to overcome the work of God and to thwart his work of redemption [26:37] And they are watching as they slowly lose

[26:44] But here’s the key you are not called to be a spectator

[26:52] We have the special privilege of being the participants

[27:00] They’re watching us do the work of God [27:04] When you divorce yourself from that and take a seat in the bleachers [27:10] You are trying to take a seat that does not belong to you. You are called to be on the field [27:17] You are called to be in the game and [27:21] When you live for any other purpose than that which God has given you the great dignity [27:28] and privilege to be a part of you are divorcing yourself from the greatest privilege that exists and you are not showing

[27:36] Fruit of redemption nor are you revealing the wisdom of God you are living by the wisdom of yourself [27:43] No matter what your reasoning for that is

[27:46] And I know oftentimes we will use reasoning that sounds really good to us [27:52] We will have weaknesses that seem very real

[27:58] We will suffer great things and we will seem to not be as able as other people [28:05] But God says I’m gonna do it anyway, I want to use you [28:10] Be a part. Let me show the world my wisdom through you

[28:19] And he will and he does now

[28:25] How does this work out tangibly in our lives because I don’t know about you but that gets me really excited [28:33] But then I’ll go home big alright, I’m gonna be the manifold wisdom of God part of his church [28:41] What do I do [28:44] All right. Well, luckily, thankfully not luckily blessed Lee [28:49] God I know I hate that [28:51] There’s no such thing as love

[28:53] Whatever, you know what I’m at?

[28:58] Church people oh wait

[29:03] There’s some brilliant minds over the last 50 years that have helped so greatly and helping us understand the very [29:11] confusing and often [29:14] Tension inducing in a good way sometimes [29:18] What are we called to be in the culture [29:20] How do we take the gospel to the culture because here’s the key it does not come naturally to most of us [29:28] It takes great strategy. It takes great thought and here’s the key. That’s why he gave you the church

[29:37] Because you’re not alone he wants to give you help and what a man named Francis Schaefer [29:43] That’s who I attribute the credit for this Bill Bright also wrote a little bit about this [29:47] Francis Schaefer who is I don’t know what to call him other than a prophet you read his books from the 60s [29:53] And you’ll know exactly what I mean by that [29:55] He gave us great strategy and he identified seven areas of culture [30:00] That we the church are called to be a missional hub for in other words

[30:06] The church is the center of God’s plan and God is sending his people to every branch of culture in order to work [30:13] redemption and here’s a chart that [30:16] That we kind of made for this [30:19] Back there. All right, can’t see it up here. Oh [30:23] That messes me up just so you know people when I get confused at moments up here [30:27] It’s because I think it’s there and then when it’s not I want to cry

[30:32] Here’s a diagram that I want you to see and the church is the centerpiece [30:36] It is what the world is to see the manifold wisdom of God. We are called to be the church [30:41] We are called to live as the church to disciple one another as the church and that means what we do in community with one another [30:49] It’s very important that it have meaning [30:52] That’s why the scripture is the centerpiece and the authority under which the church lies [30:58] We’re called to know this and the church then if you see the lines going to each one of these areas

[31:05] I want those lines to represent mission [31:09] We are called to leave the confines of the church [31:12] oftentimes and go into these areas of the church while we’re still a part of the church and getting fellowship from the church and [31:21] Growing as the church and I want to talk about these one by one first [31:24] I want to talk about the church is sent into the family for mission [31:30] Your family does not exist as something that’s off base

[31:37] It’s where it all begins [31:40] What you do at home what you teach in your marriage as well as in your child rearing

[31:48] Is some of the greatest effect for the mission of Jesus that you will ever see [31:53] It’s been said before that real change does not begin in the polling booth, but rather it begins at the kitchen table

[32:02] How you live in your family is a testament to what you believe about God [32:12] Therefore I have been called [32:15] We’ll see this in Ephesians 5 to represent a gospel centered mindset to my wife as well as my son

[32:24] I [32:25] Have to take the mission of Jesus to them [32:28] I have to teach them to live for his mission I have to teach them to live for his purposes [32:32] I’m called to go to them and teach [32:37] men be [32:38] husbands who love the gospel

[32:41] Be husbands that do not give their wives [32:46] the task of preaching the gospel to children [32:50] Don’t use anything as an excuse don’t use your job as an excuse don’t use your personality as an excuse [32:57] Don’t use your stoic emotion as an excuse take the responsibility [33:03] taking the gospel to your family I [33:08] Could be there for like three hours, so let’s move on

[33:11] We will in a couple of weeks. I broke [33:13] The family section of the book of Ephesians in three weeks. So get ready

[33:20] Business this is not necessarily in an order of importance. It’s just an order of how I wrote it

[33:28] Business we are not called to simply have the gospel affect our [33:34] practices in business because that’s what we do [33:38] Well, let’s look at the book of Proverbs and that’s how I’m gonna be a businessman. That’s part of it [33:43] But you are called to take on the identity as a missionary in whatever point of business that you have [33:50] Why do you think God takes his church into so many different lines of work? [33:57] See many of you think that as a pastor, I’m the one that’s got to take the mission to the world

[34:02] I’m telling you as a pastor. I’m handicapped [34:05] Because when someone says what do you do for a living? I’m a pastor. I’m not gonna talk to you anymore [34:10] That’s what they do. Oh [34:13] Well, you’re the guy on the street all void. It’s what they do [34:18] That’s why in Ephesians 412 it says that the work of the ministry is equipping the saints [34:24] For the work of ministry

[34:27] You are to take an identity as a missionary to whatever [34:30] Form of business you go into some of you work in retail some of you work in the food industry [34:36] Some of you work in schools some of you. I don’t even know what most of you do [34:41] I don’t understand what half of you do and I’m even told I’m not that bright [34:45] But whatever it is that you do you are not to go in as just you [34:51] You are to go in as a child of God

[34:54] praying for the opportunity to [34:57] Give the gospel to people [35:00] Understand that however, you run your business and however you do your work then is [35:06] Your witness of the manifold wisdom of God

[35:09] Think about that the next conversation you have with a co-worker or with an employee

[35:17] Then [35:18] Everyone’s favorite topic government [35:21] Two things you’re not supposed to talk about and that’s religion and politics [35:25] That’s all I like to talk about so it’s like I can’t talk with people [35:30] I don’t know but here’s the key we will not change the world through politics [35:35] We will change the world with the gospel

[35:38] But here’s the key the political system is an area of life that must be engaged by the gospel [35:45] Now I have spanned every spectrum of thought on this and it is the most tension [35:51] Inducing topic that I have whereas the work of the ministry is involved because there are people that tell you that there’s no place [35:59] For the church in politics [36:00] There are people that will tell you that the church must only chiefly be interested in politics [36:04] But I will tell you it is a part of what we are called to do when we engage the culture

[36:10] And here’s why we live in a democracy therefore by our very citizenship [36:14] We are called to be involved in the process and when we as believers are involved in the process [36:20] Then we must take seriously that however our involvement is coming out is a revelation of the manifold wisdom of God [36:28] And there are issues that God is very interested in and one of them is the protection of life [36:34] all of it [36:36] the unborn and the born

[36:40] So every time we involve ourselves we must be the forerunners of [36:45] Revealing the real purpose and the real wisdom about life [36:50] Because it matters so much to God that his son gave his life [36:56] We must take seriously our involvement in the culture we must take seriously the protection of freedom [37:04] Because we happen to live in a nation with our freedom only we are not called to use our freedom in just leisure [37:13] We’re called to use it as prisoners of Christ Jesus

[37:17] So in our involvement we must take the wisdom of God and reveal the grace of God [37:23] Now that affects greatly your attitude as you do it

[37:28] Don’t know that God is as interested in picket signs as he is through open and honest dialogue [37:35] That does not mean you water it down that means you find a strategy [37:41] Through which to say it in love [37:44] All truth is God’s truth therefore we must be purveyors of truth [37:49] But there are some nicer ways to say it

[37:54] Education this is a hot-button topic for many people

[37:59] Here’s what I want to say about education

[38:03] I’ll never tell you what you need to do with your child where education is concerned [38:07] We have public school kids we have private school kids. We have home school kids. I love them all right [38:12] I’m the youth pastor here, too. I love all kids [38:16] But here’s what I will say if you simply [38:20] Contract out your child’s education and never be involved in it. You are not being the manifold wisdom of God to the culture [38:27] You must be heavily involved no matter what you choose and that’s your choice not mine

[38:32] For your children your involvement is godly and it is a vehicle through which you can give the gospel to the culture [38:40] I mean they have PTA they you know parent-teacher conferences [38:45] Bible believing gospel thriving people will be involved in their child’s education [38:53] But what I do not like is that parents are oftentimes more worried about their children [39:00] Understanding how the world outside of the church works, then they are worried about their children being saturated with the Word of God

[39:09] That should trouble you

[39:13] Your utmost concern must be your children know God’s revelation [39:19] Why do you think he gave it to us in written word because it takes education to know it

[39:26] Therefore who is responsible for teaching your children the Word of God you are [39:32] And I pray [39:33] That you will engage your children with the gospel of Jesus Christ and be more worried about that [39:39] Then you are anything else because believe you me the world and I was a youth pastor for eight years [39:45] The world will educate them about God if you don’t [39:50] You will not like the outcome you will not like it

[39:57] Media [39:59] I’m gonna speed it up [40:02] Don’t just believe what you see on TV and what the reporters report [40:06] But that’s what Anderson Cooper said I know that’s what he said [40:11] What is he basing that on? [40:14] We’re called to be involved in the media involved in all aspects of the world

[40:18] Even if it’s down to just the fact that you know what’s going on in the world [40:23] Do not sit idly by and say I don’t read the newspaper because it’s just bad news

[40:29] You need to know that bad news because oftentimes that bad news can be on Avenue through which you can engage [40:37] People in conversation for what they care about [40:39] The media reports on what people in this culture care about [40:44] Therefore you should be educated in those things. You should also be in dialogue in those things [40:50] I remember in Lynchburg there would always be believers [40:53] That’s why I used to live there by the way

[40:55] There are would always be believers writing in the editorial section of the newspaper [40:59] We must take that seriously if you have the gift of writing and understanding what happens in the world [41:05] Which I don’t necessarily get oftentimes, but you should be engaged in that aspect of culture arts and entertainment a

[41:13] Lot of it’s ugly, but maybe we could produce that which is beautiful [41:17] Understand that God has gifted people with ways in which he reveals his beauty and this is what Francis Schaeffer was so [41:24] Intrigued by is the use of creativity in order to take the gospel to the world. Are you artistic? [41:32] Are you creative are you a writer? [41:36] Do you have a desire to be involved in film or television? [41:40] Do not believe that that is not a godly Avenue through which the gospel can go

[41:45] Even if it’s beginning in the beginning stages is just through relationships, but you need to ask yourself [41:50] How can you reveal the beauty of God through all avenues of art? Why has the church? [41:57] Divorced itself from producing art [42:01] Why have we committed ourselves to mediocrity in the arts?

[42:07] And I’m not saying that Christian music isn’t that artistic I might

[42:14] But how could we as believers engage the world with the beauty of God

[42:23] We must come together and use our talents and abilities [42:27] To take seriously that we have been called to engage the culture [42:32] But oftentimes we see it as black or white we either separate or we’re all just gonna fall into this terrible realm of [42:39] ungodliness [42:41] No, we’re not called to separate or syncretize. We’re called to engage [42:46] We’re called to be the church in the culture finally

[42:51] religion I

[42:55] Am often [42:58] At my door

[43:02] Dialoguing with Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons that just show up I don’t invite them [43:07] Nothing anybody does they just hey they’re there

[43:11] And I’ll tell you to be careful follow the scripture where your engagement of them second [43:16] John has a lot to say about that [43:17] But I will tell you if you do not know your faith. How do you know theirs is not true?

[43:25] Now this is a particular part of the culture that I am called to engage in and I do I [43:33] Answer the door, but before you do do you know the truth from that which is counterfeit?

[43:41] If you don’t then how will you engage the world how will you engage? [43:47] Yourself where religion is concerned your legalism [43:51] How will you be able to repent of that if you don’t know the Word of God [43:54] How will you be able to show truth to those who believe lies if you don’t know the truth? [44:02] Where do you find the truth you find it in God’s Word and where do you learn God’s Word the church?

[44:09] In Matthew chapter 5

[44:13] Jesus told us people he says you are the salt of the earth [44:17] But if salt has lost its taste how shall it saltiness be restored? [44:22] It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet [44:26] You’re the light of the world a city set on a hill cannot be hidden nor do people light a lamp and put it under [44:31] A basket, but on a stand and it gives light to all in the house in the same way [44:37] Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven

[44:44] now there are [44:46] Other smaller areas of culture that I just didn’t have time to touch on [44:51] But the question question is not if you have been called to engage the culture [44:56] The question is where have you been called to engage the culture?

[45:02] and [45:02] That’s something that you need to take seriously [45:05] And the only way you will find your place is in [45:10] strategizing and in discipleship in the church

[45:17] We cannot be people who have lost the savor of the gospel [45:23] We are referred to as the preserving agent of society may we take our calling? [45:30] Seriously may we realize that we have been called to reveal the wisdom of God and when we shrink back in [45:39] Fear or when we avoid our calling because we’re too busy [45:43] We are denying that which God has clearly stated [45:48] He’s called you to come together for the purpose of learning how to be sent out

[45:55] And this is how Paul ends the passage

[46:00] He says in verse 11 [46:03] This was according to the eternal purpose [46:07] That he realized that has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord in whom we have what boldness [46:16] We’re not given a spirit of fear

[46:20] And [46:21] access with confidence [46:23] Through our faith in him [46:26] Guess what he wins therefore we win [46:31] So I ask you and notice this

[46:36] Not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is for your glory [46:41] What does Paul mean by that? [46:44] When you take seriously that God has called you into the church when you take seriously [46:49] That he’s called you to be changed in the church when you take seriously [46:52] That God has called you to be discipled in this church [46:55] And when you take seriously that God has been has called you to be sent on mission by his church

[47:02] As Jerry Falwell said there are often more bad days than good

[47:08] In other words what he means by that is is just as Paul was suffering in a prison cell as he wrote the book of [47:14] Ephesians you may suffer great hardship [47:18] That’s why our reasoning for following Jesus is not health and wealth in this life, but true eternal joy in [47:26] his glory forever [47:29] We’ve been given a promise that no one else has been given and we take that promise to the world and that is that God [47:36] Will take us to himself and we will worship him in joy

[47:42] forever and that [47:44] Is what we take to this world