Bobservations' Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz
A week and a day ago, my wife’s last living uncle passed into eternity. “Uncle Jim” spent his life serving the Lord in ministry and by example. We know he is home with his beloved Lord Jesus. Our prayers are for the peace and comfort of Fran, his wife, and his four children, James, Linda, John, Mark, and all their families. Dr. Rev. James Allen was a consummate teacher, whether in a church pulpit or in a university classroom. His passion was to teach young people about the Lord Jesus Christ, and all the workings of faith.
In last week’s third chapter of Ephesians, it was the Apostle Paul, another consummate teacher of the Gospel who eloquently revealed and explained some of the mysteries of faith. Today, we look at the second half of chapter 3 and find the title of today’s teaching: “God’s Eternal Purpose.” We find that His eternal purpose is ongoing today: that we might know His Son Jesus, and the incredible work of salvation which He accomplished for all mankind on the cross. It is a universal gift to all.
By definition, a gift is something freely given or made available. In order for the gifting process to be complete, it must be received. Can you imagine, a precious gift being rejected? It’s like a gift left unopened at Christmastime, just because one did not like the gifter/donor. Besides the gift of salvation, God also gave mankind the gift of free will, and many have already rejected God’s gift of salvation. A profound lack of belief or trust is all it takes to reject His gift.
But believers have opened the gift of God and had their lives changed forever. “Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8. This is the invitation given to all mankind. It continues to be extended to every generation throughout the world.
My wife’s uncle told us one time that he prayed regularly that each of his eleven brothers and sisters would come to Christ. A few did. But he was overjoyed when he saw so many of the next generation in the family respond to the invitation, and opened, and receive God’s gift.
A week and a day ago, my wife’s last living uncle passed into eternity. “Uncle Jim” spent his life serving the Lord in ministry and by example. We know he is home with his beloved Lord Jesus. Our prayers are for the peace and comfort of Fran, his wife, and his four children, James, Linda, John, Mark, and all their families. Dr. Rev. James Allen was a consummate teacher, whether in a church pulpit or in a university classroom. His passion was to teach young people about the Lord Jesus Christ, and all the workings of faith.
In last week’s third chapter of Ephesians, it was the Apostle Paul, another consummate teacher of the Gospel who eloquently revealed and explained some of the mysteries of faith. Today, we look at the second half of chapter 3 and find the title of today’s teaching: “God’s Eternal Purpose.” We find that His eternal purpose is ongoing today: that we might know His Son Jesus, and the incredible work of salvation which He accomplished for all mankind on the cross. It is a universal gift to all.
By definition, a gift is something freely given or made available. In order for the gifting process to be complete, it must be received. Can you imagine, a precious gift being rejected? It’s like a gift left unopened at Christmastime, just because one did not like the gifter/donor. Besides the gift of salvation, God also gave mankind the gift of free will, and many have already rejected God’s gift of salvation. A profound lack of belief or trust is all it takes to reject His gift.
But believers have opened the gift of God and had their lives changed forever. “Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8. This is the invitation given to all mankind. It continues to be extended to every generation throughout the world.
My wife’s uncle told us one time that he prayed regularly that each of his eleven brothers and sisters would come to Christ. A few did. But he was overjoyed when he saw so many of the next generation in the family respond to the invitation, and opened, and receive God’s gift.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6
Today's Audio Message:
Ephesians 3:11-21 - "God's Eternal Purpose"
Summary:
What God planned from the time before time existed—his eternal purpose—has come into fruition through Jesus Christ—his cross, resurrection, and ascension.
God’s eternal purpose centers on Christ and His church. If we want our lives to count for eternity, we’ve got to get God’s vision and purpose for the church and live accordingly.
For 3 chapters Paul has spoken truth about the church and her role. It’s the groundwork for where he turns next: how we as members of the church are to live and be. He ends this section with a beautiful doxology, a song of praise to God who has done the most tremendous things up to this point.
When you think of God’s plan for the church and what it would become it was beyond imagination. It was something no one with the greatest of wisdom could have thought possible. Only God is able to bring about such works beyond anything imaginable.
