The Church – The Dwelling Place of God

In his letter to the Church at Ephesus, Paul gives us a clear, concise and irrefutable case for the church. The last 11 verses of Chapter 2 – take the case to a new level.

Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV)
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I would like us to study this final section of Ephesians 2 as four direct challenging questions.

1. Is the church necessary?
2. If it is, just HOW necessary is it?
3. Where do we look to as our example of vital church community?
4. How do we become the church that God wants us to be?


1. Is the Church Necessary?

Verse 11 starts with the word ‘therefore’ whenever we see the word ‘therefore’, we must ask ‘what’s it there for’ ... what has Paul said before that qualifies what he’s about to say now?

THEREFORE:-
Because - you are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing
Because - he chose you before the foundation of the world
Because - he predestined you for adoption as sons
Because - he redeemed you with his blood and completely forgave you
Because - he has lavished his grace upon you without measure
Because - he has made known to you the mystery of his will
Because - he sealed you with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of your inheritance
Because - he has given you a spirit of wisdom & revelation in the knowledge of him
Because - you know the hope to which he has called you
Because - of the surpassing greatness of his power toward you who believe
Because - Christ is the head of all things including the church
Because - all authority is given to Christ
Because - God is rich in mercy, even when you were dead in sin, he made you alive with Christ
Because - he has raised you up and seated you with him in Heavenly places
Because - in the ages to come he will show surpassing grace in kindness to you
Because - you are saved through faith
Because - you are his workmanship created in Christ for good works

In Chapter 1 we see Paul praying for us to have our eyes open to God and the surpassing power of God toward us in Christ.

Then in the first half of Chapter 2 he goes on to show the way God’s power plays out in our lives internally and individually.

Then in verses 11-22, Paul continues on and shows us how God takes diverse people and brings them together into one new body and uses that experience to change our lives corporately and relationally. In these verses he’s talking about Jews – the Commonwealth of Israel and Gentiles.

Paul is not talking about a ‘takeover’ or an ‘acquisition’, where one party is usually stronger than another and comes to the rescue of the other. But rather the creating of a brand new entity made up of the old diverse groups coming together as one in Christ as the head. The unifying factor is the cross. These groups can only come together through the cross and by no merit of their own!

This new entity is called the church. Graham unpacked this transitional journey last week when he showed us God’s eternal plan to dwell among a people. Adam & Eve, Israel, the Church.

Paul says we were seperate from the Commonwealth of Israel. Commonwealth literally means a group of people who are joined together for their common well-being and Shalom (Peace).

And in this new Commonwealth, God has chosen to dwell and fully manifest all that he is. That new commonwealth is the Church!

Are we saying you can’t be saved without being a member of the church – No!

But we are saying that if we take these verses literally we cannot experience the full benefits of the commonwealth of the church without being grafted into the community of love, truth and mission the church is meant to be.

We can do more together than we can do apart. All through the bible we see God’s heart to dwell with and in a group of people – family, nation, and now church.

There is no way the London 2012 Olympics could ever be achieved without the involvement of a commonwealth of nations, businesses, athletes, authorities.... thousands of individuals coming together for a global spectacle that will wow the world. The church is like this but so much more incredible and impressive – we’ll see why!

We live in a society where the emphasis is on the individual and the individual’s rights, comforts and desires being fulfilled. Even the growing hunger toward spirituality is bent towards a personal faith where the individual sets the parameters of the God within.

If we’re not careful, we can fully accept Ephesians 2:1-10 and we love the thought of the power of God being at work in our individual lives. But, when we read verses 11-22 and see that this power is outworked through a community of people called the church. We find this hard. Why?

Because some of us struggle with relationship, authority, accountability and leadership.

So we can come before God and say, I want to know and experience you individually, but I really don’t want to be involved in any one church. But it’s not possible.

OK – I can see that the church is necessary – but just how necessary is it??

2. Just How Necessary is the Church.

There are three metaphors that Paul uses to describe the Church that speak of the intensity of involvement that God is looking for from us. In verses 19-22 (Read)

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21  in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

• We are Fellow Citizens with the Saints. This speaks of a new identity – you are no longer primarily a citizen of the UK or France or Nigeria. To take it further, you are not primarily black or white, rich or poor, gay or straight. You have a new citizenship within a new community of people, a new race where Jesus Christ is the King. This new community now has more influence over you than membership of your old groups. (Citizen – not Resident Alien).

• We are also Members of God’s Household. Not God’s house, but his household – in God’s family with other siblings who are also children of God. So now we see that God is not just our King, but he’s also our Father!

• We are Building Blocks in a temple where God’s royal, glorious, awesome, magnificent, powerful, splendid, beyond comparison and beyond description presence dwells.

So we can see from these metaphors just how intensely we are connected to God – King, Father and then his dwelling – the place where he resides.

He’s not just near us; he’s with us. He’s not just with us; he’s actually dwelling in us!

BUT - we can also see just how intensely we are connected to each other.

• The connection as citizens is an important one – it’s a social contract.
• The connection between siblings is a much more intimate one – Jesus blood / God’s DNA.
• But the connection as building blocks actually means that we are cemented together.

So when we ask the question – ‘how involved do I need to be in the church?’ can you see the intensity of involvement played out in these metaphors? Does casual church involvement square with this level of intensity? No way!

So how involved do I need to be in the church community?

Well let’s look at the metaphors.... it certainly has to go beyond casual attendance, or giving financially, or serving, but should include the following two things:-

• Personal Accountability - The minute you are in a marriage or family relationship, you can’t just do your own thing. You are accountable to one another to ensure the healthy, stable and happy life of the household.

Let’s go further and think about the blocks in a wall. The blocks adjacent to you are relying on you. If you’re not in the wall, they are going to fall. [Demonstrate with building blocks]

So if this is the case there should be a group of Christians who know you so well, they know your strengths, your weaknesses, your inward struggles and doubts – they are the people who are right alongside you in the wall. So by being in the wall you are giving people opportunity to stand with you, challenge you, encourage you and correct you.

One of the ways we work that out at Kings is through Life Groups. (Dan’s Life Group)

• Corporate responsibility - We hear it said – Faith is an extremely personal thing. Only private religion is acceptable in our society. I have a faith and I believe in God, but I don’t want to share it with anyone else.

The Christian faith isn’t personal. The Christian faith is extremely dependant on others.

If we are to be a temple – a dwelling of God in the Spirit, we must see that it is absolutely impossible to be a dwelling as a single block. It takes multiple blocks to build a dwelling. [Demonstrate with building blocks]

So if we are to be a dwelling of God in the Spirit, it is necessary to be built together with other Christians into a dwelling where God’s power can manifest itself. God’s presence inhabits a temple made of many blocks.

Only when I really know other Christians who know Jesus in ways that I don’t, will I grow in those ways. The more alone you are in your Christianity, the less intimate you will be with God. When people are together in a community, they draw things out of each other.

OK – I can see that the church is extremely important – but it seems so flawed?

3. Where do we look to as our example of vital church community?

 
When you become a Christian, you are vitally linked to the Triune God. The Trinity is a massive doctrinal stumbling block, because it’s hard to get. I don’t get it – but I love it. Here’s why?

Polytheistic religions – lots of gods, one religion – lots of diversity but no unity.

Monotheistic religions – One god- one person – but no relationship – solitary God who has no idea about relationship.

At the very essence of the Christian God is relationship – One God – three Persons!

From the very beginning our ‘three in one God’ has been pouring out love and outworking relationship in mutual submission in what is the ultimate example of church community.

How can you relate to a God whose essence is community, without being brought into community - a deep community of love, truth and mission in the world – the church?

God is our example - When we come into the church the old hostilities need to be broken down and a community of unity, love, mutual submission, grace, peace need to be demonstrated to the world. This is God’s vision of the church, because this is what he is like.

Through Him (Jesus) we have access to the Father through the Spirit (verse 18)

We may say - I’m scared, I’ve been hurt by church and there are lots of Christians I don’t like.

I’m white - I don’t get on with blacks
I’m a guy – I’ve been hurt by women
I’m poor - I don’t get on with rich people
I’m straight - I don’t trust gay people
I’m gay – I’m not accepted by straight people
I’m young – I don’t get on with old people
I’m from a Hindu background – I don’t get on with people from a Muslim background
I’m from a Brethren background – I don’t get on with Pentecostals
I’m a Jew – I don’t get on with Gentiles
I’m English – I don’t get on with Nigerians

However, the church is made up of all the above and more and is being built together as a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. All the fullness of God dwells in the church.

If people want to know what God is like – where else can they turn but the church.

Not ‘here today and gone tomorrow’, but something that will be around for eternity. It’s not ‘out with the old and in with the new!’ because God’s promises are outworked through generations.

Throughout history many people have tried to ethnically cleanse people groups from the face of the earth in the name of religion and God. In the Church, because of Jesus Christ all groups, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, male and female, Jew and Gentile are one and can experience peaceful living together.

The manifold, multifaceted wisdom of God is manifest through the church in glorious Technicolor.

What has gone before is important – because God is the architect and builder. What is happening now is important as we are built together on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. What will happen after us will be important because all things are coming together to be united in Christ in the Church, which will become his glorious bride without spot or wrinkle.

Let’s take a look at Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia – Building commenced in 1883 and still continues today. The cathedral towers rise high above the city of Barcelona. You can see them from miles away. The story of Jesus is sculptured into the cathedral facades. The spires are emblazoned with the words, ‘Hosanna’ Glory to God in the Highest’.

The Sagrada Familia was designed about 135 years ago. The Nativity Facade was completed in the late 1800’s. The Passion Facade was completed only a few years ago. You can tell that the architect is Gaudi, but the style and the method of works are different.

Today, you can hear the sound of stone masons working, crafting the building blocks and the sculpture works. It’s a work in progress – just like the church.

God doesn’t do – ‘out with the old and in with the new’. He works one layer on top of another, on top of another, on top of another. Not stepping stones but building blocks.

Our nature is to pull down and start again. God never does that. Even with Noah – he took what was there and built on it. God fulfils his promises, through remnants against all odds.

When you are involved in the Church, you are investing your life into something that is right bang in the centre of Gods plans and purposes. Don’t play church – be the glorious church.


4. How do we become the church that God wants us to be?

Now we are getting to the business end of things! This is the challenging bit!

How does God do this? How does he bring us all together in the church?

How does God cause us to be one in the face of all our diversity and differences?

There is a key word in these last few verses that appears twice in the text. ‘HOSTILITY’

Let’s face it, we are hostile – this can be because of our background, our up-bringing, and our prejudices, our doctrinal view point. We so easily become intolerant of others.

Verses 14-16 show us how the hostility is destroyed.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

God through Jesus was brutal with the hostility. Jesus was made the hostility and was killed!

2 Corinthians 5:21. He was made sin (Hostility) who knew know sin (Hostility) that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

God treated Jesus as if he had done all the evil that we have done to each other. He created us to love each other – but we have trodden on each other. When Jesus takes on our hostility we take on his peace.

Hostility is manifest in self righteousness – ‘I would never have done that!’ PRIDE!

We must look to Jesus – the hostility must be destroyed.

Only through Jesus, by the cross, is the hostility killed.

The Church is a building, a temple made of living stones, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. As God’s people, we are fellow citizens with other saints, members of God’s household, a holy temple being built up (rising up) into him. One new man united in Christ forever and ever and ever.

The cross is able to break down the hostility, to take that which is immensely flawed and use it to make something incredibly glorious. No matter how flawed we see ourselves, surrender to God’s stone masonry, let him chip away at the rough edges; let him masterfully craft something from your stone shaped life that will bring him much glory and honour and will last forever.

The Church is the dwelling place of God in the earth. When people want to know what God is like – they should be able to turn to the church and see people from all backgrounds dwelling together as one because of the cross of Jesus. The church is God’s plan A – He doesn’t have a plan B.

As you choose to allow the cross to break down the hostility between you and others, the fullness of God will be clearly manifest through Kings Church to our community. The church is God’s glorious plan, his wonderful dwelling place, his glory in the earth and his bride to come.

Allow the cross to break down the hostility and also empower you to live in a manner worthy of being called the dwelling of God in the earth. We have to choose to live in such a way. Put off foolishness and self righteousness – be the church!

The Church – Ephesians – Now that we are in Christ

In his letter to the Church at Ephesus, Paul gives us a clear, concise and irrefutable case for the church. The last 11 verses of Chapter 2 – take the case to a new level.

Ephesians 2:11-22 (ESV)

11Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I would like us to study this final section of Ephesians 2 as four direct challenging questions.

1. Is the church necessary?

2. If it is, just HOW necessary is it?

3. Where do we look to as our example of vital church community?

4. How do we become the church that God wants us to be?



1. Is the Church Necessary?

Verse 11 starts with the word ‘therefore’ whenever we see the word ‘therefore’, we must ask ‘what’s it there for’ ... what has Paul said before that qualifies what he’s about to say now?

THEREFORE:-

Because - you are blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing
Because - he chose you before the foundation of the world
Because - he predestined you for adoption as sons
Because - he redeemed you with his blood and completely forgave you
Because - he has lavished his grace upon you without measure
Because - he has made known to you the mystery of his will
Because - he sealed you with the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of your inheritance
Because - he has given you a spirit of wisdom & revelation in the knowledge of him
Because - you know the hope to which he has called you
Because - of the surpassing greatness of his power toward you who believe
Because - Christ is the head of all things including the church
Because - all authority is given to Christ
Because - God is rich in mercy, even when you were dead in sin, he made you alive with Christ
Because - he has raised you up and seated you with him in Heavenly places
Because - in the ages to come he will show surpassing grace in kindness to you
Because - you are saved through faith
Because - you are his workmanship created in Christ for good works

In Chapter 1 we see Paul praying for us to have our eyes open to God and the surpassing power of God toward us in Christ.

Then in the first half of Chapter 2 he goes on to show the way God’s power plays out in our lives internally and individually.

Then in verses 11-22, Paul continues on and shows us how God takes diverse people and brings them together into one new body and uses that experience to change our lives corporately and relationally. In these verses he’s talking about Jews – the Commonwealth of Israel and Gentiles.

Paul is not talking about a ‘takeover’ or an ‘acquisition’, where one party is usually stronger than another and comes to the rescue of the other. But rather the creating of a brand new entity made up of the old diverse groups coming together as one in Christ as the head. The unifying factor is the cross. These groups can only come together through the cross and by no merit of their own!

This new entity is called the church. Graham unpacked this transitional journey last week when he showed us God’s eternal plan to dwell among a people. Adam & Eve, Israel, the Church.

Paul says we were seperate from the Commonwealth of Israel. Commonwealth literally means a group of people who are joined together for their common well-being and Shalom (Peace).

And in this new Commonwealth, God has chosen to dwell and fully manifest all that he is. That new commonwealth is the Church!

Are we saying you can’t be saved without being a member of the church – No!

But we are saying that if we take these verses literally we cannot experience the full benefits of the commonwealth of the church without being grafted into the community of love, truth and mission the church is meant to be.

We can do more together than we can do apart. All through the bible we see God’s heart to dwell with and in a group of people – family, nation, and now church.

There is no way the London 2012 Olympics could ever be achieved without the involvement of a commonwealth of nations, businesses, athletes, authorities.... thousands of individuals coming together for a global spectacle that will wow the world. The church is like this but so much more incredible and impressive – we’ll see why!

We live in a society where the emphasis is on the individual and the individual’s rights, comforts and desires being fulfilled. Even the growing hunger toward spirituality is bent towards a personal faith where the individual sets the parameters of the God within.

If we’re not careful, we can fully accept Ephesians 2:1-10 and we love the thought of the power of God being at work in our individual lives. But, when we read verses 11-22 and see that this power is outworked through a community of people called the church. We find this hard. Why?

Because some of us struggle with relationship, authority, accountability and leadership.

So we can come before God and say, I want to know and experience you individually, but I really don’t want to be involved in any one church. But it’s not possible.

OK – I can see that the church is necessary – but just how necessary is it??


2. Just How Necessary is the Church.

There are three metaphors that Paul uses to describe the Church that speak of the intensity of involvement that God is looking for from us. In verses 19-22 (Read)

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

We are Fellow Citizens with the Saints. This speaks of a new identity – you are no longer primarily a citizen of the UK or France or Nigeria. To take it further, you are not primarily black or white, rich or poor, gay or straight. You have a new citizenship within a new community of people, a new race where Jesus Christ is the King. This new community now has more influence over you than membership of your old groups. (Citizen – not Resident Alien).

We are also Members of God’s Household. Not God’s house, but his household – in God’s family with other siblings who are also children of God. So now we see that God is not just our King, but he’s also our Father!

We are Building Blocks in a temple where God’s royal, glorious, awesome, magnificent, powerful, splendid, beyond comparison and beyond description presence dwells.

So we can see from these metaphors just how intensely we are connected to God – King, Father and then his dwelling – the place where he resides.

He’s not just near us; he’s with us. He’s not just with us; he’s actually dwelling in us!

BUT - we can also see just how intensely we are connected to each other.

The connection as citizens is an important one – it’s a social contract.

The connection between siblings is a much more intimate one – Jesus blood / God’s DNA.

But the connection as building blocks actually means that we are cemented together.

So when we ask the question – ‘how involved do I need to be in the church?’ can you see the intensity of involvement played out in these metaphors? Does casual church involvement square with this level of intensity? No way!

So how involved do I need to be in the church community?

Well let’s look at the metaphors.... it certainly has to go beyond casual attendance, or giving financially, or serving, but should include the following two things:-

Personal accountability

The minute you are in a marriage or family relationship, you can’t just do your own thing. You are accountable to one another to ensure the healthy, stable and happy life of the household.

Let’s go further and think about the blocks in a wall. The blocks adjacent to you are relying on you. If you’re not in the wall, they are going to fall. [Demonstrate with building blocks]

So if this is the case there should be a group of Christians who know you so well, they know your strengths, your weaknesses, your inward struggles and doubts – they are the people who are right alongside you in the wall. So by being in the wall you are giving people opportunity to stand with you, challenge you, encourage you and correct you.

One of the ways we work that out at Kings is through Life Groups. (Dan’s Life Group)

Corporate responsibility

We hear it said – Faith is an extremely personal thing. Only private religion is acceptable in our society. I have a faith and I believe in God, but I don’t want to share it with anyone else.

The Christian faith isn’t personal. The Christian faith is extremely dependant on others.

If we are to be a temple – a dwelling of God in the Spirit, we must see that it is absolutely impossible to be a dwelling as a single block. It takes multiple blocks to build a dwelling. [Demonstrate with building blocks]

So if we are to be a dwelling of God in the Spirit, it is necessary to be built together with other Christians into a dwelling where God’s power can manifest itself. God’s presence inhabits a temple made of many blocks.

Only when I really know other Christians who know Jesus in ways that I don’t, will I grow in those ways. The more alone you are in your Christianity, the less intimate you will be with God. When people are together in a community, they draw things out of each other.

OK – I can see that the church is extremely important – but it seems so flawed?


3. Where do we look to as our example of vital church community?

When you become a Christian, you are vitally linked to the Triune God. The Trinity is a massive doctrinal stumbling block, because it’s hard to get. I don’t get it – but I love it. Here’s why?

Polytheistic religions – lots of gods, one religion – lots of diversity but no unity.

Monotheistic religions – One god- one person – but no relationship – solitary God who has no idea about relationship.

At the very essence of the Christian God is relationship – One God – three Persons!

From the very beginning our ‘three in one God’ has been pouring out love and outworking relationship in mutual submission in what is the ultimate example of church community.

How can you relate to a God whose essence is community, without being brought into community - a deep community of love, truth and mission in the world – the church?

God is our example - When we come into the church the old hostilities need to be broken down and a community of unity, love, mutual submission, grace, peace need to be demonstrated to the world. This is God’s vision of the church, because this is what he is like.

Through Him (Jesus) we have access to the Father through the Spirit (verse 18)

We may say - I’m scared, I’ve been hurt by church and there are lots of Christians I don’t like.

I’m white - I don’t get on with blacks
I’m a guy – I’ve been hurt by women
I’m poor - I don’t get on with rich people
I’m straight - I don’t trust gay people
I’m gay – I’m not accepted by straight people
I’m young – I don’t get on with old people
I’m from a Hindu background – I don’t get on with people from a Muslim background
I’m from a Brethren background – I don’t get on with Pentecostals
I’m a Jew – I don’t get on with Gentiles
I’m English – I don’t get on with Nigerians

However, the church is made up of all the above and more and is being built together as a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. All the fullness of God dwells in the church.

If people want to know what God is like – where else can they turn but the church.

Not ‘here today and gone tomorrow’, but something that will be around for eternity. It’s not ‘out with the old and in with the new!’ because God’s promises are outworked through generations.

Throughout history many people have tried to ethnically cleanse people groups from the face of the earth in the name of religion and God. In the Church, because of Jesus Christ all groups, black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, male and female, Jew and Gentile are one and can experience peaceful living together.

The manifold, multifaceted wisdom of God is manifest through the church in glorious Technicolor.

What has gone before is important – because God is the architect and builder. What is happening now is important as we are built together on the foundation of Apostles and Prophets. What will happen after us will be important because all things are coming together to be united in Christ in the Church, which will become his glorious bride without spot or wrinkle.

Let’s take a look at Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia – Building commenced in 1883 and still continues today. The cathedral towers rise high above the city of Barcelona. You can see them from miles away. The story of Jesus is sculptured into the cathedral facades. The spires are emblazoned with the words, ‘Hosanna’ Glory to God in the Highest’.

The Sagrada Familia was designed about 135 years ago. The Nativity Facade was completed in the late 1800’s. The Passion Facade was completed only a few years ago. You can tell that the architect is Gaudi, but the style and the method of works are different.

Today, you can hear the sound of stone masons working, crafting the building blocks and the sculpture works. It’s a work in progress – just like the church. 


God doesn’t do – ‘out with the old and in with the new’. He works one layer on top of another, on top of another, on top of another. Not stepping stones but building blocks.

Our nature is to pull down and start again. God never does that. Even with Noah – he took what was there and built on it. God fulfils his promises, through remnants against all odds.

When you are involved in the Church, you are investing your life into something that is right bang in the centre of Gods plans and purposes. Don’t play church – be the glorious church.


4. How do we become the church that God wants us to be?  

Now we are getting to the business end of things! This is the challenging bit!

How does God do this? How does he bring us all together in the church?

How does God cause us to be one in the face of all our diversity and differences?



There is a key word in these last few verses that appears twice in the text. ‘HOSTILITY’



Let’s face it, we are hostile – this can be because of our background, our up-bringing, and our prejudices, our doctrinal view point. We so easily become intolerant of others.



Verses 14-16 show us how the hostility is destroyed.



14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

God through Jesus was brutal with the hostility. Jesus was made the hostility and was killed!

2 Corinthians 5:21. He was made sin (Hostility) who knew know sin (Hostility) that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

God treated Jesus as if he had done all the evil that we have done to each other. He created us to love each other – but we have trodden on each other. When Jesus takes on our hostility we take on his peace.

Hostility is manifest in self righteousness – ‘I would never have done that!’ PRIDE!

We must look to Jesus – the hostility must be destroyed.

Only through Jesus, by the cross, is the hostility killed.

The Church is a building, a temple made of living stones, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone. As God’s people, we are fellow citizens with other saints, members of God’s household, a holy temple being built up (rising up) into him. One new man united in Christ forever and ever and ever.

The cross is able to break down the hostility, to take that which is immensely flawed and use it to make something incredibly glorious. No matter how flawed we see ourselves, surrender to God’s stone masonry, let him chip away at the rough edges; let him masterfully craft something from your stone shaped life that will bring him much glory and honour and will last forever.

The Church is the dwelling place of God in the earth. When people want to know what God is like – they should be able to turn to the church and see people from all backgrounds dwelling together as one because of the cross of Jesus. The church is God’s plan A – He doesn’t have a plan B.

As you choose to allow the cross to break down the hostility between you and others, the fullness of God will be clearly manifest through Kings Church to our community. The church is God’s glorious plan, his wonderful dwelling place, his glory in the earth and his bride to come.

Allow the cross to break down the hostility and also empower you to live in a manner worthy of being called the dwelling of God in the earth. We have to choose to live in such a way. Put off foolishness and self righteousness – be the church!

Heaven & Earth Reunited

Ephesians 1: 7 In him (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

For the first time in over 30 years of my Christian life I am beginning to understand the purpose of God. In these verses we see that it has been a mystery, it was both hidden but also incomprehensible. In fact only a God level of wisdom could devise such an incredible plan!

God's purpose, which he has set forth in Christ, was to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.

Let's back track a bit. When Adam & Eve fell, man and man's dominion, the earth, was separated from God. If you like, they were disunited. Sin bought about a huge disunity that was far reaching and incredibly deep. Earth, the domain of man was disunited from Heaven, the domain of God. The days of God walking with Adam in the cool of the day were over.

Right from the very point of this disunity, this separation, God's intention through Christ was to restore unity. In fact he promised to do this from day one. This unity would go further than just man, but would encompass the entire domain of man, in fact everything in Heaven & Earth would be united in Christ.

God redeemed us to himself, he purchased us by clearing the debt that we owed to him. Christ was the redemption certificate. Our debt has been fully repaid by Christ on the cross.

How this reunification would take place was a mystery. God knew, but man, angels and demons didn't know. It was kept hidden.

In fact the the bible talks about it in these verses in 1 Corinthians 2:

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"

No amount of non God wisdom could ever fathom the depth of this mystery. Unlike the secrets and mysteries of men, God's mystery wasn't leaked, it remained a mystery until the plan was fully completed, until it was too late for it to be thwarted.

Oh the Heights of the

In My Fight For Joy Pt 2

J. Campbell White, secretary of the Laymen’s Missionary Movement, said in 1909:

Most men are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within his followers except the adoption of Christ’s purpose toward the world he came to redeem. Fame, pleasure and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of his eternal plans. The men who are putting everything into Christ’s undertaking are getting out of life its sweetest and most priceless rewards.

Am I involved so much in maintaining and servicing the things of my life that I have little or no time for the 'BIG' schemes of God. Am I consumed with mediocrity that I am not taking risks for the 'BIG' kingdom picture. Am I so busy pursuing the husks and ashes of life that the 'BIG' kingdom picture is faded and dim.

The answer to all the above is, 'Yes!' and my Lord, I am so sorry. I have been more concerned about a shiny new exterior than checking that the oil level is high enough to prevent the engine from seizing. I am a fool and I repent!

I will live to glorify Jesus this day through my words, actions and thoughts! My Joy comes from being involved in the 'BIG' picture and not the petty!


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In Love

We have Just started a new teaching series in the book of Ephesians. Yesterday we looked at Ephesians 1:4b-5

In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will

I love that it reads 'in love...' God's motivation for choosing us was and is love. Love is just! Love is always self sacrificing. He chose us not because we deserved it but because he loved us. His will is motivated by love

He predestined me for adoption as a son according to the purpose of his will and he was totally motivated by love. Because his motivation was and is love then I trust the fact that all his choices are love
motivated.

His ultimate desire is salvation for all, the reality is that not all will choose to glorify him and as I understand it he doesn't step in and over ride our will. He knows who will and will not glorify him and this knowledge has been with him from the beginning. Therefore in love and in his fore knowledge, he predestined us to adoption as sons according to the purpose of his will.

Lynn and I had a discussion about God's sovereignty.... He is sovereign but we decided that knowing he is sovereign isn't enough for us. We could not not follow him just because he is sovereign. We love, trust, follow and glorify him because he is sovereign and he is also love; he does all things for ultimate good.

Our role is not to decide what is ultimate good but to trust his love motivated sovereignty. We do not choose what is fair. We trust him to be fair even if we don't perceive his decisions as fair.


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In My Fight For Joy

For the second time I am reading John Piper's book, 'When the Darkness Will Not Lift'. It's a brilliant encouragement to fight for joy in the midst of dark seasons in life.

One of the greatest remedies to relieve seasons of depression is sharing our faith with others. I have included a segment from the book below.

Millions of Christians live with a low-grade feeling of guilt for not openly commending Christ by their words. They try to persuade themselves that keeping their noses morally clean is a witness to Christ. The problem with this notion is that millions of unbelievers keep their noses morally clean. Christians will and should continue to feel bad for not sharing their faith.

Christ is the most glorious person in the world. His salvation is infinitely valuable. Everyone in the world needs it. Horrific consequences await those who do not believe on Jesus.

Not to speak of Christ to unbelievers, and not to care about our city or the unreached peoples of the world is so contradictory to Christ’s worth, people’s plight, and our joy that it sends the quiet message to our souls day after day: This Savior and this salvation do not mean to you what you say they do. To maintain great joy in Christ in the face of that persistent message is impossible.

Sharing my faith in Jesus in both my actions and my words is vital in my fight for joy.

My Lord and Saviour, I want to overflow with joy in you this day. As we go and join with other Christians at the Big Church Day Out, may be celebrate together your amazing joy, but may it also overflow to others who do not know you

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Prophecy to King's Worship Team

At the 'Knowing His Presence' Conference in Sidcup, on Saturday 7^th May, 2011 


  Knowing His Presence - Seminar Links

Dave Holden Knowing His Presence - Seminar Sessionsstarted by introducing King's Church to the people at the conference, saying that we had a real sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and had experienced rapid growth recently, seeing hundreds added to the church.  He then went on to say......

This is really important; you should know it’s not all about numbers, but individual hearts. 

People will come into your church, even unsaved people, and when they walk into the building, the first thing they will see is your team worshipping.

As you worship, God will come in and really surprise you; it won't be what you were expecting. 

You will be like lightning rods, conduits of God’s power.  You may not be aware of what is happening but you will hear whispers of stories of wonderful things happening in peoples lives.

I am absolutely sure of this – it is going to happen.