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Living in the Last Days Pt. 8: Building Up By Louie Marsh, 4-19-2026  1) My speech should be FREE & OPEN   "2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction," (2 Thessalonians 2:2–3, ESV)   "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)   2) My life should be TRANSPARENT.   "1Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come." (2 Thessalonians 2:1–2, ESV)   "5Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" (2 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)   "9The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false," (2 Thessalonians 2:9–11, ESV)   3) My Responsibility is to manage God's gifts WISELY.   "4who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)   · Approved by GOD   · Trusted with the GOSPEL   4) My goal is to please God ALONE.   "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, ESV)   5) My love should be SOUL DEEP.   "7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8, ESV)   6) My conduct must be GODLY.   "10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:10–12, ESV)   ·  ENCOURAGING   ·  COMFORTING   ·  URGING   7) My calling is to SHARE the good news of Christ!   "13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." (1 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV) 

Living In The Last Days Pt. 7: Hanging Tough By Louie Marsh, 3-12-2026 You know you're in trouble when....   • Your accountant's letter of resignation is postmarked from Zurich.   • You're taking a bus to the bank to make your car payment.   • You take assertiveness training, but you're afraid to tell your wife.   • You tell a barber what you think of his prices before he cuts your hair.   • You see your stockbroker hitchhiking out of town.   • The plumber floats by on your kitchen table.   • Your pacemaker comes with a 30-day guarantee.   • Your wages are paid out of petty cash.   • The pest control guy crawls under your house and never comes out.   IN TOUGH TIMES I NEED TO…   1) DECIDE to deepen my spiritual life starting NOW!.   "3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:3–4, ESV)   ·  Growing FAITH & LOVE are two signs my spiritual life is deepening.   Paul uses a compound Greek verb meaning growth above expectations – huper from which we get hyper.   Trouble Makes My Faith Grow By…   · Making me face UNPLEASANT truths.   · Testing to see if I'm LIVING a supernatural life.   2) TRUST GOD to bring about justice.   "5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels" (2 Thessalonians 1:5–7, ESV)   3) Compassionately REACH OUT to the lost.   "8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." (2 Thessalonians 1:8–10, ESV)   Hell is horrible because it goes on forever – you are eternally brought to "complete ruin" as it says literally.   Hell is even worse because you are shut away from God completely. That's why it won't be a party – ALL GOOD THINGS are absent from Hell. There is nothing there but evil and pain. This ought to motivate us!   4) FOCUS on giving Glory to Jesus!   "12so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:12, ESV)   5) BELIEVE that God will fulfill His purposes in my life.   "11To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power," (2 Thessalonians 1:11, ESV)   6) YBH – YES BUT HOW?   · Pay attention to my HEART.   "23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)   Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NAS)   Keep means to watch over and protect – what many of us do in the name of guarding our hearts is actually hardening and kill it!   This doesn't mean to suck it up – be tough – shut down your emotions – and ACT okay when you are not.   Rather it means to be authentic and open before the Lord on all occasions about everything – and as open with others as you can be.   "34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34, ESV)   The heart "spurts out" good or evil according to the supply within.   1) as ejection by force throw out, expel, drive out; (2) as expelling or excluding without force repudiate, send away, let go.     "18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." (Matthew 15:18, ESV)   Out of the mouth. Spoken words come out of the heart and so are a true index of character.   · An open heart to God is the KEY to real spiritual depth.   "14Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: " ' "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive." 15For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'" (Matthew 13:14–15, ESV)    

Because Jesus is alive…   1) I need to be KINGDOM focused.   3  He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 (ESV)   · God is calling me to live in a ACCOUNTABLE community.   It's not just all about me!   24  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)   Not neglecting = "Not leaving behind, not leaving in the lurch" -Word Pictures in the New Testament.   · The Kingdom works from the INSIDE OUT not the outside in.   17  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (ESV)   2) I need to OUT my doubts.   24  Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25  So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." John 20:24-25 (ESV)   ·  ADMIT you've got them.   "16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted." (Matthew 28:16–17, ESV)   · FIGURE OUT the what's and whys of my doubts.   15  but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)   · TALK OUT my doubts with God.   26  Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:26-28 (ESV)   · Remember God will BLESS my faith without a doubt.   29  Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 (ESV)   6  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)   3) I need to respond to Jesus' call to a HIGHER LOVE.   15  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16  He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17  He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (ESV)   First time Jesus asks a comparative question, because Peter had said he loved Jesus more than the rest.  Once that's done Jesus no longer compares but probes Peter's heart.   First two times Jesus says agape while Peter responds with philio. Third time Jesus says philio.   12  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)   Go Through – Gospel in a Nutshell & B.A.S.I.S.   Establish Your Spiritual B.A.S.I.S.!   B = Believe Jesus died on the Cross for me and showed He was God by coming back to life again. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:2-4) A = Accept Christ as Lord of My life and His free forgiveness of my sins. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- (John 1:12) S = Switch to God's Plan for my life. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15) I = Inform others of your decision. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) S = Submerge yourself in Christ. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)

Living in the Last Days Pt. 6: Staying With It, 1 Thess. 5:12-28 By Louie Marsh, 3-29-2026   For those who appreciate the intricacies of the English language, the Washington Post publishes a yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for various words. The following are some winning entries from a few years ago. Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightie. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp. Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline. Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.   TO LIVE EFFECTIVELY FOR CHRIST I MUST…   1) REFUSE to stifle the Spirit's work in my life.   "19Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:19, ESV)   "18"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles."…"20a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;" (Matthew 12:18,20, ESV)   "6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands," (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)   · SNUFF OUT  Satan's work in my life.   "16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)   2) RESPECT the Spirit's Word in my life.   "20Do not despise prophecies," (1 Thessalonians 5:20, ESV)   Contempt = "to count as nothing."  We must never treat any of the work of God with contempt   3) TEST EVERYTHING to discover what God's work and Word really are!   "21but test everything… (1 Thessalonians 5:21a, ESV)   Stress everything – note that this is what the Jewish leaders never did with Jesus. Lazarus was raised and they knew it and killed him anyway.   ·   God TESTS ME.   "4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)   · I am COMMANDED to test!   "4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor." (Galatians 6:4, ESV)   "1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, ESV)   4) APPLY the right standards in my testing.   ·  Keep my heart & mind OPEN before God.   "2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)   How do I test? a, Not by what my parents says b, Not by what my preacher says c, Not by what my old church did d, Not by what my culture says e, not by how I feel about it!  · Use God's OBJECTIVE STANDARD – His Word.   "8The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)   "4But he answered, "It is written, " 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' ""… "7Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' "" …"10Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, " 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' "" (Matthew 4:4,7,10, ESV)   ·  CONSULT other standards as well.   o COMMON SENSE o  PRAYERFUL guidance o  COUNSEL from others   5) HOLD ON to the good & run with it!   "21… hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21b, ESV)   Good = "something noble, something that is a blessing and a honor to receive."  The 2 words "good" and "hold" are only found in one other verse in the N.T.:   "15As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15, ESV)      

Living in the Last Days Pt. 5: Looking Forward By Louie Marsh, 3-22-2026 LOOKING FORWARD IN CHRIST MEANS I …   1) Temper my grief with HOPE.   "13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13, ESV)   Gordon Lightfoot – wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald   Does anyone know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours? The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her They might have split up or they might have capsized They may have broke deep and took water And all that remains is the faces and the names Of the wives and the sons and the daughters   2) BELIEVE the source of hope – Christ's Truth!   "14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep." (1 Thessalonians 4:14–15, ESV)   3) Practice Prophecies with 3 Practical Purposes:   · To  ENCOURAGE me.   "18Therefore encourage one another with these words."…"11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, ESV)     · To keep me ALERT!   "4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:4–6, ESV)   ·   To MOTIVATE me to fight the good fight!   "8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Thessalonians 5:8–9, ESV)   4) AVOID the wrong solution.   "1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:1–3, ESV)   "32"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32, ESV)   5) REJOICE in my relationship with Christ.   "10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10, ESV)   ·   It's ETERNAL!   "38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38–39, ESV) 

Living in the Last Days Pt. 4: Living Right By Louie Marsh, 3-15-2026 TWO HALLMARKS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE   ·  SELFLESSNESS     ·  CONTINUED GROWTH   "1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more."…"10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more," (1 Thessalonians 4:1, 10, ESV)   LIVING RIGHT MEANS…   1) I am to PLEASE GOD first.   "1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 4:1–2, ESV)   2) I stay within God's SEXUAL BOUNDARIES.   "3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4:3–8, ESV)   ESV, NIV, NLT, MESSAGE all say Body, Wife- LB and GW,  Vessel – NAS, ASV, NKJ.   Greek is vessel – Paul either means spouse, or body – there's equal weight for each one. I'm going to follow marriage, because it seems best and it speaks to our national situation today.   ·  God's Sexual Context – HETEROSEXUAL marriage   "24Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24, ESV)   Christian belief in heterosexual marriage and that homosexually is wrong, does not stem from the Law or Paul – but from the very creation of mankind. Moses and Paul simply follow what Jesus shows us – that it was from the beginning that we were made that way.   "2But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." (1 Corinthians 7:2–9, ESV)   · God's Sexual Style – HONOR.   "4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;" (1 Thessalonians 4:4–5, ESV)   The Christian view of sex within marriage is that BOTH spouses put the pleasure of their spouse before their own – thus ensuring fulfillment for both IF they keep this ideal! You don't just demand your own way or wishes – that's wrong even in marriage.   3) I live a life of LOVE.   "9Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more," (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10, ESV)   4) I SUPPORT MYSELF with God's help.   "11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, ESV)                  

Living in the Last Days Pt. 3: Praying Passionately By Louie Marsh, 2-8-2026   1) FIND the springs of passion within me.   ·  Love & SEPARATION   "17But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face," (1 Thessalonians 2:17, ESV)   "5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain." (1 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)   ·  SUFFERING   "3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know." (1 Thessalonians 3:3–4, ESV)   · GOOD NEWS   "6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God," (1 Thessalonians 3:6–9, ESV)   · GOD'S PURPOSE   "10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10, ESV)   2) Tell God my HEART'S DESIRE.   "11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you," (1 Thessalonians 3:11, ESV)   May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! 1 Thes. 3:11 (Mes)   3) Ask God to INCREASE my love.   "12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you," (1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)   And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. 1 Thes. 3:12 (Mes)   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23   4) ALLOW GOD to strengthen my heart.   "13so that he may establish your hearts… (1 Thessalonians 3:13a, ESV)   ESTABLISH = BUTRESS. A buttress is a support -- usually brick or stone -- built against a wall to support or reinforce it. A flying buttress is a free-standing buttress attached to the main structure by an arch or a half-arch.   "9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him… (2 Chronicles 16:9a, ESV)   "145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes." (Psalm 119:145, ESV)   5) KEEP Christlikeness my ultimate goal.   "13…blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (1 Thessalonians 3:13b, ESV)   · Blameless = INWARD/NEGATIVE   (1) blameless, faultless, without guilt (LU 1.6); (2) of things faultless, without defect   · Holy – OUTWARD/POSITIVE   · Presence of God – UPWARD/ALWAYS   "4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord," (Romans 1:4, ESV)

Living in the Last Days Pt. 2: Building Up By Louie Marsh, 3-1-2026     1) My speech should be FREE & OPEN   "2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive," (1 Thessalonians 2:2–3, ESV)   · I should never try and BUTTER PEOPLE UP.    "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)   2) My life should be TRANSPARENT.   "1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict."…"9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children," (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 9–11, ESV)   · God calls you to work and word HARD.   · If you want an easy life – DON'T follow Jesus!   14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:14, ESV)   3) My Responsibility is to manage God's gifts WISELY.   "4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)   ·  APPROVED by God.   "6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6, ESV)   ·  TRUSTED with the gospel.   "16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship." (1 Corinthians 9:16–17, ESV)   4) My goal is to please God ALONE.   "5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, ESV)

Living in the Last Days Pt. 1: Life In Three Dimensions 1 Thess. 1:1-10 By Louie Marsh, 2-22-2026   "16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17" 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…(Acts 2:16a, ESV)   TO LIVE IN THE LAST DAYS I NEED…   Three Graces to  MOTIVATE me.   1) FAITH   "3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith… (1 Thessalonians 1:3a, ESV)   Work = a job or task   · Faith brings us into SALVATION.   "8For by grace you have been saved through faith… (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)   · Faith looks BACK. (TO THE CROSS)   "20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)   · Faith always produces ACTION.   "26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:26, ESV)   2) LOVE   "3…your…labor of love… (1 Thessalonians 1:3b, ESV)   labor = to cut, beat and used of working bread dough   · Love is my response to GOD LOVING me.   "19We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, ESV)   · Love looks at the NOW.   "17But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" (1 John 3:17, ESV)   · Love keeps me GOING through the tough times.   "18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18, ESV)   3) HOPE   "3…and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV)   · Hope keeps me from GIVING UP.   "4For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)   · Hope looks AHEAD.   "24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:24–25, ESV)   · Hope is just as IMPORTANT as faith & Love.   [1 Cor. 13; Gal. 5:5-6; Col. 1:4-5; Heb. 10:22-24; 1 Pet. 1:22-23; 1 Thess. 5:8]   4) AIDS TO COMMUNICATE God's plan   ·  The CONTENT of the gospel.   "5because our gospel came to you not only in word…(1 Thessalonians 1:5a, ESV)   ·  God's POWER   "5… but also in power…(1 Thessalonians 1:5b, ESV)   · BEING FILLED with the Holy Spirit.   "5… and in the Holy Spirit..." (1 Thessalonians 1:5c, ESV)   · A vital FAITH in Christ.   "5… and with full conviction." (1 Thessalonians 1:5d, ESV)   5) Necessary RESPONSES TO GOD   · I must TURN from my idols   "9For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols…(1 Thessalonians 1:9a, ESV)   · I must live to SERVE God alone.   "9…to serve the living and true God," (1 Thessalonians 1:9b, ESV)   · I must LOOK FORWARD to Christ's return.   "10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV)    

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 6: Stand & Fight! By Louie Marsh, 2-15-2026   Introduction – 3 slides   1) PREPARE myself.   For the rest, brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the might of his strength. Put on the panoply of God, that ye may be able to stand against the artifices of the devil: Ephesians 6:10-11 (Darby)   ·  STRENGTHEN myself.   "19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might" (Ephesians 1:19, ESV)   2) KNOW my enemy.   "12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)   · My real enemy – EVIL spiritual forces.   They are…   ·  POWERFUL   ·  SCHEMERS   3) Take a STAND!   "13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:13, ESV)   4) SOLDIER UP!   Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)   The Armor Of God:   · Belt =  SINCERE KNOWLEDGE of Christ, honesty in everything   "14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…(Ephesians 6:14a, ESV)   · Breastplate –  BEING RIGHT with God (justification)  right conduct   …having put on the breastplate of righteousness," (Ephesians 6:14b, ESV)   · Shoes – FIRMNESS that comes from knowing Christ; readiness to share the faith   "15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15, ESV)   · Shield – God's PROTECTION   "16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)   Faith in What?   Show Pictures of  Chamberlain, Edsel   "5Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (Proverbs 30:5, ESV)   · Helmet – BLESSINGS of salvation,    "17and take the helmet of salvation… (Ephesians 6:17a, ESV)   "8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:8, ESV)   · Sword of the Spirit – God's WORD; the Spirit giving us the right words   "17…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," (Ephesians 6:17b, ESV)   "19When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19–20, ESV)   5) Pray it DOWN!   "18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," (Ephesians 6:18, ESV)   · Pray in the SPIRIT. ·  Use ALL TYPES of prayer. ·  Stay ALERT · Pray for OTHER BELIEVERS.   Excerpts from FDR's D-Day Prayer. Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote the D-Day Prayer with assistance from his daughter, Anna, and her husband, John Boettiger.   6) Pray for my SPIRITUAL LEADERS.   "19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:19–20, ESV)  

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 5: Be Filled with the Holy Spirit By Louie Marsh, 2-8-2026     1) I must be CONTINUALLY FILLED with the Holy Spirit.   "18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)   What does that mean? To be filled with the Spirit – or anything else – is to be controlled. So being Spirit filled isn't about emotions or experiences – it's about volunteering to allow God the Holy Spirit guide and control my life!   Here are some important things to understand about this much talked about verse.   · The verb is in the imperative mode - God commands us to be filled.   This isn't an option - it's part of letting Jesus be your Lord!  If you fail to seek this - you are disobeying God.   · Filled = controlled. When you are filled with anything it controls you – booze, food, drugs, sexual thoughts or images, greed, etc.   · The verb is in the present tense - this means it's an ongoing, continual action.   We are always to seek the Spirit's filling.  When we notice that our spiritual tank is getting low, we need to get tanked up - tanked up on the Spirit that is!   · The Verb is plural in number.  Meaning - it's for everybody!!   Being filled with the Spirit isn't just for Elders & preachers it's for every Christian, from the oldest to the youngest.   · The Verb is in the passive voice - meaning that the subject of the verb (us) is inactive but being acted upon!   You don't get filled by working for it.  No amount of crying, screaming, no amount of knowledge or degrees, will get it. No, you must bring a simple desire for the fullness and a complete surrender of your life to God.   2) What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?   ·  CONTROLED by the Spirit.   Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Eph. 5:18 (NLT)   ·  POWERED by the Spirit.   "8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…(Acts 1:8a, ESV)   "7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)   ·  DIRECTED by the Spirit.   "18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Galatians 5:18, ESV)   "14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14, ESV)   WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RECEIVING THE SPIRIT & BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?   Receiving:   · Happens at SALVATION.   "5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—" (Galatians 3:5, ESV)   · To Seal us as God's POSSESSION.   "13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," (Ephesians 1:13, ESV)   · Is done ONCE FOR ALL.   "14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:14, ESV)   Filling:   ·  Happens AFTER SALVATION.   ·  For EMPOWERED SERVICE.   "8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."" (Acts 1:8, ESV)   · Happens at DIFFERENT TIMES.   "8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders," (Acts 4:8, ESV)   "31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)   PROOF THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE   "21…he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21–22, ESV)   "4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:4, ESV)   ALL OF THIS IS SUMMED UP NEATLY WITH 3 LITTLE WORDS   WITH (para)– IN (en) – UPON (epi)   1. The Holy Spirit is with MANY PEOPLE he doesn't indwell.   "17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17, ESV)   2. The Holy Spirit is in  ALL who believe!   (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.) Romans 8:9b (NLT)   3. The Holy Spirit comes upon us in power when he FILLS US!   "15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning." (Acts 11:15, ESV)   "13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah." (1 Samuel 16:13, ESV)   Sermon Summary: The ONLY way to live Spirit empowered lives of service to God & those around us is stay full of the Holy Spirit!              

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 2: From Death to Life By Louie Marsh, 1-18-2026   Top 10 Preaching Rules   10: Any illustration can be massaged to fit any sermon. 9: If a story is funny enough, it doesn't have to fit the sermon. 8: A sermon that is "too short" is rarer than Bigfoot at a photographer's convention. 7: The kid who screams and throws a fit every week will wait until the quietest, most focused and serious moment of your sermon to let 'er rip. 6: The member who always gripes that you don't preach enough on (pick one) baptism/faith/giving/witnessing will be out of town the week you preach your best sermon ever on baptism/faith/giving/witnessing. 5: The two things people will remember from your sermons are: 1) mistakes and 2) funny or tear jerking stories. 4: People who request a sermon on a particular issue will miss church the day you preach it. 3: You are never as convicting as you think you are. 2: A mist in the pulpit is a fog in the pews. 1: Making God's Word boring or irrelevant is a sin.   TO BECOME SPIRITUALLY ALIVE…   1) I ACCEPT & ACT on my condition outside of Christ.   WE ARE SPIRITUALLY…   ·  SEPARATED from God.    "1And you were dead in the trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1, ESV)   o ACTIVE SINS = transgressions - knowingly crossing a boundary o  PASSIVE = sins  - missing the mark   ·  ENSLAVED   "2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind… (Ephesians 2:2–3a, ESV)   o To the WORLD   Kosmos – organized system of things, culture – not planet   o To the DEVIL   o To our OLD NATURE   "9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10"I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."" (Jeremiah 17:9–10, ESV)   ·  CONDEMNED   …and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind." (Ephesians 2:2–3, ESV)   WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?   But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:47b (NIV)   If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal. Luke 7:47b (MSG)   By refusing to admit or believe this – and by conveniently leave it out of our Gospel presentations we are doing ourselves, those we talk too, and God Himself a disservice. 1) It degrades the non-Christian's real problem – they're not just dysfunctional – they are spiritually dead, hopelessly enslaved and condemned! 2) It degrades our understanding of things too, and produces in us and many of our converts a lack of depth in understanding of our wonderful Savior and salvation. 3) It degrades Christ! We turn Him from the all mighty wonderful Savior of the NT into someone who comes along to help us, give us some band aids, and boost our self image!   2) I BELIEVE & RECEIVE what we can become by Grace.   ·  Who? GOD   "4But God, being rich in mercy… (Ephesians 2:4a, ESV)   · What Did He Do? SAVED.   "4… because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," (Ephesians 2:4–6, ESV)   o MADE ALIVE   o RAISED UP   o SAT DOWN   o All of this IN CHRIST!   In September of 1908, Giants player Fred Merkle committed what author Noel Hynd calls "baseball's most famous lapse." Dave Anderson says it has "endured for nearly a century as baseball's most controversial moment in baseball's most controversial pennant race."   It happened in the ninth inning of a Giants versus Cubs game.  The Giants came to bat with a chance to win. There were only three weeks left in the season and a win against the Cubs would put the Giants back in first place. There were two out, with runners on third and Fred Merkle on first.   Al Bridwell stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive into right center. The runner on third crossed the plate with the winning run but Merkle, instead of touching second, turned and ran quickly back to the clubhouse to avoid the oncoming crowd. The game was over or so he and everyone else thought.   A Cubs player noticed that Merkle had not touched second, took a ball to second base and called it to the umpire's attention. Later that night, the umpire ruled that Merkle was out and the next morning the National League allowed the ruling, saying the game had ended in a 1-1 tie.   In the press, Fred Merkle was blasted.  Merkle retired after the 1926 season and he retreated to the seclusion of Florida. Fred Merkle spent his remaining days in Daytona Beach. He became ill and passed away on March 2nd, 1956. Some years earlier, he had given an interview. In the back of a tackle shop, he told the reporter, "I suppose when I die, they'll put on my tombstone, 'Here Lies Bonehead Merkle.'"   The world can be an unforgiving place.  Make a mistake and you may never hear the end of it.  Make a big enough mistake, and it can ruin your life and label you forever as a goof, a screw-up, or even a bonehead.   · Why Do This? To make an eternal example of his GRACE!   "7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7, ESV)   · HOW Did He Do This?   "8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)   o By GRACE   A man dies and goes to heaven and of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates.  St. Peter says, "Here's how it works.  You need 100 points to make it into heaven.  You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was.  When you reach 100 points, you get in.   "Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."  "That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"     "Three points?"  He says.  "Well, I attended church all my life and fully supported its ministry with my tithe and service."  Terrific!"  Says St. Peter.  "That's certainly worth a point."     "One point!!!"  "I started a soup kitchen in my city and I worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."  "Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.     "Two points!!!"  Exasperated, the man cries.  "At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God."     "Bingo Dude! 100 points!  Come on in!"   o  Thru FAITH   o A GIFT   o Results – all glory going to GOD!   3) I GRASP & GLORIFY Whose I am!   "10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)   · We are GOD'S work.   · We are HIS MASTERPIECE   · BUT – only IN CHRIST!   · Made To FULFILL God's plan for me.   "11For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, declares the Lord…  (Jeremiah 29:11–14a, ESV)  

The Incomparable Christ Pt. 1: Our Standing In Christ By Louie Marsh, 1-11-2026 1) Who & what I AM. "1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are IN EPHESUS, and are faithful IN CHRIST JESUS: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1 1-2, ESV)   Intro.  Verses 3 - 14 have been called a Hymn of Grace.  They are a statement of our spiritual blessings in Christ.  These verses are one long, complex sentence in the Greek. According to Purdue University: Run-ons, comma splices, and fused sentences are all names given to compound sentences that are not punctuated correctly.   You can divide these verses into three parts.  1) The Father, 2) the Son, 3) the Spirit.  They are also mainly concerned with 1)the past, 2) the present, 3) the future.  These three sections are marked off by the repeated phrase "Praise of His Glory," or "glorious grace."  See verses 3, 12, 14.   This Passage is About   The Father -  The Past The Son – the Present The Spirit – The Future Created Loved Sealed Predestined Redeemed Guaranteed Blessed Blessed Blessed   Paul begins his letter by looking at what each member of the Trinity has done for those who have become followers of Christ.   2) I am BLESSED beyond measure.    3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us IN CHRIST with every spiritual blessing IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1 3-6, ESV)   Bless = eulogy.  The word literally means "to speak well of"   It's in the aorist tense, which refers to something done at a particular point in time, with effects still being felt now.  Example - rock in pond, ripples.   We bless God because He first blessed us   "19We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, ESV)   God's word equals action. He created the universe by speaking so if God says you're blessed - you're blessed!   In the Heavenlies this phrase used 5 times in Ephesians and nowhere else by Paul. Paul is saying that these blessing of the Father reside in the unseen world of spiritual reality.  They are real - even though they can't always be seen.   Every Spiritual Blessing! Aorist Tense again. This is important, you have ALREADY BEEN GIVEN THIS! Freely Given. You don't have to do anything to earn this - works, praying through, study, etc. All These blessings are gifts of the Father's GRACE!!   3) God the Father CHOSE me before He created the universe.   4even as he chose us IN HIM before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. IN LOVE 5he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV)   A Misunderstood Bible Truth. Entire Denominations have split over this issue of Predestination.  Obviously we don't have time today to go into it fully. This is my understanding of it in a nutshell.   God chose us. This word used in LXX of God's choice of Israel, implies taking a smaller number out of a larger group.  Written in aorist tense.   This choice is called Predestination. It's actually 2 words and literally means -  "Before the Horizon" & It was used of making a blueprint.   Add to this the word "before" in verse 4 which means "to see down into"   Then read I Peter 1: 1-2 and you arrive at what I believe is the Biblical doctrine of Predestination.   "1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you." (1 Peter 1:1–2, ESV)   "God knowing everything – even what we call the future (also called foreknowledge) based on that knowledge he chooses (predestines) those who respond to His Grace in Jesus Christ."   Our problem with this is we are time bound people used to dealing with things in a certain order, God isn't and doesn't.   4) To prove that GOD'S WAY is superior to Satan's or the world's way.   6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1:6, ESV)   Introduce Lindy Beige and show video – the world and the devil always rely on force. God doesn't.   5) Forgiveness is found ONLY in Christ.    7IN HIM we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, IN ALL WISDOM AND INSIGHT 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth IN CHRIST 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things IN HIM, things in heaven and things on earth.  (Ephesians 1:7–10, ESV)   · The grace of God in Christ is rich · It is LAVISHED upon us. · God does this wisely with insight · To show that only IN CHRIST will everyone & everything come together.   6) I am SEALED in Christ by the Holy Spirit.    11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope IN CHRIST might be to the praise of his glory. 13IN HIM you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed IN HIM, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:11–14, ESV)   · God CHOSE me – that's amazing. · I'm part of God working all things according to His will. · The Spirit seals me · He (Spirit) guarantee's our inheritance (all those spiritual blessings referred to above) until the time we can receive & live in them. · All of this results in the praise of God's glory.