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Luke 24:13-34- "We Were Hoping"- I had the honor of being with the good folks at Community Presbyterian Church, Live Oak, FL for Easter Sunday. It was a great time. May this sermon be a blessing to all those who hear it. I have been gone for a while. For anyone who still gets my episode updates, please keep me in prayer as I continue on with my Clinical Pastoral Education on my way to becoming a Chaplain.

Keywords Ephesians, Paul, Gentiles, unsearchable riches, church, grace, gospel, diversity, wisdom, faith. Summary: In this sermon, Pastor James explores Ephesians 3:7-13, focusing on the Apostle Paul's ministry to the Gentiles and the unsearchable riches of Christ. He emphasizes the importance of grace, the diversity of God's creation, and the role of the church in revealing God's wisdom. The message encourages believers to embrace their identity in Christ and to boldly share the gospel with others. Takeaways: Paul's ministry was specifically to the Gentiles. The unsearchable riches of Christ are available to Christians. The Church plays a vital role in God's plan. Boldness and access to come before God the Father come through faith in Christ the Son. Christ is the ultimate resource for fulfillment. The Church is a witness to God's manifold wisdom. Believers are called to share the gospel confidently. Salvation is a gift, not earned by works. Christians from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation are all part of one body in Christ. Sound bites: "The unsearchable riches of Christ." "Jesus Christ is your resource." "You belong to the Lord." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Ephesians and Paul's Ministry 02:50 The Unsearchable Riches of Christ 08:46 The Riches of Christ Explained 11:22 The Role of the Church in God's Wisdom 14:19 Boldness and Access Through Faith

Summary: In this sermon, Pastor James explores Ephesians 3:1-13, focusing on Paul's ministry to the Gentiles and the unsearchable riches of Christ. He emphasizes the importance of grace, the role of the Church in displaying God's wisdom, and the eternal purpose behind God's plan for salvation. The sermon encourages us to study the Word of God and recognize our identity as part of God's covenant family, highlighting the transformative power of grace in our lives. Keywords: Ephesians, Paul, grace, ministry, church, salvation, biblical truth, exegesis, wisdom, eternal purpose. Sound bites: "We are covenant people." "The manifold wisdom of God." "Don't lose heart." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Ephesians and Paul's Ministry. 03:00 Understanding Grace and Salvation. 05:47 The Importance of Biblical Truth. 07:25 Exegesis vs. Eisegesis in Bible Study. 07:52 Paul's Calling and Ministry to the Gentiles. 09:55 The Unsearchable Riches of Christ. 11:38 The Role of the Church in God's Wisdom. 14:52 The Manifold Wisdom of God. 18:10 The Eternal Purpose of God's Plan. 19:20 Boldness and Access Through Faith. 22:40 Paul's Tribulations for the Church. 24:38 Studying the Word of God. 26:25 The Gift of Grace in Paul's Ministry. 28:38 The Power of God's Grace. 30:42 The Transformation Through Grace. Takeaways: Paul's ministry was a result of God's grace. Believers are called to understand their identity in Christ. The church plays a vital role in revealing God's wisdom. Grace is the foundation of salvation and ministry. Exegesis allows the Word of God to speak for itself. The unsearchable riches of Christ are available to those whom the Lord calls. God's eternal purpose includes both Jew and Gentile. Boldness in faith comes from our relationship with Christ. Paul's tribulations were for the glory of the members of the Church. Study the Bible.

Summary: In this sermon, Pastor James explores the themes of God's calling, the transformation of Paul, and the Christian life characterized by self-denial and service to others. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's calling, the mystery of inclusion of Gentiles in the gospel, and the necessity of living for others while maintaining openness without compromising the truth. The sermon culminates in a call to follow Paul's example of living a life dedicated to Christ and serving others. Keywords: Paul, calling, Christian life, sacrifice, service, gospel, grace, inclusion, transformation. Takeaways: Paul's calling was for the Gentiles. A Christian's identity is rooted in their new life in Christ. Dying to self is essential for true Christian living. Paul's transformation illustrates the power of God's grace. Living for others is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. The mystery of the gospel includes all people groups. Sacrifice is a necessary part of serving others. Openness to others does not mean compromising the gospel. The genuine call of God requires self-denial and service. Sound bites: "How do you know which is real?" "A Christian dies to self." "It is all because of grace." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Paul's Calling 02:48 The Nature of God's Calling 05:49 Dying to Self: Paul's Transformation 08:29 Living for Others: Paul's Example 11:17 The Mystery of Inclusion: Gentiles and the Gospel 14:02 Sacrifice and Service in the Christian Life 16:50 Openness Without Compromise 18:51 The Genuine Call of God 22:07 Conclusion: Following Paul's Example

In this sermon, Pastor James explores Ephesians 2, emphasizing the transition from being outsiders to becoming citizens of God's kingdom through Christ. He discusses the nature of the Church, the significance of the covenants, and the reconciliation achieved through Jesus' sacrifice. The message highlights the importance of understanding our identity as members of God's family and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers. Keywords: Ephesians, citizenship, church, reconciliation, covenants, Holy Spirit, identity, Paul, grace, faith Takeaways: The purpose of our salvation is the glorification of God. The Church is the Body of Christ, consisting of believers. Being part of the visible church does not guarantee salvation. True faith is a condition of the heart, not just a profession. We were once alienated from God, without hope. The blood of Christ reconciles us to God and each other. We are now fellow citizens with the saints. Our identity has changed; we are part of God's family. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, making us His temple. Christ's sacrifice fulfilled the law's requirements for reconciliation. Sound bites: "A legal pathway to citizenship." "We were the ultimate illegals." "His Church will not fail." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Ephesians 2: Citizenship in Christ 02:50 Understanding Our Former Condition 10:59 The Nature of the Church: Visible vs. Invisible 17:26 The Covenants and Our Alienation 22:31 Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood 28:23 Our New Identity as Citizens and Family 36:42 Conclusion: The Holy Spirit's Indwelling

In this sermon, Pastor James explores the theological concepts of new birth and regeneration as presented in Ephesians. Salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human effort. This sermon discusses the importance of understanding God's grace.

Last week, we learned from Paul the nature of the blessings which are ours in Christ. Paul the Apostle now gives thanks to God for Gentile conversion and assures them of his prayers inverses 15–16. Paul goes on to pray that God will give the Ephesians that wisdom and knowledge of Himself. Paul reminds them and us that it is the Spirit who is the author of this wisdom and knowledge in verse 17. In verses 18-19, Paul’s prayer is that their eyes might be enlightened properly to understand the nature and value of that hope which is founded in the call of God, the glory of the inheritance to be enjoyed among the saints, and the greatness of that power which had already been exercised in their conversion. The power which effects our spiritual resurrection is the same power which they experienced, and that was the same power which raised Christ from the dead.

Paul wrote letters to the churches which he planted in the ancient world. So much of Christian theology comes from these letters. He wrote letters as a pastor charged with the watch-care of the flock of God. The Book of Ephesians is one of thoseletters.

Abram and Lot are opposite in many ways. Abram walked by faith; Lot walked by sight. Abram was magnanimous; Lot was greedy. Abram looked for city whose builder and maker wasGod; Lot made his home in cities built by wicked men which were later destroyed by God. Abram becomes the father of all them that believe; Lot becomes the father (through incest) of 2 different pagan nations—the Moabites and Ammonites.Concerning Abraham, Romans 4:13 says, “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to hisseed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Gen. 19:30 tells us that Lot lived in a cave. Thus, Abram inherits the world through righteousness of faith, Lot is not heard from again. So, it should not be a surprise to us that eventually, they part ways.

Faith is always tested, and now we learn that there was a famine in the land. Abram steps out in faith, and now comes face to face with famine. In fact, Abram now heads downto Egypt as if to be driven into a famine enforced exile from the very land God promised. I’m glad that God’s Word not only records the great victories of our great God, but it also records the humanity—the shortcomings and sins of thosewhom God calls. God did not call Abram because of Abram’s perfection. No, God called Abram that God Himself would be glorified. Today, we’re going to see that Abram does not do everything perfectly, yet God’s promises remain. God’smercy is everlasting. God’s grace is even upon the vile sinner, and His plan plan will not fail.

There is a lot to study in chapter 11, and I encourage you to read it on your own time. It will lead us to the text for today. As a summary of the things you will find there, there is a genealogy that takes us from Shem, the son of Noah to Abram who will soon experience a name change to Abraham. The setting is a time of warriors, shepherds, and builders all leaving the tower of Babel and the plain of Mesopotamia. I made mention of the Babylonian heart last week, and that iscertainly what traveled with the idolatrous pagans as they ventured out. Not only are the humans estranged from each other, but they are also estranged from the one true and living God. If we were to go through the remainder of chapter11, we would find that man’s years of life are shortened, fulfilling God’s promise from Genesis 6:3. Historicalevidence shows us that the predominate religion at this time in the land of Ur was the worship of a moon-god named Nanna. Joshua 24:2 lets us know that even Terah, Abraham’s father did not serve the one true and living God. It says, “Yourfathers, including Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, dwelt on the other side of the River in old times; and they served other gods.” This is significant because it is in thisenvironment that Abram not only hears God’s word, but by faith he obeys.

I’m going to suggest to you today that the human heart is a Babylonian heart. God scattering the people at the Tower of Babel, but don’t forget that centuries later, Nebuchadnezzar took a look around and said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). Then there was King Herod who addressed his people and they shouted back, “Thevoice of a god, and not of a man!” (Acts 12:22). Then we have Alexander the Great, Caesar Augustus (some thought he was God), Louis XIV (the sun king), Hitler, and Stalin (who encouraged people to think of him when they were feeling down). And of course, how could we forget Elon Musk and others who elevate themselves? All of this is the height of...Human Arrogance.

I would like you to think about forgiveness. It can be difficult. In fact, I’d be willing to say, we have a difficult text . It’s notdifficult because we cannot possibly understand it; it’s difficult because we have to live it. I’m sure that each of us have experienced situations which have required us to forgive someone. Perhaps you have found it very difficultto do. Have you ever thought, “Why should I forgive?” Or maybe you’ve thought, “It is only right that I should receive some kind of payback, for what was done to me.” It has been said that you are never more like God than when youforgive.

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

To understand what happened on what we call "Palm Sunday", we must understand history, prophecy, and context.