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BEING HOLY IN AN UNHOLY WORLD
Honor God in His Church


Ephesians 3:14-21 (Monday and Tuesday)
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (NIV)
1) How, when and where did we derive our name from God? What was God’s purpose in having a people called by His name?
a) There are some very distinct purposes for God deciding to create earth and man. What do the following verses tell us about the desire of God’s heart?
i) “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” (Psalms 24:1-2!)
ii) "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 14:11 KJV!)
iii) “For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel--the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God.” (2 Samuel 7:21-24!)
iv) "There is no one like you, O LORD, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel--the one nation on earth whose God went out to redeem a people for Himself, and to make a name for yourself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God. "And now, LORD, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then men will say, `The LORD Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel's God!'” (1 Chronicles 17:20-23!)
(1) God’s ultimate purpose in all creation is to receive glory for Himself, to make a name for Himself throughout the entire world, and to redeem a people for Himself! Does this sound a little egotistical to you? No, sisters, feel very blessed and honored, because God loved us enough to make Himself known to us! He didn’t have to make us—He didn’t have to make anything! No, It “pleasured” Him deeply to so! He wanted to make His glory resound throughout the entire universe, but especially, to us—His redeemed—His beloved! He could have kept His glory all to Himself. God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit have always been One—The Holy Trinity, Three in One! One in perfect peace, love and harmony. Complete, joyful, happy (blessed) in and of Themselves! So, bare with me, and just for a moment, revisit the day of your greatest joy—did you keep it to yourself? Could you? No, you better believe you shouted the news to everyone and anyone who would listen! In creating earth and man, God’s in His rich mercy and grace was sending an wide open-door invitation to each and every one of us to witness and, even more, to participate in the awesome wonder of His glory!
(a) Read Exodus 33:11-23. Oh, show us your glory, indeed! Can you just imagine how that must have delighted the heart of God? A mere man, bold enough to stand in the presence of the Almighty God and to dare to ask such a thing of his Creator God!
(i) Have you ever been through an experience, had the assurance of God’s word deep in your heart, but it wasn’t enough—you just needed to somehow “see” His glory? You were thirsty for more! Explain.
(ii) God responded by hiding Moses in the cleft of the rock. Why?
1. Fallen man cannot see the face of God Almighty and live! Big problem for fallen man (Habakkuk 1:13!) No, we need a hiding place. God provided the hiding place! This Hiding Place remains the same today—oh, be safely nestled in the Rock!
2. Read Genesis 49:24. In giving blessing to his sons, here we see Jacob calling God by several names. Which is most fitting for this discussion?
a. Now read Exodus 17:1-6 and Numbers 20:1-9! What had to happen in order to quench the thirst of God’s people?
b. Who does 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 say was the Rock?
i. What kind of water does Jesus Christ offer the woman at the well in John 1:1-15? In John 7:37-39, Jesus again speaks of this “living water.” To Whom was Jesus referring? Oh, if you are thirsty, come to the Rock and be filled! I hope you didn’t miss this beautiful snapshot of our Lord and Savior, don’t miss the Rock! He is the glory of God, fully revealed (John 1:14!)
ii. Just food for thought. Why did the rock have to be struck or hit? Hint: Read Isaiah 52:6-15; Isaiah 53!
(iii) Oh, please don’t think these promises were only for the Hebrew children! What does Galatians 3:29 tell us about our position and standing with God in Christ Jesus?
2) Oh, I wish I could tell you that the world was all about following God’s plan in this matter, but no, man being what he is, wanted to make a name for, you guessed it, himself!
a) What was God’s direct command to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28?
i) What happens in Genesis 11:1-4? What two direct statements to these men make to themselves that are in direct opposition to God’s divine purposes in spreading His glory?
(1) Can you see any evidences of this in today’s world? Explain.
(a) Today, there are many that speak of a New World Order, a Unified World—the term can take on many spins. The day is coming, perhaps sooner than we imagine, when this world will again unite in order to set up a one rule government, with one ruler at its helm. It will not be the kingdom of our God and King, Jesus Christ! Please take time to carefully consider Revelation 13:1-18!
(i) Sisters, we are in a period of time that makes this demonic type of world government feasible! Many nations speak second languages, most common among them is English. Communication is at its highest point in history—with new technology bringing newer and bigger advances almost by the moment! We see entities formed i.e., the European Union, the United Nations—all working towards what is being presented to us as being for the good of mankind—all under a common language, common commerce, common laws. My goodness, we can see it today in our Supreme Court. Judges are using the rulings made by foreign courts on which to base decisions that affect us all! Be alert, be very alert, because at the same time, we are seeing right before our very eyes the elimination of God in every area of our lives! I’m not saying Christ is coming this very second, this day, this week, but, know, He is coming soon! Instead of scattering this attempt of man to establish himself as god, as God did at Babel, Jesus will utterly crush this world government under his feet (Genesis 3:15!) Hallelujah!
3) Again, we see mention of God’s “dunamis ” (dynamite) resurrecting, life changing power! How does this passage say we receive this power? What is the purpose of having this “dunamis” power in our lives (Ephesians 6:12?)
4) I like how this week’s translation from the (NLT) says the following, “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him.” Then, the (NIV) goes on to pray that we be “rooted and grounded” in His love.” They go hand and hand, don’t you think? Would you have enough faith enough to walk down the aisle to wed someone you couldn’t completely trust and rely on! Well, Jesus is called Faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9!) He alone can be fully trusted, and what He asks you to trust in is His great, boundless, limitless love for you! You can’t fully love if you can’t fully trust! This is how Jesus proves His love for you:
a) God loves you so much, He calls you “saint” (Romans 1:7!) No canonization required!
b) God doesn’t let us lose hope, because God continuously pours out His love for us (Romans 5:5!)
c) While we were still out there sinning, Christ died to save us (Romans 5:8 and Galatians 2:20!)
d) Because He loves us so much, He makes sure that in the end, all things work out for our good (Romans 8:28!)
e) Nothing, absolutely nothing (and, yes, this includes even yourself!) can separate you from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35, 38-39!)
f) Because He loves us so much, He makes sure that we are more than conquerors in this world (Romans 8:37!)
g) I’m copying this one—it is so rich in how it speaks of God’s predestined love for you! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:3-6)
i) We already share in every spiritual blessing with Christ!
ii) We were chosen before the creation of the world (oh, read Psalm 139!)
iii) God has adopted us as sons and daughters through Jesus! In fact, this was His pleasure and will!
iv) God has given to us His grace (unmerited, unearned, undeserved, unsought after favor—grace!)
(1) Why, because He loves us!
h) Okay, this one, too! “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
i) God has made us alive, we who were dead!
ii) God has saved us by his gift of grace
iii) We’re not only blessed in the spiritual realms, but God has actually seated us there! Glory!
iv) You, dear sister, are now, and, yea, will be a great expression of God’s rich kindness, love and mercy! What a portrait and tapestry you will be! What a display of God’s love!
v) And, just so you won’t become bored, because God loves you so much, he planned in advance for there to be things for you to accomplish on this earth—things that will bring you great reward, and bring honor and glory to Him! See also, Jeremiah 29:11!
i) The greatest expression of God’s love for us is found in His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (Hebrews 1!) See how you find God’s perfect expression of His love for you and welcome Him into your heart by reading Revelation 3:20-21! Wow, with Jesus on His throne! Can’t wait to see you there!
5) Now, you have to know that you can’t experience God’s love in your head! It’s just not going to happen! No, you experience God’s love through relationship (See Genesis 3:8!) Oh, walk with Him in the cool of the day, in the heat of the day, in the storms of life, in the valleys and on the mountains tops! See how God sought out Adam and Eve? That’s what He desires with you, dear sister! Relationship requires that we learn all we can about our awesome God (2 Timothy 2:15—see this in the KJV) We need to know God’s ways and His commands by the reading of His word, walking with Him, talking with Him, and it includes having this same type of relation with the other children He has adopted into His kingdom (1 John 4:20-21!) If you don’t have God’s love alive and dwelling in your heart, then do what these passages plead with you to do—ask! Be like Moses! Be bold and dare!
Ephesians 4:1-6 (Wednesday)
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (NIV)
1) In this passage, Paul is telling us that we are now called to unity in Christ, each of us fitting perfectly together as one body, the church! Now, we all know that there are many denominations to which we are called into fellowship. Here, Paul is speaking of a great mystery that had not yet been revealed (Romans 16:25-27 and Ephesians 5:22-32!) God’s people, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, those who are filled and sealed with His precious Holy Spirit, now comprise and form one body—Christ’s church! We all have one Lord, Jesus Christ, we all have one saving faith (hope in the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ which alone atones for all our sins and promises us everlasting life,) We have all been baptized with one baptism (Matthew 3:11) and we have all been called out, set apart (called holy) by the One who is above all, God the Father who, dwells richly in each of us!
a) We have spoke of Jesus Christ who is the smitten Rock of God—glory! He is also called the “Cornerstone or Capstone” (Isaiah 28:16; Psalms 118:17-23; Mathew 21:33-44!) I want you to go back and read Matthew 16:13-19! What was it that Peter boldly declared? What did Jesus change Simon’s name to? Then, Jesus says, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.”
i) Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God! That is the same declaration of faith that seals our own salvation! Did Peter come up with this revelation by himself?
ii) Jesus then calls Simon—Peter! Well, that’s nice, but, let’s see what this new name means! Peter is translated from the Greek word “Petros,” which means “a piece of a large rock!” Hang with me! Then, Jesus says, “Upon this “rock” I will build my church.” The word rock could better be translated bedrock because it is from the root word, “petra,” meaning a mass of rock, or in our modern terminology—a huge boulder! So, the church was not going to be built on Peter, who was but a mere man, but rather, on the truth behind Peter’s declaration regarding Christ, whom we have learned is, of course, the massive and mighty ROCK!
iii) See how scripture is using the image of rocks or stones here. Well, remember, God once dwelt among His people in temporary dwellings such as the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8-9 and Exodus 40:33-38.) Notice how the glory of God fell and lifted? The Israelites travels were dependent on the appearance of God’s glory! Trouble was, God’s glory came and went! Later, God’s glory filled the temple (which, incidentally, was built of stones!) See 1 Chronicles 22:17-19; 1 Chronicles 23:25-32; 2 Chronicles 5:1!) Now, read 1 Kings 5:17-18; 6:7 which tells us the foundation the temple was built upon. These stones were “hewed” stone—cut, carved, squared or engraved away from the presence of the temple—they could not be brought to the temple until the work on them was completed! (Sidebar: We can’t come into the glory of God’s temple either, unless we have been cut from the Rock! Prior to that, we outside of God’s glory!) Imagine the ingenuity of the Israelites at that time! Every piece fit precisely! Do you think this was coincidence or by divine plan or design? Explain.
iv) Two dwelling places for God’s glory to be among the people—the tabernacle and the temple. Don’t fail to note the limitations of each! The tabernacle was limited in that the people could only move out when they saw the glory of the Lord had been lifted! With the temple, the people were bound in worship and service by a location! Do you think that either was what God had in mind when He promised in Exodus 25:8 to dwell among His people? No, God’s true heart can better be interpreted in Matthew 1:23! Emmanuel, God with us—Jesus Christ, God in flesh!
v) It is very important that we realize that in each dwelling place, only the priests were allowed to enter or serve in the sanctuary of God! Limiting, indeed! Although, we have to remember it was always God’s heart that Israel (every single last person, be a priest (Exodus 19:4-6!) Isn’t God good? It gets better!
vi) Oh, let’s see a picture of Christ’s church! Please turn to 1 Peter 2:4-10!
(1) Who is the living Stone?
(2) What does God call us in 1 Peter 2:5. See the difference—Stone, stones!
(3) Together, as living stones, what are we being built into? Oh, see Ephesians 2:19-22!
(4) And, what are we called in 1 Peter 2:9? Glory, glory! You are a priest, you can enter into God’s most holy place, sister! Right before His throne!
vii) What is the most obvious difference in these three dwelling places of God? Remember, Christ now is dwelling in you (1 Corinthians 3:16 and Colossians 1:27!)
(1) Now, thanks be to God, the Godhead Trinity dwells in us and goes wherever we go (John 4:19-24 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-20!) Here’s your spiritual priesthood in action!
viii) Now, while we are all “living stones” making up Christ’s church, do we all have the same duties or responsibilities within the church? In other words, are we all “hewed or cut” the same (1 Corinthians 12:4-3?) Does this scripture say that any stone is of less important and value than another stone? Same value—different service or gift—One God!
2) Paul has explained the great mystery of the church to us, but now he smacks in the face with all this hard stuff! Be gentle, be humble, be patient, be loving! BE REAL!
b) Okay, let’s take a look at the “one anothers” we have been given in scripture:
i) We should wash one another feet (John 13:14!) What do you think was behind this commandment?
ii) We should love one another (John 13:34!) We find this particular command 10 times in the New Testament! Why? Read Matthew 5:43-48; John 13:34 and 1 John 2:4-11!
iii) Be devoted to one another; honoring your brother or sister in Christ above yourself (Romans 12:10!)
iv) Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16!)
(1) Not proud!
(2) Willing to be with those of lower position or class! My sisters, how I wish this would be so for each of us!
(3) Not conceited!
v) Don’t judge one another (Romans 14:23!)
(1) Don’t be a stumbling block in your brother’s walk with Christ—what does this mean?
vi) Accept one another, just as Christ has accepted you (Romans 15:7!)
vii) Help your brother or sister be complete in their knowledge of Christ and instruct them in His ways (Romans 15:15!)
viii) Be likeminded (1 Corinthians 1:10!) In what areas?
ix) Serve one another out of love (Galatians 5:13!)
x) Be kind, compassionate and forgiving of one another (Ephesians 4:32!)
xi) Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19!) Thoughts?
xii) Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21!) Yes, this addresses men, too!
xiii) Bear with each other (Colossians 3:13!)
xiv) Teach and admonish each other (Colossians 3:16!)
xv) Encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11!)
xvi) Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24!)
xvii)Do not slander one another (James 4:11!)
xviii) Be sympathetic toward one another (1 Peter 3:8!)
xix) Show hospitality toward one another, without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9!)
c) We all know far too well that these things go against our sinful, self-centered ways! They are not natural to us! In fact, they go against the very “me” centered world that we live in! You’re right! That’s why “we” cannot do these things that Christ has commanded of us! They are things of the Spirit, actual gifts of the Spirit (so we may not boast) and we can only do these things in the power of God’s Holy Spirit living in us (Galatians 5:14-26!)
Ephesians 4:7-13 (Thursday)
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ…” (NIV)
1) I want you to see this verse as it was written in prophecy. “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Psalms 68:18!” (NIV)
a) The psalmist is prophesizing Christ’s death and resurrection! It would be impossible for Christ to ascend (go back up into heaven) unless He had left heaven to start with! He did so that He could, picture this with me; drag you and me, who were captive to sin, back into glory with Him, by, no less, than the hem of His coattails, or very train of His robe! Christ captured you away from satan’s strong grip and even went as far as to give you the very gifts you would need to follow and serve Him! Yes, even us stubborn, rebellious ones!
b) Did you note what was in God’s heart for allowing Christ to ascend and descend?
2) Each of us is given a measure of Christ (Jeremiah 10:16 and Jeremiah 51:19?) Well, you have to realize that some of us will only go so far with Christ and others will go on to full blown spiritual maturity (John 15:1-4!) Christ is going to see to it that you go on to the peak of your own personal maturity. Expect to be pruned! Ouch! Jesus is going to cut, trim, chip off, refine through His holy fire everything that shouldn’t be in your life. If He doesn’t, you are not His! Don’t be discouraged by this. Remember the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32?) This is speaking of how the kingdom of God will spread, but, this is also a picture of you in Christ, with His “dunamis” power working in you! Don’t fret—your personal joy will be complete (John 15:11!)
a) Read Luke 6:38. This scripture is specifically speaking of our obedience in the area of giving. All we have to do is give! God promises to give back to us pressed down, shaken together, running over and literally poured into your laps! (Use the image of measure a cup of flour here!) Just imagine, based on God’s word, one small step of faith, in any area of your life, can turn you a spiritual giant!
b) God’s gift’s do differ, but we can always ask for other gifts, too (1 Corinthians 12:31!)
c) Perfect man? Mature!
Ephesians 4:14-16 (Friday)
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (NIV)
1) I am sorry to tell you this, but there are a lot of false teachers among us! (Please pray that God will make me faithful to His Word!) They’re one aim is always one of the following:
a) They will argue that Christ did not come in human flesh, was not fully Man—fully God (1 John 4:1-5!)
b) They will try to convince you that salvation is, yes, through Christ, but something else is required to complete your salvation (Romans 2:17-29!)
c) They will try to diminish the role of Christ in your salvation, offering other alternatives to salvation (1 Corinthians 3:11!) Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father, except by Me! (John 14:6”)
d) They will try to convince you that you must have good works to get into heaven (John 6:28-29!)
2) There may be others that you can come up with, please feel free to share!
3) Now, what comes to your mind when you see the words, “cunning” and “cratifness?” Read Genesis 3:1 and Psalms 64:6! satan and man’s sinful flesh! Deadly combination!
4) Picture a stirred up ocean. How do the waves appear? Imagine you on a very small craft in the midst of this! God does not want you tossed about by lies! How do you avoid this? Go back and re-read Ephesians 3:17! Oh, may your roots go down deep in the marvelous soil of God’s Word—Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages!