the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us (26th August 2012)

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:1~10

1. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. 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.

4. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

5. he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--

6. to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves.

7. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

8. that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

9. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

10. to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

 

 

 

Sermon: the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us

Few days ago I saw a programme for a living god, Kumari in Nepal. Nepalese are believing in this human god. But this god is only 8 years old girl. Under the tradition of Nepal Hinduism, this girl became a god who bless nepalese. only few days and only 2~3 hours, they could see her and be blessed from her having any words. She is living but her character is very quiet like a lifeless thing. They come to meet her who look like a status and gladly have convictions to be blessed.

How funny is it? I was comparing with our living Lord. He is always telling us by Bible, sermon, the others and so on. Why people is so difficult to be with Him? It could be very ridiculous, comparing between our Lord and 8 years old Kumari, He is much better to be credible for us. If all the people of this world want to be blessed from heaven, our Lord is much powerful than any gods. Why do we see another obscure blessings from others?

Today Lord tells us about the blessings from heaven. According to verse 2, the first blessing to us, is grace and peace. Now Paul is writing this letter for Ephesians church. Where? He is in Jail. Jails of past Rome were very horrible to live. Specially underground jail was very humid and dark. Day by day, what he need to live in such a horrible place, jail? He needs absolute grace and peace from God. Also, notwithstanding he stayed there, he spent his time to send gospels for Jailers and royal families of Rome emperors. A general person like paul could not meet Rome emperors or their families, but as a sinner, he was free to meet them by examination and judgement. In the process, paul got a chance to tell about Jesus Christ and his salvation in God's love. Afterwards, there was 15% Christians of Rome populations. Particularly, they were in middle high class like nobles and governors.

Sometimes, we confront to difficulties in our lives. Normally, we can not accept the situation and get angry about it. But if we are in Jesus Christ, we can have grace and peace from God.

Having this grace and peace, we are adopted children of God. When I was a child, I envied so much my friends. Their parents are giving their wants apart from my strict parents. So one day I dreamed that I was their parents' child. It sounds very ridiculous. but adoption is very difficult to normal people till now. Nevertheless, God adopted us who got a lot of sins and are impossible to access Him. As a child of God, we are very proud to live in this world.

Let us read verse 7 together

7. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

What is the sin to us? ethical sin is also right but more sinful is what we neglect to have relationship with God. In this world there are some sins who are never forgiven. To ignore God is the most unforgiven. Without God, our soul is destroying and dry. Therefore, Jesus Christ is coming for us. and he healed us to go in front of God.

Not only being children of God but also giving us all wisdom and understanding. following as verse 8~9, these all wisdom and understanding is to make us know God's will. By it, we can know what God love or not. So it is very easy to worship God. In Buddhism, it is very difficult to serve God with 108 bows, climbing mountains and so forth. How about hinduism? there are so many gods who were worshiped. But having the wisdom and understanding, we can follow to worship for God.

Why God allowed these blessings for us?

The reason is to be one in God. Seen as the book of Revelation, Ephesus people lost first love toward Jesus Christ. When they got together, they just want to worship for only Jesus Christ. But as time went on, their mind slowly changed to see people of their community and their secular friends. Finally, in their meetings, there was not Jesus Christ our Lord.

Why we are coming here and worship God together? I would like to say, not to lose our mind for our Lord who make us be one. Some says everyday we are praying even though we are not going to church. But we need to get together for worship as children of God. Gathering to pray is very powerful to us. Also when we are in dark, we can get over it by praying together. Worshipping together is sometimes better than drinking and chatting with someone. Why worshipping God is healing of our souls in Christ.

Now Are you suffered by aimless, enervation, work-addiction, and depression? Come and join in worshipping God. He will bless us and recover us then develop our existence. I hope you have in mind to be blessed in Christ again and then always get victory in our daily lives.

Let's pray.

Oh, living God! We always rely on you but this world is not easy. Please give us faithful strength and get victory in this world. You are my only God and my Lord. In Jesus name we pray Amen.