Sermon Aug. 27-28, 2021

Title: God clothes you with his armor!
Text: Eph. 6:10-20

Facebook live: God clothes you with his armor!

11 Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For 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.

As we conclude our time in the book of Ephesians this weekend, I thought we’d take a moment to review.

We began with Humility, gentleness, patience, Love and peace.

Followed by renewal in the Spirit as we put on the new self, in Christ Jesus.

Paul calls us all as he did the Ephesian Church to flee sexual immorality as that the light of Christ exposes all darkness causing it to flee in his marvelous light.

In the light of Christ, the new-self becomes a servant one to another in the unity of marriage but also reflected in the life we live together in a world broken by sin.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

The whole Armor of God protects the Christian in this life as we struggle against the devil and his work to point us away from Christ and his saving good news. That is Paul’s message to the Ephesian church and for you and me today.

Be strong in the Lord!

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against:

the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, present darkness, spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The last 18 months have given us all pause and we continue to all walk carefully. Gradually trusting the Lord to guide, lead and direct.

Joyfully the service at Christ with our sister congregations was a great blessing to many. It was a time to remember in the midst of trial the Lord continues to lead, guide and protect.

As Dr. Ryan Peterson proclaimed in his sermon from last weekend’s service of Praise and Thanksgiving:

The moment we’re in doesn’t pause the mission of God.

God’s work continues.

It did after Paul’s letter was read to the church at Ephesus.

It did after we suspended services for a time from March to June in 2020.

It did as we continued to gather together again.

And, it will continue as we continue to gather, hear God’s word, receive his gifts and trust in his protection and work in our lives and through our witness.

13 Therefore 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.

The armor of God has been given each one of us in Christ. We take it up daily as we remember our baptism’s having been clothed in Christ righteousness as our sins were washed away.

This work of God is yours:

Not that the trials of life won’t come but that God will be there with each one of us to protect guide and lead us through the storms to his promised inheritance in Christ.

The Lord clothes us for battle:

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,

The truth of God word given so that the lies of the evil one will not lead you astray from the comfort and protection of the Lord. [Jesus’ own temptation of the devil in the wilderness.]

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Having received Christ, you stand covered by this breastplate having had the stone heart of unbelief changed to a heart of flesh in god’s work by his Spirit.

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

The peace that passes all human understanding is that Christ’s peace is your peace and my peace no matter the trail and suffering we face.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

The shield to block the darts, arrows, lies, and deception of the devil because the Lord strengthens the gift of faith by his word and Spirit in you.

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

And the helmet of protection for that which is not seen but the sword of the Spirit – the word of God – is our weapon to fight back against the devil.

Martin Luther used the word of God throughout his life and trials to combat the temptation of the devil and his own sinful flesh as he faced excommunication and the prospect of certain death standing on God’s word of truth and promises.

But had to admit that he truly deserved nothing in this life but death and hell as he wrote in his Letters of Spiritual Counsel, saying:

So, when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this:

“I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there, I shall be also!

Martin Luther, Letters of Spiritual Counsel, trans. and ed. Theodore G. Tappert (Vancouver, British Columbia: Regent College, 2003), 86–87

The trials of life do not destroy the Lord’s promises as the Old Testament reminds us today:

9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.

Make them known to your children and your children's children”

Bring them to church, hear the word, be strengthened in God’s promise.

Or as the Gospel lesson reminds us that the evil one and the sinful self can lead us astray:

20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

The Armor of God has been put on but the good news is that we never have to take it off!

It is always on and it is strengthened and reinforced as we read, hear and sing the word and as we continue in the Lord’s teaching having our faith strengthened through the Lord’s gifts in us and through us.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit

Amen

 

Sermon Aug. 21-22, 2021

Title: Love as Christ loves!

Text: Eph. 5:22-33

Facebook live: Love as Christ loves!

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Stephen Beck writes:

Driving down a country road, I came to a very narrow bridge. In front of the bridge, a sign was posted: "YIELD." Seeing no oncoming cars, I continued across the bridge and to my destination. On my way back, I came to the same one-lane bridge, now from the other direction.

To my surprise, I saw another YIELD sign posted. Curious, I thought, "I'm sure there was one posted on the other side." When I reached the other side of the bridge I looked back. Sure enough, yield signs had been placed at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give right of way.

It was a reasonable and gracious way of preventing a head-on collision.

When the Bible commands Christians to "be subject to one another" (Ephesians 5:21) it is simply a reasonable and gracious command to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions.

Stephen P. Beck.

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands
… as to the Lord.

25 Husbands, love your wives
… as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Which one is harder? To submit to one’s husband as you would to the Lord … or to love one’s wife as Christ loved the church?

I would submit that they both are pretty difficult or darn near impossible for we who wrestle with sin in our daily lives to do. Sin taints all of who we are, and everything we do so that even the good we do is covered and infected with sin.

Paul continues:

23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

That sounds reasonable to me as a husband. It’s nice to know that my wife needs to hear, and listen, and submit to me as the church does to Christ.

But … there is more:

28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,

Now … that, is a bit harder

Husbands are to love their wives as he loves himself, and cherish he, just as Christ does the church.

Well … what if the husband doesn’t know Christ?

Or, what if he is not a follower of Jesus? How does this impact married life?

Quite a bit I would maintain.

… as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her [make her holy or set apart], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [just as you were washed and marked as Christ’s child] 27 so that [Christ] might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Husbands are to present themselves to Christ in submission … and their wives should be sanctified or set apart unto Christ as the husband is the head of the wife … and … the head of the family in all things.

This dear friends is not power … but servant hood.
Ill.

I remember the first time I came to realize that it was my duty to be the spiritual head of the family. I didn’t want to do it.

What! I thought. Wait a minute. Monica would be way better at being the spiritual head of the family. She could do the table prayers, and she could teach the children the bible stories … and she could ... and she could …

But, everywhere I went in the Bible [by this time the Lord had, by his Spirit, drawn me into the word] - as I kept reading and trying to find a way where I could pass off this responsibility - the word kept telling me:

“Russ! It’s your job! You are to be the head! You need to do it!”

So what does this say to the Christian who has fallen in love with an unbeliever?

Be careful! Marriage is hard enough when you have the uniting focus of faith in Christ as your guide.

But without Christ … it can be a devastating proposition.

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

A friend on Facebook, Aaron Neilson has a little boy they named Boaz Michael Neilson.

Boaz is an Old Testament name from the Book of Ruth. In the story, Naomi’s daughter-n-law Ruth will not leave her mother-n-law but follows her back to Bethlehem, Judah. While there she gleans in the field of a near relative named Boaz. The story concludes with Boaz redeeming his relative Elimelech, Naomi deceased husband’s field and property and also Ruth as his wife. Ultimately, Ruth has a child Obed, who is the father of Jesse who is the father of David, a King after God’s own heart.

Ruth from the country of Moab is redeemed by Boaz and we see her again mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew Chapter 1.

Boaz is a Kinsmen Redeemer a type of Christ we see as the two become one flesh and the linage lead to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ himself.

In marriage the husband is a type of Kinsmen redeemer, the two have become one. It is no longer we who live separate but we live as one in Christ. Can you see the dilemma of those who are unequally yoked to an unbeliever and the difficulty that may result?

United as one and united in Christ brings not always peace as we all struggle with sin in life and marriage but it also brings a greater union outside oneself in Christ. In submission and in love towards him we live as one husband and wife, united as one flesh, one couple, one purpose and one hope.

As Paul concludes:

33 … let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Love, Submission and Jesus!

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit

Amen

Sermon Aug. 14-15, 2021

Title: Awake and shine the light of Christ!
Text: Eph. 5:6-21

Facebook live: Awake and shine the light of Christ!

8b Walk as children of light
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Paul begins with these words:

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Empty words, we’ve all heard them … are words meant to deceive, to put off, or to fill one’s own agenda. The sons of disobedience hear and follow. Those opposed to Christ and his gospel continue to go the way of destruction, but we too who have been brought to faith by God’s gifts give way to the call of darkness and fall in sin.

7 Therefore do not become partners with them;

Don’t get sucked in, Paul tells the Ephesians. But what were the Ephesians getting sucked into … and does it apply to you and me?

Paul says in verse three and four that preceded our text:

3 [That] sexual immorality and all impurity or [coveting] must not even be named among you, and he concludes: 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking … but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who [covets], [which is to desire that which is not yours] … has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Harsh words indeed and the Ephesians were falling short then, and Christians today fall short too.

When desires, feelings and societal norms go against God’s word and truth … the result is that darkness [the realm of Satan] reigns.

You and I feel it too. Sin is a powerful force that in thought, word, and deed we can all give in to … and its desires can lead us away from the truth that God intends.

When Paul speaks of sexual immorality and all impurity he is not just speaking of same sex attraction, (though homosexuality would be included in his rebuke) but of all sexual sins outside of God’s design of marriage or in the context of marriage that defiles that union.

Whether perpetrator or victim there are no winners when sexual sin rears its ugly head.
There has been so much in the news over the last year or so. Powerful men who took advantage or their positions in the Hollywood entertainment machine to prey on young women; TV celebrities; people of prominence, politicians and those in positions of power.

Take Gov. Andrew Cuomo:

“[An] independent investigation has concluded Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, and in doing so violated federal and state law,” … “Specifically, the investigation found that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York State employees by engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.”

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/08/03/cuomo-nursing-home-and-sexual-harassment-allegations-timeline/

Paul cautions the Ephesians:

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

And here’s the key …

13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

The light that exposes darkness is Jesus Christ and his word of truth.

And it is not to use God as a means – claiming “I believe” - while denying him and living in sin using Christ as a cover. But through repentance it God’s desire that you be restored freely by faith in Christ through his saving Gospel and working of the Holy Spirit. And also by the light of the gospel that your light shines in the midst of those in darkness so that they too might come to faith and believe.

Paul speaks of coveting as well, or desiring that which you don’t have … and this can also be things we desire or people.

As Luther says in his explanation for the 9th and 10th commandments:

We should fear and love God that we may not [find] seek to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, and obtain it by a show of [justice and] right, etc., but help and be of service to him in keeping it … (9th commandment)

… [nor] force, or entice away our neighbor's wife, servants, or cattle, [diligently] but urge them to stay and do their duty. (10th commandment)

http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

Darkness and light … lies and truth … you can’t ride the fence.

Everything you do untimely says something about who you are. So:

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, Paul says, don’t let the world, your sinful flesh or the devil be your guide. And all too often we can fall silent in the face of evil.


“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Joel Fritsche a career missionary suggests that this might be a stanza from an early Christian hymn. It certainly could be with this image of dying and rising and awaking from death that you and I who have been brought to faith understand.

Death is the great equalizer for us all. Whether you are in the public eye or just one of us regulars in the world, we all need to have Christ and be brought to faith to have a eternity with him.

That changes who we are and how we live.

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Here in the Divine Service God calls us to come.

To be fed on word and sacrament. To receive God’s favor on account of Christ, and to go fourth, in a world of darkness, with the light of the gospel of peace – the very word of God – and it is this word that brings those who are dead in sin and darkness to God’s marvelous light of forgiveness.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit!

Amen

 

Sermon Aug. 7-8, 2021

Title: The old self is dead and you are renewed!
Text: Eph. 4:17-5:2

23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Facebook: The old self is dead and you are renewed!

Last week I talked about some of our Hall of Fame players on Detroit sports teams that remained humble in the midst of their success and how our Lord molds us to reflect his love in our world. But if we look at those same teams today there is much to be done to bring former glory and success of those teams back to life.

Rebuilding is a word that has been used quite a bit in the last few years in Detroit and with our sports teams. The Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers and Lions all seem to all be rebuilding. New players, faces, coaches, stadiums and the like seem to abound.

The Pistons just drafted Cade Cunningham #1 and my son and many others are very happy and think this young man might be the one piece to put the Pistons in contention on the basketball map.

Rebuilding brings a new sense of purpose and joy, whether in sports, your home or your life.

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:

22 … put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life … 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Asking the question, 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, - this Jesus?

Last week the emphasis of the message was on humility, gentleness and patience. Peace, Love and Understanding.

One Body,
One Spirit,
One Lord,
One Faith,
One Baptism,
One God and Father of all

And now Paul askes, 21 assuming that you have heard about [Jesus]?

For we who have been here for years it would be like Pastor Merrell or another long-time pastor in your life asking – do you know Jesus? Have you heard about him?

Because, you certainly don’t live like you know him.

At least that is what it sounds like he is saying to me.

And then adding a rebuke for the Gentiles living as they do.

And I paraphrase the text:

17 … don’t live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless 18 … whose minds are in the dark. They have no part in the life that God gives, for they are completely ignorant and stubborn. GNT

This rebuke from Paul, their beloved pastor, says they’ve missed the mark. They’ve fallen short.

Goodness, how heartbreaking. How stubborn! How close it hits to home.

To hear this from Pastor Merrell or Moritz in my case or Pastor Evenson the longtime pastor from St. Stephens would be hard to hear.

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

Saying in a sense that sin is having its way with you. It is corrupting you and you need to look not to who you were, but to who you have become in Christ!

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

To not live the sinful way on the sinful road but to live in the light of the forgiveness you have received in righteousness and holiness.

To be righteous – to be covered with Christ

To be Holy – to be set apart, reflecting Jesus and acting in a manner worthy of your calling.

Many years ago, I had a friend and coworker who was experiencing money problems. It can happen to us all and it can come without warning.

He had a newer truck and a high lease payment. It was burying him in debt.

Just as he got close to the end of his two-year lease, I told him what my dad had taught me - that you need to live within your means, save your money, buy what you can afford, which may not the new car or truck you want but probably a used one.

He said, “My dad never taught me that.”

So, I said, “Well, call me daddy! Because I’m telling you now.”

To put on the new self means there needs to be a change.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Unfortunately, in this case his lease expired, he had no savings to draw from and the sinful sale slogan rang loudly in his ears as he said to me – Sign and Drive, baby!

You don’t need and money, no down payment, just pick out your car, sign the paperwork and drive it home. He did.

A few months later it was again the same familiar thing, a monthly payment and a car – though nice – that had lost its new car appeal as the monthly payments came due.

27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Don’t do it. Whatever it is. Don’t let the devil entice you so that you give in to his desires or yours.

My friend needed money and he needed a car. He was angry at his situation and he gave in the sin of the here and now – sign and drive, baby!

We all do at times.

In Paul’s day and in the Ephesian church some weren’t even working for what they needed thinking stealing was okay for them.

28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

The reality is that they had lost focus on Christ.

They had taken their eyes off Jesus.

Do we? Sure, we do.

Daily, weekly, and at times it becomes the norm.

Don’t say bad things,

Build other’s up,

Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit - his work is heard enough.

Look at what he is working with. Me and you.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

The early church under Paul had its problems, didn’t they? And we do too.

But here is the meat and potatoes or the cookies on the bottom shelf so the kiddies can get them take away for today.

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

We can forgive because we have been forgiven!

The old self is dead and you are renewed!

5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

You are a new creation and so it is not you but Christ in you that brings this fruit to life.

Work as if everything depends on you and live as if everything depends on Christ! Because it does!

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit!

Amen

Sermon July 31-Aug. 1, 2021

Title: Humility, patience, love and peace!
Text: Eph. 4:1-16

Facebook live: Humility, patience, love and peace!

 
4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Humility, gentleness, and patience or - bearing with one another in love - sure don’t sound like the world I live in. At least if you watch the news, spend time on your computer, or check the timeline feeds on your phone or social media account.

You members, who are not online or active with Facebook or twitter accounts are not immune either. You’ve either heard about it on the radio, read about it in the paper, or have firsthand experience with it while you drive, shop, or go about you daily lives.

Rude and aggressive people who also happen to be impatient are all around us. The world is full of them. It’s been full of them for years!

… As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.

… I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

No, that’s not me asking these questions. These are the lyrics to a song written by Nick Lowe, but made popular by Elvis Costello back in 1978. Sounds like today, doesn’t it?

Wicked world, darkness, insanity, hope lost, pain, hatred and misery.

It sounds like the lives of all too many in our world today, though the song was written in 1974. A time I remember and maybe many of you remember as wonderful and joy filled and with a bright future ahead.

As the song builds to its chorus stamp and signature the writer asks a question.

… And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

Guess what … I ask that same question and so do I believe do many of you.

As the body of believers, we live in the world too. At times the world breaks into our lives with rude, violent, and unkind people and attitudes that can shake the foundation of who we are, causing in us a response that is no more humble, gentle, or patient than what we’ve experienced.

It is easy to take our eyes off Jesus;

and Paul here is calling the church in Ephesus to refocus. Not only to see Jesus and all he has done for them but to reflect him in words, actions, and attitudes living as his followers wherever God has placed them in home, work, or church.

3 Make every effort [Be diligent] to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. NIV 1984

From Confirmation class we learn how the Law works as curb, mirror, and guide.

It stops bad behavior, [curb]

reflects our sinfulness to us, [mirror]

and directs us in a better way to go. [guide]

Feeble attempts to keep the Law miss the mark as we actually at times think we measure up.

It can cause a condescending spirit in us to see ourselves as better than others – especially as brothers and sisters in Christ - as pride grows and replaces humility.

In my life I run into or met some people who have had great success in life.

Steve Yzerman as a rookie and just beginning his career to an assistant General manager, post career bringing his daughter to a piano recital.

Quiet, calm assurance and polite.

Grant Hill Piston basketball star at the time was – polite, friendly, and kind.

Tom Wilson, at the time CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, and current President and Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Entertainment treated me like I was a good friend and not just a salesman selling him a piano.

Chris Chelios, Alan Trammel, Jack Morris and even Bob Seger and Aretha Franklin came into the store.

Many I didn’t wait on as another salesman got the opportunity.

Most were polite and nice. Some bought and some didn’t.

I believe it was Jack Morris from the Tigers who commented to his wife, “We’ll always have a house big enough for the concert grand,” or something along those lines. It may have been a true statement, but confidently cocky is a phrase my boss use to describe successful people at times.

Moving ahead 30 + years or so, when Alan Trammel and Jack Morris went into the Hall of Fame their Hall of Fame speeches showed men humble and gentile with their words and patient in their delivery looking to soak up the moment while they considered their accomplishments and the important people in their lives.

While thanking his mother Alan Trammel said,

“She would tell me, If you ever make it to the Major Leagues, I want you to be humble like my favorite player, Stan Musial.”

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/07/29/detroit-tigers-alan-trammell-hall-fame-speech/860198002/

But Jack Morris – the harder edged, confidently cocky, we’ll always have the big house for a concert grand guy, began his speech with these words of thanks:

“I am humbled and honored to be with all of you today. Above all, I give thanks to God for His many blessings.”

And he ended with:

“God blessed me with a gift and it was meant to be shared with others. My life in baseball has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for everything.

I want to thank you again for sharing this wonderful day with me. Praise be to God. Thank you.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/07/29/detroit-tigers-jack-morris-hall-fame-speech/860426002/

Confident … yes, but not so much cocky.
Paul in his letter wants the church then and now to know that there is one church, one body of believers, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all … and you, like the church in Ephesus, have been bought with a price.

The death of Jesus is the gift and the price. Because he has risen from the dead and has ascended on high, we too who trust in him will rise and ascend. But only because he died in our place and descended, proclaiming victory over sin, death and the power of the devil can we ever understand the height that he has ascended too.

Humility is hard … success builds pride.

Pride can see not the gift or the giver but only the reflection in the mirror. The mirror of the Law - shows us our sin – SOS. But it requires an act of God through his Holy Spirit to SOS – see our savior.

Hall of Fame honors, World Series wins, Stanley Cups, NBA Championships, money, success and fame can cause a cloud of selfish pride to obscure the mirror that reflects who we truly are apart from Christ – lost and condemned creatures that we are.

But thanks be to God, he has made a way for the mirror to clearly reflect our true condition and to provide the means of comfort for a burdened soul … the word of God.

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, NIV 1984

God’s gift comes to us through humble means.

Apostles – called by God in Christ to proclaim the way the truth and the life in Jesus and to write by inspiration of the Holy Spirit all that God had given them to do.

Prophets - Those who in many and various ways God spoke through in the past pointing forward to the coming hope that is Jesus.

Evangelists – Those sent to take the good news to the far reaches of the world to bring the lost into the fold.

Pastor’s and teachers – Shepherds that care for God’s flock, called to proclaim the full council of God, feeding God’s sheep, giving his gifts and teaching his children the truth of the word and their standing as his redeemed children. I am blessed to be here and called to serve you.

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

God’s word is truth.

Paul’s desire is that the church knows the word of God …

knows the gift of faith …

knows the reliance on one Lord, one Faith, one baptism and one God and Father of all.

Only then is it possible to reflect humility, gentleness, and patient as we live as Christ’s body of believers in this broken world.

No longer, children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Through a wicked world, darkness, insanity, hope lost, pain, hatred and misery.

Not being deceived by the ways of the world and the cunning of the devil or being drawn away through men who twist the word of God, deceive the flock, and build their kingdom on the backs of the faithful.

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Bringing Peace, Love and Understanding to our world!

Reactions to the truth can cause differing responses.

It can cause rebellion, anger, pride and arrogance by those in opposition to the word and the truth it proclaims, or by the working of the Holy Spirit it can cause humility, gentleness, and patience in your life and mine as we live out or vocations as Christians.

Jack Morris sounds like a man changed by the word of God.

You too have been changed.

May the joy of that change be a reflection in all you say and do.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit

Amen