Access to God has both a Personal and Corporate Aspect

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

You don’t need a pastor or priest or other person to act as a mediator between you and God. That’s what theologians refer to as the principle of the “priesthood of the believer”. you can talk to God anytime you want.

But unfortunately in some circles that idea has been taken to the extreme where followers of Jesus Christ claim that they can live out their faith on their own. But as we have seen in Ephesians, our Christianity is not just for us. It is to be lived out within the community of faith we call the church.

In His letter, Paul frequently switches between addressing his readers as “you”, when he is specifically referring to the Gentiles and “we” when he wants to emphasize the idea that both Jews and Gentiles have been brought together in Christ. As you’ll notice, here in verse 12, Paul uses the word “we” once again. By doing that, Paul seems to be implying that there is a corporate aspect of our ability to experience the presence of God in our lives.

And Paul is not the only one who does that. The writer of Hebrews also emphasizes this idea of corporate access to God. Hebrews 10 describes how Jesus became our High Priest who allows us to enter into the presence of God, verses 23-25 begin to outline the corporate aspect as we come together to worship.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)

One of the benefits of having direct access to God is that we can gather together with others who enjoy that same privilege for the purpose of encouraging each other in our faith and helping others to live the life that God has called us to live. Even Jesus spoke about this idea of corporate access to God.

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

I can go to God on my own any time I want because of what Jesus has done for me. And I should do that. But there is also a sense in which my relationship with God will never be all that God intends for it to be until I enter into his presence in community with His other children.

This whole idea that I can enter confidently into the presence of God is so amazing to me. But what’s even more amazing to me is how many times I fail to take advantage of that great privilege. You see, Jesus has opened the door, but I have to be the one who chooses to enter in. God will never force us to take advantage of the access he has provided for us. So we need to heed the advice of James:

 “Come near to God and he will come near to you…James 4:8 (NIV)”

God is waiting for you to come near. The rest is up to you. You are loved!

Loved this today so its an extra through in....love everyone!

 

"One of the reasons people struggle with contentment is because we’re always looking for explanations for why things happen in our lives. God doesn’t tell us why most of the things happen in our lives, and that just ticks us off. Why doesn’t God tell you why everything happens in your life?

Because he’s testing you. He’s testing you to see if you will let go of control and learn to be content, whether he explains it or not.

God doesn’t owe you an explanation for anything, and you wouldn’t understand it even if he gave it....

But even if you did get an explanation, it still wouldn’t take away the pain. You’re not going to know why most things happen until you get on the other side of death.

God isn’t going to give you an explanation. But he will test you.

I remember when I was a little kid that the only time our classroom in school was quiet was during a test. The teacher would say, “No talking! Take your pencils, and fill out your tests.” Even the teacher would be silent.

When God is silent in your life, you’re going through a test. When you don’t hear God and he feels like a million miles away, that is a test! The teacher is always silent when the students take a test. When God is silent in your life, your faith is being tested. Will you let go of control, or will you grab on more tightly? Will you learn to be content?

When you’re going through pain this next week or next month or this year, you don’t really need God’s explanation. You need God’s presence." (Rick Warren)

I can be Myself in God’s Presence

I can be Myself in God’s Presence (None of us need to be afraid to be ourself with God.) God knows your personality, He created you.

When God first created Adam and Eve, they had access into the presence of God. And even though we don’t get a lot of details from the account in Genesis, there is every indication that they felt free to be themselves in the presence of God. For instance the Bible records that they were both naked and felt no shame. But when they sinned everything changed. Because of their guilt, Adam and Eve ran and hid from God. And from that time forward, man’s relationship with God was forever changed.

Before Jesus, no one had continuous access to God. From time to time, God chose to appear to leaders like Moses or to His prophets. But God decided when and where and how to do that. But even though no one had unrestricted access to God, God wanted to manifest His presence among His people. He chose to do that in the tabernacle, and later in the Temple.

The tabernacle and the Temple consisted of three different areas. There were the outer courts, where all of His people could go. Then there was the Holy Place where the priests ministered before God on a daily basis. But the cloud of God’s presence was contained within the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place, which contained the Ark of the Covenant. The only person who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies was the high Priest and even he could only enter there once a year on the Day of Atonement. As we’ve seen previously, when Jesus died on the cross the curtain that separated man from God’s presence in the Holy of Holies was torn in half from the top as a picture that God’s children have now been granted permanent, unrestricted access to Him. The writer of Hebrews explains that concept more fully:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV)

Not only can we enter into the presence of God because of the work of Jesus, both Paul and the writer of Hebrews tell us that we can enter boldly and with confidence.

I think for many we struggle with being bold before God; like we are going to hurt his feelings or something. In our passage from Ephesians, the term translated “freedom” in the NIV and “boldness” in the NASB and KJV is a word that originally conveyed the idea of freedom of speech. It came to mean confidence in approaching someone in authority.

When Paul uses that word here, I think it conveys both ideas. We can approach God with confidence and we also have the freedom to speak openly before Him. I don’t have to pretend to be something I’m not. I don’t have to use fancy words when I talk to God.

I like prayers like, God I need a job please help supply that because your word says you will. Amen. Jesus used the example of two men in the temple praying to God. One was telling God how great he was and the other fell to his feet and told God what a sinner he was and asked for forgiveness. God is not going to cut off our access because of something I say or do, or how long I talk. Some of us like to talk. God knows that. God just desires honest heartfelt communication. You are Loved!

THREE REASONS FOR MY ACCESS TO GOD #1

All believers – Paul’s is saying we all have direct access to God through Jesus Christ. THREE REASONS FOR MY ACCESS TO GOD

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
“in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.” Ephesians 3:12 (NASB)
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” Ephesians 3:12 (KJV)

Access to God is through Jesus
All the translations we are looking at begin with the phrase “in whom” or “in him”, obviously a direct reference to Jesus Christ at the end of verse 11; Personal access to God is made possible completely through Jesus Christ. Jesus emphasized that principle to His followers:

John 14:1-6…. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus tells us all things go through Him to the Father. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Paul is trying to explain something important to us. The Gentile culture of Paul’s day had all kinds of gods and the people believed that the affliction and misfortune that came into their lives was a result of offending those gods. So whenever something bad would happen – someone got sick or died, the crop failed, a storm wiped out one’s property – it was assumed that someone had done something to offend one of the gods. So the people would engage in some kind of ritual in an attempt to appease the gods.

Those rituals often took the form of some kind of sacrifice, even the sacrifice of one’s own child in many cases. There were also different forms of prayer and acts of penance that might be entered into. But the problem is that the people could never even be sure of which god had been offended, because the Ephesians worshipped many gods; they couldn’t be sure that their acts of appeasement would be adequate. Within that culture, the whole concept of having access to or a relationship with the gods was completely foreign. So Paul is laying out this principle that says, yes they do have access to God through Christ.
So Paul makes it clear that we don’t have to try to appease God in order to be able to enter into His presence.

“Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NIV)

To have confidence we must have access to God…the word translated “access” in 3:12 in the NASB and KJV and “approach” in the NIV is a word that indicates a formal introduction into the presence of a king. In the ancient world one could not enter the presence of the king unless they had been summoned and were brought into the presence of the king by one of his court officials.

Perhaps you remember the story of Esther in the Old Testament. After she had learned of Haman’s plan to kill the Jews, she couldn’t just go into the king to tell him of the plot, even though she was the queen. She either had to wait until she was summoned by the king or hope that if she chose to enter without being summoned the king would hold out his golden scepter. If he didn’t, do that, she would be killed. Fortunately, because of God’s providence, the king did offer her his scepter when Esther took the risk of entering into his presence without being summoned.

For those of us who are God’s children, Jesus serves as our introducer who escorts us into the presence of the King. And He’s the only one who has the authority to do that. And just to make sure we don’t miss this principle, Paul ends verse 12 with one more reference to the fact that Jesus is the one who has gained access on our behalf.

We get the privilege of relationship with God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. That’s what verse 12 is saying. “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 (NIV) Because we have access we can ask him for things that are life changing. We can believe in miracles, signs, and wonders. We do this through our faith in Christ! You are loved...

 

Grace

 

'For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ...to suffer...' Philippians 1:29 NKJV

Most of us have faith.You need the kind of faith that not only believes God for good things, but also sustains you through bad things. The Bible says, '...if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid...instead...worship Christ as Lord of your life...' (1 Peter 3:14-15 NLT)

God has foresight but we have only hindsight. So whether the path you've been called to walk is rough or smooth, your attitude should be one of 'worship', acknowledging 'Christ as Lord of your life'.

Joseph's slavery led to the saving of his family. The lion's den led Daniel to a cabinet position. Christ entered the world by a surprise pregnancy and redeemed it through an unjust murder. Do you believe what the Bible teaches - that no disaster is ultimately fatal? John Chrysostom did. He was the archbishop of Constantinople from AD 398 to 404. He gained a following by his eloquent denunciations of corruption in the church. Twice banished by the authorities, he asked: 'What can I fear? Will it be death? But you know that Christ is my life, and that I shall gain by death. Will it be exile? But the earth is the Lord's and its fullness is the Lord's. Will it be by loss of wealth? But we have brought nothing into the world, and we can carry nothing out. Thus all the terrors of the world are contemptible in my eyes; and I smile at all its good things. Poverty I do not fear; riches I do not sigh for. Death I do not shrink from.' That's suffering with grace! You are loved!

To Generate God’s Glory

“…the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms…”

This is the tough portion of our passage. Who are these “rulers and authorities”? We’ve actually already seen 2 of those instances:
“That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority…” Ephesians 1:19-21 (NIV)

This is the first place where Paul identifies these rulers and authorities and we find that, just as he does in today’s passage, Paul indicates that they function in the heavenly realm.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. “ Ephesians 2:1, 2 (NIV)

Although our English translations don’t show it very well, the phrase “ruler of the kingdom” uses slightly different forms of the same Greek words translated “rulers” and “authorities” in the other two passages we’ve looked at.

Paul is going to use these terms one more time when we get to chapter 6 and Paul describes the spiritual battle we’re in that requires us to put on the armor of God. But for now, the thing that we can be sure of is that there is a whole unseen world in the heavenly realms. And even though we can’t observe this world with our human eyes, it is just as real as this building we’re in and the chairs you are sitting on.
We are given some glimpses into this unseen world throughout the Scriptures. Probably we are most familiar with the account of Satan in the Book of Job or possibly the account of God opening Elisha’s eyes so he can see the angel army that stands ready to protect him.

There are basically three views about who Paul is talking about:
• These are only the “good” spirit beings – i.e. angels
• These are only the “bad” spirit beings – i.e. demons
• This includes both groups

I believe Paul is telling us all of the above. The significant concept is the idea that these spirit beings, whoever they are, are observing the church here on earth and that the church is God’s instrument He uses to demonstrate His manifold wisdom to these heavenly beings.

Isn’t that an amazing thought? By being a part of God’s church here on this earth, I not only participate in God’s wisdom being made known here on earth, but also in the heavenly realms. And when that occurs, it is God who gets the glory.

To the evil spirit beings, the church is the confirmation that their dominion over mankind has been broken. Even though Satan and his demons may continue to torment us and try to lead us astray, the church demonstrates the wisdom of God’s plan of redeeming a people for Himself through the blood of Christ and reinforces the fact that their final defeat is assured.

To the angels, the church provides a further revelation of the plans and purposes of God. Since these good spirit beings have never sinned and therefore have not personally experienced the need for redemption, the church is the means by which God chooses to reveal His plans for his people to them.

And the end result of our participation in the church is that God gets all the glory for his manifold wisdom – this plan by which all of His children are brought together as one in the church through Jesus.

So my question to you this morning is this: How do you view the church? Does the church exist as a means to make you a happier, better, more content person? Is it a place where you go to have your needs and desires met?

Or do you exist within this community we call the church in order to be part of something that is far bigger than yourself? Are you part of the body in order to play your part in God’s eternal plan, to be a witness of the sufficiency of Christ’s work and to generate the glory of God?

The Balance: we can have both!

You are loved!

We Witness Christ’s Work

 “…Ephesians 3:10-11 "which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord…”

This whole process of changing our lives and uniting us as one was accomplished totally and completely through the work of Jesus Christ. It should be no surprise that the church itself is also a direct result of what Jesus has done.

That’s why Paul had earlier described the church as the body of Christ and the fullness of Christ:

“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:22, 23 (NIV)
Then in Matthew 16:18 Jesus tells us that we will help him build His church:
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 (NIV)

Jesus called the church “my church.” Calvary Faith Walk is not my church or your church, or even our church. It is Jesus’ church. We get the this amazing privilege to partner with Him in doing the mission of the church.

This principle has a significant practical application for us in our worship. If Jesus is the one who did everything that needed to be done to create His body (the church); then when we come together to worship it seems to me that Jesus and His work have to be the focus of our worship. Our focus isn't to sing a few songs that enlighten us about God. But we should come together in worship to thank God for who He is and what Jesus has done.

There are a lot of churches who have pretty much taken Jesus out of their worship in order not to offend anyone. In fact, there was a whole era about 10-15 years ago where most of the contemporary worship music seemed to be focused much more on how our emotions were aroused in worshipping God than it was on what Jesus has done on our behalf and giving glory to Him for that.

Why do worship? To give Jesus the glory. We worship because we understand our part and it excites us to give God glory.

Why be part of the church?
• To play my part in God’s eternal plan
• To witness to Christ’s work in creating his body

You are Loved!