Podcasts about his messiah

Why do we keep saying ancient creeds and prayers? In this message, we explore how set words teach us to pray, anchor our belief, unite our community, and help us witness to Jesuslike a melody line we improvise ondrawing from Exodus 34, 1 Corinthians 15 and Revelation 12:11. To catch up on the latest sermons from Deep Creek, go to iTunes, Spotify ordeepcreekanglican.comand check out the website for more info about whats happening. We are a welcoming and growing multigenerational church in Doncaster East in Melbourne with refreshing faith in Jesus Christ. We think that looks like being life-giving to the believer, surprising to the world, and strengthening to the weary and doubting. Read the transcript below Bible Readings Old Testament Exodus 34:18 Good morning church. This morning we are privileged to be having two or rather three readings, one from the Old Testament and two from the new. And I'm going to read from you from the Old Testament, Exodus 34, verses 1 to 8. The Lord said to Moses, chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets which you broke. Be ready in the morning and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain. Not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain. So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones, and went up mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him, and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him, and proclaimed his name the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming the Lord the Lord. The compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished. He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation. Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. May we too, I think, be like Moses, worshiping this God who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. Amen. New Testament Readings 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 12 And now Sam will bring us the two New Testament readings. Our New Testament readings for today are from one Corinthians chapter 15 and revelation chapter 12. Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preach to you which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved. If you hold firmly to the word I preach to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain. For what I received, I passed on to you as of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the 12. After that he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And last of all, he appeared to me also as to one abnormally born are now for revelation. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, now I have come to the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of this Messiah of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters who accuses them before our God. Day and night has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you. He is filled. He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is sure. This is the word of the Lord. Sermon Well. Good morning again. Thank you so much for the privilege of being with you. to be part of the Staying Weird series, finding the weirdest people around to come and talk about a weird and wonderful thing, which is Christian faith and and to listen to a sermon. A 'Creed' for Listening So I've prepared, just a brief, creed for listening to a sermon. And so I wonder whether we just might encourage each other as we begin with this, this morning, so you can respond in the, in the bold type. All Scripture is God breathed. Congregation replies: And is useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness. We listen to sermons so that we might hear from God. I am really, really, looking forward to the sermon today! And even if it goes a bit too long, I wont mind at all. However, I do wonder, whats the point of reciting things that have been written for us by someone else? Wheres the authenticity in that? Which is a really great question. The 'Age of Authenticity' I'm glad you asked. We live in what sociologists call the age of authenticity, and that's what it means to be truly human, to make sure that you, you do you and you live your life in a way that aligns with with your heart, you, you, you don't just submit to what other people tell you to do, what other people say that you ought to be. You need to be authentic. Be true to yourself. Except, of course, when you come to the Anglican Church and what you do is what is in bold type on the screen. So what do you believe? Don't bother thinking. Just read these words off the screen. Would you like to confess your sins to Almighty God? No need to search your heart. Just repeat after me. would you like to, know what to say when you wake up in the morning? Well, open your prayer book and read Morning Prayer. As an advanced Anglican, there are prayers for the morning. The evening for the middle of the day, for before you go to bed, there is a special prayer to say every week of the year we've got you covered. No need to think. And is that perhaps the point of this? Adolf Hitler said, what luck for leaders that men do not think. But that's not the point, is it? Let me say very clearly that's not the point. All right, we come. We come to church so that we might think deeply about our faith. We come so that we might bring ourselves to this, that we might grow in an authentic, real Christian faith so that who we are would be what we confess to one another and to the world. And we do that joining with centuries of Christian people, theologians, philosophers, artists who have thought reflected deeply on what it means to be Christian, and many of them who also have said these prepared words of creeds and prayers. So how does this go together? How do we understand the significance, the value, the point of coming to church and saying things that someone else has written for us? Point 1 Saying what we dont know how to say I for four points as I as we go through today. The first is this why do we say prepared creeds and confessions and prayers, so that we are enabled to say what we don't know how to say? The Apostle's Creed that we said earlier that that was originally sort of from the earliest references around the fourth century, in wide use by the eighth century. These were a set of words that people would use when they are being baptised. So brand new Christians, what is the faith that you are confessing? And his. Here are the words to say it. It was a way of teaching new believers. How do we speak about God and so many of the creeds? They came out of controversy in the early years of the church. As Christians try to work out, how do we talk about God? What is God like? Where does Jesus fit? Who is the Holy Spirit? How do we answer those questions? Should we say that Jesus is created by the father? Or should we say that Jesus is sort of similar to the father? Is Jesus like a second God? That there's the father who's God? And then there's another God who's Jesus, and the Holy Spirit fits in somewhere. Like how? How should we answer? And they're deep questions, right? And so that the church elders, they got together and they thrashed this out over centuries, they worked this out. One of the great creeds of the church is having its birthday this year. The Nicene Creed was written in 425. 1700. I'm not good at maths, right? I'm employed to do different things. 1700 years ago. That's how long Christian believers have been answering the question, What is God's? What is God like? We say that God is the father, the Almighty creator of heaven and earth. God is the one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made of one, being with the father. There is a weight of theology and understanding in those tight words. And if only there was a college that you could go to. You could learn about what it all means. Talk to me afterwards. This sermon is not an advertorial, but there is so much to, to, to reflect on, to grasp. And that's been captured in these words for us so that we can say what we don't know how to say. And it's the same when we pray. The disciples came to Jesus and they said, Jesus, teach us to pray. And so he gave them words. In Luke's version, it's it's explicit. It says, when you pray, say this, here are the words to say when you pray. And as Anglicans, there are prayers that we have been given. Prayers that enable us to say what we don't know how to say. One of my favorites is the is the Thanksgiving. The general Thanksgiving. Megan has very helpfully printed out a number of the sort of the set prayers of the Anglican tradition. I think they'll be out in the foyer somewhere afterwards, or here at the corners of the stage. How do you say thank you to God? Well, the Anglican reformers, they knew that that English Christians weren't very good at being thankful. All right. So here are some words. Glorious, gracious God, we humbly thank you for life, for health, for safety, for freedom to work leisure, to rest, and for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life. They give me categories that I can feel goes on. But above all, we praise you for our Savior, Jesus Christ, for his death and resurrection, and for the gift of your spirit and for the hope of sharing in your glory. And I wonder of those theological phrases which ones are familiar and which ones do you tend to forget? Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. What a gift that is. When I don't have the words, then these words written by others, written by our members of our family. They're a gift to us. Formwork, Scales Jazz Now I've lost where I'm up to in my notes. So we're unable to say what we don't know how to say. These words sort of become like formwork for faith. You know, formwork when you're. When you're laying cement. Pouring cement. You create the form that you can then pour the cement into. So it's like the framework that enables faith to sort of find its place. Right. But to shift metaphor, you could say maybe rather than just formwork, it's more like learning scales. And because we're actually doing something the, the, the creeds, the confessions, they're they actually are the expressions of faith. And but of course, nobody performs scales. You practice scales so that you can then perform faith. And really, there's something about saying these prayers, saying the creed which actually is our faith. So when we stood before and said, this is what we believe, we affirm the faith of the church. We weren't just practicing. We were confessing. We were doing what Christians do. And so, in a sense, the creed. It's like it's like the melody line in a jazz standard, right? My son is a jazz musician. And every time I go to see a jazz concert, it's like, I feel like there's an in-joke that I'm just not getting right. Have you ever been to that? So. And jazz musicians, they tell me that's exactly right. We know what we're doing. And the rest of you, you don't. And so I'm gradually learning. And I'm learning that jazz standards, they have a melody line. And then once once the band plays that melody line, then they sort of take turns at improvising, riffing on that melody line. And that's sort of what makes jazz interesting. It's the combination of head and improvisation. If it's just melody line, then it's all a bit same, same. And if it's just improvisation, then it's all a bit chaotic and but it's the improvisation on the melody line that's that's jazz. And what I've noticed when I go to see, John, I play, he goes to a, to an improv bar in, in Northcote. And it's really, it's fun. And they just get up and they'll, they'll call different people from the audience. It's like, Johnny, come play some drums with us, you know, Megan, come, come play some, some keys with us because that's what jazz people say, you know, and and then somebody says, what? What are we going to play? And somebody says, oh, you know, Watermelon Man and G. Okay. And so they just make it up and mind boggles and off they go. I've noticed that sometimes the band just gets a little bit out of hand. And they've, they've sort of lost it because I mean these are people who don't know each other. They've just sort of turned up. They haven't practiced this. And I see the bandleader tapping, tapping his head. And and I've learned that that means come back to the head, come back and play the melody line again. Again. We've all gone a little bit haywire. Let's come back to the head and just play that same thing that we know. Right? It's sort of like in the life of the church. Every now and then you'll see the vicar tapping ahead. Let's come on. Let's let's come back to the come back to the Creed. This is what we believe. Here is the anchor. These are the words that we say. This is the thing that holds us together. These are the words that we say that we don't know how to say. That's point one. Point 2 We say what we can all say Second point. We say what we can all say. I'm going to come back to those slides in a moment. Keep going. We get to the. There you go. We say what we can all say. Oh, no. No. That was the point. That was the end of the argument. Yeah yeah yeah yeah, yeah. Because I need to refer to the Bible reading the Bible reading Exodus 34. This is great, isn't it? It's jazz. It's jazz. Yeah. Yes. Moses asks God, what's your name? Okay. Because Moses doesn't know. How will we know what God is like unless God tells us? Moses asked God, what is your name? And God says, the Lord, the the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. There is God's name. That is what God is like. There's the. There's the head, there's the melody line. There's the creed. Now listen to the words of the people of Israel. When the psalmist prays in Psalm 86, you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. They've learned how to address God in prayer. When Joel calls God's people to repent, he says, return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. And he relents from sending calamity, even when Jonah complains to God after the Ninevites repent, I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. In all these times. They're all improvisations. They're riffing on Exodus 34, on the Creed. That's that's the Christian life. We take these words that we've been given. And then we apply them in all the different aspects of our lives here in the creeds, in the confessions drawn from the words of Scripture. They give us a set of words that enables us to live this faith. Now we're on to my second point, which is that we say in the creeds what we can all say. I wonder if you're familiar with this song from Matt Redman. It's a beautiful song called The Heart of Worship. Matt Redman is essentially singing a confession. He is coming back to the heart of worship, to living all of life for Jesus, rather than just thinking that worship is all about singing a song. And this is a song that I find really difficult to sing. No, it's not because it's got a difficult melody or anything. It's hard to sing. It's easy to sing. It's a lovely song and it's just. It's just not my song. I'm really glad that Matt Redman has the opportunity to confess this change of understanding that he's moved from a position where he thought that where he had made worship all about a song, and now he's back to the point of recognizing no, actually, worship is all about Jesus. That's just not my story. There's lots of other things I have to confess. All right. So I could write lots of other songs about how Graham needs to confess sin. Okay, don't get me wrong, but this is just not one of them. So I find it hard to sing. I'm glad Matt can sing it. Contrast that with the words of the confession. Prayers. We have done what we ought not to have done. We have left undone what we ought to have done. Well, that's true of all of us. We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, and in what we have failed to do. That's true of all of us. We have not loved you with our whole heart, and we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. That is true of all of us. These these are words that we can all say. We can say this together. In the second reading from one Corinthians 15, Paul uses the language of handing on a tradition is it there? Yeah. I passed on to you what I first received. He's using the language of a relay race. You get the baton from somebody else and you hand the baton onto the next person. That's the gospel. That's the message that he preaches. His point is, this isn't new. What I am bringing to you, Corinthians, this message of Jesus who died in accordance with the scriptures and then who was raised in accordance with the scriptures and then appeared. This isn't new. This is not Paul's gospel that he has just made up. This is the church's gospel. This is God's gospel. And so when you come to Deep Creek and you say the words of the the Creed, this is not what Deep Creek believes, not just what Deep Creek believes or not what only deep, Deep Creek believes. This is what churches across Melbourne believe. But not just Anglicans believe this. Not just Australians, but people across the world. People of all denominations. This is what Christians believe. We say these things together. Point 3 We say what our community says In the scriptures and through the creeds and confessions of the church. We're given to say what we can all say together, and therefore we say what our community says. Hey, can we, skip onto the next slide for me, please? Fabulous. We say what our community says. I think at the moment we might just have a musical interlude. and I wonder whether anybody would like to join me in the next song. We're going to have to click through. Here's the song. Who would like to sing this with me? Please stand boldly. I'm not getting any takers. Now, partly that might be because we're all blues fans, and we're also thoroughly disappointed and disgusted and let down. This is the Carlton team song. Blue baggers sing this with pride when we get the opportunity to. And. You know, like the football song. This is, this is a song which it binds a community together. I'm glad that not everybody chose to sing this song, because if you're not a blue bagger, you don't get to sing this song. All right. Because this is our song. It's not yours. And there are other songs that I will not sing. I'm not the proud that I'm not the the pride of Brisbane town. I am certainly not with the mighty Fighting Hawks. So let's move on. The Creed is like our team song. That's what we get from revelation chapter 12. Revelation 12 A loud voice from heaven comes in and interprets our world. It announces salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It says, now have come the salvation and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Messiah, Jesus has conquered. The voice reminds us that though the devil has been defeated, he has been cast down. He is not yet destroyed. Verse ten, he has been hurled down, no longer able to accuse us before God in heaven, but able to wreak havoc on the earth. He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short. And so how will God's people live? How do Christians function in this kind of world? Knowing the victory of Jesus. And yet so often looking around the world and it does not look like Jesus is ruling. Sometimes it looks like the exact opposite. How do we live in that, in that space? Well, the answer comes in verse 11, there in bold, in the middle, and in two parts they triumph. First by the blood of the lamb. That's the answer by Jesus death on our behalf. Satan's hold over us is broken and we are free. But there's a second part. They triumph over him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony. It's true. The defeat of Satan is only established. It's only secured by the work of Jesus. But we take hold of that victory for ourselves by the word of our testimony. Whether this is sharing our faith with one another here in church, or as we proclaim our faith to the world around us, the word of our testimony takes hold of the victory of Christ. Whether we make our testimony under the threat of death, or as an ongoing work of perseverance all the way until death. We hold on to the victory of Christ by the word of our testimony. Revelation 12 verse 11 says that there is a power in the act of testifying. It's not that the power to defeat Satan comes from the strength of your conviction. In the same way that just singing where the team that never lets you down means that you're never going to be disappointed when you go to watch Carlton play football, right? I know that that's true. I can tell you about that more later, but I'll need to go into therapy. Just saying something doesn't make it make it true. But we take hold of Jesus victory. We take our place in the fellowship of the church. And we triumph, therefore, over the devil's schemes. In reciting creeds and confessions, we say what our community says. We find our place in this community, this community of triumph. In the Lord Jesus. The church historian Jaroslav Pelikan. It's got an excellent name, but he was asked once, why do you say the Creed? This was his answer. My faith life, like that of everyone else, fluctuates. There are ups and downs and hot spots and cold spots and boredom and ennui and all the rest can be their own way. If you've seen Inside Out too. You'll know what that means. A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. Yeah, that describes Christian life for me often. UPS and downs. And so I'm not asked on a Sunday morning as of 920. What do you believe? And then you sit down with a three by five index card saying, now let's see, what do I believe today? No, that's not what they're asking me. They are asking me, are you a member of a community which now and for a millennium and a half has said, we believe in one God. And that for me, is the great power in the Creed to share in this shared confession. This privilege of testimony. You know, when you think about it, there's an added privilege of being able to confess this creed on Sunday mornings in Australia because it's like there is this Mexican wave of praise and confession that is going around the globe in these next 24 hours. We didn't kick it off, but there's not many people in the Pacific or in New Zealand. So where, you know, this is this is the when the Mexican wave really takes off, right. And we stand and we say the creed. And then across the day, across the planet, our brothers and sisters will say the same words, confess the same truth. We are part of this community. What a privilege that is. We don't overcome Satan on our own. We don't have to do this on our own. We participate in this community of faith. And you know, the same is true when we pray. When we confess together, we are confessing that we are part of this community. Confession Community You know, often when it comes to the confession, prayer in the service. This is how I hear it introduced. We're going to make this prayer of confession. And so we're going to have a time of silence for you to think about all the ways that you've failed Jesus over the last week. And then we'll pray the prayer together. And then I've got 15 seconds to think, which either completely underestimates how much I'm able to disappoint and fail Jesus over the last seven days, right? Or overestimates my the speed at which I can process all of that sin? And then what happens if after that 15 seconds I can't think of anything? I actually, I'm good today. You guys go for it. But but, I'll I'll join you in a moment. That's not the point, is it? There are some times that you will come to the confession prayer, and your mind will be filled with all the different ways that your life has not measured up to what it is that Jesus has invited us into. And you can be so overwhelmed with failure. But then here are words that just find a way through that mess. And there'll be other days when you'll come thinking that you're sort of okay. And here are words that remind you. Thought, word, deed. What we have failed to do. Really? When we come to confession, the invitation is are you ready and willing to join this community? This is a community that says this to God, that we confess that we have wandered from his way. We confess that we have failed to do what is right. We confess that God alone can save us. We have not loved one another with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. This is what defines this community. Are you ready and willing to be part of that? To recognize that this is you? And that there is grace and salvation to be found in this community that holds on to the Lord Jesus. Increases in confessions. We say what we ought to say. We say what we can all say. We can say what our community says. And finally, finally take us to the next slide. We say what we want to be able to say with our last breath. Point 4 What we want to be able to say with our last breath In my early ministry, one of the very hardest things that I ever had to do was also one of the most privileged things that I ever got to do, and that was to go to minister at the bedside of people who were dying. And I had to go one day to visit Joan in palliative care. She was a member of our congregation not far from the kingdom. I was terrified. And I was I was given instructions. I said, go read the 23rd Psalm. And then take your prayer book and pray. Pray the confession. Pray the Lord's Prayer. Pray the general thanksgiving. pray the collect. And I read Psalm 23, and Joan was she. She was sort of unresponsive and labored breathing and thought, what the what am I doing here? And then as I opened the prayer book and began the prayer of confession. Her lips began to move, and and she prayed with me. And through the fog and all these years of praying just came out. It it was it was like muscle memory, but also it was it was soul memory. And her body had now remembered how to bring these words to God. And if I'm given the grace of knowing that I'm about to die. Then I want to build a habit of saying these creeds and confessions and liturgical prayers, so that I can declare my faith in the Lord Jesus when I'm dying, that I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting so I can confess my sins. As I wait to meet my Savior, I want to be able to thank God for life and health and safety. I want to be able to greet the morning, praying for my family and thanking God for bringing us safely to this new day. Asking that he would keep us by his mighty power. And grant that today we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that he would lead in govern us in all things that we might always do. What is righteous in his sight? By reciting creeds and confessions, we are offered an invitation to build soul memory. And to say what we want to be able to say with our final breath. Conclusion So what's the point? What's the point of reciting things that have been written for us by someone else, or memorized words, remembered words, known words, familiar words. They can become rich practices of faith. Not just things that we do, but things we do that form us. We enlist our bodies as we. We stand or bow our heads. We use our voices. We declare, we pray, and we do it together. Not just me, but us. Together. And not just us, but together with believers across the globe and throughout the centuries. And so we see that these creeds and confessions, they they become for us like the good news of Jesus itself. Right? They're not my own invention. They're not the result of my creativity, my insight, or my spiritual fervor. These aren't originally my words, but they become my words when I receive them as a gift. And so, in the same way, the good news of Jesus, we didn't come up with this. We didn't create it ourselves. We don't need to construct this. We receive the good news. Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures and has risen that we might be saved. And that can be the gift to our hearts. We don't have to say these things in order to be Christian, but we get to say these things because we are Christian. What an amazing grace that is. Amen.

Tuesday, 15 July 2025   All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Matthew 11:27   “All, it was delivered to Me by My Father. And none, he knows the Son if not the Father, nor any he knows the Father if not the Son, and whom if the Son He should will to reveal” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus acknowledged the Father's decisions, noting that it was satisfaction before Him. Now, to build upon that thought, He next says, “All, it was delivered to Me by My Father.”   The context of the word “all” determines the meaning. He has just referred to things hidden by the Father from the wise and prudent but which have been revealed to infants. Jesus is saying that these hidden things have been delivered to Him by His Father. He is the central focus of the illumination of the plan that the Father has set forth. From there, He continues with, “And none, he knows the Son if not the Father.”   Jesus has rebuked the cities where His miracles took place. He came in the Father's name because He is the Messiah. Only the Father knew this at first because He was with the Father in the beginning. Eventually, the time came for God to reveal Himself in the Person of Jesus, the incarnate Word and the Son of God. Only the Father could reveal this because He came from the Father –    “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.'” John 8:42   God could have established His covenant with the Peruvians or the Thai people. Instead, it was with Israel. He chose them to reveal Himself and His plans and purposes. At a certain point, He could have chosen someone named Ben Gad to witness to Israel. Instead, He chose Isaiah. He could have chosen Gibeah to be His capital, but He instead chose Jerusalem.   God has been guiding the plan of redemption in a carefully set forth and methodically implemented way that ultimately leads to the coming of Christ. Along the way, He selected people to receive, write, and compile His word. The word tells of Christ Jesus, but not everyone has accepted that premise. But the Father knows the Son. Likewise, Jesus continues, saying, “nor any he knows the Father if not the Son.”   Because Jesus came from God, He intimately knows the Father. They are in eternal union. The knowledge of the Father is thus to be understood as knowing the Son. Again, Jesus said this to them explicitly –   “Then they said to Him, ‘Where is Your Father?' Jesus answered, ‘You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.'” John 8:19   Jesus unambiguously ties the knowledge of Himself to having knowledge of the Father. If the Son is rejected, the Father is by default rejected. It would make no sense to say, “I want that piece of bread, but I don't want the dough in it.” The dough is the bread, and the bread is the dough. How much more is God One!? He is. He is unchanging. He is One. With this stated, His words of this verse finish with, “and whom if the Son He should will to reveal.”   Jesus uses the same word, apokaluptó, to take off the cover and thus disclose, that He just used in verse 11:25. He is tying the two thoughts together –   ...You revealed them to infants ... and whom if the Son He should will to reveal   The hidden things of God are revealed by God. His word didn't come through the Edomites or Moabites. It came through Israel. God revealed Himself to Abraham, He covenanted with him, and continued His revelation through a particular chosen line. He presented Himself to Israel at Mount Sinai in a formal, covenant-making way.   He revealed His faithfulness to them despite their constant turning from Him. He sent His word through the prophets. He judged, exiled, and returned the people at the time of the Babylonian exile. He faithfully maintained them under foreign rule, and He sent His Messiah into the world at the time prophesied in His word.   And there stood Jesus, the fulfillment of all that God laid forth from the beginning. And yet, despite His works that validated His messiahship, the people refused to believe. The wise and sagacious of Israel, the stewards of God's word, failed to believe their own writings –   “And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:37-40   Despite their failure to acknowledge the Son and thus the Father, there are those who believe. These are those to whom the Father and the Son are revealed –   “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:11-13   The choice of revealing by God is not active in the sense that God says, “I will make this person believe and this person not believe.” Rather, the choosing spoken of here is in the sense of, “I will present My Son to the world. Some will believe Him, some will not. Those who do are those whom I have chosen to reveal Myself to.” Paul confirms this when he says –   “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.” Acts 26:19, 20   Paul could have said, “I just cannot accept these things. I am checking into a hospital to clear my head and get back to my work. However, he had sufficient evidence to support his calling. He chose to accept it, and he continued on in his apostleship from there.   Life application: Because of what Jesus says in His words in Matthew 11:27, and because it aligns with everything He said and that the Bible proclaims concerning a right relationship with God, there is a formula we must consider.   Jesus is not physically here among us today. Jesus has claimed that we cannot know the Father without knowing Him. We cannot know Jesus, because of His absence, without knowing the word that tells of Him –   You cannot know God without knowing Jesus. You cannot know Jesus without knowing the word that reveals Jesus. Therefore, you cannot know God without knowing the word.   Read and know the Bible if you desire to know, be pleasing to, and have a right relationship with the God who created all things. And when you read it, look for Jesus. In finding Jesus, you will find the Father –   “Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” John 5:45-47   The word tells of Jesus. To accept the writings of the word, one must accept Jesus. And in knowing Jesus, God will be made manifest –   “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” John 1:18   Jesus is the One who exegetes the Father, declaring Him to the world. Look to Jesus and you will find God.   Lord God, help us to fix our eyes on Jesus. In doing so, we will have our eyes on You because You have revealed Yourself through Him. May we always come to Your word with this in mind as we seek out Your glory in the manner You have chosen to reveal it. Amen.

In Psalm 2, we're invited into the Throne Room of heaven, a Situation Room unlike any other. We listen in as God responds to a world in rebellion. Whether ancient or modern rulers, pride rages and plots against God's authority.We hear the noise of proud human defiance and then the calm, unshaken voice of God. He has set His King in place. His Messiah is Anointed. His Son is given the nations as His heritage. All who bow the knee to King Jesus, our Rescuer, and God's beloved Son will find refuge.Psalm 2 exposes human rebellion, whether dramatic or “suburban” and calls for full surrender—not just for kings and rulers, but for each of us. The psalm ends where Psalm 1 began: with blessing. Only this time, for all who take refuge in Him.Key Themes:· The World's Rebellion: Nations and rulers resist God's authority and reject His rule. (Psalm 2:1–3)· God's Response: He laughs at human pride and declares His King—Jesus—on Zion's throne. (Psalm 2:4–6)· The Son's Identity: Messiah, King, and the eternally begotten Son who reigns over all. (Psalm 2:7–9)· The Warning and the Invitation: Serve with fear, rejoice with trembling, and take refuge in the Son. (Psalm 2:10–12)Key Texts:· Psalm 2· Acts 4:25–27· Luke 1:30–33· 2 Samuel 7:16· Revelation 2:26–27 Support our mission:Your generosity helps us proclaim Christ as King and equip disciples to make disciples. alloflife.churchcenter.com/givingVisit our website:www.alloflife.church

Friday, 27 June 2025   But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. Matthew 11:9   “But what you went out to see? A prophet? Yes! I say to you and superabounding a prophet” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus noted that those wearing the fines, they are in the king's houses. He continues referring to John by asking again, “But what you went out to see?”   As with the previous time He asked, it indicates that the people, in fact, did not go out to see someone dressed in the fines. Rather, they had a different purpose entirely. Knowing why they went, He asks rhetorically, “A prophet?”   The people heard about John's crying in the wilderness, proclaiming the coming of the Lord –   Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,”' as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:22, 23   The people had heard of John's call to repentance and went into the wilderness to hear his prophetic message. Of him, Jesus continues, saying, “Yes! I say to you and beyond a prophet.”   John was asked who he was by the priests and Levites from Jerusalem. His response to them indicated that he was more than a prophet because he was the subject of prophecy. Isaiah said there is the voice of one crying in the wilderness. John said that voice was referring to him. Therefore, Isaiah was referring to him as the subject.   But more, he was not only the subject of the word, but he was the one to continue conveying the word. The words of John were uttered, and they have been recorded in Scripture for us. His role was to fulfill prophecy and to continue to proclaim the prophetic word of God concerning the coming of the Lord.   And yet, there is more. Not only would he fulfill the prophetic word while continuing to speak out the prophetic word, but he would personally acknowledge that his prophecies were fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus –   “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.” 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.' 32 And John bore witness, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.'” John 1:29-34   The other prophets of God spoke and wrote about the coming of the Messiah, but John personally beheld Him and proclaimed Him to be the One. Jesus will explain further about the greatness of John and his prophetic office in the verses to come.   Life application: The Bible is the main way that God specifically expresses Himself to the people of the world. It is true that He expressed Himself through nature and creation (general revelation). He has also revealed Himself through those who then prophesied His word (special revelation). He has further revealed Himself specifically through Jesus, who is the epitome of special revelation.   However, these instances of special revelation were limited to certain times and locations. Isaiah, Daniel, and the other prophets transmitted the word of God. Their words have been compiled into Scripture. Jesus came and fulfilled His ministry before ascending. Since then, the record and explanation of what He did and will continue to do is recorded in the New Testament.   The Bible is the record of those things. As the Bible is completed, there is no longer a need for special revelation apart from it. This logically tells us that when someone claims a word from the Lord, such a person is either deluded or lying. Why would God continue to give instructions apart from His word?   Look at the history of the church since the completion of the Bible. Those who have claimed prophecy have only brought disorder, not further harmony. And yet, despite not receiving further prophecy, because of how the Bible is written, we are a part of the fulfillment of prophecy.   If you think your situation isn't of any value in the stream of church history, consider that the Lord, through Isaiah, spoke of you –   “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.” Isaiah 42:1   Verses such as this came when the Gentiles were without hope, separated from the covenant promises. And yet, the Lord prophesied that at some point, both Jews and Gentiles would be included in what God would do for humanity through His Messiah.   Even if it is a distant reference to you, it still applies to you. Feel confident that the Lord planned and He has fulfilled His word partly through you if you have trusted in Jesus. What a comforting thought.   O God, thank You for having looked upon us and saved us. While we were Your enemies, You made the first move, sending Jesus to bring us back to You. All You asked us to do was to believe the gospel. And we do! Thank You for saving us and promising us restoration and eternal life. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

The Prophetic Heart of Torah: Moshe's Bronze Serpent and Mashiach's Redemption The Torah unveils prophetic truths that reveal Yahweh's redemptive heart toward His covenant people. Within its ancient narratives lies a stunning messianic blueprint, perfectly demonstrated in Moshe's bronze serpent account from Numbers 21. When Israel faced judgment through fiery serpents due to their complaints and faithlessness, Yahweh commanded Moshe to craft a bronze serpent and lift it upon a pole. Those who looked upon it in faith would live. This wasn't serpent worship,it was prophetic revelation pointing directly to Mashiach's atoning work. Yeshua Himself declared this connection in John 3:14-15, explaining that just as Moshe lifted the bronze serpent for physical healing, the Son of Man would be lifted up on the cross for spiritual restoration. The Hebrew word "nes" (pole/standard) signifies a rallying point of hope—precisely what Yeshua's crucifixion represents. The Torah's ceremonial laws, including the red heifer purification ritual, similarly foreshadow Mashiach's cleansing work. These aren't merely historical accounts but divine blueprints revealing Yahweh's eternal plan for redemption through His Messiah, demonstrating Torah's enduring prophetic relevance for believers today. Be sure to subscribe to our youtube channel for updates and new teachings: www.Youtube.com/theruachlife and on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ruachministries If these have been a blessing to you please consider donating to help us continue to put these teachings out. You can donate at https://www.ruachonline.com/donate 

Title: Your Will Be Done Text: Acts 22:22-29 FCF: We often struggle trusting God when we are in difficult situations Prop: Because God providentially works to accomplish His purposes through man's choices, we must trust the Lord. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 22. In a moment we will read from the LSB starting in verse 22. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Since Acts chapter 19 we have been in the final Act of the unfolding narrative of the book of Acts. In his part 2 of this gospel sent to Theophilus, which is designed to assure him of the truth of what he has believed, Luke is demonstrating the continuing saving power of Jesus. The Kingdom of God continues to invade the world through the power of the comforter, the third person of the Godhead the Holy Spirit. This last act began when Paul turned his attention toward going to Jerusalem. God has called him to go there and to suffer in chains. Paul goes willingly even against the advice of others who warn him. He knows the warnings but also knows that God has willed that He go to Jerusalem. This final act is the great culmination of the Lord Jesus' command to His apostles to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. And while it is true that the gospel has gone to Rome already… Paul will take it directly to the Emperor's throne. But before he does… he must go through many twists and turns along the way. If you have grown tired of hearing about God's providence and sovereign hand in the book of Acts… the last few chapters are gonna be a bit of a slog for you. Because God's providence will be laced to many of the episodes left in this book as we hasten toward the end. Stand again with me to give honor to and focus on the reading of God's Word. Invocation: Sovereign Lord, You are in absolute control over all that happens. But we also are responsible to act according to Your revealed will and live in this world making wise decisions based on information and resources that You have given us. Help us Lord neither to forget or disbelieve that nothing is outside Your control nor allow us to abdicate the agency we possess to do justly and live wisely. Help us Lord in this text to strike the balance of these two paradoxical teachings so that we may be both in the world but not citizens of it. Bless us with understanding from the Spirit we pray in Jesus' name… Amen. Transition: Let's once again hop right into this new episode of the ongoing adventure of Paul at the hands of the Jews and the Romans. I.) God providentially works to accomplish His purposes through man's sin, so we must trust the Lord. (22-24) a. [Slide 2] 22 - And they were listening to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!” 23 - And as they were crying out and throwing off their garments and tossing dust into the air, i. The following episode is broken up into two scenes. ii. The second scene occurs in the barracks of the Anatolian fortress. iii. The first scene occurs as an interruption to Paul's defense of himself before the mob in Jerusalem. iv. These two scenes compose our two primary points in the sermon. v. In this first scene we see the rather disheartening and disappointing story of how the mob in Jerusalem was listening quite closely to the testimony of Paul. vi. How is that disheartening and disappointing? vii. Partly because the gospel is preached clearly and effectively. 1. Jesus is presented, on full display, as having the same essence and status as God the Father. Jesus is Yahweh. 2. Jesus is the LORD who is obviously not dead but has risen and furthermore is in heaven. 3. Jesus is the LORD whom Paul is persecuting by imprisoning and killing His People, which are people of The Way. 4. Jesus is the name on which Paul was to call for the forgiveness of his sins and to be baptized in the Spirit. 5. Jesus is the name in which Paul was to be baptized in water. 6. Jesus is the LORD who commands Paul's purpose and destiny to go far from Jerusalem. 7. Jesus is the LORD who sends him to the Gentiles. viii. But all of this is so good. And they were listening. When does it become disheartening? 1. When they stop listening. Indeed, they stop listening so aggressively that they interrupt his story. a. Paul is following a typical style of speech one would use to defend themselves in court. b. Scholars point out that the style is truncated and incomplete. c. This clues us in to the fact that Paul wasn't done. d. No doubt he intended to speak about the wonders he had beheld as God did miraculous things and led many pagans to confess this Jewish Messiah as LORD. e. No doubt Paul would have ended by telling them about Trophimus who was one of these and how he did not bring Trophimus into the temple. f. But Paul never got to that part of his defense. Why? Because they interrupted him. g. Why? 2. They interrupt him in anger because of their national pride and racist bigotry against the Gentiles. a. It was the mention of Paul being commissioned by Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, to go and take something Jewish to the pagans… which provoked the crowd to lose their marbles. b. What do I mean by that statement? c. Well first they demand Paul's death. i. Because Paul has the audacity to suggest that the Jewish Messiah, the Son of David, the Son of Man, the Son of God, would command him to take the message of hope to the Gentiles – they determined he was unworthy to live. ii. How did they get there? iii. Think of the illustration Jesus uses in Matthew chapter 7 during his sermon on the mount. iv. He says do not give what is holy to dogs and do not scatter pearls before swine. v. Contextually Jesus is talking about correcting ungodly behavior in others. vi. As He completes that teaching he gives this illustration. vii. In the context then this communicates the idea that just as dogs will not make any distinction between temple food that has been sanctified for worship purposes and other forms of food and just as pigs won't differentiate between pearls under their feet verses anything else – so also a man who never desires to be corrected and is convinced he is never wrong should eventually be left alone in his error. viii. We know the Jews generally felt this way toward gentiles. Ther are even biblical references to pagans around them being viewed as… dogs and swine. ix. In other words, if the gospel was so great, and it had a Jewish origin, a Jewish Messiah, and is offered to the Jews first – it would be absolutely unthinkable to offer it to dogs and pigs. x. But what is their mistake? You see it already, don't you? Their mistake is two-fold 1. God never indicated anything but the plan for all the nations to be His portion. a. For a time, Israel was His portion. b. But He makes it absolutely explicitly clear in the Old Testament, that God owns the whole earth and that He will one day reclaim the nations through His Messiah. 2. Secondly, they miss the concept of not being able to determine if someone is a dog or pig until you try to feed them something holy. a. This is the same context where Jesus invites people to knock to receive a good gift from God – much like holy food and pearls. b. This is in the same context where Jesus cautions that false teachers can be judged by their fruit since bad trees bear bad fruit. c. In other words, the entire context essentially says that you can't judge a person by anything but their reaction to holy things. Do they desire holy things or not? xi. They had mistakenly assigned the status of “unworthy of holy things” to people whom God has always said He was going to reclaim. xii. Therefore, in their eyes, Paul is guilty of blasphemy because he has offered the things of God to pagan people. xiii. And all this stems from the question – who are the people of God? xiv. Are they born into it… or are they born again into it? And Nicodemus' interaction with Jesus clearly tells us the answer. xv. Even Nicodemus, a teacher of the law, a member of the Sanhedrin – must be born again. xvi. There are only two families and they are not Jew and Gentile. They are children of the Serpent and children of the Seed of the woman. xvii. Which means you are either born once and die twice or you are born twice and die once. ix. These first century Jews heard the majesty of the gospel. But what prevented them from hearing more? What prevented them from believing? Ultimately – it was their love for their sin. x. Indeed, they loved their national pride and their racist bigotry SO MUCH… that they started tearing off their clothes and kicking up dust. They throw a religious tantrum. They are demanding Paul to be killed. xi. Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. xii. This Jewish mob is the same as every other person who has been given the gospel and has not turned from sin. They actively choose their sin over salvation. Because you can't have both. b. [Slide 3] 24 - the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by flogging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. i. Here we see the Roman commander being utterly in the dark as to what is going on here. ii. Why is that the case? iii. There are two potential reasons. 1. First, Paul spoke in Aramaic. a. The likelihood that the Roman Commander spoke Aramaic is very small. b. And when the people violently yell against Paul, they probably did so in Greek. c. So, the commander hears Paul speak and suddenly the crowd turns on him. 2. Second, the layers and flavors of all of this are abundantly Jewish. a. Even if he did understand some of it, there is so much pent-up national pride and bigotry here that it would be difficult for someone outside the culture to see it. b. All he knows is that they were listening intently one moment and then just suddenly snapped and demanded his death. iv. Now, since the commander has already tried to get answers from the crowd and come up with pretty much nothing, he intends to flog Paul until Paul confesses what he has done to provoke them to this point. v. Roman commanders were given liberty to beat confessions or statements out of people, especially when all other non-violent forms of questioning had been exhausted. vi. And right here at the climax of the episode and at the end of scene one – let's take a commercial break and take a moment to digest what we've learned.

The religious leaders of Jesus' day knew Isaiah 42 and Isaiah 49 like the back of their hands. God had inspired the prophet to write about His Messiah as the "Light of the World." So when they heard Jesus say, "I AM the Light of the World," they understood exactly what He was claiming. He was the Messiah. It shook their world with an earthquake of resentment and anger. But it is good news for every believer!

From Luke 24:13-35. In this passage, we see that, truly Jesus was raised from the dead and truly, Jesus is alive! Truly, this death and burial and resurrection always was the plan of God for His Messiah.

Thursday, 24 April 2025   But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. Matthew 9:25   “And when He ejected the crowd, having entered, He seized her hand, and the damsel, she arose” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told those mourning the death of the damsel that she was not dead but only sleeping. In response, they derided Him. Matthew next says, “And when He ejected the crowd.”   Mark's gospel adds the following –   He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Mark 5:40, 41   Therefore, there were seven people in the room at the time of the raising. These were Jesus, Peter, James, John, the two parents, and the damsel. Once these were free of the commotion of the mourners, it next says, “having entered, He seized her hand.”   This is a new word, krateó, to seize. It is derived from kratos, which signifies power, might, dominion, strength, etc. T herefore, this is an act where strength is employed. He didn't just touch her hand, but He grasped as if to pull her into an awakened state. Such an act would cause a person under the law to be defiled –   “Whoever in the open field touches one who is slain by a sword or who has died, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.” Number 19:16   In such a state, a rite of cleansing was to be performed according to the next verses of Numbers –   “And for an unclean person they shall take some of the ashes of the heifer burnt for purification from sin, and running water shall be put on them in a vessel. 18 A clean person shall take hyssop and dip it in the water, sprinkle it on the tent, on all the vessels, on the persons who were there, or on the one who touched a bone, the slain, the dead, or a grave. 19 The clean person shall sprinkle the unclean on the third day and on the seventh day; and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, wash his clothes, and bathe in water; and at evening he shall be clean.” Numbers 19:17-19   However, Jesus had just said to those gathered that she had not died but was sleeping. Because of this, as a person might awaken another, He seized her by the hand to rouse her. Having done so, it next says, “and the damsel, she arose.”   It is not uncommon for scholars to use the word “resurrect” here. This is incorrect. This was a restoration of life to the body, not a resurrection. Paul says that Christ is the Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. His resurrection was a unique occurrence based on a sinless life. It is a complete conquering of death.   Those who were raised, both in the Old Testament and the New eventually died again. Their restoration of life was granted by God to serve His purposes, but they remained stained with sin. Only after Christ's work was complete could the permanency of a resurrection be applied to others. And that will only occur, as Paul says, “at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:23).   As for this damsel, her restoration was temporary until whatever time she had lived her life and died. But Jesus has shown that He possessed power over the state of death. In His resurrection, He has demonstrated that it is permanent. We are being incrementally shown what God is doing in His marvelous work through His Messiah.   Life application: We must be careful about what we believe concerning dead people being raised. There are those who have died on the operating table but who have been brought back. Their physical body is worked on, and if done quickly enough, the life can return.   However, there is a point where it is no longer possible to bring a person back. The brain quickly begins to break down. After a short amount of time, if a person is brought back, there will be permanent brain damage. There are exceptions, such as being in a very cold environment. But even then, other things quickly break down.   So, stories of people being raised who had been dead for extended periods of time or who had already been embalmed (as mentioned some years ago by “Evangelist” Reinhard Bonnke on the 700 Club) are to be rejected outright.   Further, people who have died and claimed to have gone to heaven or hell are not to be listened to. If someone went to heaven, that means he bypassed the judgment seat of Christ, which all believers must face.   As hell, meaning the Lake of Fire, is something that will not be meted out until the end of days (as recorded in Revelation 20), then we can be absolutely positive that no person has yet gone to hell. It is appointed for man to die, face the judgment, and that is that. If you are tempted to buy the book, don't. You are wasting your money as well as time that you could spend reading your Bible.   Such things are sensational, and they often enrich those telling these tales, but they have no basis in biblical reality. Stick with the Bible. It is sensational enough, and it is the truth of God because it is His word.   Lord God, help us to have our thinking caps on. Keep us from being duped by people who want to get rich by spreading falsities about heaven, hell, or powers on earth that are not true. There is no need to listen to such nonsense. May we focus on Jesus, who possesses all power and authority in heaven and on earth. Amen.

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

We are starting a new section of the Bible, a seasonable one, a book for today, the Book of Revelation. The word Revelation, apocalysis, means the unveiling, the uncovering of something that was hidden and now revealed, and while it is a word that is often associated with chaos or calamities, this is only a part of its scope, The rest of its content reveals to us some great and profound eternal truths unseen anywhere else in Scripture. It will supply great details for us concerning the eternal home of those who've trusted their lives to God and His Messiah. This then is what the Book of Revelation is really about; the uncovering of the facets of our God that is so powerful that it will energize us and make us whole and confident. Thank you for joining us in this study. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29

Welcome to episode 177 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Ephesians, covering chapter 3:1-13.  Today, we will cover: The Revelation of the Mystery to Paul (3:1–7) The Nature of Paul's Stewardship of the Mystery (3:8–12) Paul's Concern for the Readers (3:13)  Key takeaways: There is a divine plan, and Paul has been selected to be an administrator of it.  At the center of this plan is God's intent to create a special household of people who actually form a home that He indwells—a corporate body of both Jews and Greeks, whom He has redeemed with his own blood. There was no generation among God's people who could have anticipated the full extent of what God would accomplish through His Messiah. At the heart of the mystery God has revealed is the fact that Gentiles now share equally with Jews in the blessings of the new covenant life with God.   Christ has broken down that wall, making one new people out of two previously divided people. So now both Jew and Gentile approach God equally on that new basis. The revelation of God's wisdom to the powers in the heavenly places happens through the church. The Church is not an option for believers, nor is supporting it an option.  Quotable: God is in control and is sovereignly and powerfully fulfilling His plan of redemption just as He intended it from the beginning.  Application: Because of His kindness, love, and mercy coupled with the reconciliation that has taken place by the blood of Jesus Christ, believers can experience a closeness to God. As part of this relationship, God's people need feel no restraint in approaching God in prayer or worship. They can pray at any time with no fear of being turned away because of ritual impurity or some form of unworthiness. Because of what Christ has accomplished, they can approach God with full confidence The Church exists as a multiracial and multicultural community. No ethnicity is disadvantaged in the body of Christ. No one, whatever that person's background might be, is barred from membership and participation in this new community.   Connect with us: Web site:  https://springbaptist.org Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/  If you haven't already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider.