Week Three, Thursday

Ephesians 3:7-11

 A Bottomless Reservoir

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Ephesians 3:7-11 (New International Version)

In yesterday’s passage, the Apostle Paul elaborated on the mystery of God’s will that is the unity that is available through belief in – and living for – Jesus. In today’s passage, Paul talks about sharing this mystery. He beautifully describes that he is called to preach “the boundless riches of Christ…” (verse 8). These boundless riches have been described as a reservoir so deep we can never find the bottom, out of which we can never draw too much, and of which we can never exhaust. And Paul tells us he was called to share this mystery with all people. The same is true for us. If we are persons who follow Jesus, then that means that He has changed our lives from the inside out. We who once had no hope are now filled with hope. As followers of Christ, we have been tasked with sharing this glorious hope with others by making disciples (i.e., leading others to faith) and by teaching them God’s Word (Matthew 28:19-20).

My prayer is that you would find strength in this passage today. Whatever you are facing, God’s resources are abundant and there is nothing that is too big for Him – He can handle it all. What an incredible God we serve!

Amen?

Week Three, Wednesday

Ephesians 3:2-6 –

A Mysterious Unification

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

“² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 3:2-6 (New International Version)

In Ephesians 1:9, Paul said that God “made known to us the mystery of his will,” but he never elaborated as to what that mystery actually was. He comes back to that thought in this passage, citing the mystery as being “the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you” (verse 2), and “through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (verse 6).

The term “gentile” describes anyone who is not Jewish. Paul is saying that all people now have access to God through the Gospel. Before, Jews were the only ones who had access to God through their laws and belief systems. Now – as a result of Jesus’ arrival on the scene and all that He accomplished and changed for us – anyone who follows and believes in Jesus has direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.

The mystery to which Paul was referring is the incredible unity of the church – that we are all one in Christ. Paul writes that as a result of Jesus and the Gospel, we are now heirs together, members together, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I’m blown away by the mysteries of Christ and they make me stand even more in awe of Him each and every day.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for your mystery – for making us a part of your family. Thank you for providing a way for us to be reconnected with God and to spend eternity with Him. We stand in awe of you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!

Week Three, Tuesday

Incomplete Sentence With a Purpose

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

Ephesians 3:1  

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles…” – Ephesians 3:1 (New International Version)

No, I did not make a mistake here. Our passage – or I guess I should say verse…or actually half of a verse – is exactly as the Apostle Paul wrote it. In this incomplete sentence, the Apostle Paul begins writing and then gets diverted and doesn’t finish the sentence. Sounds like a pastor going off on a rabbit trail mid-sermon, doesn’t it? Paul does, however, come back to it thirteen verses later and completes his thought, and we will get to that on Saturday, May 9^th. What sidetracked Paul was the need to explain who he was, his mission, and why he was willing to suffer imprisonment and persecution for the message of the gospel. Even though Paul penned these words while in prison, he maintained his firm belief that God was in control of all history, including all that happened to him.

If that’s not a powerful message for us in this time of quarantine due to the Coronavirus, I don’t know what is. Do the things you see on the news or our current circumstances make you wonder if God has lost control of this world? Like Paul, remember that no matter what happens, God is in control and carefully watching over you.

Prayer:

Father, in a world that seems to be without hope of a positive future right now, we take comfort in the fact that with you as our focus, there is always hope. We thank you that even though the world seems to be crumbling around us, we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are still here, you are still working, and that you still have everything under control.

Week Three, Monday

No Longer Strangers

By Pastor Paul Georgulis

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

“^19-22 That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.” – Ephesians 2:19-22 (The Message)

When you think of the church – or God’s house – do you think of Doylestown United Methodist Church and all of the other churches that sit empty, unable to host people for worship right now? It’s common to think of the actual church building as the church, but that’s not what the church actually is. The church is way more complex than a structure. It’s way more complex because it’s made up of people from all over the world. It’s made up of people who never met each other, and who likely will never meet each other until they get to heaven. It’s made up of strangers who are no longer strangers. In fact, this “no longer strangers” mantra is what this passage is all about.

Not only are we no longer strangers, but we are being added to the constructing of a kingdom that includes the apostles and prophets from throughout antiquity as the foundation of the building, with Jesus being the cornerstone that holds it all together. If nothing else, this should tell us that we are not alone on this faith journey, and that we walk the paths that many godly men and women once walked in their calling to bring the message of the gospel – of Jesus – to the very ends of the earth.

I don’t know about you, but knowing this empowers me to continue serving Christ to the best of my ability and to continue loving God and loving people (Mark 12:30-31), which is what all of this is all about.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for seeing value in me and using me to further your kingdom, despite my background, and despite my past, present, and future sins. I thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so great, and for being the cornerstone that holds not only my life together, but serves as my connection to all other followers of you. Thank you for making me a part of the team.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

From Wall Builders to Kingdom Builders

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-18

“¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands) – ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:11-18 (New International Version)

One of my undergrad professors used to say that when you see “therefore” in Scripture, you have to ask, “What’s it there for?” This is true with today’s passage of focus. If you remember back to Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul reminded us about how we were dead in our sins, yet God reached out to us and saved us by His grace. So, what the “therefore” is there for is for Paul to elaborate on how this salvation by God’s grace has affected us.    

And how it has affected us is that the Salvation Jesus offers is for anyone and everyone. Jesus breaks down the walls of prejudice, reconciles people back to God, and unifies us as one body. Jesus has destroyed the barriers that we are quick to build between ourselves and others. Because these walls have been removed, we can have real unity with people who are not like us. Because of Jesus’ death, we are all unified, on the same side, citizens of the same kingdom (2:14); our hostility against each other has been put to death (2:16); we can all have access to the Father by the Holy Spirit (2:18).

Do you struggle with barriers and finding unity with others? If so, allow the Holy Spirit to help you to look beyond those potential barriers to the unity we are called to enjoy. Focus on the cross, and the barriers will crumble.

Prayer:

Jesus, help us to keep our eyes on the cross so that we may remember what it truly means to us and our future with you. I thank you for your sacrifice on that cross, and for the immense love that enabled you to go through with it for each and every one of us. Thank you for how you unify us with others – even those with whom we disagree. Help us to stop being wall builders and instead let us become kingdom builders.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!

You’re a piece of work!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

“¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation)

Have you ever heard someone call someone else “a piece of work?” It’s not usually a good thing, except for in Ephesians 2:10 where it is. This verse refers to us as being “God’s masterpiece.” Other translations word it “God’s handiwork (NIV),” “his workmanship (KJV),” “His creation (HCSB),” and, “what he has made us (NRSV).” I could go on, but you get the point – God created us and we are a piece of work – His piece of work. The Greek word Paul chose for this verse is “poiema.” This is where we get the English word, “poem.” What Paul had in mind when penning this verse is that we are a work of masterful creativity. Paul did not use this word flippantly. In fact, Paul only used this word twice: once in Romans 1:20, and the other in Ephesians 2:10. However, this word is used several times in the Old Testament, one of which being the Creation account found in Genesis 1, where God concluded that His work was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

I want to remind you today that you are perfect, beautiful, amazing, and a masterpiece in God’s eyes and that He loves you more than anyone else will ever love you. Go and live in that love, realizing that you are God’s masterpiece.

For a powerful video on God’s continual work on and in our lives, go here: https://skitguys.com/videos/gods-chisel

Prayer:

God, thank you for creating us, for loving us, and for declaring that we – being your masterpieces – were “very good.” Thank you for viewing us as such. Help us to remember that even though we are your masterpieces, we are still works in progress, meaning that you continually work on us and mold us more and more into the image of your Son. Help us to be open to your continued work on and in us.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

Saved By Grace

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

“⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (New International Version)

Paul reminds us that we have not earned our standing with God. Salvation is available only because of God’s grace provided by the death of Jesus on the cross. It is entirely initiated and freely given by God alone. Grace is a gift, and a gift, by definition, is free – it cannot be bought or earned, only accepted. Grace is best understood as unearned, undeserved favor. As with any gift given to us, our job is simply to receive it. (For a powerful video on God’s Grace, go here: https://skitguys.com/videos/grace ).

While Salvation is about God’s work and not ours, it doesn’t mean the way we live our new life in Christ is unimportant. A change of attitude and behavior is hugely important in the lives of Christ-followers. We need to understand that our new Christ-like behavior is part of our secure acceptance as part of God’s family. Good behavior doesn’t save us, but it’s because we have been saved that we should want to do good works. Saving us is God’s work. He had Christ die on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins. Our new behavior – what the Bible calls “works” – shows our love for God and our gratitude for the grace He freely gives to us.

Prayer:

God, thank you for your grace. We don’t deserve it, but you still want to give it. Please allow the fact that you have saved us from our sins to change the way we live our lives so that we can share what you have done for us with others, eventually changing their lives.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

The Already But Not Yet

Scripture: Ephesians 2:6-7

“⁶ For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. ⁷ So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:6-7 (New Living Translation)

As was discussed in yesterday’s devotion, prior to coming to faith in Christ, we were headed down a path of destruction, BUT now we have hope. Because of Jesus, we have life. Yes, sin kills and destroys, BUT Jesus heals us, bringing new life and transformation. In verse 6, Paul states that we have been raised from the dead along with Christ, and united with Him.  

There’s a theological paradigm known as “the already but not yet.” This paradigm states that followers of Jesus are actively taking part in the kingdom of God, although the kingdom will not reach its full expression until sometime in the future. That is to say that – as followers of Jesus – we are “already” in the kingdom, but we do “not yet” see it in its full glory. The kingdom of God is described in Scripture as both a realm presently entered and as one entered in the future.

So, verse six is talking about us being resurrected from our old way of living – the already – and is also referring to the future when we will be resurrected into God’s heavenly kingdom – the not yet. It’s both a hope now, and a hope for the future.

In verse seven, we see that God will point back to our lives – which have been transformed and redeemed by Him – and use our transformation as evidence of His abounding and overflowing riches toward His children.

Can you imagine that? Can you imagine God looking at you, smiling upon you, and being ecstatic that His grace and love changed you and that you are now redeemed, perfected, and a shining example of how His love changes and transforms us?

Prayer:

Father, in light of these verses that portray what it means when we believe in your Son and turn our lives over to you, I cannot help but to stand in awe and silence of the inexhaustible and unsearchable riches of your grace toward us. Thank you for the already but not yet that allows us to experience you here on this earth, and then in paradise when our days on this earth have come to an end.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen! 

But…God!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-5

“⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5 (New International Version)

In verses one through three, Paul painted a bleak picture of how lost and hopeless we were before coming to faith in Christ. We were dead because of our sins, but God. We were rebels against Him, but God. We were enslaved by the devil and our sinful natures, but God. “But…God” may be the two most welcome words in all of Scripture. They show that even though what came before them was negative, what comes after – because of God showing up – will be positive. God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against Him, and in bondage to our sins, but He didn’t. He did not save us because of – but rather in spite of – what He saw in us. 

In verses four through five, we see where hope came into the picture. Here, Paul is saying that we do not need to live any longer under sin’s power. The penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23), and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Jesus on the cross. Through faith in Christ, we now stand acquitted – not guilty – before God (Romans 3:21-22).

God doesn’t take us out of the world or make us like robots who can do nothing but what we were programmed to do. We will still feel like sinning, and we will still sin. The difference is that before we started following Jesus, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ and have His help to avoid sin and live with real joy and freedom.

Prayer:

God, I thank you for showing up. I thank you that when I look back at my past sins and mistakes, I can confidently say “but…God” and remember that I am no longer there. I can say, “but…God” and know that I am different, changed, redeemed, and on a new path towards becoming more like Jesus. I pray that you would continue giving all of us these “but…God” moments so we can continue to be in awe of you and the way you work in our lives.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” – Ephesians 2:1-3 (New International Version)

In these verses, Paul describes the old, sinful nature of followers of Jesus. He describes them prior to coming to faith in Christ as dead – not as unfulfilled or incomplete – but dead. Their spirits were dead because they had broken relationships with God, the source of life.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, we can take comfort in knowing that He takes our sins and removes them as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). If this is the case, then why is Paul writing here to remind the Ephesian believers and everyone else who received this letter – including us – of past sins? He was not writing to remind people of their past to condemn them or to make them feel bad about their past life choices, but to give them a greater understanding and appreciation of the work of God in Jesus. It is important for us – as followers of Jesus – to never forget our pasts – the conditions from which Jesus saved us. Those memories, though sometimes painful, will inspire us to thank Jesus for all He has done for us. So, remembering our past sins will actually help us to appreciate and love Jesus more. Remember, but don’t turn back to and repeat.

Prayer:

Father, I thank you for saving me from my past, present, and future sins. I know that without you, I would be hopeless and lost, meandering down a dark path to nowhere good. But you, Lord, are good. You lit up my path, showed me the error in my ways and that I was empty without you in my life, and you filled that void. Help me to remember my past, but to not repeat it. And Lord, I also thank you that you don’t remember it – that the moment I asked for forgiveness, you threw my sins so far away and chose to only see the new me – the me that you have forgiven and redeemed.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020 – Ephesians 2:4-5 – But…God!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-5

“⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5 (New International Version)

In verses one through three, Paul painted a bleak picture of how lost and hopeless we were before coming to faith in Christ. We were dead because of our sins, but God. We were rebels against Him, but God. We were enslaved by the devil and our sinful natures, but God. “But…God” may be the two most welcome words in all of Scripture. They show that even though what came before them was negative, what comes after – because of God showing up – will be positive. God could have left us spiritually dead, in rebellion against Him, and in bondage to our sins, but He didn’t. He did not save us because of – but rather in spite of – what He saw in us. 

In verses four through five, we see where hope came into the picture. Here, Paul is saying that we do not need to live any longer under sin’s power. The penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23), and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Jesus on the cross. Through faith in Christ, we now stand acquitted – not guilty – before God (Romans 3:21-22).

God doesn’t take us out of the world or make us like robots who can do nothing but what we were programmed to do. We will still feel like sinning, and we will still sin. The difference is that before we started following Jesus, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. But now we are alive with Christ and have His help to avoid sin and live with real joy and freedom.

Prayer:

God, I thank you for showing up. I thank you that when I look back at my past sins and mistakes, I can confidently say “but…God” and remember that I am no longer there. I can say, “but…God” and know that I am different, changed, redeemed, and on a new path towards becoming more like Jesus. I pray that you would continue giving all of us these “but…God” moments so we can continue to be in awe of you and the way you work in our lives.

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!