Brookfield Church of Christ
Oct 13, 2019 Sun am Eph 1:7-10
Deterioration

IF ITS PROPER OCCUPANCY IS NEGLECTED, THE HUMAN HEART FALLS INTO A GHOSTLY RUIN. A certain kind of work is necessary to make our hearts the joyous abode of God which they were created to be. When we make the mistake of neglecting this work, for whatever reason, a deadly chaos begins to develop.


Perhaps the word “focus” best describes the effort we must make. Having been given minds that can choose the objects of their thought, it is absolutely essential that we exercise this choice in such a way as to elevate our hearts rather than allow them to be degraded. To those who would be Christians, this simple instruction is given: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). Not only can we choose to focus on truths that keep our hearts from deteriorating, but we must do so. “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). To ignore this admonition is to bring about the almost certain disintegration of our own hearts.


Just how badly can a neglected heart deteriorate? Paul gives an ominous hint of the possibilities when he describes those who were living “in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19).


Great damage is done by the simple decision to do nothing about God. Between actively growing toward Him and actively growing away from Him, there is no safe middle course. To do nothing is to deteriorate. Either we choose to seek God diligently or our hearts will fall into darkness, decay, and finally . . . death.


Gary Henry

It is the Fullness of Time
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      • Ephesians 1.7-9NIV2011

      • Ephesians 1.10NIV2011

  • Ephesians 1:7–10 ESV
    In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
    Introduction:
    I sure we all know being late.
    Being late doesn’t seem to bother some people, but some people it does.
    I suppose it has to do with how a person is brought up.
    There are cultures, though, in which being late is the rule of the day. I’ve heard and experienced certain groups of people incorporate lateness as part of their theology.
    It has been said that there are groups of people who believe in justification, regeneration and procrastination.
    I have certainly met some who are that way. Haven't you?
    Someone said that the reason the Lord hasn’t revealed the time of His Second Coming is that certain people would be late.
    Most of us know about working under the constraint of deadlines, especially when some import event is involved.
    We all have timetables.
    But did you consider that God also has a timetable?
    Sometimes our timetables are the same as His, but often they are not.
    We want God to act right now; when, in His wisdom, He oftenchooses to delay for our good.
    But Saints and friends, it is absolutely true that God is never early and He’s never late.
    He’s always right on time. It may not be “in our time,” but it is always “in His time,” which is the right time.
    The Bible reminds us that Jesus came to this Earth at just the right time.
    In our text today we see that.
    Also in Gal. 4:4-5, we are told that “..when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son..” (v. 4).
    Galatians 4:4–5 ESV
    But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
    Have you ever considered that there was a right time when Jesus should come?
    Does this mean that there was one time in all of history when all things were perfectly aligned for the coming of Jesus?
    I believe that is precisely what our text for today teaches.
    Jesus came at just the right time.
    God has a timetable where He achieves His Will.
    We know there was a beginning and we know there is an end to time.
    It only makes sense that if God is in control of the beginning and the end, that He is also in control of the middle.
    Now, this should be important to us because just as Christ came at the perfect time, today God continues to work in our lives at the right time.
    In fact, perhaps today is the time in your life for God to move in a special way.
    Perhaps God wants to solve some problem in your life today.
    Perhaps Christ wants to give you today the answer you have been seeking.
    Perhaps God is telling you that today is the time for you to commit your life to Him and obey His commands.
    If so, let me encourage you to respond to Him today, and He will meet you..just in time!
    ​
    Thesis:
    We can achieve what God has intended if we align with Him in preparation; purpose and plan.
    We have upon us an event I would like for you to consider is happening in the fullness of time.
    Brookfield we have been prepared
    we have a purpose
    and we have a plan
    all three of these are in line with what God would have us do.
    [Let’s first consider…]

    I. Preparation

    Ephesians 1:7–8 ESV
    In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
    We see God’s preparation in the mention of His wisdom and insight.
    The Lord has always prepared, planned and moved in His purpose.
    We are the ones who have not been moving with Him.
    ​

    God is Prepared

    Matthew 25:34 ESV
    Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
    This test shows us the preparation as men have been divided, one group to the left and one group to the right.
    It brings a whole new sense of wanting to be at the right hand of God.
    Does it not?
    Can you see the derogatory nature of the left hand in scripture here?
    There is a place prepared for those on the left...
    [We also can see that Hell is prepared…]

    Hell is Prepared

    Matthew 25:41 ESV
    “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
    If you want to avoid hell you are going to have to prepare.
    Prepare to meet God and not Satan
    Prepare to meet Saints and not Demons
    Prepare to walk with God and not with the World.
    Prepare to do good and not evil
    Prepare the inner man and not the flesh
    Prepare for a mansion robe and crown and not for weeping and gnashing of teeth
    Prepare by being faithful and obedient, not being slothful and disobedient
    Prepare by assembling with the Saints and not by manner and custom that men avoid God’s gatherings
    Prepare Studying to show yourself approved and not by never reading God ‘s truth and never turning off the media of this world
    Oh we are getting prepared!
    The question is what are we getting prepare for?

    We Must be Prepared

    Amos 4:12 ESV
    “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”
    [We can achieve God’s Will if we would only prepare to do so. Additionally we must also align ourselves with His Purpose…]

    II. Purpose

    Ephesians 1:9 ESV
    making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ
    God has a purpose and we find His purpose in Jesus the Christ.
    It has always been His purpose
    He brought it to pass
    He continues to bring His purpose about through Jesus.
    Isaiah 46:10–11 ESV
    declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
    If you want to be with God, please God, walk with God, you had better be in His purpose.
    It’s not what you do, it’s about what He’s doing
    and what He’s doing has always been done in Jesus...
    2 Timothy 1:9 ESV
    who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
    [God has prepared and purposed from the beginning of time and He also has a plan…]

    III. Plan

    Ephesians 1:10 ESV
    as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
    We are on earth and want to go to heaven
    we will not get to heaven without a plan
    and not just any old plan will do
    it must be God’s Plan
    because narrow is that way that leads to eternal life
    but wide is the road that leads to destruction and eternal absence of God
    a place for those who have not prepared
    have not purposed
    and have not planned
    God’s plan is ancient
    it’s faithful and sure
    it’s evident and proclaimed by the faithful
    we will declare it at the Eternity Workshops
    we will proclaim it at every assembly
    we will proclaim it until time is no more
    Isaiah 25:1 ESV
    O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
    You say, you have a plan, one that does not look like God’s plan but
    You think your plan is good and just
    You think your plan ought to make heaven your home
    Your plan only wants to turn the cheek to certain people
    Your plan doesn’t want to love your enemies
    Your plan has a majority of friends and associates voting for it
    Your plan has been developed through years of tradition and family history
    Your plan has many books written about it that have made men rich
    Your plan has won you influence and prestige
    Your plan can be found in the doctrines of men
    Your plan seems to make sense
    Your plan contains the commands of God you like and excludes the ones you don’t like
    Your plan has you calling out Lord, Lord, it has you doing wonderful things all in the name of Jesus
    Your plan will not save you
    Your plan will put you on the left where you will depart from God for working iniquity before Him Mt. 7:21ff
    Psalm 33:10–11 ESV
    The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
    If your plan isn’t God’s plan then you don’t have a chance at heaven as your home
    Acts 2:22–23 ESV
    “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
    Jesus was attested to, just as we plan to do in the Eternity Workshops
    attesting to the way God says men can come to Him and be with Him
    It was also God’s plan that you and I proclaim Jesus to the world.
    Matthew 28:19 ESV
    Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
    ​
    Conclusion:
    We can achieve what God has intended if we align with Him in preparation; purpose and plan.
    Church now It Is the Fullness of Time for us where the Eternity Workshops are concerned
    We have been prepared for a quite a while now
    We know His purpose
    We know His Plan
    Let’s be faithful in proclaiming it
    If you’re here today we want you to know His plan as well...
    ​

    God’s Plan of Salvation

    ​Romans 10:17 ESVSo faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
    Romans 10:17 ESV
    So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
    ​Acts 16:31 ESVAnd they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
    Acts 16:31 ESV
    And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
    ​Luke 13:3 ESVNo, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
    Luke 13:3 ESV
    No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
    ​Romans 10:10 ESVFor with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
    Romans 10:10 ESV
    For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
    ​Galatians 3:27 ESVFor as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
    Galatians 3:27 ESV
    For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
    ​1 Corinthians 15:58 ESVTherefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
    1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
    Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
    ​

      • Ephesians 1:7–10NIV2011

      • Galatians 4:4–5NIV2011

      • Ephesians 1:7–8NIV2011

      • Matthew 25:34NIV2011

      • Matthew 25:41NIV2011

      • Amos 4:12NIV2011

      • Ephesians 1:9NIV2011

      • Isaiah 46:10–11NIV2011

      • 2 Timothy 1:9NIV2011

      • Ephesians 1:10NIV2011

      • Isaiah 25:1NIV2011

      • Psalm 33:10–11NIV2011

      • Acts 2:22–23NIV2011

      • Matthew 28:19NIV2011

      • Romans 10:17NIV2011

      • Acts 16:31NIV2011

      • Luke 13:3NIV2011

      • Romans 10:10NIV2011

      • Galatians 3:27NIV2011

      • 1 Corinthians 15:58NIV2011

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Brookfield Church of Christ
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https://brookfieldcoc.faithlifesites.com
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