Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
The Lord Has Need of You
Intro.
1. There is a sense in which the Lord does not need us, Acts 17:25; Psa. 50:10-12. As Sovereign Creator, all is His. He sustains us, we do not sustain Him.
2. In another sense, God has chosen to make us (humans) crucial to His plans and will – His servants who further His purposes on earth.
a. To bear fruit, Jno. 15:5.
b. Influence for good, Phil. 2:14-16 (Matt. 5:13).
c. Spread the gospel, Mk. 16:15.
3. Jesus had need of animals, Matt. 21:1-3. How much more, then, does He have need of you?
I. JESUS NEEDS FIRST PLACE IN YOUR HEART, 1 Pet. 3:15.
-Readiness, hope, meekness, and reverence
A. Some have No Room for Christ in their Hearts, cf. Lk. 2:7.
1. No room for His word – Because filled with lusts and works of Satan, Jno. 8:37, 38, 41-47.
2. Not of God – Blinded by Satan, they are lost.
B. Some Have Too Little Room for Christ, Mk. 4:18-19.
1. Wandering mind that is not fixed on Christ – Other things deter.
2. Just enough faith to be hindered, and to be a hindrance to others.
3. These must be constantly coaxed to obey.
C. Some Will Give Christ Full Room in their Hearts.
1. cf. Paul (count all loss), Phil. 3:5-11.
2. cf. Cornelius, although a very good man, did not fight against obeying new information (truth), Acts 10:33 (2, 22); 11:14.
3. How do we give Christ first place in our heart? By faith, Eph. 3:14-19.
a. God strengthen you through Spirit, 3:16.
b. Christ may dwell in heart by faith, 3:17.
c. Lay hold of His love, filled with all fullness of God (1:3), 3:18-19.
d. Christ lives in us by faith, Gal. 2:20.
II. JESUS HAS NEED OF FAITHFUL WORKERS, 2 Cor. 5:15.
A. Who Will Sacrifice for Him, Jno. 21:15-19.
1. Peter had work to do which would require supreme love for Christ, 21:15-17.
2. His manner of death, 21:18-19.
3. Do your work faithfully for Christ, regardless of the work and circumstances of another Christian, 21:20-22.
4. Carry your cross without shame, Lk. 9:23-26.
B. Who Will be Diligent, Rom. 12:11 (hasten to do a thing, exert oneself, endeavor).
1. To inherit the promise, Heb. 6:11-12.
2. To make your calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1:5.
3. To be acceptable when Christ returns, 2 Pet. 3:14.
4. Do not be deterred from excellence.
III. DEVOUT CHRISTIANS, Matt. 6:33.
[“lit., taking hold well...primarily, cautious, signifies in the N.T., careful as to the realization of the presence and claims of God, reverencing God, pious...reverence exhibited especially in actions…” (Vine I:307-308)]
A. Who Will Pray Earnestly (1 Thess. 5:17).
1. Energetic to achieve righteous purposes, Jas. 5:16.
2. According to His will, Jas. 4:3; 1 Jno. 5:14-15.
B. Who Will Use God's Word Accurately, 2 Tim. 2:15.
1. As a sufficient guide, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
2. Without altering it to suit self, 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:3-4.
3. Not ignore it or even seek to destroy it, Jer. 36:23-25.
C. Live for Heaven, Phil. 3:20; 1 Pet. 2:11-12.
1. Truly be a citizen of heaven while on earth.
2. A pilgrim when the siren call of the world entices – Resist and be victorious. (1 Jno. 5:4)
Conclusion
1. “Christ has no hands but our hands, to do His work today…”
2. Christ wants you. Real question is, do you want Him?
By: Joe R. Price
Posted October 9, 2019