Is Christ at Home in Your Heart?

Notes: Is Christ at Home in Your Heart?

Ephesians 3

Pastor Greg Laurie

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES: Live, Love, Fight

Thursday, March 5, 2015 — 7:00 p.m.

America needs Israel more than Israel needs America, because God said he would bless who blesses Israel and curse whoever curses Israel.

We have all heard that we just need to receive Jesus Christ into our heart.

Colossians 1:27 NKJV

[27] To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Revelation 3:20 NKJV

[20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Enjoying a meal in those times was a lot different than these days. Back then it meant you would be spending a lot of time with someone.

When you are a friend with someone, you will get a meal together. God wants to share a meal with you.

Do you think Jesus is comfortable hanging out with you? Or is it more formal?

This book is about the wealth (1-3) the walk (3-6:9) and warfare (6:10 -23) of the believer.

Ephesians 3:1-7 NKJV

[1] For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles- [2] if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, [3] how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, [4] by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), [5] which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: [6] that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, [7] of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

"For this reason" shows the repetition in the Bible. We often remember what we ought to forget and forget what we should remember.

2 Peter 3:1 NKJV

[1] Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

1. The person that puts their faith in Christ is altogether new.

2. All believers Jews and Gentiles are of one body.

3. We who were far away from God have been brought near because of the Cross.

4. We are all part and equal in the eyes of Heaven.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Some words for those who would like to be spiritual leaders.

2 Corinthians 2:1-2 NKJV

[1] But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. [2] For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?

As a leader that suffers, you will be called to help those that suffer in the same hardships. Don't have a pity party but leverage it to help Gods people.

A leader will be held accountable for what they do and what they say.

James 3:1 NKJV

[1] My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

It is a great privilege to lead and a great responsibility.

God will work on all types to be a leader, often those who don't want it are the ones called.

Moses had a speech impediment, David was a cheater and murderer, Paul denied Christ, and Lazarus was dead! What's your excuse not to be used by God?

Ephesians 3:10 NKJV

[10] to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

1 Peter 1:12 NKJV

[12] To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things which angels desire to look into.

Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV

[14] For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, [16] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, [17] that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- [19] to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. [20] Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, [21] to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

This is the second of two prayers in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:18-19 NKJV

[18] the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

First prayer is to check where you are spiritually. Second is a prayer for empowerment.

See what God has done for you and go use it for God's glory.

Ephesians 1:4-5 NKJV

[4] just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, [5] having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Ephesians 1:3 NKJV

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Ephesians 2:1-3 NKJV

[1] And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

You only need to be born again once.

John 10:28-30 NKJV

[28] And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. [30] I and My Father are one."

Paul is not just praying that God will come dwell in your heart, but that God will be at home and comfortable in your heart.

God does not just want to be near your heart, He wants the title deed.

Side homework read Genesis 18 and 19.

1. Abraham walked with God and Lot walked with Abraham.

Are you an influencer or are you easily influenced about God?

Where would you like to be when Christ returns...In church or at the bar with the boys?

2. They were in different positions when God came to them.

3. Reacted differently when the Lord came to meet them.

Lot shows us that you can be a believer living in a compromised situation.

We can be a Christian and saved but living a life that Jesus Christ would not be comfortable being in.

Are you doing something that would make Christ uncomfortable to be around you?

Jesus Christ wants to come fix your heart up for you, it may be a hard hat area, but he will build something much better.