OUR FATHER WHO MADE US ALIVE EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SIN

In the book of Ephesians chapter 2, Paul the apostle contrasts the state of death we were in during our former lives of sin where we were under the domination of prince of the power of the air and the life that God allocated for us when we were saved through faith.

On one side, we lived to fulfill the desires of the flesh and mind being in league with the spirit of darkness that drove our disobedience to the things of God.  On the other side, God, out of His great mercy and love for us, provided a way that anyone who believed in Christ could be made alive and saved and then raised us up in Christ and made us sit in heavenly places.

This vast contrast between the fate of those who continue in rebellion and those who give up the rebellion by surrendering to Christ will show in the ages to come how unfathomably great Godś kindness was towards us.

This kindness is especially highlighted by the fact that we who needed the grace of redemption were completely provided for such that we were not saved by any righteousness of our own but rather saved entirely by the work that God did on our behalf which not only saved us from destruction but also elevated us into heavenly places where we could be together with the Lord Jesus.

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.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Paul continues with a discussion of the special circumstances that Gentiles were in vis-a-vis the salvation that came through the children of Isreal by the promise to their patriarch Abraham.

Whereas we were outside the family of God and called Gentiles, yet God provided a mechanism by which Gentiles from the whole world would be able to access the salvation provided by promise to the children of Abraham. This access was in the form of faith that was the same access point used by Abraham. Any Gentile who in faith trusts in the provision of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, is secured into the family of God and is taken into the one body with all other Gentiles who believe and with the children of Israel who believe. The Prince of Peace that the Lord Jesus was, reconciled the disperate Gentiles, Israel and God and the divisions that were in place were broken down in His body through the cross.

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

In the family of faith, we are all citizens and we are integrated with everyone else when we are made part of the holy temple of God where He lives in the Spirit. The Lord Jesus is himself the chief cornerstone of this construction.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO PROVIDES US WITH PEACE

Ephesians chapter 1 

To start his letter to the believers in the church of Ephesus, Paul introduces himself by name and then by his God-given title of apostle. He then speaks grace and peace over them.

Paul then calls God the Father blessed, who, through the Lord Jesus Christ, blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in the spiritual realm. To wit, the Father chose the believers from before the foundation of the world to be blamelessly separated to Him in love.

We were selected ahead of time to be added as sons to God's family by adoption through the Lord Jesus Christ. This was God's will and good pleasure and the resulting grace abounding to us is altogether praise-worthy for the glory it revealed about God and it is this grace that gave us access and joined us to the members of the family of God.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus.

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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, 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, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

The apostle Paul then describes the process of reclaiming men from the kingdom of darkness to His kingdom of light in sequence.

• Redemption through Jesus' blood
• Forgiveness through grace
• Revelation of God's purpose
• Gathering of them into Christ
• Inclusion into God's family
• Placement into God's eternal destiny
• Showcased as the praise of God's glory

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

In order for God to shepherd all those who believed and trusted in Christ through the process of the acquisition of His people, we are sealed by the promised Holy Spirit who is the deposit made as a guarantee that we will be collected upon the advent of the dispensation of fullness of time.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Paul now moves onto the prescription of what we, who are being redeemed, need to do during this process.

• Sustain faith in the Lord Jesus
• Sustain love for all the saints
• Receive the spirit of wisdom
• Receive revelation of knowledge
• Gain knowledge of our calling
• Gain knowledge of our inheritance
• Gain knowledge of God's power invested in our redemption

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 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 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Paul then tells the believers in Ephesus to be sure of the supremacy of the exceptionally great power that God is using to underwrite the plan of their translation from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light and the absolute and unchallengable position that Christ has been lifted to.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO BROUGHT HIS SON UP FROM THE DEAD 

The writer of the book of Hebrews chapter 13 verses 18 - 25 concludes the book of Hebrews this way. Starting by requesting prayer from the readers, the writer tells them that he may be restored to them from where he is being held.

18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. 19 But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO GIVES US

The writer of the book of Hebrews chapter 13 verses 7 - 17 tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ, being the same eternally, has uniform principles that, when adopted by successive generations of believers, yield the same sanctified conduct and thus those who speak the word of God to us, their faith can be followed. This is to avoid being led into false doctrines and to avoid practicing dietary observances instead of being established in grace. 

7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

As believers, we have a most excellent altar that not even those who served in the tabernacle can eat from and therefore, we must follow the pattern set by the Lord Jesus Christ by leaving the city the same way He left the city to suffer. 

As we bear the reproach the Jesus bore, we can abandon the ways of our former habitation and continually offer sacrifices of praise and giving thanks while at the same time, doing good in the world sharing what we have with other for such thing please God.

Observing how faithful forebearers walk, we can follow them as they lead us. Because they are are accountable for those who are placed under their purview, it is good counsel to be understudies who are a joy to oversee and the writer alerts us that bringing grief to the overseeing person is unprofitable.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO IS THE JUDGE

The book of Hebrews chapter 13 verses 1 - 6 finalizes with counsel for believers to continue in love for one another and to show hospitality to strangers because there is a chance that the strangers could actually be angels. 

The writer of Hebrews also reminds christians to be sexually pure and to restrict sexual activity to the marriage bed.

As well, christians are to eschew covetousness  (or envy) and be content in all things because God is our helper and thus it is not appropriate to fear because there is an explicit promise by God that He would never leave us nor forsake us.

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

6 So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO IS A CONSUMING FIRE

The book of Hebrews chapter 13 verses 25 - 29 continues with the concept of the greater connection with heavenly realities and how these realities, compared to the old earthly covenant made it even more urgent that we treat the things of God with reverence and Godly fear for in the greater privilege given to us, the requirement is that we not be ones who vassilates in our faith but rather be steadfast for the all things in heaven and earth will be shaken and that which remains will abide forever and it is good to keep in mind that God is a consuming fire.

25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE CITY IS MOUNT ZION 

The book of Hebrews chapter 12 verses 18 - 24 says this;

18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

After alerting the believers to the dangers of falling short of the grace of God, the writer of Hebrews explained that being at Mount Sinai (to which Moses brought the children of Isreal) was a terrifying experience for all the people and the strictures surrounding that mountain were severe and even Moses himself was afraid and trembling.

If the earthly Mount Sinai was so fearful, how much more would Mount Zion in Heaven be? The writer tells us that Mount Zion is the city of the Living God and it contains: 

• An innumerable company of angels
• The general assembly
• The church of the firstborn registered in heaven 
•  God the Judge of all
• Spirits of just men made perfect
• Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant 
• The blood that speaks better things than the blood of Abel.

As such, in light of what the pinacle of the kingdom of God under the new covenant, contains, great fear should govern our conduct.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHOSE GRACE MUST BE DILIGENTLY SOUGHT

The writer of the book of Hebrews chapter 12 verses 12 - 17, continuing in the context of the Lord's chastening, charges the reader to keep themselves and those around them encouraged through seasons of chastening so that they keep going forward and so that the discipline of the Lord bring about healing and correction and not a dislocaton of the one being chastened. 

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

The counsel given is that believers should pursue peace with everyone around them and as well, pursue holiness in their own lives because holiness is a pre-condition for seeing God.  Believers are encouraged to keep an eye on everyone around them to make sure that roots of bitterness are not growing in anyone's heart because this will bring about defilement in many people and in that state, they become vulnerable to selling their birthright for a pittance the way Esau did.

This warning is given because after selling one´s birth-right, there is no pathway to reclaiming it even if it is tearfully sought.

Amen.

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