Sermon: Ephesians 2: 11-22 Cross Purposes: Peace

‘The wall was right behind our back garden. We went to bed as usual and got woken up by our mum at some point of the night. The first thing I noticed was loud cheering. I got up to look out the window and just saw people running past, jumping up and down and crying and laughing... It was an amazing event to have witnessed and I still can’t believe this happened right outside of our house. I will never forget that night.’

Another person says this: ‘With tears streaming down his face he kept saying, ‘I never thought I would live to see this.’ What are they remembering? The fall of the Berlin Wall on 9th November 1989. For almost thirty years the wall had stood, 87 miles long, over 12 feet high and four feet wide, dividing Berlin between East and West; between Communist and Capitalist. Then one night, the wall came down, the border disappeared, and shortly after, Germany was reunited. The wall that had divided Germans for so long was gone.

Those images of East Germans with all sorts of tools, chipping away at the wall, taking souvenirs, came to mind as I read the passage from Ephesians. The dividing wall of hostility being destroyed. People long divided coming together. A wonderful celebration of peace. But as Paul writes these words, he’s not thinking about the fall of the Berlin Wall, as important as that was. He’s thinking of something even more significant; even more important; which affects each one of us directly - you see, as we gather here tonight, we can be a part of the action; we can benefit from the wall coming down; we can experience that peace.

This week we’re asking the question - what did the cross achieve? Last night we thought about reconciliation - how God took the initiative to bring us back from our self-imposed separation, to call us into relationship with him. It’s only possible because Jesus was forsaken on the cross, so that we could be welcomed in. We can be reconciled to God through the death of Jesus.

But, as Jimmy Cricket would say, come here, there’s more. You see, sin doesn’t just bring separation from God, it also brings separation from one another. Just think of the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When God comes and asks what happened, Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent, and the serpent didn’t have a leg to stand on! Adam says, ‘The woman you put here with me - she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’ It’s not my fault - it’s her fault!

Ever since that day when they were kicked out of Eden, and separated from God, we’ve also been separated from each other. The selfishness of sin runs deep, every man for himself, so that Adam and Eve’s son killed his own brother, and on and on it goes. You only have to watch the news to see this playing out day after day, division, war, hostility... Each of us is separated from everyone else. It’s as if we put up walls around us and our own. Will it ever change? Could it ever change? Could we really experience peace?

Paul goes to the greatest division in his day, and uses it as a case study of what the cross of Jesus has achieved. If the cross has made a difference here, then it can transform any and every situation.

Just think of the way we divide people - men and women; old and young; English rugby fans and everyone else in the world supporting whoever they’re playing; and, in a few months time, people will be divided over ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the European Union. In Paul’s day, there was an even bigger divide - Jews and Gentiles. The Jews saw themselves as the chosen people of God, tracing their family tree to Abraham, and following God’s commands. They made sure that they kept themselves separate from everyone else - the Gentiles, the unclean, the impure.They wouldn’t eat with Gentiles; they wouldn’t talk with Gentiles; the dividing wall was firmly in place.

And this dividing wall wasn’t even just in the mind - there was a real dividing wall, at the temple in Jerusalem. Gentiles could only go so far; into the ‘Court of the Gentiles’. A big wall prevented them from coming in to the Court of Women, the Court of the Israelites, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. There were signs on the gates warning of immediate death if a Gentile went any further. (It was the Court of the Gentiles where the trading took place, the stalls preventing the Gentiles from having space to pray in the only part they were allowed to enter - so when Jesus overturns the tables he says my house is a house of prayer for all nations...).

Paul points to the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility in the temple, which separated Jews and Gentiles. Outside the wall, were the Gentiles - ‘separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.’ (12). That wall stood for hundreds of years, but has now fallen, because of the death of Christ on the cross. Those who were far away have been brought near. That’s the reconciliation we thought of last night, but it also means we have peace with one another.

‘For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.’ (14-15).

The wall dividing Jews and Gentiles has been demolished. The wrecking ball has come, the wall is no more. Jesus has dealt with the hostility, by obeying and fulfilling the law perfectly.

At home I have a big box of toys and props that I’ve gathered up from school assemblies and children’s talks. When our nieces come, there’s one thing they always want to play with from the box - playdough. Now imagine you have some playdough, and you make two people. And I know this couldn’t happen, but imagine those two playdough people fell out. Now imagine that you squish them together into a ball, and out of that lump, you make an even bigger person. The two have become one. You couldn’t see the differences any more, you could only see the one new person.

That’s what Jesus has done. ‘His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which we put to death their hostility.’ (15-16)

This happens in Christ. As we come into relationship with God, we also come into relationship with each other; we become part of the same family. The adopted child doesn’t just belong to their new mum and dad; they belong to the whole family, and relate to their new brothers and sisters as well. To call God our Father is to discover that we have hundreds and thousands of brothers and sisters, from all sorts of backgrounds and nationalities, yet we are one in Christ.

Some of you might know that I like to watch rugby. On a Friday night I might even be found at the Kingspan Stadium, standing up for the Ulster men. Think of what happens when Ulster are playing. Thousands of people decide that they’ll watch the game. From all their different backgrounds, homes, workplaces they’ll come near to the team, to cheer and shout and sing. They’re there for the Ulster team. But it’s not just me in the stands on my own, cheering on the team - I might be loud, but I’m not that loud! As each individual supporter draws near to the team, they’re also drawn closer to all the other supporters as well. As the Ireland’s call goes, we’re shoulder to shoulder. We come for the team, but we’re drawn closer to one another as well.

To be reconciled to God is also to have peace with one another. To have peace with God is also to be reconciled with one another. Just think how amazing it would be to have your name in the Bible. And I’m not talking about writing your name in the inside front cover. To be mentioned in the Bible - how cool would that be?

But there are two ladies who might not agree. They lived in Philippi, they were both Christians, but they didn’t get on together. When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Philippi, he singles them out, he mentions them by name. Imagine sitting there, receiving a letter from Paul, and then hearing your name read out. And what did he say? ‘I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.’ (Phil 4:2). In the Lord, in Christ, agree with each other. Get on together, be reconciled, have peace with one another.

Now perhaps as I mention that, the name or the face of someone has popped into your head. And you think... but... even them? After what they did to me? Yes, in Christ, we need to be at peace. It’s what we pray, probably every day: ‘Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ Do we mean it? Are we living in the peace Christ has obtained for us?

Paul gives us a picture of the purpose of this peace. Here’s the reason why Christ died, why Christ took away the dividing wall of hostility - he’s building a new temple - not of stone with the keep out signs - but a new temple, made up of us, his people. A dwelling place for God, built on Christ the chief cornerstone. We’re drawn to God, and drawn to one another, to be joined to one another for all eternity, one in Christ. People from all sorts of backgrounds, nations, religious roots, but all trusting in Christ and his precious death, which brings us peace with God, and peace with one another. Christ is our peace - will we embrace that peace, and share it with others?

This sermon was preached in Brookeborough Methodist Church at the Cross Purposes Holy Week series on Tuesday 22nd March 2016.

Sermon Audio: Ephesians 6: 10-24

Yesterday morning, I was preaching on the Armour of God as we finished our journey through Paul's letter to the Ephesians.

Sermon: Ephesians 6: 10-24 The Armour of God

Have you ever seen the old TV programme ‘Dad’s Army’? It’s set in the second world war, in the town of Walmington-on-Sea and follows the exploits of the Home Guard as they await the invasion of Britain by the Germans. Alongside the main characters of Captain Mainwaring, Wilson, Jones and Pike, one of the minor characters is Hodges, the ARP warden, watching out for air raids. He’s very fussy, making sure there are no lights during a blackout, nothing to guide the bombers. Very often, he comes out with his catchphrase: Don’t you know there’s a war on?

Those same words could be addressed to us today: Don’t you know there’s a war on? But we’re not talking about the ongoing wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. We’re not thinking about the other places where there is conflict in the world. Rather, it’s a war that has been raging from the start of creation. Verse 12, Paul says that it’s not a struggle against blood and flesh - we don’t take up arms like in the crusades of old, we’re not fighting for territory - ‘but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.’ The enemies of God are our enemies. As we join God’s team, we’re in the firing line for God’s enemies. Don’t you know there’s a war on?

Now immediately when we speak of spiritual forces of evil or the devil you might think that it’s all nonsense. But the Bible tells us about the devil, his life’s work is to steal and kill and destroy; he stands in opposition to God and his work. The devil has almost convinced the western world that he doesn’t exist (or at least is only to be thought of as a cartoon figure of fun) - this is just one of the ‘wiles of the devil’ (11). He doesn’t want to see churches grow; people saved; lives turned around. He’s out to oppose us. He knows his time is short, and so wants to do as much damage as he can.

His time is short because of what the Lord Jesus has already done. In World War Two, the decisive battle was the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. Once the British and American army gained a foothold on the continent, Hitler’s army was sure to be defeated. Yet there was almost another full year before the war ended (6th June 1944 - 8th May 1945). The battle was won, but the war continued. In a similar way, Jesus has already won the war. The cross was the decisive battle. Victory is sure - we saw this in 1:20 - ‘God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion...’ Satan knows he is defeated, and so is out to do as much as he can before the end.

You might even be thinking, well, it’s ok for Jesus - he’s in heaven, but it’s us that has to face Satan. Are we helpless or hopeless? Not at all. Paul tells us what we need to do, and what we have to do it.

‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power,’ Our strength comes not from ourselves, but from God. That same power we’ve seen throughout Ephesians is the power that God gives us to be strong. But more than that, we are to ‘Put on the whole armour of God...’

Paul was writing this letter in prison, probably in Rome. He was constantly in the company of soldiers, chained to them, so he had plenty of time to think about their armour. But in the Old Testament, we find some of these pieces - the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation (Is 59:17). Each piece of the armour is for protection - God’s truth wrapped around you; the righteousness of Christ guarding your heart; God’s salvation protecting your head; ready to go with the good news; faith as a shield against the flaming arrows of the evil one. The whole armour represents all that God provides for us in salvation, and is God’s protection for us in life.

Alongside all these defensive pieces, though, there is just one weapon: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We don’t take up physical weapons against the enemy, but the word of God, the Bible, is what we wield.

Perhaps you’re attacked by a flaming arrow shot by the enemy. “You’re not good enough for God. Just look at your heart, how sinful your thoughts.” The flames are quenched by the shield of faith - we know we’re not good enough, but we believe in the Lord Jesus, his death on the cross, where he took our sin and gave us his righteousness - the arrow is stopped, we can attack with the sword as we believe God’s word and stand on it.

God gives us his own armour, and in a passage like this, it’s probably the thing that we want to focus on - maybe that’s just a little boy thing, thinking about soldiers and armour and weapons. But it’s important to see that God has given us something else as well - as vital as the armour - something we neglect at our peril.

You see, when we think about the armour of God, it’s almost always thinking about it on our own. You imagine yourself, as you awake, maybe in the shower, maybe as you’re pulling on your clothes, thinking about the armour of God, asking God to be with you in the day, to guard your heart and your mind. It’s mostly as an individual we think of the armour.

But the other thing God gives us reminds us that we’re not in the battle alone. We’re not the lone ranger, having to fight on our own. We’re not even the gallant prince in a fairy story having to rescue the princess on our own. We’re soldiers in a battle together in an army; don’t you know there’s a war on, and the church is fighting together. Here’s what Paul says: ‘Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me... that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.’

It’s the furthest thing from just me and my God, isn’t it? Pray at ALL times in EVERY prayer for ALL the saints - we’re in this together. It was seen in the contrast between Holland and Spain in the European Championship - Holland had, on paper, a good team (they put 6 past Northern Ireland in the warm up). Great players, but they were all individuals, they didn’t play together as a team. Spain, on the other hand are a team in their total football pass-a-thon.

Sometimes we forget that Ephesians is a letter, written from Paul to the church in Ephesus. Right at the end, we have the personal bit that we sometimes don’t know what to do with it. Here, it’s another reminder that we’re in this together - one church connected to another, encouraging each other in their faith as they stand together.

We’re called to stand firm, to stand on God’s word, in the armour God has provided. Our task is to pray - for ourselves, for our church family, for all Christians. I really appreciate your prayers too - please do pray for me as I study God’s word and speak his word.

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 8th July 2012.

Sermon Audio: Ephesians 6: 1-9

On Sunday morning I was preaching on slaves and masters from Ephesians 6, applying it to our work situations - a little appraisal before you head off on your summer holidays. Paul reminds us that we're all Slaves of Christ.

Sermon: Ephesians 6: 1-9 Slaves of Christ

We’re coming up to the time of year when one of the big things to talk about is: ‘where are you going on holiday?’ I know that perhaps the farmers are coming into their busiest time, but for many, a week or two’s worth of holidays are on the horizon, and if you closed your eyes, you could already imagine yourself on that beach, or by that pool - that is, until you get soaked by the latest shower.

This morning, as we listen in to the Apostle Paul addressing the church in Ephesus - and by extension, addressing us as well - he’s continuing to give instructions on what it will look like to live as a Christian. A fortnight ago, we heard him tackle the issue of marriage - of husband and wife loving and submitting, in that picture of Christ and the church. But now, Paul turns to home life in a different sense - that of children and parents, before coming to the way slaves and masters should relate as Christians.

We’ve already (in the children’s talk) thought about children and parents, so let’s focus in these few minutes about slaves and masters. Now, I know that you’re not an actual slave - although it might feel like it at times as you’re called upon to do any number of tasks at the one time, dealing with bosses and colleagues and numerous demands - but what Paul says here will help us think about our work, and how we should work as Christians.

But before we get into the text, it’s helpful to remember that work is a part of God’s creation - it’s a good thing in God’s purposes for us. Adam and Eve weren’t created to sit on their bottoms and do nothing - they were created to tend the Garden of Eden. That work has been frustrated by weeds and heavy toil through the curse of the fall, when sin entered the world, but God blesses our work. And as we’ll see, we’re not just Christians on a Sunday morning when we’re wearing our best clothes - we’re all full time Christian workers, in whatever job we find ourselves in.

You’re not just in your particular job to pay the bills (as the alternative seven dwarves song would claim: ‘I owe, I owe, it’s off to work I go...’) - but you’re there in order to be a Christian witness to your colleagues, bosses, and customers.

Perhaps with the holidays approaching, this morning can be like your annual appraisal - your chance to review how you’re performing at work; whether your faith is on display in the factory or the farmyard.

Verse 5: ‘Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart.’ Paul says that we should work hard, obeying commands, doing what the boss wants us to do (obviously so long as it’s legal!), in singleness of heart - giving your all to the job.

In fact, he goes on to spell out what that means in verse 6: ‘not only while being watched, and in order to please them.’ My first job was in a little corner shop in Dromore. I worked there part time for about six years. The owner of the shop lived outside the town and would pop in every so often to pick up something or just on his way past. Some of the people I worked with would be very lazy, doing little; until suddenly, they would spot the boss’ jeep or Jackie would walk in, and it was as if they were the Duracell bunny - working very hard for the duration of his stay - and then they went back to their laziness again. They were only obeying whilst being watched!

I wonder are you like that? Will you get on with a job, or do you need to have someone watching you? You see, as I’ve already said, we’re full time Christians, not part time Christians - so our work must be an expression of our faith. It’s why Paul says that we should obey ‘as you obey Christ’ (5). You’re not just working for your boss; you’re working for Christ.

Would it make a difference to the way you went about your work tomorrow if you were to see the Lord Jesus in the manager’s office rather than your boss? Would you work harder? The Lord Jesus sees all that you do - the time spent on personal business, the lingering in the toilet, the extra five minutes over lunch, getting clocked in or out by someone else.

Do your colleagues realise that there’s something different about you, because you’re a Christian? Would they see you working hard because you realise you’re working for the Lord, you’re a slave of Christ, obeying his command?

Paul says that we are to render service with enthusiasm, knowing that the Lord who sees is the one who repays - ‘knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free.’ (8) Isn’t that the point of our Gospel reading, where the slaves are entrusted with the master’s goods and left to get on with it? The faithful servant obeys, working without the master’s eye on him, and receives the reward for the work - but the lazy servant is cast out.

We’re not good in order to win God’s favour - we already have it, because of his love and grace and mercy (see chapters 1 and 2). But in the middle of chapter 2 we were reminded that God saved us to be ‘created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.’ (2:10).

Now you might have noticed that Paul addresses both wives and husbands; both children and parents; so now here he addresses not just slaves, but also masters. Verse 9: ‘And masters, do the same to them.’ That is, work enthusiastically, for the Lord, and do good. He expands it by saying ‘Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.’

You may be a manager or a boss, you might have people working for you, but you’re not in ultimate control. Don’t threaten them - remember that you too are the slave of the Master, to whom you will answer; who shows no favour towards managers.

Near the end of the staff appraisal form there is normally a box which asks about your action plan. Having reviewed your performance, what will you change? How will you seek to improve in your work?

In this appraisal, we’ve been reminded that what we believe is expressed in how we behave - others may slack at work because they’re only there to put the hours in and take the money, whether or not they like the boss. But for the Christian, we’re reminded that Jesus is Lord of all - of every part of our lives, not just the Sunday bit - and so as we work, we’re serving him.

Are there things that need to change? Will you have to work harder? Perhaps you’re confronted with your failure - even today God’s grace is available, as you confess your sin and repent (turn around) and change.

The approval of our earthly manager can be important, but nothing will beat hearing those words from the Master in heaven: ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave... enter into the joy of your master.’

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 1st July 2012.

Sermon Audio: Ephesians 5: 21-33

On Sunday morning we were thinking about Love and Marriage from Ephesians 5. What will it look like for the husband to be the head of the household? Why would a wife submit to her husband? What is God's pattern for marriage?

Sermon: Ephesians 5: 21-33 Love and Marriage

I have a confession to make. This might be the most difficult sermon to preach of my nine and a bit months here so far. You see, we’re looking today at marriage, and some of you might be sitting thinking to yourself - what does he know - he’s only been married for almost four years, compared to our twenty, thirty, fifty years together.

It would be much easier for me to skip this section and move on to something a bit easier to talk about - the armour of God in chapter 6. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves! You see, the sermon isn’t a chance for you to catch up on some sleep; but at the same time, it isn’t for me to stand up and rant on for fifteen minutes on a subject of my choosing.

We gather to hear God’s word read and proclaimed - it’s God setting the agenda, not me. It’s the reason we take books of the Bible and work through them from start to finish - right now, we’re working through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and marriage is the next topic he addresses. So you’re not just getting what I think of marriage - rather together we want to hear what God thinks of marriage, and what that will mean for our relationships.

The first thing to note is that God thinks marriage is a good idea. We saw that in our first reading from Genesis 2. God is the first matchmaker, forming Adam and then Eve, and bringing them together. Before the fall, before sin came into the world, marriage existed - one man, one woman, coming together to form one flesh, a permanent, public, life-long commitment.

When we were clearing out granny’s house, we came across old wedding photos. The black and white photos of granny and granda McMurray, looking radiant on their wedding day. It’s as if Paul pulls out the wedding picture of our first parents, Adam and Eve, and then he says that marriage itself - every marriage from Adam and Eve down to today - marriage is a like a signpost pointing towards the wedding banquet, the big wedding.

Not just the wedding of the year; not even the wedding of the century or millennium, but THE royal wedding. Look with me at verse 32. ‘This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church.’ Marriage has always been a signpost pointing to the great wedding feast in heaven when Christ and the church are united forever.

We’ve received a couple of wedding invitations for the summer - friends getting married. As they do that, it’s like the trailer for the film; a foretaste of the real thing. Their weddings will be like a picture of Jesus and the church. But so will their ongoing marriages. So many couples invest so much in their wedding day without really thinking about what comes next - the ongoing commitment in all the years that follow until death us do part.

So what will it mean for our marriages to point towards the union of Christ and his church? What should it look like if our marriage is a picture of Christ and the church? It’s like so many pictures (at least the ones I take) - so often it’s out of focus; it’s a bit blurry; it doesn’t really show it in all its glory. We need to focus again on the original, so that we can copy the pattern.

Firstly, Paul addresses the wives. ‘Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord.’ In other versions the word used is submit - to ‘obey’ your husband. Now it might be that you immediately raise all sorts of objections; you might think that we’re just out to get you and control you; that it’s a power game; or that Paul hated women. But remember the pattern - ‘For the husband is head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Saviour.’

Christ is the head of the church - he leads it, and rules over it. In the same way, Paul says, the husband is to be the head in the household - not to dominate or to be a tyrant, but simply in order to provide a lead. (I remember hearing one woman say that her husband was the head of the household and then mutter under her breath that she was the neck that moved the head!).

It’s not easy to submit, but before the women start a revolution, let’s see what Paul says to the husbands. Now at first sight it might seem as if the men get off lightly - ‘husbands, love your wives.’ And the women might be thinking, well, is that it? We have to submit and they just have to love? But look at the standard of love they have to live up to. Remember again the pattern that our marriages follow, as they point to the royal wedding:

‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.’ Now how did Christ love the church? Did he issue commands and demands all day and just be waited on hand and foot? Not at all - he came not to be served but to serve; he loved the church so much that he ‘gave himself up for her.’

Rather than men having it easy, they are called to die for their wives, to give themselves for her. To provide and nourish and tenderly care for her. It’s not that the husband’s will is there to be obeyed, no matter what the wife thinks. Rather, the husband is to pattern himself on the Lord Jesus, leading by serving and giving himself in love for his wife. Men, are you?

Wouldn’t it be so much easier to submit to a loving, giving serving type of husband? Just as the church submits to her loving, giving, serving (and saving) Lord. Marriage is another place for our salvation to be worked out; it’s one of the venues for practical Christianity - real life, and not just theory.

In so many marriages, the wife would never think of submitting because it wouldn’t be safe to - her husband would immediately take advantage. When two sinful and selfish people come together in marriage, there are going to be ructions - always trying to gain the upper hand and control the other. It’s like the out of focus photo - you might just be able to make out that it’s a bride and groom, but that’s about all. As Christians, though, doing marriage in the way Paul describes here; each giving themselves to the other; putting the other first; together looking outward to love and serve; in this marriage the focus on the camera is corrected, the picture becomes clearer, sharper - the picture of the union of Jesus and his bride the church. That royal wedding that will continue throughout eternity which will never come to an end.

For those in marriage, the application should be clear - how does your life together point to our salvation? Are there things you need to work on?

But for those who aren’t currently married, you might be thinking, well, that was a waste of coming to church. That wasn’t for me at all. But perhaps you’ll be married some day - how are you preparing even now, maybe even before you have met your husband or wife to be. Are you cultivating these habits of giving and serving; or just being selfish? Perhaps you give thanks for your own marriage which has finished - how can you be helping others in their marriage? Could you be praying for the young couples preparing for weddings? A listening ear for problems?

Married or not, each of us are invited to the great Royal wedding, not just as spectators, not even just as guests, but as part of the bride. The King has proposed, the wedding date is set. Our earthly marriages are pictures (albeit imperfect) of that great wedding. As we gather at the Lord’s table, we have the foretaste of the great feast. Will you accept? Will you say I do?

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 10th June 2012.

Sermon Audio: Ephesians 5: 1-20

Yesterday in church, on the day of Pentecost, we were continuing to work through Paul's letter to the Ephesians, coming to the section where we are urged to be filled with the Spirit.

Sermon: Ephesians 5: 1-20 Filled with the Spirit

A few years ago, we were moving into the Curatage in Dundonald, and we were looking after our niece, who was about three. She was very keen to help in any way at all. It was as if I had a shadow the whole day - if I sat on a camping chair, she wanted to sit on one; if I leant against the window sill, there she would be propped as well!

It’s funny how children seem to learn by copying - as they move from eating with their hands to eating with a knife and fork; as they learn to tie their shoelaces; as they hear and copy words - as a friend is quickly learning to his cost! Those little mild outbursts are being echoed back to him!

If it’s true in our human families - and I’m sure you have some funny stories of when you or your kids were growing up - we’re being urged to do the very same in the family of God. As we’ve been working our way through Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he has been reminding them and us of how we have been brought into God’s family. We didn’t deserve it, it’s a free gift of God’s grace because of God’s love - which we receive as we believe the promise of God.

Last week, if you were with us, you’ll remember the horrible, dirty T-shirt. Paul says in 4:22 to put off the old self and to put on the new self. Because we have already been changed (through the sacrifice of Christ v2), we must change what we do. And how do we learn what the new self is like? We have been made into God’s children; we should take our lead from God.

Imagine a little boy living on the streets; pickpocketing; dirty; homeless and helpless. What a change it would be if he was adopted by Prince Charles and Camilla. No longer would he be running around dirty; no longer would he be pickpocketing the visitors to the palace. He would have to change his ways, learning from his new parents; and looking up to how his new brothers, William and Harry, live.

It’s the same with us. Verse 1: ‘Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us...’ We are already beloved children - we are certain of God’s love for us, displayed in the cross; and so we copy our heavenly Father, wanting to do the same things as him; wanting to walk in his ways; wanting to turn from those things that displease him.

So what will it look like to be children of God? In verses 3-5, Paul says that we will be pure. While the world might run after fornication and impurity and greed, celebrating these things, the Christian is called to be different. It can be hard to avoid such things - in TV, internet, movies, but we’re not even to mention such things. Why? Well because obscene talk, silly talk, and vulgar talk have no place among the saints.

Now when you hear that word, what do you think of? Your mind might race to stained glass window pictures of saints; or you might think of especially holy dead people who wrote parts of the Bible. If you have your Bible open (and it’s normally helpful), flick back to the very first verse of Ephesians. Paul writes to the saints who are in Ephesus - he’s not writing to dead people. He’s writing to the gathered church. You and I - we’re the saints who are in Aghavea. The saints in the New Testament are God’s holy ones, his children, the church.

Paul says that if we are God’s people and we are holy people, then there’s no place for gossip or impurity among us. It’s not even proper to dwell on the juicy gossip of others. Just as with last week - as we put off things, there is something else to put on. If we’re doing away with obscene, silly and vulgar talk, then we’re called instead to put on thanksgiving. Rather than greed (which is idolatry), we’re called to be thankful with what we have.

But more than that, we’re reminded that the end of the two ways is very different - ‘Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person... has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.’ And as Paul goes on, some will try to deceive us with empty words. Don’t be worrying about morality - everyone is doing it. Don’t worry about the consequences - if it feels good, do it. There are no consequences - you will surely not die.

These are empty words because: ‘the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient.’ So don’t go there. Don’t be associated with them! Remember whose you are - God’s holy people; remember who you are - light in the Lord. Paul is saying to remember what God has done in you, and to live in the light of the change. ‘For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light...’

Once again, we’re called to copy our heavenly Father. You might recall how you used to live - and shudder - but as you trust in Christ, you have been rescued, your past is gone, and you have been made clean. But in case we’re wondering what it means to live as children of light, Paul gives us the answer: ‘for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.’ That’s a very simple test for any of our thoughts and words and actions: is what I’m doing good? Is it right? Is it true?

Rather than taking part in the unfruitful works of darkness, we are to expose them. A long time ago, before I was married, I was sleeping, and was woken by this rustling noise. I had a packet of rolos sitting on my bedside table, and when I turned on the light, I discovered a mouse, trying to get into the sweets! As soon as the light turned on, it fled, exposed in its dark deeds. It’s a simple matter of turning on the light. You see, if we’re children of light then the way we live will be like a light, exposing the darkness of others, bringing their wickedness into sight.

I wonder if you’ve any trouble sleeping with these bright mornings? The sun hits our windows very early, stirring us to waken. This is what Christ is doing through us, to stir and waken those in darkness, and to bring them into the light as well.

In the last verses, Paul says that as well as being children of purity and children of light, we’re also to be wise. The days are evil - our time is short. We want to make the maximum impact as we shine and obey the Lord. So don’t waste your time getting drunk with wine - don’t be filled with wine; instead, Paul says: be filled with the Spirit.

On this day of Pentecost, as we remember the Holy Spirit being given to the first disciples gathered in that upper room, we need to remember that we too have the gift of the Holy Spirit, living in us, helping us and empowering us to live as God’s children in a wicked and hostile world.

He is the one who creates in us the family likeness, helping us to put off the old self and to put on the new self, as he helps us to sing psalms hymns and spiritual songs; as we give thanks to God the Father every time for every thing.

When I was a child, I was with my granny in a shop one day. We didn’t know the shopkeeper at all, but he was able to say for certainty who my mother was because I looked so much like her whole family. Let’s pray that each of us will become more like the image of God as we copy our Father in all we do this week.

This sermon was preached on the Day of Pentecost, 27th May 2012 in Aghavea Parish Church.

Sermon: Ephesians 4: 17-32 All Change!

I wonder if you've got a favourite item of clothing? It might be a football shirt that you always wear; a really comfy pair of jeans that you couldn't do without; or even a pair of shoes that you've always loved. Perhaps some of the adults are attached to their clothes?

This morning, I brought along my favourite white T-shirt. I've had it a long time, we've been through a lot together, but I just couldn't part with it. In fact, I decided to wear it this morning to show you. It's under my surplice, so here it is. [Reveal disgustingly dirty T-shirt - pre-treated the night before with tomato ketchup, brown sauce, soy sauce, and a few rips and tears]. What do you think? It might be a bit dirty and ripped and horrible, but it's like a part of me.

What do I need to do with it? Cleaning won't help it. There's only one thing for it. I need to take it off and throw it away.

But if I get rid of it, what else do I need to do? I still need a T-shirt. So I need to get rid of the old one, and put on a brand new, sparkling clean white T-shirt. [Bring new T-shirt from a bag, and put it on.] Is that better?

Does anyone know who Andy Carroll plays football for? He plays for Liverpool. Imagine that he signed for Chelsea this summer. Could he still wear his Liverpool shirt on the pitch? When the teams were playing, could he still wear his red shirt? Of course not! He has to take off his red shirt and instead put on a blue shirt. Which manager would he be listening to? Would he still listen to the Liverpool manager (whoever that is going to be!)? No, he would be listening to the Chelsea manager, doing what he wants him to do.

Following Jesus is a bit like this. You see, we've changed teams. We don't live for ourselves any more, doing what we want to do. Instead we're on Jesus' team. Jesus is our manager, so we do what he wants. Paul, in the letter to the church in Ephesus gives us a picture of what this is like: 'to put off your old self... and to put on your new self.'

When we follow Jesus, he removes our sin (the dirtiness) and makes us clean. It's been done. It's like the dirtiness of my old T-shirt being taken away, and Jesus giving us a clean purity instead. But we're called then to change how we live and what we do, because we're now on Team Jesus. And Paul gives us some examples.

Barney comes home from school. His mum asks if he has any homework. Barney says no, and goes out to play with his friends. He goes into school the next day and his teacher asks where is his homework. What did he do to his mum? He told lies. Is this what someone on Team Jesus should do? Paul says: 'put off falsehood and speak truthfully.'

Or think about Polly. She's round at her friend's house and sees a new DS game she wants. She puts it in her coat pocket and takes it home without asking. What has she done? She has been stealing. Is this how people on Team Jesus behave? Paul says don't steal, but instead share.

Rather than unwholesome talk coming out of our mouths - saying bad things about people and spreading gossip, we should only say what is good and helpful and true. Similarly, we're not to be angry or bitter. Instead, we should be kind and compassionate - just as God was to us.

It's not always easy to do the right things. It's much easier to lie and cheat and steal. But if we're on Jesus' team, he gives us the help we need. He gives us the Holy Spirit, who has sealed us for the day of redemption, given to us to help us make the right choices and to live as Jesus wants us to.

Whose team are you on? What way are you living? In this week, let's pray that God will help us to put off the old self and to put on the new, for the praise and glory of Jesus. Amen.

This sermon was preached at the Family Service in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 20th May 2012.

Sermon Audio: Ephesians 4: 1-16

Yesterday in Aghavea we were hear how God calls us to be body builders.

Sermon: Ephesians 4: 1-16 Body Building

One of the TV programmes we used to like watching was ‘The World’s Strongest Man’. Each week, competitors from around the world would seek to show their strength by pulling a bus along a track, or lifting cannon balls, or carrying tractor tyres. It was unbelievable to watch their strength, thinking about the dedication they’d put into building up their bodies, enlarging their muscles, to make them big and strong. All the more so when you’re watching them with the body of the old Mr Muscle advert guy - a weakling!

This morning, in our reading from the letter to the Ephesians, Paul says that each of us should be body builders. But we’re not unveiling plans for a gym over in the hall; don’t worry about wearing a leotard; the body we’re building is the body of Christ - the church. But how do we go about it? How can we be body builders?

As we begin, it’s important to remember that Paul is writing a letter to the church in Ephesus. It would have been read as a whole, altogether. It’s been over a month since we were last in Ephesians, so it might be good to have a little reminder of the ground we’ve covered. In Ephesians 1 - 3, Paul celebrates in God’s plan (the mystery) for the whole universe, bound up in Jesus and his work. Through what Jesus has done, God is forming his people - the church, turning sinful people into saints through his amazing grace, showing his grace to the universe, as people from different backgrounds/cultures/nations come together as one in Christ.

So as we’re called into the church, into the body of Christ, how should we live? What will it look like to ‘lead a life worthy of the calling?’ Have you ever heard the old poem: Living above with the saints we love, oh, that will be glory. Living below with the saints we know, now that’s a different story. It’s not always easy to get on with everyone, there are always (at least, this side of glory) going to be disputes and quarrels, as personalities clash.

Nevertheless, in verse 2, Paul begins to explore it: ‘with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love’. Are we humble in our dealings with each other, or insistent that we’re always right? Are we patient with others? Do we put up with some things we don’t like out of love for others? Or are we out for ourselves all the time?

Paul goes on to urge us to make ‘every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ Are we striving for unity in the church? Why is unity so important anyway? As Paul declares, there is only one body - listen out for the number of ones: ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all...’ one, one one - There is only one true church, only one body of Christ in all times and places. As we meet here, and live together here, we are part of the one body - just as other churches are also part of the one body. We’re on the same team.

But unity is not uniformity - in the one church there are different people and races and classes and cultures - all joined together as one. There is one body to be built, but many gifts. To come back to our strongman bodybuilder, he’s not just going to use press ups, or just sit-ups, to grow strong; he’ll use a lot of different training routines.

Verse 7: ‘But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.’ The risen Lord Jesus, having ascended to the Father, gives gifts (grace) to each of his people. That means that you, me, everyone of us, has been given grace from Christ to fulfil our part in his purpose, but the things we will do in his grace will be very different. In verse 11, Paul outlines some of the leadership roles which have traditionally been taken to be ‘the ministry.’ ‘the gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.’

Notice that each of those have to do with the word - apostles are those who establish new ministries in new areas, they’re sent; prophets proclaim God’s word; evangelists explain and teach the good news; pastors and teachers (the two are one and the same person) are those who teach the word in the congregation.

But the tendency is to see the pastor-teacher as ‘the minister’ - which must mean that ‘the ministry’ is something that only ordained people do - you must need a collar to do ‘ministry.’ That’s not what Paul says here, it’s not God’s intention in the church - you see, we stopped in the middle of a sentence: ‘some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ...’ The word gifts lead to each of us doing the work of ministry / service. We’re in this together. Some churches even express this on their noticeboard at the front door: Rector: Rev such and such; Ministers: The whole congregation. Each of us have been given grace from God to serve in particular ways to build the body. How are you serving? What could you be doing? How can you use the gifts and graces that God has given you in his service?

Our goal is to build the body of Christ ‘until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.’ There is one God, and one body - to which God gives a diversity of gifts so that we can all be built up together in the unity of the body to accomplish maturity.

We don’t want to keep on being infants, children, rather than growing up. We don’t want to be like a little boat in a big storm, being tossed about, blown by every wind of doctrine. There are winds of false teaching blowing in the church today - will we be carried away by them, or will we stand firm in the truth? We’re wanting to grow up - but how do we do it?

‘But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ...’ Speaking the truth can be easy enough - especially when it’s the truth about someone else. It can be easy (even therapeutic) to point out the faults and failings of others. But speaking the truth in love, motivated by love, not anger - that’s the hard part. We’re back to those instructions in verse 2 - bearing with one another in love, but that’s what we seek to do as we seek to build the body, as we hear God’s word and put it into practice in the church.

You may not be very strong today. You might not ever feature on the World’s Strongest Man (or Woman). Yet God calls you to be a body builder. How will you fulfil your ministry this week as you love and serve? How can you use the gifts that God has given you?

Let’s pray that we see the body of Christ being built in this place, for the glory of his name.

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 13th May 2012.

Sermon Audio: Ephesians 3: 14-21

Here's the audio from Sunday morning's sermon, as we studied the next section of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, and his Praying for Power.

Sermon: Ephesians 3: 14-21 Praying for Power

Some things seem to be beyond our imagining. Just think of the scientists exploring our universe, observing stars, using their powerful telescopes and satellites. They reckon the edge of the universe is about 46 billion light years away. That's the distance that light travels in 46 billion years. To convert it to miles, it's roughly 276,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 miles!

The same kinds of numbers are talked about today in terms of national debt - so many zeroes, but again, it’s difficult to get your head around. In our reading today, there are things that are beyond our imagining, which Paul tells us to encourage us in our prayers and our Christian life.

So here in Ephesians 3, we find that Paul is praying for the Christians in Ephesus, and as we’ll see, he involves every part of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as he asks for things that they’ll need as Christians; the very same things we need in our Christian life as well.

First up, we find the Father. Verse 14: ‘For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.’ This is beyond our imagining - that we can approach the Almighty God in prayer; that he listens to us. We see how this comes about earlier in chapter 3, where we have access to God through Jesus, with boldness and confidence through faith in him. As we begin to pray, it’s helpful to remember who it is we are praying to. God is our Father - the source of every person, the pattern of fatherhood, the one who shows us what being a father is all about.

Just as God gave Adam the authority to name the animals (Gen 2), so every family in heaven and earth is named by God - it’s a sign that God is in full authority, that God is in control. As some of you might know, we have a wee dog with us in the Rectory, a lively miniature Jack Russell puppy. It was us named her - Pippa - to show that we are in charge of her (even though you would think it was the other way round sometimes!).

So Paul is praying to the Father. But what is it he is asking God the Father to do? ‘that according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit.’

He’s asking for God to strengthen the Ephesian Christians, to give them power, but notice that he isn’t talking about becoming physically strong. He’s not wanting them to bulk up and become like Olympic weightlifters or bodybuilders. Rather it is to be strengthened with power... in your inner being. Living as a Christian is not always easy - we simply can’t do it on our own. For that, we need power to strengthen our inner being.

How do we do that? It brings us to the next person of the Trinity, to the Holy Spirit. From the riches of God’s glory, we are strengthened with power through his Spirit. You see, the Spirit isn’t a spooky, weird ‘thing’ that only happy-clappy types get, or that knocks people off their feet in revival meetings. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence inside us, strengthening us to live as Christians, to grow as Christians, to say no to sin, helping us to live for God.

I’m too young to have seen George Best play live, but I’ve seen the clips on TV. The skills he had, the way he was able to dribble and pass and score was unbelievable. In contrast I’m possibly one of the worst footballers in the world. I try, I run about, get an occasional touch, but I’m no George Best. More like George Worst. But if there was some way for George Best to take over my body, to help me, then my football skills would improve. This is a bit like what the Holy Spirit does, as he strengthens us with God’s power - not to be a good soccer player - but to follow Jesus.

Left to my own devices, I’m far too easily going to turn away from God, get caught up in sin, fall away. But God gives us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to live for him. To keep on going. You see, as the Holy Spirit empowers us, we find that Christ is dwelling in our hearts, taking over our lives, ruling our hearts, living in us and through us. This is beyond our imagining, that God would come to dwell in us; that we are not on our own in the world.

Christ dwells in our hearts, changing us to be the people he wants us to be. But how does it happen? What brings us to depend on God, and be strengthened by the Spirit and become like Jesus with him dwelling in our hearts? It’s there in 17-18. ‘so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.’

So far we’ve seen the Father, the source of every family, the one in authority over all; and we’ve seen the Spirit, who helps us and strengthens us to live for Jesus. Now we come to the Son, to the Lord Jesus Christ, and Paul’s prayer is that the Ephesians (and us) will know Christ’s love.

You might be thinking to yourself, well, I know that Jesus loves me - we sang about that in Sunday School all those years ago. But we want to keep on knowing Christ’s love, more and more, in all its greatness - Paul speaks of breadth and length and height and depth. But it’s not just you sitting on your own reflecting - no, it’s ‘with all the saints’ - it is as we live and grow together as a church family that we discover the vastness of Christ’s love for us and for everyone else.

Look around you - in the church there are all types of people, personalities, nationalities, and backgrounds. It is as we come together and learn to live together that we realise just how big Jesus’ love truly is, in dying for me, and for you, and for them.

The Trinity - one God in three persons - works together in the believer and in the church to build us up in growth and maturity. The Father gives, the Spirit empowers and the Son loves, so that we ‘may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ And perhaps you’re thinking to yourself, well, that was all right for the Ephesians. They were in the Bible, after all, and Paul was praying for them. Can God do the same for us? Will God, Father Son and Spirit give and strengthen and change me?

In those last two verses, Paul gives us a great encouragement to pray, and to keep praying. If your mind hasn’t been blown already, it just might: ‘Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all that we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’

This God, to whom Paul is praying, the God to whom we pray, ‘is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all that we can ask or imagine.’ God will more than answer our prayers, in more amazing ways than we can imagine. Isn’t that a spur to pray to our great God?

Perhaps this morning you aren’t yet a Christian. You don’t have Christ dwelling in your heart. My prayer is that you will come to know the great love of Christ for you, the love that took him to the cross, to take away your sins and to save you from the wrath of God. Even today, you can come in faith, and find that God will answer your prayer for rescue.

But for those of us who are Christians, the challenge lies in how we are praying for our church family, and for other Christians across the world. Are we seeking God’s giving and power and love for them to grow? Are we seeking these things for us to grow? Perhaps you don’t know how to start as you seek to pray more intelligently for other Christians. It’s great to know what we want to pray for people, something specific rather than general, something that will really help them. But even if you don’t know this prayer (and other prayers) of Paul’s is a good place to start.

Paul calls us to never lose our sense of wonder. To never become stale or bored at the things of God. To recognise that we have a truly amazing and wonderful God who is bigger than we can imagine - JB Phillips once wrote a book: 'Your God is too small.' It's as we see the greatness of our God that we can trust in him, and be confident that he will hear and act as we pray, in ways more amazing than we can even imagine.

It’s great to know who it is we are coming to in prayer - our great God, Father, Son and Spirit, who together work for our good, far more abundantly than we can ever imagine, and all for his glory. Amen.

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 11th March.

Sermon Audio: Ephesians 3: 1-13

I conducted a little experiment yesterday in church, using my iPhone on flight mode to record the sermon. Here's the audio, if it all works out! The Mystery of Christ.

Sermon: Ephesians 3: 1-13 The Mystery of Christ

I wonder if you like a good mystery story? Whether it’s a Miss Marple or a Murder, She Wrote, you know that when you begin the story, everything will be worked out by the end. If you’re concentrating carefully, you might even work it out before the confrontation scene in the last chapter. The format never really changes, the mystery will be solved.

But when we come to Ephesians 3, and Paul speaks about the mystery of Christ, it’s not a murder mystery he’s talking about. Rather, it’s a secret which has now been revealed. Look with me at verse 5: ‘In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind...’ (so no one could know it, no one could work it out) ‘... as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by his Spirit.’ The apostles are the first to hear the open secret, this mystery of Christ, which they are now sharing and proclaiming.

But what is the mystery of Christ? Paul tells us in verse 6: ‘the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.’ If you were with us last week, you’ll remember that the Gentiles were previously excluded, shut out from the promises of God; but now in Christ they have been drawn in. It is only in Christ that this mystery has been revealed, and we can take our place within the family of God.

You see, right from when God called Abraham, his descendants were the people of Israel. To be part of God’s people, you were part of Abraham’s family. God’s plan was still a secret.

Now, lean in close, I’m going to tell you a secret. Just between me and you. No one else needs to know. ... What is it about hearing a secret that makes you want to tell someone about it? You’re bursting to share it, even when you shouldn’t really.

Paul tells us here that he had no such restraints - God revealed the secret to him, this mystery of Christ, and then sent him to tell the world! In fact, this mystery of Christ turned Paul’s world upside down, and his aim is to turn the whole world upside down with the news.

Did you notice how Paul described himself in verse 1? ‘This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.’ Paul says he is in prison for Jesus; for the sake of the Gentiles. Now if you remember what Paul used to be like, you’ll see how he himself was changed by the gospel. He was a Jew of Jews, one of the leaders of the Jewish group seeking to destroy the early church; fighting against Jesus and certainly not interested in the Gentiles.

Talk about poacher turned gamekeeper. When Paul met Jesus on the Damascus road, his life was turned around; he was revealed this mystery, and given grace to go and tell the secret. Do you see his life’s work in verse 8: ‘this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.’

Paul works to bring the good news to the Gentiles that they can have a place in God’s family, through Jesus Christ; that they can share in the unsearchable riches of Christ; that they are included in the eternal plan of God in Christ Jesus. What great news that is!

Yet the Gentiles are not the only audience he has in mind. You see, he labours to tell people the good news so that they hear; but there is another audience as well. Unseen by us, there are rulers and authorities in the heavenly places - angels and demons - who are watching this world to see God’s plan unfold.

So as Gentiles hear the good news and join the church, as Jews and Gentiles become one new humanity in the body of Jesus; as people from different nations and backgrounds and preferences and experiences come together and get on together, so the church displays the multi-coloured (rich variety) wisdom of God to the wider audience.

Now, it pains me to say this, but last Sunday, Liverpool won the Carling Cup (what used to be called the League Cup). The cup will now sit in their trophy cabinet as a display of their success (at taking penalties!). In the same way, the church is God’s trophy; displaying his wisdom; showing his plan from before the creation now being unfolded as Jews and Gentiles come together in Christ to form the new humanity of eternity.

The church is also like the prototype; the working model of how the universe will be. If you’ve ever seen Dragon’s Den, the people bring their inventions, hoping to get some investment to market their product. Sometimes the ideas are crazy and the dragons are quickly out; the church shows the wisdom of God, not to a bunch of over-wealthy businessmen and women, but to the angels and demons.

This is the reason that Paul is in prison - he has committed his life to telling everyone about the good news, because it displays God’s wisdom and grace to a watching world and beyond. Perhaps the most remarkable thing, though, is what we find in the closing verse. It’s Paul, the prisoner, who urges the Ephesians to not lose heart; not the other way round.

We might expect the Ephesians to say, Paul, don’t you be worrying now that you’re in prison. Rather, it’s the other way round. Paul in prison says to the freemen, keep going! Don’t lose heart!

You see, the most important thing is for the good news to be spread. The secret is out, and we’re called to share it with everyone and anyone. It might be in work tomorrow and you’re asked what you did at the weekend. Will you say you were at church, or would you rather talk about every other detail of your weekend? When you bump into someone who wants to share a juicy bit of gossip (completely secret) (perhaps even just so you can pray about it!), will you share the secret you have - that everyone can have a place in God’s family?

Or when things are difficult; maybe something happens this week which threatens to knock you off course; will you be focused on God’s plan for the world rather than your own plans?

You might even think about how we can be a display of God’s multi-coloured wisdom in this church family; how we can reach those around from different backgrounds to come and share in God’s family - even those we would never imagine?

The secret is out; God’s eternal wisdom is being displayed, even today as we meet around the Lord’s Table; we are one in Christ, through his grace; welcomed to the family meal. We can’t keep this good news to ourselves.

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 4th March 2012.

Sermon: Ephesians 2:11-22 Extreme Makeover - God's Home Edition

Home makeover shows are very popular these days on TV. Whether it’s the American ‘Extreme Makeover - Home Edition’ or the more British DIY SOS, I’m sure you know the format. At the start of the programme, you’re shown a house that has seen better days. The heating has never properly worked, the floorboards are more than a little creaky, if someone leaned on a wall, they’d be through into the kitchen. The family are whisked away, an army of professionals are drafted in, and the house is transformed. The before and after pictures are amazing - it’s hard to believe it’s the same house.

In our Bible reading today, we find a makeover that is even more amazing; and if you’re a Christian, then this is a renovation programme that you yourself have been featured in. Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, a city where some Jews believed in the good news about Jesus, but most of the new believers were Gentiles. In the letter so far, Paul has been reminding the Christians in Ephesus about all the blessings they have received in Jesus (chapter 1), before making it more personal in chapter 2, reminding them that God made them alive in Christ by his grace. So here, he shows them another aspect of what it means to be a Christian, to receive these blessings, and to have hope.

First up, he shows them the ‘before’ picture. These Gentiles were strangers and foreigners - complete outsiders compared to the family of God. That’s what he says in verse 12 - summarised at the end by ‘having no hope and without God in the world.’ This is the situation all of us are in by ourselves - far from God, and with no hope.

As if that wasn’t enough, they were also separated from God’s people, the Jews, by a big ‘dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us’ (i.e. between Jews and Gentiles). Now we’re all too familiar with dividing walls in Northern Ireland - the so-called peace walls in Belfast; but this was the wall between Jews and Gentiles - Paul might be thinking of the wall at the temple in Jerusalem, beyond which outsiders could not enter on pain of death, as a sign of the whole Old Testament Law, which marked the Jew out as special and separate.

So that’s the before. Just like some of the houses featured in these programmes, the prospects for the Gentile aren’t good. Our prospects weren’t that good either, apart from God. If you’re not a Christian today, then that verdict still stands. the makeover is still needed.

Jump forward to the end of the programme, to see the ‘after’ picture, and what a change we find. In verse 13, ‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near.’ There is peace (15), and access to the Father (18). Now, believing Gentiles are ‘citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God.’

Rather than being on the outside, excluded, missing out; people of all nations and languages are included in God’s household, welcomed to the family table, given a place. Think of a young boy who travels to London on a school trip, and goes to visit Buckingham Palace. They can only get so far - the railings and gates and guards all say ‘keep out.’ But imagine if that child was adopted by the Queen - he would have access through the gates, right to the dining table at state banquets. This is the sort of change Paul is describing here.

What a transformation! The contrast is incredible, yet it’s all true. Sometimes you hear of these makeover shows going badly wrong - the residents hate what has been done, and they quickly get rid of the supposed improvements. But these changes are so wonderful that you would never want to go back to the before.

The bulk of these programmes, though, features the work that’s done on the house. They might be a team paid by the makers of the show, or it could be a volunteer labour force. the presenter will be shown interviewing some of them, there’ll be speeded up footage of the renovations, the plastering, tiling, and the rest of the work.

What about the transformation of the Gentiles? What kind of workforce enabled the demolition of the dividing wall? What kind of effort was needed to provide access for us, who were strangers and aliens? Was there a wrecking ball? A team with heavy mallets? Some dynamite? There was no big workforce. No huge crowd doing their bit. Just a workforce of one, doing the work that only he could do; paying the price that only he could pay:

‘But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh... he has broken down the dividing wall... and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross.’

The wall has been washed away by his blood; as Jesus died, he abolished the law, giving us free access to God; and reconciling us to God and to each other. Did you notice in verse 16 that both groups - both Gentiles and Jews - needed to be reconciled to God?

The hostility between Jew and Gentile has been removed, and instead there is one new humanity - in Christ. You see, we’re saved by grace, not by race - salvation is for all who believe, not just for Jews, indeed, not only for Jews. Together, we make up the household of God.

As Paul mentions the household of God, he jumps to another picture, not so much of a household of people, but of the building of the house itself. God is building a house for himself, and as people come to Jesus, they are being included in the building. It’s probably more of a dry stone wall, where each stone is unique, and each has its own special place, joining together to build the house. The foundations are in place - the apostles and prophets, but the most important bit is the cornerstone, the stone that holds it all together, the one you build from - Jesus himself.

I wonder if this story is your story? Having been far from God, separated from him, without hope and without God, through Jesus you have been brought near and found peace. If it is, then remember your story - never forget what Jesus has done; the change he has brought; the guaranteed future he has secured for you; the place that you have in the church, in God’s dwelling, that no one else can possibly fulfil.

Perhaps you’re still at the beginning; still a stranger to God’s mercy and grace. the invitation stands for you today. You too can appear in this transformation; you too can be welcomed in, building your life on Jesus, and knowing peace with God.

Just as Jesus came and proclaimed peace to those who were near and far, so we must continue to proclaim this offer of peace and pardon - it’s why we try to understand and teach the Bible here; it’s why we are committed to helping and supporting mission both here and overseas. As the message of Jesus is heard, so people are drawn in, and God’s building work continues as we are joined together, reconciled to him and to one another, to the praise of his glorious grace. Amen.

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 26th February 2012.

Sermon: Ephesians 1: 15-23 Praying in Christ

Wee Jonny was kneeling by the side of his bed one night, saying his prayers. Really loudly, he prayed: ‘God, please give me a new bike!’ His mum walked into the bedroom and said, ‘Jonny, why are you praying so loudly? God’s not deaf.’ ‘No,’ says Jonny, ‘But granny is.’ Jonny knew what to pray for, and how to pray for it!

You see, sometimes when we see friends, we might say ‘I’ll be praying for you,’ or ‘You’re in my prayers.’ But then when it comes to the praying, we don’t really know what it is we should be praying for.

Hopefully you, like me, want to become better in your prayers. You’re just not satisfied when your prayer life settles into the God bless the world and the church and the cat. Rather, you want to be praying specific prayers which make an impact on the situation, and help the person being prayed for. How do we do this?
Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus. He opens the letter with an amazing outpouring of praise to God because of the great blessings that God has showered on us who are in Christ. These include the choosing for adoption, redemption, forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ blood, and being marked with a seal – the Holy Spirit – guaranteeing our inheritance.

It is for this reason that Paul gives thanks to God for them! Remember that Paul had left Ephesus to move on to other places to preach there too. But now he is hearing that they have continued in their faith, and also of their love for God’s people. What great news!

Notice, though, that Paul doesn’t congratulate the Ephesians for believing – rather he thanks God for their faith and love – who, as the earlier part of chapter 1 reminds us, pours out his glorious grace.

Paul thanks God for them at all times – he has not stopped giving thanks. But more than that, look at verse 16, he also remembers them in his prayers. Even in celebrating all that they have achieved (through God’s grace), he prays that they will continue. So what is it that Paul prays for them?

First of all, he prays that God will give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they will know him better. How much we all need that! Is there anyone who thinks that they don’t need to know God better? But Paul’s not finished there. He prays that they will have the eyes of their heart enlightened, to see God better, and to know him.

This knowing God better, through the Spirit, through having their eyes enlightened, comes in three specific areas: hope, riches and power.

Paul prays that the Ephesians ‘may know what is the hope to which he has called you.’ Notice earlier in the passage, verse 15, that he was thanking God for their faith and their love. Now he’s praying that their hope will come onboard.

Notice, though, that it isn’t just a vague hope – it is intimately bound up in God – ‘the hope to which he has called you.’ The God who has blessed us with so much, is the God who calls us, and who is our hope.

Next, Paul prays that ‘you may know … the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people.’ In verse 14, Paul spoke of the Holy Spirit as ‘a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.’ Here he continues that idea, so that in knowing God better, the Christians at Ephesus will come to know the riches of his inheritance in the saints. In sharing together, they also share in God’s inheritance together – again, it’s not a vague inheritance, but intimately bound up in God and his people.

Finally, Paul prays that ‘you may know … his incomparably great power for us who believe.’ Remember that we have been looking at how Paul thanks God for their faith and love, but continues to pray that they will move on, growing up to know God better, and that this knowing God better will help them to know the hope, the riches, and now the power.

Sometimes it can be easy to think that God is powerless. We might watch the news on TV, or read a newspaper and be overwhelmed by the devastation of war or famine. Where is God? Can God do nothing? Here Paul reminds the Ephesians that God has incomparably great power. It’s as if all through the passage he is running out of amazing and super-amazing words to describe God. This power, this work of God is working ‘for us who believe.’

As an illustration of this power of God, Paul points to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. We all know that dead people don’t come back to life. Yet the power of God not only raised Christ from the dead, but also seated him at the right hand of God – the position of power and authority, high over all rulers and authority and power etc.

This is the power of God that is working in you and for you, for us who are called to his hope, and receiving his inheritance among his saints.

Perhaps we, like the Ephesians, need to be reminded of these things that are ours through the gospel of Jesus. Maybe you’re right at the start, and need to begin with that faith in the Lord Jesus. Or maybe your love for God’s people is weak, and needs to be encouraged and strengthened.

Or perhaps you have been in the walk for a long time. The road can seem long sometimes, and you need to have your eyes opened to see just how much God has in store for you, both now and in the future. And also to see the great power of God which is for us and available to us. Oh how much we all need these things ourselves, more and more.

Yet we must also remember that we have been listening in to Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians. While it is vital that we have these things ourselves, surely we must also be challenged to pray for others – not in the general sense, but in specific prayers. As someone said to me recently, specific prayers get specific answers.

Have some of your friends recently become Christians? Thank God for them – and thank God through them as well – let them know that you’re praying for them. Pray for these things in their life.

How will your praying be changed as a result of our reading? Let’s pray indeed that we won’t be satisfied with trite prayers and vague intercessions. Rather, let’s pray that we will be a praying people, so that we might know God better, and grow together as a church under the headship of Christ, for his glory.

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 12th February 2012.

Sermon: Ephesians 1: 1-14 Blessed in Christ

There’s a very popular question being asked these days. If you own a mobile phone, I’m almost certain you’ve asked it, or been asked it, in this past week. The phone goes off in a crowded bus, or in the middle of a shop, or even if you’re in the middle of a field (and have signal!) and the person on the other end wants to know: Where are you?

That might seem an odd question to ask you this morning - you might think the preacher has gone mad. Surely we’re in Aghavea Church, but I want to ask you anyway - where are you? You see, as Paul begins his letter to the Church in Ephesus, he reminds them where they are: ‘To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus.’ (1:1).

He’s saying that they’re not just in Ephesus, they’re also in Christ, because they’re trusting in him. Yet even if we know where we are (in Aghavea, in Christ), it’s still important to see where you are - have you ever seen the street maps or the hospital map with the star or the arrow which declares ‘You are here’? Seeing where we are sometimes only makes sense when we see the big picture.

These opening verses of Ephesians give us the big picture, and show us exactly what it means to be in Christ. They take us from eternity past (before the foundation of the world in verse 4), through time, to eternity future (the fullness of time in verse 10 and our inheritance of verse 14). These fourteen verses (eight sentences in English) are one big sentence, as Paul bursts forth in praise of God because of the way he has blessed us in Christ.

There’s so much in these verses that you could take a year to explore them and still not be finished, but don’t worry, we’re just going to spend a few minutes looking at what we have in Christ.

Paul tells the Ephesians that they have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. They lack nothing, they have been given everything they need in Christ. The rest of the sentence is like an extended version of the chorus ‘Count your blessings’, as Paul shows us what those blessings are in Christ:

We have been chosen in Christ to be holy and blameless before him - before we were even born, before the world even came into being, God had chosen you and me in Christ. We are chosen and predestined for adoption as his children, not because of any merit of our own; not because God saw in us any good thing; but simply according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace.

We have been welcomed into God’s family, not because we were good enough, or smart enough, or important enough; but simply because God gives us what we don’t deserve. It clear to see, when we consider that in Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins. We don’t bring anything to the table, only our sinfulness. God in his grace, in Christ Jesus, has forgiven us and cleansed us, and redeemed us.

(Are you still counting?) As if that wasn’t enough, God has also revealed to us the mystery of his will, the plan God has been working on, the meaning and purpose of history - the thing we’re all heading towards: ‘to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.’ You see, Jesus is right at the centre of God’s cosmic plan and purpose, in him, everything will come together, and we have a part in God’s plan when we are in Christ.

As if it wasn’t enough that we have been blessed, chosen, loved, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, graced, informed, still there’s more. As the pew Bible puts it: ‘In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance’ - we have this inheritance waiting for us in glory in eternity - the inheritance for all who believe, both Jew and Gentile. And in the meantime, we have the pledge, the guarantee of the inheritance, the promised Holy Spirit.

Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. All these blessings are yours today, because of what Jesus has done. No matter what you’re going through, no matter how you feel, no matter how distant God may appear because of your circumstances, if you are trusting in Jesus then you have been blessed in all these ways (and more!).

Perhaps you’ll take some time through this week to come back to the passage, and reflect further on what God has done for you in Christ Jesus. Spend some time soaking in his word, marvelling at his love and grace towards you, wondering at the riches of his grace lavished upon you.

You might be wondering, though, how do we respond to this grace and love? As we’ll see in the coming weeks, the first three chapters are mostly all about doctrine - what God has done for us; and the last three chapters are about how we live in the light of that, but already in these verses there are hints as to how to respond.

The first is to praise him. Right at the start, Paul praises God because of all this as he bursts out: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...’. We’re told that God has done all this ‘to the praise of his glorious grace’. So as you reflect on God’s goodness, are you praising? There’s all the difference in the world between someone who thinks they deserve something by right; and someone who recognises they don’t deserve anything, and thus gives thanks and praise.

Another way we can respond is to see why God chose us in the first place - ‘to be holy and blameless before him’. This is God’s purpose for us, it’s the reason he saved us, and the reason he gives us the Holy Spirit, to live for him becoming more like Jesus. How is your holiness? Are you more like Jesus this year than last? Rejoicing in God’s grace helps us to change as he picks us up from our failures and gives us a fresh start.

You see, praising God and living for him aren’t two separate things at all, but one and the same, as we see in verse 12: ‘so that we... might live for the praise of his glory’. How we praise and how we live will both bring praise to God.

But let’s be clear. All these blessings and benefits are only for those who are in Christ Jesus, who are depending on him, trusting in him, united to him. Apart from Christ, there is no blessing, no peace, no life. Perhaps as we consider the blessedness of these Ephesian Christians, we discover that we’re on the outside, that we’re separate.

Even today, you can come to Christ, be united to him, be found in him, and as you do, you’ll find that all these blessings are yours; that you too were chosen before time, destined for adoption, that you too are redeemed and forgiven, that you too can look forward to this glorious inheritance, to the praise of his glorious grace.

In Christ, we receive all this. No wonder that Paul exclaims: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places!’ Where are you?

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 5th February 2012.

Sermon: Ephesians 3:14-21 Trinity in Action

Today is, as we’ve already heard, Trinity Sunday. The Sunday in the church year that preachers most dread. How on earth can we explain the Trinity. Will we wheel out St Patrick’s shamrock again, talk of triple-decker buses (like out of Harry Potter), or just panic? Rather than looking at a dry, dusty definition of the Trinity, I thought it would be much more useful to see the Trinity in action.

There are many places we could turn, but I want to focus on the passage we’ve heard read this morning, from Ephesians 3. But before we look in detail at the passage, I want to ask you - what is your praying like? I’m not asking if you pray, but rather, what you pray. You see, many of us have grown up with the model where we kneel at the side of our bed and our prayers go something like this: ‘God bless mummy, daddy, and the cat. Amen.’ Those prayers are great, but there might be something wrong if you never develop beyond that!

Throughout the Bible, we’re sometimes shown people at prayer, we get to listen in to their prayers. Think of the Lord’s prayer - you might say that every day. As Paul writes letters to the churches, he also includes some prayers - he says what it is he is praying for them, what it is he is asking God to do, and why.

So here in Ephesians 3, we find that Paul is praying for the Christians in Ephesus, and as we’ll see, he involves every part of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as he asks for things that they’ll need as Christians; the very same things we need in our Christian life as well.

First up, we find the Father. Verse 14: ‘For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.’ As we begin to pray, it’s helpful to remember who it is we are praying to. And what a great reminder on this Father’s Day. God is our Father - the source of every person, the pattern of fatherhood, the one who shows us what being a father is all about.

Just as God gave Adam the authority to name the animals (Gen 2), so every family in heaven and earth is named by God - it’s a sign that God is in full authority, that God is in control. Just last year we had an addition in our house, a lively miniature Jack Russell puppy. It was us named her - Pippa - to show that we are in charge of her (even though you would think it was the other way round sometimes!).

So Paul is praying to the Father. But what is it he is asking God the Father to do? ‘that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.’

He’s asking for God to strengthen the Ephesian Christians, to give them power, but notice that he isn’t talking about becoming physically strong. He’s not wanting them to bulk up and become like Olympic weightlifters or bodybuilders. Rather is it strengthened with power... in your inner being. Living as a Christian is not always easy - we simply can’t do it on our own. For that, we need power to strengthen our inner being.

How do we do that? It brings us to the next person of the Trinity, to the Holy Spirit. From the riches of God’s glory, we are strengthened with power through his Spirit. You see, the Spirit isn’t a spooky, weird ‘thing’ that only happy-clappy types get, or that knocks people off their feet in revival meetings. The Holy Spirit is God’s presence inside us, strengthening us to live as Christians, to grow as Christians, to say no to sin, helping us to live for God.

I’m too young to have seen George Best play live, but I’ve seen the clips on TV. The skills he had, the way he was able to dribble and pass and score was unbelievable. In contrast I’m possibly one of the worst footballers in the world. I try, I run about, get an occasional touch, but I’m no George Best. More like George Worst. But if there was some way for George Best to take over my body, to help me, then my football skills would improve. This is a bit like what the Holy Spirit does, as he strengthens us with God’s power - not to be a good soccer player - but to follow Jesus.

Left to my own devices, I’m far too easily going to turn away from God, get caught up in sin, fall away. But God gives us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to live for him. To keep on going. You see, as the Holy Spirit empowers us, we find that Christ is dwelling in our hearts, taking over our lives, ruling our hearts, living in us and through us.

Christ dwells in our hearts, changing us to be the people he wants us to be. It’s a bit like moving into a new house. The walls might be a horrible colour loved by the previous occupants, there might be work needing done to fix a leaky tap, the squeaky floorboards might need replaced, and the garden overhauled. Over time, you’ll get these things sorted, the decoration as you want it, making it look better, reflecting your style and personality. When Christ first moves in to our hearts, they are dirty and dark, things broken and covered up. Over time, Christ brings us to change, to become more like him.

But how does it happen? What brings us to depend on God, and be strengthened by the Spirit and become like Jesus with him dwelling in our hearts? It’s there in 17-18. ‘so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, bring rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.’

So far we’ve seen the Father, the source of every family, the one in authority over all; and we’ve seen the Spirit, who helps us and strengthens us to live for Jesus. Now we come to the Son, to the Lord Jesus Christ, and Paul’s prayer is that the Ephesians (and us) will know Christ’s love.

You might be thinking to yourself, well, I know that Jesus loves me - we sang about that in Sunday School all those years ago. But we want to keep on knowing Christ’s love, more and more, in all its greatness - Paul speaks of breadth and length and height and depth. But it’s not just you sitting on your own reflecting - no, it’s ‘with all the saints’ - it is as we live and grow together as a church family that we discover the vastness of Christ’s love for us and for everyone else.

Look around you - in the church there are all types of people, personalities, nationalities, and backgrounds. It is as we come together and learn to live together that we realise just how big Jesus’ love truly is, in dying for me, and for you, and for them.

The Trinity - one God in three persons - works together in the believer and in the church to build us up in growth and maturity. The Father gives, the Spirit empowers and the Son loves, so that we ‘may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ And perhaps you’re thinking to yourself, well, that was all right for the Ephesians. They were in the Bible, after all, and Paul was praying for them. Can God do the same for us? Will God, Father Son and Spirit give and strengthen and change me?

In those last two verses, Paul gives us a great encouragement to pray, and to keep praying. If your mind hasn’t been blown already, it just might: ‘Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’

This God, to whom Paul is praying, the God to whom we pray, ‘is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.’ God will more than answer our prayers, in more amazing ways than we can imagine. Isn’t that a spur to pray to our great God?

Perhaps this morning you aren’t yet a Christian. You don’t have Christ dwelling in your heart. My prayer is that you will come to know the great love of Christ for you, the love that took him to the cross, to take away your sins and to save you from the wrath of God. Even today, you can come in faith, and find that God will answer your prayer for rescue.

But for those of us who are Christians, the challenge lies in how we are praying for our church family, and for other Christians across the world. Are we seeking God’s giving and power and love for them to grow? Are we seeking these things for us to grow? Perhaps you don’t know how to start as you seek to pray more intelligently for other Christians. It’s great to know what we want to pray for people, something specific rather than general, something that will really help them. But even if you don’t know this prayer (and other prayers) of Paul’s is a good place to start.

It’s great to know who it is we are coming to in prayer - our great God, Father, Son and Spirit, who together work for our good, far more abundantly than we can ever imagine, and all for his glory. Amen.

This sermon was preached in St Elizabeth's Church, Dundonald on Trinity Sunday 19th June 2011.