June 20, 2024 • 21 mins
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Is God's plan for His church truly unfolding in our time? Join us as we explore this divine construction and the pivotal roles of church leaders, drawing from the instructions of Jesus to Peter and the wisdom Paul shared with the Corinthians. We'll discuss how church leaders are not just shepherds but empower and uplift their congregations. Through the lineage of Israel and the arrival of Jesus as a beacon to the Gentiles, we'll demonstrate that God's promises are steadfast and unyielding, even against the odds. By examining stories like those of Abraham and Sarah, we see that what seems impossible to man is always possible with God.
But what does it mean to be God's temple? In this episode, we dive deep into biblical prophecies from Daniel and Revelation, highlighting the enduring significance of Israel in God’s ultimate plan. We'll discuss the unity of believers, stressing that both Jews and Gentiles form God's holy temple, built on the foundation of Christ. Reflecting on Ephesians 1:7-10, we explore the boundless redemption and forgiveness offered through Christ's sacrifice, revealing the grand mystery of God's will to unite all things under Him. Tune in, be inspired, and strengthen your faith journey with us today.
Please visit www.chosenbydesign.net for more information on Pastor Harry’s new book, "Chosen By Design - God’s Purpose for Your Life."
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway.
I'm your host, pastor HarryBehrens, and in today's episode
we're going to discuss how Godis constructing His church, or
carrying out His plan to redeemand equip those he has called to
accomplish His will.
In our last episode we lookedat the first part of chapter 2
and saw that we were dead in oursins and unable to save
ourselves.
God is the one calling andequipping us so that we live a
(00:23):
life glorifying Him, with thepromise that His joy would be
full in us.
He has brought you into arelationship where he desires to
commune with you and wants usto be fully satisfied in Him.
This is the opposite of the joywe searched for when we lived
for the world.
That joy was fleeting and neversatisfied us.
It leaves us desperate forgenuine relationships, which are
(00:43):
only found in the churchsetting not a church building,
but in church people, as we willsee in today's message God has
gifted to the church leaders whoare for the equipping of the
saints.
Leaders are to pray for, teach,feed and care for the flock
until Christ returns for them.
If this isn't the environmentyou are currently in, I highly
(01:03):
suggest you start looking for afellowship that has these
characteristics, as the Lorddesires that his sheep be well
cared for, anything less is notfrom him or for him.
John, 21, 15-17.
When they had finishedbreakfast, jesus said to Simon
Peter Simon, son of John, do youlove me more than these?
(01:26):
He said to him yes, lord, youknow that I love you.
He said to him feed my lambs.
He said to him a second timeSimon, son of John, do you love
me?
He said to him yes, lord, youknow that I love you.
He said to him tend my sheep.
(01:54):
He said to him a third timeSimon, leaders should feed, care
for and love the flock.
Well, jesus told Peter thatleaders should feed, care for
and love the flock.
Well, paul understood this aswell, as we see in 2 Corinthians
(02:14):
, 11, 2, verses 2 and 3.
For I feel divine jealousy foryou, since I betrothed you to
one husband to present you as apure virgin to Christ.
I would strongly recommend that,if you are part of a church
(02:34):
without supportive leaders, youconsider finding a new community
.
It's important to be in a placewhere you can grow and become
all that you are meant to be.
Unfortunately, many churchestoday are focused on using
people to further their owngoals without taking the time to
support individuals in findingand fulfilling their own
callings.
Remember, church leaders aremeant to empower and support the
(02:55):
members of the church, not theother way around.
Jesus paid the ultimate pricefor the church so that we would
no longer be separated from himor each other.
Paul reminds us in these versesthat we were once separated from
God, having no hope in thisworld, and that we should
recognize that a great price waspaid for us to become a part of
God's family.
Ephesians 2, 11-12.
(03:18):
Therefore, remember that at onetime, you, gentiles in the
flesh, called the uncircumcisionby what is called the
circumcision, which is made inthe flesh by hands.
Remember that you were at thattime separated from Christ,
alienated from the commonwealthof Israel and strangers to the
covenants of promise, having nohope and without God in the
(03:39):
world.
The Jews are the circumcisedand they were meant to be a
light unto the Gentiles.
Instead, they became proud asif they were the only people God
cared about.
Interestingly, god fulfilledhis promise to bring the light
to the Gentiles through hischosen people, israel through
Jesus.
Isaiah 49.3.
It is too small a thing for youto be my servant to restore the
(04:02):
tribes of Jacob and bring backthose of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a lightfor the Gentiles, that my
salvation may reach to the endsof the earth.
In the Gospel of Luke, theidentity of the servant, the
king and the Messiah is revealedin reference to the passage in
Isaiah, luke 2, 25-32.
Now there was a man inJerusalem whose name was Simeon,
(04:24):
and this man was righteous anddevout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel, and theHoly Spirit was upon him, and it
had been revealed to him by theHoly Spirit that he would not
see death before he had seen theLord's Christ.
And he came, in the Spirit,into the temple and when the
parents brought the child Jesusto do for him according to the
custom of the law, he took himup in his arms and blessed God
(04:46):
and said Lord, now you areletting your servant depart in
peace According to your word,for my eyes have seen your
salvation that you have preparedin the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to theGentiles and for your glory to
your people.
Israel, according to Simeon,under the influence of the Holy
(05:09):
Spirit, said that Jesus is thefulfillment of the promise to
bring glory to Israel and toshine as a light to the Gentiles
.
It's important to recognizethat when God makes a promise,
whether to an individual or anation, he will ensure that it
is fulfilled, even if thoseentrusted with the promise fail.
(05:29):
Despite Israel's inability tolive up to its intended purpose
and God's promises, he broughtforth the Messiah from the
lineage of Israel to fulfill thepromise himself and bring light
to the Gentiles.
Nothing and no one can hinderthe fulfillment of God's word.
This pattern is evidentthroughout scripture, such as in
the life of Abraham.
(05:49):
Despite the long wait andapparent impossibility, god
fulfilled his promise to Abrahamof a great nation coming from
his seed through Sarah, as hehad originally intended.
God often makes us wait for thefulfillment of his word in
seemingly impossible situations,so that we can be assured that
it is indeed from him.
Genesis 17, 15-19.
(06:11):
And God said to Abraham as forSarai, your wife, you shall not
call her name Sarai, but Sarahshall be her name.
I will bless her and, moreover,I will give you a son by her.
I will bless her and she shallbecome.
She shall become nations, kingsof peoples shall come from her.
Then Abraham fell on his faceand laughed and said to himself
(06:34):
Shall a child be born to a manwho is a hundred years old.
Shall Sarah, who is ninetyyears old, bear a child?
And Abraham said to God, oh,that Ishmael might live before
you.
God said no.
But Sarah, your wife, shallbear you a son, and you shall
call his name Isaac.
I will establish my covenantwith him as an everlasting
covenant for his offspring afterhim, moving on to Ephesians,
(06:59):
chapter 2, verses 13 to 16.
But now, in Christ Jesus, youwho once were far off have been
brought near by the blood ofChrist, for he himself is our
peace.
Who has made us both one hasbroken down in the flesh the
dividing wall of hostility, byabolishing the law of
commandments expressed inordinances, that he might create
(07:20):
in himself one new man in placeof the two, so making peace,
and might reconcile us both toGod in one body through the
cross, thereby killing thehostility.
Romans 10, 12-13 says, forthere is no distinction between
Jew and Greek, for the same Lordis Lord of all, bestowing his
(07:41):
riches on all who call on him.
For everyone who calls in thename of the Lord, it will be
saved.
This is not to say that Israelhas no place with God anymore as
a nation.
That is not what this is sayingor what I am saying.
It talks about salvation thathas come now to the Gentiles in
the same manner, and we bothhave access to God.
The nation of Israel is stillto this day, regardless of what
(08:02):
some will say, god's chosenpeople, whom he has promised to
reveal himself.
That was not completed at thecross.
If we look at the book ofDaniel, we can see that God has
an eternal plan for Israel andthey have a specific role before
God.
The book of Revelation talksabout the tribulation period,
which is the accomplishment ofwhat Daniel says.
Listen to this Daniel 9, 24.
(08:22):
70 weeks are decreed about yourpeople and your holy city to
finish the transgression, to putan end to sin and to atone for
inequity, to bring ineverlasting righteousness, to
seal both vision and prophet andto anoint a most holy place.
For more on this topic, I wouldsuggest you listen to episode
(08:44):
11, titled Review of BibleProphecy, found in my Revelation
study.
At thetakeawayfaith.
I spent a great deal of timediscussing this topic and how
Israel is God's chosen people towhom he made promises, and they
will be fulfilled.
The church has not in any way,shape or form replaced Israel.
I can't stress this enough theidea of replacement theology is
(09:05):
from the devil.
This causes hatred towards theJews and has no place within the
church.
Instead, we are to bless theJews and be a light unto them,
as they were supposed to be untous.
Someday they will be graftedback in, and Scripture says that
will happen at the end of thetime of the Gentiles.
Genesis 12, 3 says I will blessthose who bless you, and him who
(09:28):
dishonors you I will curse.
And in you all the families ofthe earth will be blessed.
Romans 11, 23-24 says and eventhey, if they do not continue in
their unbelief, will be graftedin.
For God has the power to graftthem in again.
For if you were cut from whatis by nature a wild olive tree
(10:04):
and grafted, contrary to nature,into a cultivated olive tree,
moving on to Ephesians spirit tothe Father, so then you are no
longer strangers and aliens, butyou are fellow citizens, with
the saints and members of thehousehold of God, built on the
foundation of the apostles andprophets, christ Jesus himself
being the cornerstone, in whomthe whole structure, being
joined together, grows into aholy temple in the Lord.
(10:26):
In him, you also are beingbuilt together into a dwelling
place for God by the Spirit.
What does it mean?
That we are being joinedtogether.
It means that there's nodifference between one Christian
and another, or a Jew and aChristian who have put their
faith in Christ.
Anyone who believes in Jesus isone with him, and we are one
(10:47):
with them.
We are all one family beingbuilt on the teachings of God's
word given to us through theapostles, prophets and teachers.
What's important here is thatyou understand that you and I
are the temple of the living God.
He lives in us and because ofthat we are holy.
It's not about what we do, butabout who lives in us.
The problem is that most of useither don't realize this or
(11:08):
care.
We go about our livescomplaining about life and never
being satisfied with God.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians thatthis shouldn't be the case and
instead we should be focused oncaring for ourselves and others,
as the priests cared for thetemple.
Let's look at 1 Corinthians 3,1-23.
But I, brothers, could notaddress you as spiritual people,
(11:29):
but as people of the flesh, asinfants in Christ.
I fed you with milk, not solidfood, for you were not ready for
it, and even now you are notready, for you are still the
flesh.
For while there is stilljealousy and strife among you,
are you not of the flesh andbehaving only in a human way?
For when one says I follow Pauland another I follow Apollos,
(11:52):
are you not being merely human?
What then is Apollos?
What is Paul?
Servants, through whom youbelieved as the Lord assigned to
each?
I planted, apollos watered, butGod gave the growth.
So neither he who plants nor hewho waters is anything but only
God who gives the growth, norhe who waters is anything but
only God who gives the growth.
He who plants and he who watersare one, and each will receive
(12:16):
his wages according to his labor, for we are God's fellow
workers.
You are God's field, god'sbuilding.
According to the grace of Godgiven to me, like a skilled
master builder, I laid afoundation and someone else is
building upon it.
Let each one take care how hebuilds upon it, for no one can
lay a foundation other than thatwhich is laid, which is Jesus
(12:39):
Christ.
Now, if anyone builds on thefoundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay,straw, each one's work will
become manifest, for the daywill disclose it, because it
will be revealed by fire, andthe fire will test what sort of
work each one of us has done.
If the work that anyone hasbuilt on the foundation survives
, he will receive a reward.
(12:59):
If anyone's work is burned up,he will suffer loss, though he
himself will be saved, but onlyas through fire.
Do you not know that you areGod's temple and that God's
spirit dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God's temple, god will destroy him, for
God's temple is holy and you arethat temple.
(13:20):
Let no one deceive himself.
If anyone among you thinks thathe is wise in this age, let him
become a fool that he maybecome wise, for the wisdom of
this world is folly with God,for it is written, he catches
the wise in their craftiness,and again, the Lord knows the
thoughts of the wise that theyare futile.
So let no one boast in men, forall things are yours, whether
(13:44):
Paul or Apollos or Cephas, orthe world, or life or death, or
the present or the future.
All are yours and you areChrist's and Christ is God's.
2 Corinthians 6, 14-18.
So then, you are no longerstrangers and aliens, but you
are fellow citizens with thesaints and are God's household,
(14:07):
having been built on thefoundation of the apostles and
prophets, christ Jesus himselfbeing the cornerstone, in whom
the whole building, being fittedtogether, is growing into a
holy temple in the Lord.
1 Peter 2.5,.
You also, as living stones, arebeing built up as a spiritual
house for a holy priesthood tooffer up spiritual sacrifices
(14:28):
acceptable to God through JesusChrist.
Understanding that your body isGod's holy temple should change
your perspective on how youtreat yourself and others.
You are no longer to beconcerned with the things of
this world and instead youshould be focused on cleaning
your house up so that you areready for the day that you are
presented to the Lord.
The best way to start doingthis is to get into a Bible
(14:51):
teaching church family withleaders who care about you and
your growth, as Paul does.
In our next episode, we willlook deeper at the leaders God
gave to the church and for whatpurpose they were placed there.
So many people take it forgranted that these were gifted
for your sake, not theirs.
They are God's gift to you, andso many of us only go to church
(15:13):
when it suits us, usually whenwe don't have anything better to
do.
The problem with thatperspective is you don't
recognize the giver or the gift.
You probably view church assomething others want you to do
to help them fulfill theirministry.
This couldn't be further fromthe truth, as they are there to
help you with your ministry.
You need to reset your mindsettoday and ask yourself what's
(15:35):
better than a gift from God?
What could you possibly wantfrom anyone or anything else
that's better than what he hasfor you?
If your wife, husband, mom ordad said they had a gift for you
and that you had to show up toget it, would you go?
Of course you would.
Why?
Because you want the gift orout of respect and love for the
(15:57):
gift giver?
It should be because of who thegiver is.
When we allow people we love togive to us, we are allowing
them to express their lovetowards us in a way that brings
them joy and should bring youjoy and satisfaction as well.
When you don't attend churchfellowship, you are telling God
that he isn't worth it.
Not only do you not want thegift for the sake of the gift,
(16:22):
but you aren't even giving anythought to the pain you are
causing the giver.
Don't let that be you.
Instead, recognize that God hasgiven you everything you need
for life and godliness.
Go to Him and receive all thathe has given you, everything you
need for life and godliness.
Go to him and receive all thathe has for you.
His gifts are for you to liveyour life satisfied in him.
That's what you reject.
(16:44):
Whenever you choose somethingother than what God has created,
designed and gifted to you, askyourself do I really love God?
If you do, then show up andjoyfully receive what he has for
you, lest you miss thebridegroom's coming.
Listen to this in Matthew 25, 1to 10.
(17:06):
Then the kingdom of heaven willbe like 10 virgins who took
their lamps and went to meet thebridegroom.
Five of them were foolish andfive were wise, for when the
foolish took their lamps, theytook no oil with them, but the
wise took flasks of oil withtheir lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed,they all became drowsy and slept
(17:27):
.
But at midnight there was a cryhere is the bridegroom, come
out to meet him.
Then all those virgins rose andtrimmed their lamps and the
foolish said to the wise Give ussome of your oil, for our lamps
are going out.
But the wise answered sayingSince it will not be enough for
us and you go rather to thedealers and buy for yourselves.
And while they were going tobuy the bridegroom, came and
(17:49):
those who were ready went inwith him to the marriage feast
and the door was shut.
Afterward, the other virginscame also saying Lord, lord,
open to us.
But he answered Truly.
I say to you I do not know.
You Watch, therefore, for youknow neither the day nor the
hour.
Let's pray, father God, thankyou so much for your word.
(18:12):
Thank you for being so clear tous, god, that you love us so
much and you've gifted us andyou gave us a place to go, to be
in fellowship with our brothersand sisters in Christ, to be
equipped by the teachers and theevangelists.
You gave us the word throughthe apostles and prophets, god,
(18:33):
because you care for us and youwant us to know your heart and
your desire.
You want us to know the planthat you've put in place to
construct the church that we arenow, your holy temple in which
you live, and you have made usholy and you desire to glorify
yourself in us and through us.
Oh God, how amazing is that.
(18:53):
Priest, please touch the heartof our listeners today.
Help them to realize, god, thevalue that you have placed on
their lives.
I pray that you would convictthem that they would dedicate
their lives fully to you,knowing that you want nothing
but the best for them.
God, you are amazing and wethank you and we love you.
(19:18):
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
I want to thank you for joiningus today.
I hope this message helped youtake a step closer in your
relationship with Jesus and thatyou have a better understanding
of just how much God loves youand wants you to know him.
In our next episode we're goingto continue in chapter 2, as
Paul takes us from the method ofGod's constructing his church
(19:41):
to revealing the mystery thatlies behind it.
Throughout most of humanhistory, the church was hidden
behind the veil of God's wordand is now revealed to us
through the blood of Christ.
We are his bride and he laiddown his life for us, which he
planned to do from the beginningof time.
You and I are God's chosenpeople, whom he had planned to
redeem for his glory before thefoundation of the world was laid
(20:03):
.
This has been playing out fromthe beginning, and God will
bring his promises to completionwhen the fullness of time is up
.
Ephesians 1, 7-10.
In him we have redemption.
Through his blood, theforgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of hisgrace which he lavished upon us
in all wisdom and insight,making known to us the mystery
(20:26):
of his will, according to hispurpose, which he set forth in
Christ as a plan for thefullness of time to unite all
things in him, things in heavenand things on earth.
Before we go, I want toencourage you to visit us at
thetakeawayfaith.
On our website, you can sign upto receive email notifications
(20:47):
or send us a text message fromthe link provided in the
description of this episode.
We hope that you will use thispodcast as a resource to help
others and that you will send usa message, a word of
encouragement, or any questionsor comments, as we would love to
hear from you.
God bless, and we'll see younext time on the Takeaway.
Hello, welcome again to the Takeaway.
I'm your host, pastor HarryBehrens, and in today's episode
we're going to discuss how Godis constructing His church, or
carrying out His plan to redeemand equip those he has called to
accomplish His will.
In our last episode we lookedat the first part of chapter 2
and saw that we were dead in oursins and unable to save
ourselves.
God is the one calling andequipping us so that we live a
(00:23):
life glorifying Him, with thepromise that His joy would be
full in us.
He has brought you into arelationship where he desires to
commune with you and wants usto be fully satisfied in Him.
This is the opposite of the joywe searched for when we lived
for the world.
That joy was fleeting and neversatisfied us.
It leaves us desperate forgenuine relationships, which are
(00:43):
only found in the churchsetting not a church building,
but in church people, as we willsee in today's message God has
gifted to the church leaders whoare for the equipping of the
saints.
Leaders are to pray for, teach,feed and care for the flock
until Christ returns for them.
If this isn't the environmentyou are currently in, I highly
(01:03):
suggest you start looking for afellowship that has these
characteristics, as the Lorddesires that his sheep be well
cared for, anything less is notfrom him or for him.
John, 21, 15-17.
When they had finishedbreakfast, jesus said to Simon
Peter Simon, son of John, do youlove me more than these?
(01:26):
He said to him yes, lord, youknow that I love you.
He said to him feed my lambs.
He said to him a second timeSimon, son of John, do you love
me?
He said to him yes, lord, youknow that I love you.
He said to him tend my sheep.
(01:54):
He said to him a third timeSimon, leaders should feed, care
for and love the flock.
Well, jesus told Peter thatleaders should feed, care for
and love the flock.
Well, paul understood this aswell, as we see in 2 Corinthians
(02:14):
, 11, 2, verses 2 and 3.
For I feel divine jealousy foryou, since I betrothed you to
one husband to present you as apure virgin to Christ.
I would strongly recommend that,if you are part of a church
(02:34):
without supportive leaders, youconsider finding a new community
.
It's important to be in a placewhere you can grow and become
all that you are meant to be.
Unfortunately, many churchestoday are focused on using
people to further their owngoals without taking the time to
support individuals in findingand fulfilling their own
callings.
Remember, church leaders aremeant to empower and support the
(02:55):
members of the church, not theother way around.
Jesus paid the ultimate pricefor the church so that we would
no longer be separated from himor each other.
Paul reminds us in these versesthat we were once separated from
God, having no hope in thisworld, and that we should
recognize that a great price waspaid for us to become a part of
God's family.
Ephesians 2, 11-12.
(03:18):
Therefore, remember that at onetime, you, gentiles in the
flesh, called the uncircumcisionby what is called the
circumcision, which is made inthe flesh by hands.
Remember that you were at thattime separated from Christ,
alienated from the commonwealthof Israel and strangers to the
covenants of promise, having nohope and without God in the
(03:39):
world.
The Jews are the circumcisedand they were meant to be a
light unto the Gentiles.
Instead, they became proud asif they were the only people God
cared about.
Interestingly, god fulfilledhis promise to bring the light
to the Gentiles through hischosen people, israel through
Jesus.
Isaiah 49.3.
It is too small a thing for youto be my servant to restore the
(04:02):
tribes of Jacob and bring backthose of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a lightfor the Gentiles, that my
salvation may reach to the endsof the earth.
In the Gospel of Luke, theidentity of the servant, the
king and the Messiah is revealedin reference to the passage in
Isaiah, luke 2, 25-32.
Now there was a man inJerusalem whose name was Simeon,
(04:24):
and this man was righteous anddevout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel, and theHoly Spirit was upon him, and it
had been revealed to him by theHoly Spirit that he would not
see death before he had seen theLord's Christ.
And he came, in the Spirit,into the temple and when the
parents brought the child Jesusto do for him according to the
custom of the law, he took himup in his arms and blessed God
(04:46):
and said Lord, now you areletting your servant depart in
peace According to your word,for my eyes have seen your
salvation that you have preparedin the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to theGentiles and for your glory to
your people.
Israel, according to Simeon,under the influence of the Holy
(05:09):
Spirit, said that Jesus is thefulfillment of the promise to
bring glory to Israel and toshine as a light to the Gentiles
.
It's important to recognizethat when God makes a promise,
whether to an individual or anation, he will ensure that it
is fulfilled, even if thoseentrusted with the promise fail.
(05:29):
Despite Israel's inability tolive up to its intended purpose
and God's promises, he broughtforth the Messiah from the
lineage of Israel to fulfill thepromise himself and bring light
to the Gentiles.
Nothing and no one can hinderthe fulfillment of God's word.
This pattern is evidentthroughout scripture, such as in
the life of Abraham.
(05:49):
Despite the long wait andapparent impossibility, god
fulfilled his promise to Abrahamof a great nation coming from
his seed through Sarah, as hehad originally intended.
God often makes us wait for thefulfillment of his word in
seemingly impossible situations,so that we can be assured that
it is indeed from him.
Genesis 17, 15-19.
(06:11):
And God said to Abraham as forSarai, your wife, you shall not
call her name Sarai, but Sarahshall be her name.
I will bless her and, moreover,I will give you a son by her.
I will bless her and she shallbecome.
She shall become nations, kingsof peoples shall come from her.
Then Abraham fell on his faceand laughed and said to himself
(06:34):
Shall a child be born to a manwho is a hundred years old.
Shall Sarah, who is ninetyyears old, bear a child?
And Abraham said to God, oh,that Ishmael might live before
you.
God said no.
But Sarah, your wife, shallbear you a son, and you shall
call his name Isaac.
I will establish my covenantwith him as an everlasting
covenant for his offspring afterhim, moving on to Ephesians,
(06:59):
chapter 2, verses 13 to 16.
But now, in Christ Jesus, youwho once were far off have been
brought near by the blood ofChrist, for he himself is our
peace.
Who has made us both one hasbroken down in the flesh the
dividing wall of hostility, byabolishing the law of
commandments expressed inordinances, that he might create
(07:20):
in himself one new man in placeof the two, so making peace,
and might reconcile us both toGod in one body through the
cross, thereby killing thehostility.
Romans 10, 12-13 says, forthere is no distinction between
Jew and Greek, for the same Lordis Lord of all, bestowing his
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riches on all who call on him.
For everyone who calls in thename of the Lord, it will be
saved.
This is not to say that Israelhas no place with God anymore as
a nation.
That is not what this is sayingor what I am saying.
It talks about salvation thathas come now to the Gentiles in
the same manner, and we bothhave access to God.
The nation of Israel is stillto this day, regardless of what
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some will say, god's chosenpeople, whom he has promised to
reveal himself.
That was not completed at thecross.
If we look at the book ofDaniel, we can see that God has
an eternal plan for Israel andthey have a specific role before
God.
The book of Revelation talksabout the tribulation period,
which is the accomplishment ofwhat Daniel says.
Listen to this Daniel 9, 24.
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70 weeks are decreed about yourpeople and your holy city to
finish the transgression, to putan end to sin and to atone for
inequity, to bring ineverlasting righteousness, to
seal both vision and prophet andto anoint a most holy place.
For more on this topic, I wouldsuggest you listen to episode
(08:44):
11, titled Review of BibleProphecy, found in my Revelation
study.
At thetakeawayfaith.
I spent a great deal of timediscussing this topic and how
Israel is God's chosen people towhom he made promises, and they
will be fulfilled.
The church has not in any way,shape or form replaced Israel.
I can't stress this enough theidea of replacement theology is
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from the devil.
This causes hatred towards theJews and has no place within the
church.
Instead, we are to bless theJews and be a light unto them,
as they were supposed to be untous.
Someday they will be graftedback in, and Scripture says that
will happen at the end of thetime of the Gentiles.
Genesis 12, 3 says I will blessthose who bless you, and him who
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dishonors you I will curse.
And in you all the families ofthe earth will be blessed.
Romans 11, 23-24 says and eventhey, if they do not continue in
their unbelief, will be graftedin.
For God has the power to graftthem in again.
For if you were cut from whatis by nature a wild olive tree
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and grafted, contrary to nature,into a cultivated olive tree,
moving on to Ephesians spirit tothe Father, so then you are no
longer strangers and aliens, butyou are fellow citizens, with
the saints and members of thehousehold of God, built on the
foundation of the apostles andprophets, christ Jesus himself
being the cornerstone, in whomthe whole structure, being
joined together, grows into aholy temple in the Lord.
(10:26):
In him, you also are beingbuilt together into a dwelling
place for God by the Spirit.
What does it mean?
That we are being joinedtogether.
It means that there's nodifference between one Christian
and another, or a Jew and aChristian who have put their
faith in Christ.
Anyone who believes in Jesus isone with him, and we are one
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with them.
We are all one family beingbuilt on the teachings of God's
word given to us through theapostles, prophets and teachers.
What's important here is thatyou understand that you and I
are the temple of the living God.
He lives in us and because ofthat we are holy.
It's not about what we do, butabout who lives in us.
The problem is that most of useither don't realize this or
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care.
We go about our livescomplaining about life and never
being satisfied with God.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians thatthis shouldn't be the case and
instead we should be focused oncaring for ourselves and others,
as the priests cared for thetemple.
Let's look at 1 Corinthians 3,1-23.
But I, brothers, could notaddress you as spiritual people,
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but as people of the flesh, asinfants in Christ.
I fed you with milk, not solidfood, for you were not ready for
it, and even now you are notready, for you are still the
flesh.
For while there is stilljealousy and strife among you,
are you not of the flesh andbehaving only in a human way?
For when one says I follow Pauland another I follow Apollos,
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are you not being merely human?
What then is Apollos?
What is Paul?
Servants, through whom youbelieved as the Lord assigned to
each?
I planted, apollos watered, butGod gave the growth.
So neither he who plants nor hewho waters is anything but only
God who gives the growth, norhe who waters is anything but
only God who gives the growth.
He who plants and he who watersare one, and each will receive
(12:16):
his wages according to his labor, for we are God's fellow
workers.
You are God's field, god'sbuilding.
According to the grace of Godgiven to me, like a skilled
master builder, I laid afoundation and someone else is
building upon it.
Let each one take care how hebuilds upon it, for no one can
lay a foundation other than thatwhich is laid, which is Jesus
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Christ.
Now, if anyone builds on thefoundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay,straw, each one's work will
become manifest, for the daywill disclose it, because it
will be revealed by fire, andthe fire will test what sort of
work each one of us has done.
If the work that anyone hasbuilt on the foundation survives
, he will receive a reward.
(12:59):
If anyone's work is burned up,he will suffer loss, though he
himself will be saved, but onlyas through fire.
Do you not know that you areGod's temple and that God's
spirit dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God's temple, god will destroy him, for
God's temple is holy and you arethat temple.
(13:20):
Let no one deceive himself.
If anyone among you thinks thathe is wise in this age, let him
become a fool that he maybecome wise, for the wisdom of
this world is folly with God,for it is written, he catches
the wise in their craftiness,and again, the Lord knows the
thoughts of the wise that theyare futile.
So let no one boast in men, forall things are yours, whether
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Paul or Apollos or Cephas, orthe world, or life or death, or
the present or the future.
All are yours and you areChrist's and Christ is God's.
2 Corinthians 6, 14-18.
So then, you are no longerstrangers and aliens, but you
are fellow citizens with thesaints and are God's household,
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having been built on thefoundation of the apostles and
prophets, christ Jesus himselfbeing the cornerstone, in whom
the whole building, being fittedtogether, is growing into a
holy temple in the Lord.
1 Peter 2.5,.
You also, as living stones, arebeing built up as a spiritual
house for a holy priesthood tooffer up spiritual sacrifices
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acceptable to God through JesusChrist.
Understanding that your body isGod's holy temple should change
your perspective on how youtreat yourself and others.
You are no longer to beconcerned with the things of
this world and instead youshould be focused on cleaning
your house up so that you areready for the day that you are
presented to the Lord.
The best way to start doingthis is to get into a Bible
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teaching church family withleaders who care about you and
your growth, as Paul does.
In our next episode, we willlook deeper at the leaders God
gave to the church and for whatpurpose they were placed there.
So many people take it forgranted that these were gifted
for your sake, not theirs.
They are God's gift to you, andso many of us only go to church
(15:13):
when it suits us, usually whenwe don't have anything better to
do.
The problem with thatperspective is you don't
recognize the giver or the gift.
You probably view church assomething others want you to do
to help them fulfill theirministry.
This couldn't be further fromthe truth, as they are there to
help you with your ministry.
You need to reset your mindsettoday and ask yourself what's
(15:35):
better than a gift from God?
What could you possibly wantfrom anyone or anything else
that's better than what he hasfor you?
If your wife, husband, mom ordad said they had a gift for you
and that you had to show up toget it, would you go?
Of course you would.
Why?
Because you want the gift orout of respect and love for the
(15:57):
gift giver?
It should be because of who thegiver is.
When we allow people we love togive to us, we are allowing
them to express their lovetowards us in a way that brings
them joy and should bring youjoy and satisfaction as well.
When you don't attend churchfellowship, you are telling God
that he isn't worth it.
Not only do you not want thegift for the sake of the gift,
(16:22):
but you aren't even giving anythought to the pain you are
causing the giver.
Don't let that be you.
Instead, recognize that God hasgiven you everything you need
for life and godliness.
Go to Him and receive all thathe has given you, everything you
need for life and godliness.
Go to him and receive all thathe has for you.
His gifts are for you to liveyour life satisfied in him.
That's what you reject.
(16:44):
Whenever you choose somethingother than what God has created,
designed and gifted to you, askyourself do I really love God?
If you do, then show up andjoyfully receive what he has for
you, lest you miss thebridegroom's coming.
Listen to this in Matthew 25, 1to 10.
(17:06):
Then the kingdom of heaven willbe like 10 virgins who took
their lamps and went to meet thebridegroom.
Five of them were foolish andfive were wise, for when the
foolish took their lamps, theytook no oil with them, but the
wise took flasks of oil withtheir lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed,they all became drowsy and slept
(17:27):
.
But at midnight there was a cryhere is the bridegroom, come
out to meet him.
Then all those virgins rose andtrimmed their lamps and the
foolish said to the wise Give ussome of your oil, for our lamps
are going out.
But the wise answered sayingSince it will not be enough for
us and you go rather to thedealers and buy for yourselves.
And while they were going tobuy the bridegroom, came and
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those who were ready went inwith him to the marriage feast
and the door was shut.
Afterward, the other virginscame also saying Lord, lord,
open to us.
But he answered Truly.
I say to you I do not know.
You Watch, therefore, for youknow neither the day nor the
hour.
Let's pray, father God, thankyou so much for your word.
(18:12):
Thank you for being so clear tous, god, that you love us so
much and you've gifted us andyou gave us a place to go, to be
in fellowship with our brothersand sisters in Christ, to be
equipped by the teachers and theevangelists.
You gave us the word throughthe apostles and prophets, god,
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because you care for us and youwant us to know your heart and
your desire.
You want us to know the planthat you've put in place to
construct the church that we arenow, your holy temple in which
you live, and you have made usholy and you desire to glorify
yourself in us and through us.
Oh God, how amazing is that.
(18:53):
Priest, please touch the heartof our listeners today.
Help them to realize, god, thevalue that you have placed on
their lives.
I pray that you would convictthem that they would dedicate
their lives fully to you,knowing that you want nothing
but the best for them.
God, you are amazing and wethank you and we love you.
(19:18):
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
I want to thank you for joiningus today.
I hope this message helped youtake a step closer in your
relationship with Jesus and thatyou have a better understanding
of just how much God loves youand wants you to know him.
In our next episode we're goingto continue in chapter 2, as
Paul takes us from the method ofGod's constructing his church
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to revealing the mystery thatlies behind it.
Throughout most of humanhistory, the church was hidden
behind the veil of God's wordand is now revealed to us
through the blood of Christ.
We are his bride and he laiddown his life for us, which he
planned to do from the beginningof time.
You and I are God's chosenpeople, whom he had planned to
redeem for his glory before thefoundation of the world was laid
(20:03):
.
This has been playing out fromthe beginning, and God will
bring his promises to completionwhen the fullness of time is up
.
Ephesians 1, 7-10.
In him we have redemption.
Through his blood, theforgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of hisgrace which he lavished upon us
in all wisdom and insight,making known to us the mystery
(20:26):
of his will, according to hispurpose, which he set forth in
Christ as a plan for thefullness of time to unite all
things in him, things in heavenand things on earth.
Before we go, I want toencourage you to visit us at
thetakeawayfaith.
On our website, you can sign upto receive email notifications
(20:47):
or send us a text message fromthe link provided in the
description of this episode.
We hope that you will use thispodcast as a resource to help
others and that you will send usa message, a word of
encouragement, or any questionsor comments, as we would love to
hear from you.
God bless, and we'll see younext time on the Takeaway.
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