Summary Handouts

Ephesians: Sit, Walk, Stand!

Sit means to depend fully on Christ and rest in Him.  Your

identity is wrapped up in being an adopted child of God.

Walk means to live out that identity.  Walk worthy of your

high calling.

Stand means to hold your ground against forces of evil.

Sit, Ephesians 1-3

At one time you used to be dead.  Like a zombie, you were the walking dead, until God intervened.  In great love, rich mercy, and very generous grace (undeserved kindness) you were made alive.  You have Christ’s resurrected life in you right now.

In addition, you were an “outsider” in a very substantive way.  You didn’t have God’s revelation of Himself, and thus, you had no future and no hope.  But God brought the “outsiders” in, bridging the gap of separation by the blood of Christ.  Christ’s blood united you with God (vertically), and with all other Christians (horizontally).  Christ’s blood reconciled imperfect, still sinful, people to God and others. Hostility was put to death by the cross. No barrier is more significant than the blood of Christ that unites you, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.  We have peace and friendship with God and all believers in Christ.  You are united and connected more than you may know or feel. Furthermore, we are being built into a holy temple, a place where people meet God.  God lives in you by His Spirit.

In Christ, believers are blessed, chosen (wanted & valued), predestined, adopted in love, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, given an inheritance, sealed with the Holy Spirit’s guarantee, and assured.  You have been freed (redeemed/ransomed) from sins bondage.  You have a restored (reconciled) relationship with God.  You can know God personally and intimately.  The Holy Spirit is at work in your life right now, Ephesians 3:20, and He can do immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine.  In other words, you were adopted into God’s family, you’re His workmanship, and written into the story of God’s grand plan for our world and the cosmos.

God is mending and putting everything back in its right place.  He is reconciling and uniting estranged people and all things under Christ so that all things praise God.  We live for something and Someone far greater than ourselves!  And, we have the resources of Christ’s incomparably great power to battle evil that would side track us from our purpose.

Spiritual beings (God – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, Satan, good angels, and bad, fallen angels) inhabit the heavenly realm.  And, because we are in Christ and Christ is seated at His Father’s right hand, in some way we are also seated with Christ “up there” in the heavenlies.  The church, gathered Christians, makes God’s wisdom and glory known to these spiritual beings in the heavenly realms. And, the church will be revealing God’s glory throughout all generations and into eternity.  The church has unparalleled importance.

All of these things come from a God whose core character is love, 1 John 4:16.  As we come to know God deeply and intimately, we will experience His self-giving, serving love!

Sit, rest, soak in these truths that speak of who you are because of what Christ has done.  Come freely and confidently into God’s presence.  Try to grasp the scope of Christ’s love for you!

Engraved On Your Heart, Exodus 20:1-17

Love God, Matthew 22:37

1. Love the one true God with all your heart, soul, and mind, Deuteronomy 6:5!  God is personal, relational, unlike any other, and God is for you, Romans 8:31-32.

2. Don’t settle for a counterfeit, a worthless substitute, of God.  God’s best for us is Himself, Isaiah 6:1-5! Anything, or anyone, more important than God is an idol, Exodus 34:13-14.

3. Honor and reverence, in words and actions, God’s name – all that He stands for, Philippians 2:9-11.  If you’re a Christian you bear the same family name,  2 Chronicles 7:14; Romans 8:16-17.

4. Every week, have a day of God-centered rest.  Rest does not exclude acts of kindness, Mark 3:3-5.  God has a reasonable claim on your time.

Love Others, Matthew 22:39

5. Loving others starts at home with children honoring and obeying parents, and parents loving and respecting their children, and teaching the next generation to love God, Ephesians 6:1- 4.  Honor authority – it’s God given, Romans 13:1.

6. Value life. Life is a gift from God, Acts 17:24-25, and  all people are made in God’s image, Genesis 9:6.  Don’t murder with a weapon, with slander, with anger in your  heart, or by withholding the basics for life, Matthew 5:22-24; 25:42-43; Psalm 139:13-16.  Value people!

7.     Protect what’s beautiful and guard what you care about.  Keep the joy of sexual intimacy in marriage, between a man and a woman,       1 Corinthians 7:2-5. Marriage is the context for the full expression of our sexuality, Ephesians 5:3; Matthew 5:28

8. Three principles help us understand the 8^th command to not steal.  One, God owns all property and people, Psalm 24:1. Two, gain property by honest means, Exodus 20:15. Three, be a good steward of all you have been entrusted with, Malachi 3:8.  Be honest and unselfish in all            your dealings with others…including God.

9. Be truthful in all of life, because God is all about truth, Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18.  Avoid lies, respect private matters, speak well of others, and speak out against evil.   

10. Coveting is an inordinate desire, a passion, for something you do not have.  The alternative to coveting is contentment.  Contentment is being satisfied with what we have and grateful to God for His provision, Philippians 4:12-13.

To listen to sermons on these commandments go to:  www.TustinCPC.com and click on the “Sermons–Tools” tab.

The Limit of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is essential to all healthy relationships, and is the ultimate expression of love.  Forgiveness means to erase an offense and no longer hold that offense/hurt against the offender.  Forgive from your heart (Matthew 18:35), mean it.  When you forgive you:  1. Resist revenge and returning evil for evil, (Romans 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:15), 2. Desire good for them and are willing to help them, (Luke 6:28; Proverbs 24:17; Matthew 5:44; Exodus 23:4), and 3. Seek to restore the relationship, if possible, (Romans 12:18).  Forgiveness is Not:   1. The absence of anger at sin, (1 Peter 2:23; Psalms 30:5), 2. The removal of the consequences, necessarily, (2 Samuel 12:9-13; Psalms 99:8), and 3. The same for a repentant person versus an unrepentant person, (Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 18:17).  A restored relationship can happen only when the offender is repentant.  An unrepentant person will sabotage trust and intimacy.  The word limit means the “point where something ends.” Where does forgiveness come to an end?  Whatever you think the limit is, Jesus pushes the envelope and stretches us.  We  are challenged to love, in a meaningful way, difficult, hateful, cruel, greedy, selfish, unkind, and even wicked people (Luke 6:27-36).  Jesus’ logic is anyone can be nice to nice people, but He expects much more from His followers.  If you have received and experienced God’s forgiveness, you will forgive others (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Mark 11:25-26).

How can we forgive and love difficult/hurtful people?

#1  Look Inward  at how much Christ has forgiven you. Connecting forgiveness and love together, Jesus said, “…he who has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47b).  The more you have been forgiven, the greater your capacity to love will be.

#2 Look Upward to God’s example.  He is kind to ungrateful, wicked people.  “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36).  We’re challenged to be like God!

#3  Let gratitude in your heart motivate you to more easily forgive others.  #4  If you cannot forget the hurt done to you, also remember your decision to forgive.  God modeled forgiveness when, in love, He sent Jesus to earth (John 3:16-17).  Jesus gave His life in order to forgive us (Matthew 26:28; Romans 10:13).  Jesus’ forgiveness is so radical He even asked His Father to forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34)!  Forgiveness isn’t justice, it’s mercy.  The people who crucified Jesus didn’t deserve it, but He gave it just the same.  Relationships thrive when the person that was hurt extends mercy, grace and forgiveness (Romans 5:20).  Christians are not challenged to only be nice to nice people, they are called to be like God.  Healthy relationships thrive amid mercy, grace and forgiveness!

James chapter 5, Summary

What does it take for you and me to live with contentment? How much is enough?  For the Apostle Paul, food and clothing was enough (1 Timothy 6:6-10).  Being a Christian with money is a huge responsibility.  Just living a respectable life is not enough. God wants more from us.  He wants us to use our money for good, for others, and for God.  Paul said God gave him the strength to live contentedly (Philippians 4:12-13) regardless of the circumstances.  Pastor David Roper said, “Our task today is just to accept things as they are and to be content, knowing that in the love, wisdom, and providence of God this moment is as good as it can possibly be.”

When you’ve been mistreated, James says, be patient, wait in calm, show self-restraint instead of getting even.  Be patient because the Lord’s return is near (James 5:8).  While we wait we can develop the “quieter virtues” of submission, humility, patience, joyful endurance, and persistence in well-doing.  Your struggle and suffering is not meaningless, every millisecond is shaping you (2 Corinthians 4:17).  Wait persistently for your compassionate and merciful God to act.  His coming is near.  Endure until He comes. Christians should maintain a high standard for truthfulness in all their speech.  The face-value of their words should be trustworthy. If a Christian is sick or weak (in body, mind or spirit), they can ask church Elders and leaders for prayer and anointing with oil for healing, forgiveness and wholeness.  God, in His sovereignty, decides how He will respond, but spiritual wholeness should be our highest desire. Anointing and prayer for healing isn’t magic, it’s an act of obedience and faith in God.

Are we our brothers’ (and sisters’) keeper?  Are we to keep track of each other?  Yes!  If someone wanders from the Christian faith, and is not actively living for Christ, seek them out.  Help them come back to the truth.  The stakes are high because you are saving them from eternal spiritual death.  With an attitude of love (1 Peter 4:8), gentleness, andhumility (Galatians 6:1), ask them some probing questions.

1.   What do you mean by that?  Seek to understand them and get their perspective.

2. Where do you get your information?Is it fact or opinion?
3. How do they know that’s true?In a kind way you’re asking them why you should believe them.

4. What if you’re wrong?Some issues and beliefs have lasting impact, especially our beliefs about God.

Use these questions to spark meaningful conversations!

James chapter 4, Summary

We all have battling desires within ourselves, especially the desire for happiness.  Those desires aren’t necessarily wrong, it’s how we satisfy those longings that is the key.  Only God can satisfy those deepest longings and desires.  We’re commanded to delight in the LORD (Psalms 37:4).  We can be filled with joy in His presence (Psalms 16:11).  Humble yourself and submit to God. Depend on Him.  Like a soldier submitting , “lining up under”, a commanding officer – submit to God.  Don’t settle for 2^nd best.  Don’t settle for lesser pleasures.  Who are you serving today?  Is Christ the dominant theme of your life?  Please don’t settle for 2^nd best!

James emphasizes not leaving God out of our lives.  Satisfy the internal tug-o-war of passions and desires with God and His good plans for your life.  Moreover, in our relationships with others, don’t pass judgment on them.  Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).  Let God be the judge of your neighbor.  And finally, in our own life, as we plan and set goals, submit all of them to God.  A practical atheist plans as if God doesn’t exist.  Live your life for God.  He knows and controls the future.  Don’t leave Him out of anything!

James chapter 3, Summary

Likely the most dangerous weapon we all have is our tongue, our speech.  The Bible describes it as a sword, a deadly poison and fire – having the power of life and death.  How do we control our tongue?  1) The ingredients for our speech come from within ourselves, so focus on your inner life, the source of those words, (Matthew 12:34-35).  Store up true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy things on the shelves of your heart.  2)  Think before you speak, and ask “Is it true? Is it needful? and, Is it kind?”

What do you think of when you think of wisdom?  A bearded old man?  How about someone doing a kind deed?  Wisdom, according to James, is seen in a good life and humble deeds (James 3:13).  The overall character of a wise person is humble (strength under control), pure (able to bear God’s scrutiny), peace-loving (healing physicians not executioners), considerate (they exercise patience and love’s leniency), submissive (willing to yield to reason, open to instruction), full of mercy (always ready to help), impartial (they don’t discriminate), and sincere (not acting or pretending).  True wisdom is seen in a good life and humble deeds.

James chapter 2, Summary

Since God does not show favoritism, partiality or prejudice, it follows that believers in the same Lord should not either.  Don’t judge people on superficial matters.

This does not mean Christians cannot judge people in any way, but we go about judging very carefully (2 Chronicles 19:6-7; Matthew 7:1-5).  Judge with care, shrewdness perhaps, the fear of God, self-examining humility, gentleness, love and mercy. In judging know:  1. Our ability to judge is limited; 2. We will sometimes be wrong; and 3. We will be judged some day.  If you are not able to put the effort and introspection into judging properly (Galatians 6:1), then don’t judge at all.

The early church was made up largely of non-influential, lowly, poor people.  Those who matter to no one else matter a great deal to God.  Yet, the rich were discriminating against the poor.  James writes, the poor are rich in faith as God’s children. Furthermore, God’s identity is on them (James 2:7).  When the poor were being insulted it was like God was being slandered/blasphemed.

John Calvin said, “Faith alone can save but saving faith is   never alone.”  Faith with works is like breath to a living person, it’s not something extra.  Faith lived out shows God we mean what we say, it shows others a witness, and it shows Christians an example.  How much “faith lived out” is enough?  To answer this: 1. Start with prayer.  2. Know there is sacrifice, and also 3. There is rest.  4. Compassion pushes us to do more.  5. It’s important to have a sustainable rhythm. And, 6. Always obey God’s leading. What “never alone” faith looks like is up to each of us to answer.

Living, breathing faith always shows evidence. Living faith involves all of life, every hour of every day. It’s complete openness to God, a readiness to let God have His way in us. Living faith is when we withdraw our resistance to His will. Try it. Surrender completely to God.

James chapter 1, Summary

James, likely Jesus’ brother, sees himself as a willing, bond-servant of Jesus.  He loves Jesus as his Lord and Master.  James writes to Christians who have been scattered by persecution, and he tells them to consider it pure joy as they face various trials.  These trials can mature and complete their faith, and tested faith produces an integrated faith.  We become one person (not double-minded with a double-allegiance).  Today, without testing, we can live a trivial life.  Suffering and hardship force us to discover a deeper and more meaningful life.

James addresses the inequities between rich and poor.  To the poor he writes they have high standing as children of God.  To the rich he writes they need to remember their frailty and the brevity of life.  Which are you?  From a global perspective, if you make $32,400/year you are in the top 1%!  Don’t be tricked into thinking your value and self-esteem, and God’s goodness and love to you are somehow connected to how much money you have (or don’t have).  If you pass the various tests Christians face, you will receive the crown of God’s approval.  The best is yet to come!

How do we deal with temptations?  In preparation:  1. Fill up yourself with godly things; 2. Avoid tempting situations; 3. Die to yourself; 4. Pray for help; 5. Nurture a close Christian friend; and 6. Anticipate tempting situations. In resisting temptations:  1. Flee, run; 2. When in doubt, don’t do it; 3. Pray for strength; 4. Resist with the Bible; 5. Friends pray for us; and 6. Restore gently.  There are specific things you can do if you want to.  Who’s will do you follow?  God had your best interest in mind.  Trust Him!

To persecuted Christians, James writes, “every good and perfect gift is from above.”  God’s gifts to us are only good, even the challenging and difficult ones.  God’s gifts are also perfect, exactly what we need for our maturity, to shave off the rough edges of our character.  Every good and perfect gift comes from an unchangeably good God.  Sometimes God’s goodness is questioned because of all the bad in our world.  But, if God were to eliminate everything bad, that would involve getting rid of us, because none of us is perfectly good.  Instead of eliminating us, God chose to offer us forgiveness in Jesus as a gift.  God is better than we can imagine, and He wants the very best for us!

God wants us to humbly accept the word (the Bible) planted in our life.  Listen and allow God to speak to you.  Restrain your anger that can close your mind to God.  Take decisive action against weeds that crowd out God’s word.  A transformed person has a new outlook and new priorities.  Everything looks different, even if it stays the same.

God’s revealed truth (the Bible) comes to us with power to change us.  Don’t just listen to God’s words, do them.  Pure and faultless faith in Jesus includes both public compassion and private purity!

Dealing With Temptation

Preparation for Temptation:

1. Fill up yourself with godly things, Philippians 4:8.
2. Avoid tempting situations, Proverbs 4:14-15.
3. Die to yourself, Galatians 2:20.
4. Pray for help, Ephesians 6:18.
5. Nurture a close Christian friend, Hebrews 3:12-14.
6. Anticipate tempting situations, 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Resisting Temptation:

1. Flee, run, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
2. When in doubt, don’t do it, Romans 14:23.
3. Pray for strength, Hebrews 2:18.
4. Resist with the Bible, Matthew 4:1-11.
5. Friends pray for us, Ephesians 6:18.
6. Restore gently, Galatians 6:1-2.

 Love One Another  John 13:34

We are commanded to love one another.  This is not a suggestion.  Jesus wills for His followers to love each other through thick and thin.  Christian love can push through revenge, deep hurt, betrayal, hypocrisy and selfishness.

Dietrich Bonnhoeffer, in Life Together, reminds us:  “He who loves his dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter…”  We are to love a very imperfect church.

Jesus’ pattern for love is doing practical, helpful, deeds  of service.  The power to love comes from staying close to and connected to Jesus (John 15).  And, just having the power to love doesn’t mean it’s easy to love.  Loving Christians in unhappy, ugly circumstances is difficult, but  that’s God’s will for us – to love one another.

Followers of Jesus love in humble, obedient, servant-like ways (Philippians 2:5-8).  Loving one another means we love imperfect, sinful people in the midst of their sin  (1 Peter 4:8).  The church that loves this way can tolerate more differences and forgive more wrongs (Luke 23:34).  It will be a community noted for hospitality, warmth and kindness.  The cause of Christ is advanced when we love each  other deeply.

      The Bible describes love this way in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

1. Love is patient, long-suffering, rather than getting angry or acting without considering others.
2. Love is kind and shows undeserved generosity.
3. Love rejoices when the truth of a matter prevails.
4. Love bears up under anything and everything. It covers sin using discretion (1 Peter 4:8).
5. Love always trusts – giving the most favorable interpretation the truth will allow.  Love is not overly suspicious. It believes the best of others.
6. Love always hopes even against probabilities.
7. Love perseveres – never gives up on people or circumstances.
8. Love refuses to be jealous, is not self-promoting.
9. Love doesn’t boast as if “I don’t need you.”
10. Love is not arrogant/proud with inflated thoughts of it’s own importance.
11. Love is not rude, and doesn’t dishonor others.
12. Love is not self-seeking – no “me first” attitude.
13. Love is not easily angered by resentment, not touchy.
14. Love doesn’t keep score of wrongs, willing to forgive.
15. Love isn’t glad when others go wrong.

To love this way requires dying to our selfish self.

Go the extra mile:  Lower your expectations of others’ behavior and raise the standard for yourself!