Unity in Christ: Preparing for His Return

Devotional

Day 1: The Eternal Voice of Scripture

The Bible is not merely a historical document; it is a living testament that speaks to every generation. Its truths are eternal, transcending time and history, and addressing both personal and collective experiences. As we reflect on Ephesians 4:13, we are reminded of the unity and purpose God has for His church. The Scriptures guide us in understanding God's unchanging plan and purpose, offering wisdom and direction in our lives. In a world that constantly changes, the Bible remains a steadfast source of truth and guidance. [01:24]

Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize the study of Scripture in your daily routine to better understand God's eternal truths?

Day 2: The Church's Unwavering Mission

The church is called to proclaim the biblical message with authority, guided by Scripture rather than human philosophies or societal trends. It must resist the temptation to conform to the world's expectations and instead focus on spiritual preparation for Christ's return. The church's mission is not to engage in political discourse or act as an extension of the state but to remain steadfast in its commitment to the Gospel centered on Jesus Christ. This mission involves preparing its members to be the bride of Christ, ready for His return. [05:24]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How can you contribute to your church's mission of proclaiming the Gospel with authority in your community?

Day 3: Christ at the Center

God's plan centers on Jesus Christ, and the church's message must be delivered in terms of Him. Any message not centered on Christ is not truly Christian, as all of God's dealings with humanity are through Him. The church is called to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for God's purposes. Our message to the world is one of repentance and faith in Christ, for outside of Him, there is no hope. As we navigate the complexities of the world, we must keep our eyes fixed on the eternal kingdom and our role within it. [15:23]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that Christ remains at the center of your life and decisions?

Day 4: A Distinct and Holy People

The church is called to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for God's purposes. Our message to the world is one of repentance and faith in Christ, for outside of Him, there is no hope. As we navigate the complexities of the world, we must keep our eyes fixed on the eternal kingdom and our role within it. The church's distinctiveness is not about isolation but about being a light in the world, reflecting God's love and truth to those around us. [19:52]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV): "But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you live out your calling to be distinct and holy in your daily interactions with others?

Day 5: Preparing for Christ's Return

The ultimate goal is the perfecting of the saints, preparing them to be the bride of Christ. As we navigate the world's complexities, we must focus on our role within God's eternal kingdom, readying ourselves for the day when Christ will return. This preparation involves spiritual growth, maturity, and a deepening relationship with Christ. It is a journey of faith, marked by repentance, obedience, and a commitment to living according to God's will. [27:49]

2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God."

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to prepare yourself spiritually for Christ's return?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound message found in Ephesians 4:13, focusing on the phrase "till we all come." This passage serves as a reminder of the unity and purpose that God has for His church, emphasizing the timeless relevance of Scripture. As we gather on Armistice or Remembrance Sunday, it's crucial to remember that the truths of the Bible are eternal and always applicable, transcending the boundaries of time and history. The Scriptures are not just historical documents; they are living words that speak to every generation, addressing both personal and collective experiences.

One of the greatest challenges facing the church today is the tendency to compartmentalize the Gospel, viewing it solely through a personal lens and neglecting its broader implications. While personal salvation is vital, we must not forget that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire world. The church's mission is not to conform to the world's expectations but to proclaim the biblical message with authority, guided by the Scriptures rather than human philosophies or societal trends.

The church must resist the temptation to tailor its message to please the world. Instead, it should remain steadfast in its commitment to the Gospel, which is centered on Jesus Christ. The church's role is not to act as a mere extension of the state or to engage in political discourse but to focus on the spiritual preparation of its members for the return of Christ. The ultimate goal is the perfecting of the saints, preparing them to be the bride of Christ, ready for His return.

God's plan is unfolding according to His divine timing, and it centers on Jesus Christ. The church is called to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for God's purposes. Our message to the world is one of repentance and faith in Christ, for outside of Him, there is no hope. As we navigate the complexities of the world, let us keep our eyes fixed on the eternal kingdom and our role within it, preparing ourselves for the glorious day when Christ will return to claim His bride.

Key Takeaways

1. Timeless Relevance of Scripture: The Bible speaks eternal truths that are always relevant, transcending time and history. It addresses both personal and collective experiences, reminding us of God's unchanging plan and purpose. [01:24]
2. The Church's Mission: The church must not conform to the world's expectations but proclaim the biblical message with authority. It should be guided by Scripture, not human philosophies or societal trends, focusing on spiritual preparation for Christ's return. [05:24]
3. Centrality of Christ: God's plan centers on Jesus Christ, and the church's message must be delivered in terms of Him. Any message not centered on Christ is not truly Christian, as all of God's dealings with humanity are through Him. [15:23]
4. Distinctiveness of the Church: The church is called to be a distinct and holy people, set apart for God's purposes. Our message to the world is one of repentance and faith in Christ, for outside of Him, there is no hope. [19:52]
5. Preparation for Christ's Return: The ultimate goal is the perfecting of the saints, preparing them to be the bride of Christ. As we navigate the world's complexities, we must focus on our role within God's eternal kingdom, readying ourselves for the day when Christ will return. [27:49]
** [27:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Ephesians 4:13
[00:51] - Relevance of Scripture
[01:59] - The Gospel's Many Sides
[03:58] - Compartmentalization of Faith
[05:02] - The Church's Role and Authority
[06:37] - The Church's Message to the World
[07:24] - Christ's Authority Over the Church
[09:13] - Understanding God's Plan
[10:37] - God's Plan and Timing
[14:44] - Christ as the Center of God's Plan
[19:22] - The Church's Distinctiveness
[25:16] - God's Plan for His People
[30:27] - Preparing for Christ's Return
[33:21] - The Certainty of God's Plan

Sermon Clips

Let us remind ourselves that the scriptures while they speak to us Eternal truth are always relevant any impression that is ever given that these scriptures are not relevant is false to the scriptures they are Timeless and they're ageless and for that reason they're always contemporary. [00:46:56]

The real tragedy today is the failure of the Christian church to speak to speak from God to speak the biblical message and to speak it with authority and that I suggest is due to the fact that she so persistently fails to take her commands and her orders from the Bible itself. [05:02:45]

Everything that the church does is to be ordained and determined and decided by the Lord himself this Lord who has descended and then ascended and who has led captivity captive and who is now in the heavens and filling all things it is he that determines everything for the church. [07:01:00]

Any message that is delivered today which is not delivered specifically in terms of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a Christian message. Isn't it tragic to think that so much paganism is abroad and that the church even is content to talk about God in vague generalities and try to give Comfort to people who are not Christians? [15:27:00]

The church is not an agent of the state the state has no right to tell the church what she is to do that's the tragedy of the ages as we see so clearly the prostitution of the Christian church the church becoming just a Department of State and subservient to the state. [17:03:00]

The Bible divides the world into two groups and two classes and if ever there was a need of asserting this it is at this present time the Bible says that there is a sharp division on the one side of the lost on the other side of the saved now you see that's inevitable. [19:22:00]

There is no hope for the world outside Christ none whatsoever there is no improvement predicted or prophesied for the world none whatsoever there is no greater error or heresy than to think that it is the business of Christian preaching to improve the world somewhat it's a denial of the Gospel. [22:40:00]

God in and through Christ is calling out a people for himself this message of repentance and of belief in Christ is sent out to all men and those who believe it are the called of God in Christ and he calls them unto himself and he sets them apart in this new kingdom the kingdom of God and of Christ. [25:16:00]

The teaching is that God's plan and purpose is only with respect to them there is nothing more to be said about the others they will continue in sin they will die in sin they will go to Perdition and we shall see in a moment the end of all that there is no plan there it's simply that they're outside the plan. [25:56:00]

The plan is only with respect to those who belong to Christ who are in Christ in other words every new testament epistle is addressed only to Christian people every new testament epistle is addressed to a church or to a number of churches it's never meant for the world. [26:22:00]

The church is compared to a building she's compared to an Empire she's compared to a family but there is this other comparison worked out by the apostle in chapter 5 of this very epistle the church as the bride of Christ The Bride of the Lamb we had it again in that 19th Chapter of the Book of Revelation. [30:27:00]

The process is going on we are told until we shall all all every one of us attain unto this and shall together be presented to him as his holy bride my dear friends there's nothing more sure than this I don't know what's going to happen in the world nobody else knows but of this I know. [36:46:00]

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