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KEEPING OUR BALANCE

KEEPING OUR BALANCE. Ephesians 3:1-8 New International Version (NIV). Ephesians 3:1-8 . v.1 - For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles

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KEEPING OUR BALANCE

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  1. KEEPING OUR BALANCE Ephesians 3:1-8 New International Version (NIV)

  2. Ephesians 3:1-8 • v.1- For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles • v.2 - Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

  3. Ephesians 3:1-8 • v.3 - that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. • v.4 - In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, • v.5 - which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

  4. Ephesians 3:1-8 • v.6 - This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. • v.7 - I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. • v.8 - Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,

  5. INTRODUCTION • Balance(v. 2) • Meaning • noun • 1. an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady. • 2. a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. • 3. an apparatus for weighing, esp. one with a central pivot, beam, and a pair of scales.

  6. INTRODUCTION • verb • 1. keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall. • 2. offset or compare the value of (one thing) with another. • Why • 1. Show/proclaim His salvation daily (cause and effect) • 2. We are debtors (Rom. 1:14) • 3. Freely receive, freely give (Matt. 10:5-8) • 4. You testify because you have heard (Rom. 10:17) • 5. Know Him, then tell others

  7. Understanding “equilibrium” • Meaning – a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces. equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect; mental or emotional balance; equanimity.

  8. 2.) Can we really balance our lives? We should learn to identify our shifting priorities. • 3.) All of us are simultaneously Discipler and Disciple, Master and Servant, Mentor and Mentee, Superior and Subordinate, Lender and Debtor etc. • 1. Learn and Teach • 2. Eat and Feed • 3. Draw and Impart • 4. Receive and Give • 5. Live and Let Live

  9. 4.) Therefore, Learn to Live with Balance • Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 • v.1To every thing there is a season, and a time to • every purpose under the heaven: • v.2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; • v.3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; • v.4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; • v.5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; • v.6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

  10. v.7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. • v.8 A time to love and a time to hate,    a time for war and a time for peace.

  11. PRINCIPLES • 1.) Homogeny (Eph. 3:1-3) • Meaning – similarity in structure of individuals or parts because of common ancestry; correspondence in form or structure, owing to a common origin. • a.) God/Christ • Galatians 3:26 • John 1:12 • Colossians 1:16 • John 3:16 • John 1:12; 11:52; Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:1-10

  12. PRINCIPLES • 1.) Homogeny (Eph. 3:1-3) • Meaning – similarity in structure of individuals or parts because of common ancestry; correspondence in form or structure, owing to a common origin. • b.) Abraham • Galatians 3:7-9 • c.) Church Family • MBC Mission/Vision/Core Values

  13. PRINCIPLES • 2.) Harmony(Eph 3:5-6) Not Equality/Equilibrium • Meaning – agreement; accord; harmonious relations; a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts; congruity. • a.) Spouses (Genesis 2:24) • b.) Disciplerand Disciple (Colossians 3:12-17) • c.) Strong and weak (Romans 15:1-2)

  14. PRINCIPLES • 3.) Humility (Eph. 3:7-8) • a.) Spiritual (Galatians 6:1) • b.) Meek (Matt. 5:5) • c.) Godly love (Philippians 2:3-4)

  15. CONCLUSION • Discipleship is reproduction. Christianity has come a long way from the original twelve. Our quest for more disciples AT MBC – through SBU and other ministries - should be kept alive through – • HOMOGENY – We belong to the same family - of God, • of Christ, of MBC • HARMONY – We should be likeminded, of one accord • about knowing God and making Him known. • HUMILITY – We should give due regard to each other • – whether as discipler or disciple. • * * *

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