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Sermon #38 — Ephesians Sermons

 

      Title:                                 ÒThe Household of GodÓ

 

      Text:                                  Ephesians 2:19-22

      Subject:               The Church — GodÕs Household

      Date:                                Tuesday Evening — May 17, 2016

      Readings:           Merle Hart and Mark Henson

      Introduction:

 

The churchÕs one Foundation

Is Jesus Christ her Lord,

She is His new creation

By water and the Word;

From heaven He came and sought her

To be His holy bride;

With His own blood He bought her,

And for her life He died.

 

Elect from every nation,

Yet one oÕer all the earth,

Her charter of salvation,

One Lord, one faith, one birth;

One holy name she blesses,

Partakes one holy food,

And to one hope she presses,

With every grace endued.

 

Though with a scornful wonder,

Men see her sore oppressed,

By schisms rent asunder,

By heresies distressed;

Yet saints their watch are keeping,

Their cry goes up, ÒHow long?Ó

And soon the night of weeping

Shall be the morn of song.

 

Mid toil and tribulation,

And tumult of her war,

She waits the consummation

Of peace forever more;

Till with the vision glorious,

Her longing eyes are blessed,

And the great church victorious

Shall be the church at rest.

 

Yet she on earth hath union

With God the Three in One,

And mystic sweet communion

With those whose rest is on;

O happy ones and holy!

Lord, give us grace, that we,

Like them, the meek and lowly,

On high may dwell with Thee.

 

The words of that great hymn beautifully set forth the subject of our text this evening — ÒThe Household of God.Ó — The church of God is Òthe household of God,Ó the family of God, Òthe household of faith.Ó

 

Visible Dwelling Place

 

In the Mosaic Age of the Old Testament God had a visible dwelling place among men. The Shekinah was seen between the wings of the cherubs which overshadowed the mercy-seat. In the tabernacle, while Israel journeyed in the wilderness, and in the temple, after they were established in the land of promise, there was a visible manifestation of Jehovah in the place dedicated to him.

 

But everything in the Old Testament was typical of something higher and nobler to be revealed in Christ. The Jewish form of worship was only a picture or a shadow of which the gospel is the substance. It is a sad fact that fallen men and women like to retain those old, weak and beggarly elements of the law. We should never do so. We should never substitute the shadow for the substance! Those carnal ordinances of worship employed under the law were given to point us to that which is real, heavenly, and spiritual in the gospel. It is disgraceful to hear men and women speak, as they do, with regard to Òholy placesÓ and Òholy buildings.Ó When I was a boy, I heard sermons which would make men and women think that brick, motar, and wood could be made holy. Is there in this Gospel Age any such thing as a Òholy place?Ó Is there any spot where God dwells particularly? Of course not! It is ridiculous for men to speak as they now do of Òthe holy land,Ó Òthe sacred desk,Ó or Òthe sanctuary.Ó

 

Listen to the words of our Lord.ÒBelieve me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. But the hour cometh, and now is, when true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.Ó Remember again the words of the apostle at Athens.ÒGod that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.Ó

 

Carnal ÒHoly ThingsÓ

 

When men talk of Òholy thingsÓ and Òholy places,Ó they seem to be ignorant of all things spiritual. Can holiness dwell in brick and mortar? Can there be such a thing as a sanctified steeple? Can it possibly be that there is such a thing as a holy window or a godly door? I am amazed when I think of how addled menÕs brains must be when they impute holiness to buildings! If these popish superstitions were true, the sparrows that build their nests in church steeples would be holy!

 

Yet, because these superstitions are so appealing to our carnal minds, this is an extravagance of error into which we are all very inclined to run.

 

Illustration: ÒThe Desanctification of Central Baptist Church in LexingtonÓ

 

Somehow, when we enter our places of worship, we think that we have entered into a holy place. I have heard men speak of church buildings in terribly idolatrous ways. Some dare not to eat in the church building in fear of divine wrath falling upon them. Many would never touch the utensils of the LordÕs Table, fearing they might contaminate them. Such things ought not to be!

 

Let us drive away, once and for all, the idea that holiness is connected with anything physical. Let us put away the many superstitions that are prevalent with regard to places and things. You may depend upon it, one place is as consecrated as another, if God will meet with us there. Wherever we meet with true hearts to worship God, that place becomes, for the time being, our Bethel. It is for us Òthe house of God.Ó

 

ÒThe House of GodÓ

 

What mother or father has not been perplexed by the question of their young child, ÒDaddy (Mommy), where does God live?Ó — Our text tells us that God has a habitation, a house, a place of residence. IÕm interested in that. — ArenÕt you?

 

I want to talk to you about that in this message — ÒTHE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD You will find my text in Ephesians 2:19-22. There is such a thing as the house of God; but it is not an inanimate physical structure. The household of God is a living, spiritual temple. — ÒIn whom,Ó that is in Christ, Òye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.Ó The house of God is built with the living stones of converted men and women. The church of God which Christ purchased with his own blood is the place where God dwells.

 

Let me make one clear remark with regard to our places of worship. — Though they have no sanctity in themselves, yet, by their association, they are places of great blessedness to us. Any place where God meets with me is precious to my heart. Frequently, the Lord God reveals himself to us in this place of worship, and for that reason, we hold it dear. Wherever we meet with God, is sacred, holy ground, not in the place itself, but in the fact that God has met us in that place. Where we hold fellowship with God, and where God makes bare his holy arm, though it be in a barn, or an open field, or a church building, that place is consecrated to us by JehovahÕs presence.

 

Yet, it is not so consecrated as to cause us any superstitious awe. It is blessed to us because we remember the many tokens of GodÕs gracious presence that fall upon us there, and the sweet hours of fellowship that we enjoy in that place with the Triune God himself and his people.

 

Have you found Ephesians 2? LetÕs read verses 19-22 together.

 

(Ephesians 2:19-22) ÒNow therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.Ó

 

Proposition: The doctrine God the Holy Spirit gives us in these verses is very clear. — The church of Jesus Christ is GodÕs habitation through the Spirit.

 

Divisions: As we look at these four verses of Inspiration, I will call your attention to three things — Three Statements. The title of my message is —— ÒThe Household of God.Ó

1.    First, the apostle shows us that all true believers are members of the household of God (v. 19).

2.    Second, we are taught that the church is built upon the Lord Jesus Christ as her Foundation (vv. 20-21).

3.    Third, the apostle shows us that the church is the place of GodÕs dwelling.

 

One Household

 

First, the apostle shows us that — All true believers are members of the household of God (v. 19).

 

(Ephesians 2:19) ÒNow therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.Ó

 

I suppose that I should begin by answering a question about which there is much confusion in our day. — What is the church of God? — There are many groups which claim to be the church of God.

á      The Papists tell us that the true church is the Roman Catholic church.

á      The Campbellites do not hesitate to affirm that they are the only true church. They call themselves ÒThe Church of Christ.Ó

á      The Russellites are quick to inform us that the ÒJehovah WitnessesÓ are the church.

á      The Mormons are equally determined to convince men that ÒThe Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day SaintsÓ is the true church.

á      Regrettably, there are some Baptists who have assumed the attitude of Rome. They say that only the Baptist Church is the true church, and only certain Baptists at that.

Each of these make the fatal mistake of thinking that the trueness of the church is to be seen in things that are physical, not spiritual. Their foundation is in history, not in a Person.

á      The church of Jesus Christ is not a denomination!

á      The church is not a physical building.

á      The church of God consists of those whose names are written in the book of GodÕs eternal election, the men and women who were purchased by the blood of Christ, and called and regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 12:22-24; Ephesians 5:25-27).

 

All the Redeemed — (Acts 20:28) ÒTake heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Ó

 

All the Saved — (Hebrews 12:22-24) ÒBut ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (23) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.Ó\

 

All Loved of God — (Ephesians 5:25-27) ÒHusbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.Ó

 

We were all once strangers to the household of God. — Under the Old Testament economy, all Gentiles were strangers to the household of God. — And all men by nature are strangers to this spiritual household.

á      We were all dead in sin.

á      We all walked in the course of this world.

á      We were all under the dominion of Satan.

á      We all were in bondage to our own heartsÕ lusts.

á      We were all children of wrath, cursed and condemned by the law of God.

á      In the flesh, by nature, we were all alienated from God. — Without God! — Without Christ! — Aliens from the people of God! — Strangers to the promises of God — Without hope! — In the world!

 

But, watch this.The Apostle delightfully turns our attention away from what we once were and what we know full-well we are by nature, to what we now are in Christ by the grace of God, telling us that we are members Òthe household of God

 

The Lord Jesus Christ has torn down the wall that separated us from God.

á      He has removed the mountain of our sins by his precious, sin-atoning blood.

á      He has broken down the law that was against us by his sacrifice.

á      He has removed the wall of our unbelief by his grace.

 

And the Lord Jesus Christ has removed the wall that separated us from one another. ÒBrethren,Ó isnÕt that a pleasant sound! We are indeed ÒbrethrenÓ in Christ, with Christ, through Christ, ÒbrethrenÓ one with another.

á      Jew and Gentile are one in Christ.

á      Male and female are one in Christ.

á      Black and white are one in Christ.

á      Rich and poor are one in Christ.

á      We become one with GodÕs family, only by faith in Christ.

 

(Colossians 3:1-17) ÒIf ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (6) For which thingsÕ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: (7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. (8) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. (9) Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (11) Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.Ó

 

In our text (Ephesians 2:19) Paul uses a very endearing term to describe GodÕs church. We are called Òthe household of God.Ó What can that sweet term mean?

á      As the household of God, we are the place of his rest.

á      As the household of God, we are the place of his delight.

á      A manÕs house is the place where he reveals himself.

á      There he sits his children on his lap, hugs them, and takes them to his heart.

á               There he reveals the depths of his love.

á               There he opens his heart.

á      There he reveals his secrets and makes known his plans.

 

As the household of God, we are the center of all that he does, the singular object of all his work and all his care (Romans 8:28). If we are Òthe household of God,Ó will not our God defend, protect, and preserve us? — O my Soul, cast all your care upon him who cares for you!

 

Illustration: ÒLady, if youÕll sit that bag down, this bus can carry it

 

What trouble we make for ourselves in this world of darkness and woe! All the cities, states, and nations of this world are just a mist, a vanishing vapor! All of them together are less than the small dust of the balance, less than a drop in a bucket, less than nothing, less than vanity! — And for these things we fret, fight, war, and die! Here is a holy nation, a city whose Builder and Maker is God, ÒThe New Jerusalem,Ó ÒThe Heavenly Jerusalem,Ó ÒThe Israel of God,Ó ÒThe Church of the Living God!Ó Ours is an eternal inheritance in a city with gates of pearl, streets of gold, walls of jasper, and everlasting bliss! The church of God is ÒThe Household of God!Ó Ours is the citizenship of heaven!

 

In Òthe household of GodÓ we live in sweet communion and fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are not strangers to, but live constantly upon the love of God, the Person, glory, and grace Christ, and the renewing influences of God the Holy Ghost! Well might we cry out with HawkerÉ

 

ÒOh! The felicity, even now, of an heir of heaven! Oh! The glory that soon shall be revealed!Ó

 

Christ the Foundation

 

Second, we are taught that — The church is built upon Jesus Christ as its only foundation (vv. 20-21).

 

(Ephesians 2:20-21) ÒAnd are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.Ó

 

Our foundation is not the apostles and prophets, but the doctrine of the apostles and prophets, and their doctrine is the doctrine of the gospel ÒJesus Christ himself!Ó The apostles and prophets join together to show us the truth of the gospel.

á      Ruin by the Fall

á      Redemption by the Blood

á      Regeneration by the Holy Ghost

 

We are all built upon the same foundation that the apostles and prophets were built upon Jesus Christ himself.

á      The Foundation of the prophets was Christ.

á      The Foundation of the apostles was Christ.

á      He Foundation of the church in every age is Christ alone (Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; 1 Peter 2:6; 1 Corinthians 3:11).

á      We do not build ourselves on the Foundation. — We are built upon the Foundation!

á      Faithful men build upon Christ the Foundation by the preaching of the gospel build, not with wood, hay, and stubble, but with the gold, silver, and precious stones of the gospel.

 

(Psalm 118:22) ÒThe stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.Ó

 

(Isaiah 28:16) ÒTherefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.Ó

 

(Matthew 21:42) ÒJesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the LordÕs doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?Ó

 

(1 Peter 2:6) ÒWherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.Ó

 

(1 Corinthians 3:11) ÒFor other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.Ó

 

Christ is the only foundation upon which our hopes are built.

á      He is the foundation of our faith.

á      He is the foundation of our righteousness.

á      He is the foundation of our comfort.

á      He is the foundation of our glorious hope.

á      Christ is the Foundation-stone that supports his church.

á      Christ is the Foundation-pattern upon which his church is built.

á      Christ is the Corner-stone that joins the walls of the church together.

á      Christ is the Chief, or Preeminent Corner-stone of his church.

á      Christ is a tried Foundation.

á      Christ is a sure Foundation.

 

ÒThe household of God,Ó the church of God, is here described a building of the Lord. — We are built upon Christ by God himself.

á      God drew the plans for this building in eternity.

á      God chose every stone for his building

á      Jesus Christ purchased and purified the stones which God had chosen.

á      The Holy Spirit goes to the quarry and cuts out the stones.

á      He breaks them out of the rock-bed of fallen humanity with the law.

á      He forms them into the proper shape by the gospel.

á      He places them into the building by omnipotent grace.

á      There is never the sound of a saw or hammer (manÕs work) in the building of God (1 Kings 6:7).

 

(1 Kings 6:7) ÒAnd the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.Ó

 

As Christ is the only Foundation of Òthe household of God,Ó Christ is the only Door by which we can enter into the house.

á      Entrance by Birth

á      Entrance by Faith

 

The church, Òthe household of God,Ó is also described in our text as GodÕs holy temple. Òa holy temple in the LordÓ (v. 21).

1.    The pavement of this temple is with the pure gold of divine love.

2.    The bulwarks of this temple are ÒSalvation is of the Lord

3.    The beauty of this temple is God himself, the Triune Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, revealed, seen, and known in the crucified God-man, Christ Jesus!

4.    The strength this temple is the right hand of the Almighty!

 

Saints of God, look what God has made us to be by his mercy, love, and grace! Rejoice and sing! We are built by the power of God, built upon the Foundation Christ our God, built as the temple of God!

 

How firm as foundation ye saints the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

 

ÒThe soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not, desert to its foes:

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

IÕll never, no never, no never forsake!Ó

 

GodÕs Dwelling

 

Third, the apostle shows us that – The church is the place of GodÕs dwelling (v. 22).

 

(Ephesians 2:22) ÒIn whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.Ó

 

When chosen, redeemed sinners are brought into saving union with Jesus Christ, we come into a blessed union with his people too. ÒWe are built together.Ó — This is what we profess in our baptism (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).

á      Righteousness Fulfilled (Matthew 3:15-17)

á      Newness of Life (Romans 6:1-11)

á      Union with Christ

á      Union with His People

 

(1 Corinthians 12:12-13) ÒFor as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.Ó

 

All who are saved by the grace of God are one body in Christ. And each local assembly is one body in the Lord. Let us do everything we can to promote and protect the unity of GodÕs family and the health of ChristÕs body.The name of GodÕs church is ÒCorpus Christi.Ó

á      There should be no division in the body of Christ.

á      We all have our proper place to fill in ChristÕs body.

á      We should tenderly sympathize with our brothersÕ needs and help wherever help is needed.

á      We should esteem one another highly in love for ChristÕs sake, each esteeming the other better than himself.

á      We should walk in love for one another, as members of the same family, the same body, forgiving one another and forbearing one another in love for ChristÕs sake.

 

Each congregation of believers is built together for Òan habitation of God through the Spirit — This speaks of life and vitality!

á      Too many churches are houses, but not habitations.

á      Formality is not necessarily worship. — We need GodÕs presence.

á      True churches are under the continual influence of the Holy Spirit. — Where the Holy Spirit is absent, his presence id faked!

á      Children of God, the eternal, incomprehensible, glorious, holy, and triune God, dwells in our hearts! — And here, in this place, God meets with us and dwells with us (Matthew 18:20; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20).

 

(1 Corinthians 3:16-17) ÒKnow ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.Ó

 

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) ÒWhat? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are GodÕs.Ó

 

I do not doubt that Paul had in his mindÕs eye the great wonder of the world at Ephesus, the temple the Ephesians built to their dunghill idol, Diana, using that image to turn our minds and the minds of those saints at Ephesus to the indescribably greater beauty and glory of GodÕs church and temple in this world, Òthe household of God.Ó

 

But this 22nd verse reaches beyond any local church, reaches beyond GodÕs church on the earth, and speaks of the future glory of Òthe household of God We are builded together that we may be the everlasting Òhabitation of God through the Spirit,Ó the very Òtabernacle (dwelling place) of God with menÓ (Revelation 21:1-22:5).

á      This household of God will be in every way perfect and complete.

á      There will be no vacant places in her walls, no empty seats at her banqueting table!

á      There will be no flaws in the church triumphant! — I think I can see the heavenly multitude. Can you? — Mary? — Manasseh? — David? — Rahab? — The Dying Thief?

 

ÒHail, sacred day that shall declare

The jewels of the Son of God;

Designed to deck His crown, they were

Chosen of old and bought with blood.

 

To make salvation free and full,

Mary adorns ChristÕs diadem;

Her crimson stains are white as wool;

She shines a bright, distinguished gem.

 

Manasseh, too, through sovereign grace

Was not in SatanÕs den to lie;

But in this crown to fill a place,

And raise the SaviorÕs triumph high.

 

There David shines without a stain;

UriahÕs blood shall neÕer be known,

For like a millstone in the sea

Are all his black transgressions thrown!

 

Rahab, the harlot, that fair stone,

Sank not in TophetÕs endless flame;

When Jesus conquered for His own,

His coronet contained her name.

 

The dying thief, behold him too,

This matchless diadem adorn;

A pearl of no inferior hue,

Though from the gloomy gibbet torn.

 

No wanting gem, no absent stone,

Shall eÕer be seen when Christ appears,

Each in his place, about His crown,

Shall beam and shine to endless years.Ó

—John Kent

 

GodÕs household will one day be made perfectly one (John 17:23). And we will be the eternal habitation and glory of God! — Imagine that! — Just imagine that!

 

(Revelation 21:1-22:5) ÒI saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. ——— (9) And there came unto me one of the seven angels — and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (10) And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (11) Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (12) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. ——— (22) And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. ——— (25) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. ——— (22:1) And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. ——— (3) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.Ó

 

Application

 

Some of you are not yet built upon Christ. You must perish without him. Come, fall upon him for mercy, lest he fall upon you in justice.

 

Children of God, let us each do whatever we can to maintain the sweet unity of the Spirit, the bond of peace in Christ, as his church, as Òthe household of God

 

Oh, may God give us grace to live in expectation of the fulness of our FatherÕs house, rejoicing in the security that is ours as Òthe household of God

 

Zion stands with hills surrounded;

Zion kept by power divine.

All her foes shall be confounded,

Though the world in arms combine;

Happy Zion! What a favored lot is thine!

 

Every human tie may perish,

Friend to friend unfaithful prove,

MotherÕs cease their own to cherish,

Heaven and earth at last remove;

But no changes can attend JehovahÕs love.

 

In the furnace God may prove thee,

Thence to bring thee forth more bright;

But can never cease to love thee;

Thou art precious in his sight;

God is with thee, God thine everlasting light.

 

(Jude 1:24-25) ÒNow unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.Ó

 

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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