The Prisoner With A Purpose

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>The Prisoner With A Purpose</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id411.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Building Project"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id416.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get In The Game 1"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org"><U>stan@stanbaker.org</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>"The Prisoner With a Purpose," </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Eph+3:1-23" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Ephesians 3:1-23</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, October 28, 2003am</B></div> <bR> <div>      You may have seen the commercials with the guys who announces "the New York lotto jackpot is now . . . $12 million dollars" (or whatever it is). The room clears out as people rush to get their tickets (and paying a voluntary tax to the state, in case you were wondering - I don't recommend it!). You can tell he loves his job, interrupting people's lives to tell them the "good news" about the lottery. Or consider the Geico auto insurance commercials. One such commercial shows a lawyer talking on the phone. The prisoner he represents is brought in and he sits down. The lawyer hangs up the phone and says, "I've got some good news." The prisoner is exciting to hear this and says, "Am I getting out of here." The lawyer replies, "No, but I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance." Good news indeed, but not for the prisoner.</div> <div>      What do you do with good news? You share it. What does it take to motivate you to tell others about Jesus? For many of us, the answer is guilt. When someone makes me feel guilty enough, then I will share my faith and tell someone else about Jesus. Ephesians 3:1-21 gives us a glimpse into what motivated the Apostle Paul to proclaim Jesus Christ, even when it cost him his freedom.</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. Paul was given a commission to spread the gospel, and he was passionate about his work.</B></div> <div> A. Paul was in prison because of his calling (Ephesians 3:1-13).</div> <div>      His commission was to proclaim God's grace to the Gentiles (vss. 1-12). Paul is mentally interrupted before he finishes the prayer he begins in vs. 1, as he contemplates his responsibility from God. The grace he proclaimed was that Gentiles are welcomed into the family of God through Christ (vss. 2-6). This is the "mystery" that is revealed (it was hidden before and now it is revealed). Paul was especially given the responsibility of communicating this message (vss. 7-11). Through Christ, people of faith, regardless of ethnicity, can approach God with confidence (vs. 12).</div> <div> <I>     Because</I>of carrying out his commission, Paul was a prisoner (vss. 1, 13). But you did not see him complaining! Instead, he asked the Christians to <I>not be discouraged </I>because of him.</div> <div> B. Paul prayed that believers would fully experience Christ (Ephesians 3:14-21).</div> <div>      This prayer is based on God's riches (vs. 16) and God's power (vss. 20-21). The miracle in view is the content of Paul's message - God's available, life-changing grace. If God can save us and unite us with Christ and with each other in the body of Christ, he can do anything! Paul prayed for Christ to dwell in believers by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit (vss. 16-17a). He prayed also for their comprehension of the <I>incomprehensible</I> love of Christ (vss. 17b-19). He prayed for them to "get it" about what Christ did for them, and wants to do for others!</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. The joy we experience because of the love of Christ motivates us to share the good news.</B></div> <div>      If <I>you</I> get it, it is good news! And it needs to be shared. Our worship naturally leads to our witness of Jesus Christ. First, pray for an appreciation of what Christ has done for you. Such an appreciation does not come naturally. That is why Paul was asking for it for us. We need to join him the prayer. Second, worship God. Be in the habit of worshiping and thanking God, as an express of your appreciation to him. Finally, be a witness. If it is good news to you, pass along the news to others. Do this, even if it costs you something. It may cost you a friendship, or status, or comfort (but don't be rude). </div> <div>      And use <I>your</I> style, the way God made you. Some people have a "confrontational" style (the non-rude variety). Others have an intellectual style and can debate the details of the Christian faith. Many have a highly relational and friendly style. You may be able to simply testify about Jesus has done for you. You may be able simply to invite someone to church to hear about Jesus. You may be able to serve people in the name of Jesus, giving  them the opportunity to experience and hear about the love of Christ. Be the way God has made you. You don't have to witness like someone else. 1 Peter 3:15 says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."</div> <bR> <div>      When I was in second grade, I was painfully shy. The first thing I said to my teacher all year was in late November, when my sister was born. In spite of my shyness, I shared the good news (my teacher must have been shocked!). But that's what you do with good news - you share it.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2003, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>