Sunday Morning IBC. 3/30/2014. Galatians 3.

Sucking the Life out of Christianity. Galatians 3.

Pastor Nam Park.

Faith Brings Righteousness

Galatians 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Intent of the Law

Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ.17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

- Legalism, in the stickiest sense, is to obey the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law cancels out faith in Christ.
- Christians believe: There is nothing in us worth saving. Nothing in us that would make us any more acceptable to God.
- Christian motives should start with LOVE. Then within the context of love, do whatever you want to. Don't act because you feel like you have to.

To say that we are "good enough" to be saved is to chip away at the cross.
Galatians 3:6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
- Faith comes before the law. And the Promise came before the law.
- The Abrahamic Covenant was unilateral. (It is no longer considered a gift if it needed to be earned.)

#1 Legalism has no power to save, only the power to curse.
#2 Legalism is not how we continue in our life in Christ.

Galatians 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

- If the law could save us, we would only have need for the law.
- The law's purpose is to reveal sin (like a tutor would point out what to learn).
- Sin infiltrates every part of our lives.

Example: Bible Reading Plan.
- Legalism is easier than living by faith alone. 
- God doesn't give us a grade for devotionals.
- The Parable of the Laborers who worked for a Denarius. The point was to focus on the GRACIOUSNESS OF THE GIVER. (Not on the attitude of the workers).

Application: It would be great if our kids loved the Lord b/c their parents did... But better still, they should have their own relationship with Christ. Convictions of their own. A love for the Savior. Not a set of rules.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?

- We live our lives in relationships. If we love the Lord, we live in relationship with the Father. And with others by keeping the "one-anothers."
- You expect the attitude of "clocking out" from employees, but not from a son.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
- We are all called "sons" because we are all heirs, according to the promise.

Sunday Morning IBC. 3/23/2014. John 7.

Misconceptions of Jesus. John 7:39-53
Pastor Gary Takahashi.

John 7:39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Division of People over Jesus

John 7:40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.”41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?”46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” 47 The Pharisees then answered them, “You have not also been led astray, have you? 48 No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” 53 [Everyone went to his home.

Sunday Morning IBC. 3/16/2014. John 7.

Division over who Jesus is. John 7:37-52.
Pastor Gary.

John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Division of People over Jesus

40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.”41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?”46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” 47 The Pharisees then answered them, “You have not also been led astray, have you? 48 No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.” 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” 

Feast of Booths/ Feast of Tabernacles.

Water Pouring Ceremony.

John 7:37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 

3 Aspects of the Gospel Call

- Man must recognize the spiritual need that needs to be quenched.

- Must realize that Jesus is the only source.

- Must drink all of Him.

John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

- Living water is reference to the Holy Spirit.

- The Spirit was active prior to Jesus' glorification, however not in the same way as after the resurrection. The new covenant is better because the HS dwells within our hearts now.

Jeremiah 31:27 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beast. 

- Verse 27 looks forward to the Messianic time. The time that God will make a new covenant.

Jeremiah 31:31 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 

- Contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant. God putting His laws on the hearts of the people.

- The old covenant was constantly broken. God remedied the new covenant by changing the hearts of believers.

Jeremiah 31:34 They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. 28 You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.

- The law God puts in the heart is equivalent to the Spirit. The indwelling ministry of the HS.

Sunday Morning IBC. 3/2/2014. Luke 9:12-22.

Who do people say I am? Luke 9:12-22.

Pastor Nam Park.

Luke 9:18 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying,“Who do the people say that I am?” 19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” 21 But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

Two Simple Questions & a Strategic Warning.
1. Who do people say that I am?
2. Who do you say I am?
- Don't tell anyone.

Who Jesus Christ is, IS the ultimate question.
Physically: He's not someone blonde and thin. He wasn't easily pushed around. 

Luke 9:18 And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying,“Who do the people say that I am?” 
- Jesus went off to pray. Praying that the answer would be clear to the questions that He's about to ask them. After praying, He questions them.

Luke 9:19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 
- John the Baptist didn't perform miracles. So, relating Jesus to John deals with the message of repentance that Jesus also preached.
- Elijah, since Jesus also performs miracles.

Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

- Elijah was also prophesied to help "restore all things." The idea of this through Jesus' preaching ministry.

Luke 9:20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” 
- But who do YOU say that I am?
- And it was Peter that answered (on behalf of the 12).
- "Christ" wasn't His last name. It meant: "the Anointed One of God." The one to sit on the throne of David forever. He'd conquer all enemies. Crush the Romans. Restore Eden to reality. There was much to this title of "Christ."
- "Christ of God": Sending and purpose was from God. God the Father had anointed Him.

Strategic Warning.
Luke 9:21 But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,

- The 12 had the wrong expectations. They were looking for a political savior. They wanted the "good life."

They wanted to make Jesus, king... even if by force.
John 6:15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
- They're not quite wrong, but off-center.

Luke 9:22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
- The fullness of His role was not completed yet.
- Jesus knows these things MUST happen. He MUST suffer many things and be rejected.
- Rejected by all of these groups (These groups usually fight against each other. Here it suggests that Jesus will be rejected by all of them, united against Him.)
- "Rejecting": like rejecting a candidate for office, after scrutiny.

Luke 22:66 When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, 67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe;
- In Jesus' trial, He was questioned about being the Christ.

Peter's greatest moment: Affirmation of a Revelation.
His lowest point: "Get behind me Satan."
Jesus isn't here to make your life comfortable. It's a path of suffering.

If He is the Christ, why does He die?
A: Because we should be killed. 
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

He knows that the Wrath of God will be poured out upon Him. 
He dies, the very death that we deserve to die.
The lamb, sacrificed on our behalf.

It's not about what others at church say. It's about what YOU say. He died to secure YOUR ETERNAL JOY.

What we get out of life, is not about the good things we want, BUT the PAIN we are willing to accept that will determine our choices.

Heavenly wisdom.
Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Come to the foot of the cross.
We are to act, not for the sake of our good pleasure, but for the sake of Him.
We are to find this life satisfying, because He did what we had no ability to do.

Sunday Morning IBC. 2/24/2014. Luke 9:10-17.

Feeding of the 5,000. Luke 9:10-17.
Pastor Nam Park. 

Luke 9:10 When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

Luke 9:12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did so, and had them all sit down. 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

Areas of struggle tend not to be theological.
There's a difference between creed and practice.

Praxis = Practice + Theory.

Praxis is the process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, practiced, embodied, or realized. "Praxis" may also refer to the act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas.

We struggle with what we say and what we believe.

This teaching of the feeding of the 5,000 was addressed to the 12 disciples. (After just coming back from ministering to others.)

Luke 9:10 When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 

- Jesus withdrew with the disciples to a desolate place, NE shore of the sea of Galilee

Luke 9:11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

- The crowds followed. 

- How does Jesus react to this intrusion? A: He welcomed them. With Graciousness.

- Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach. It was ministry, "as normal" for Jesus.

Five Thousand Fed

Mark 6:33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. 

- In the midst of Jesus' fatigue, He was gracious to them. Compassion for them.

The reason why this story is here...

It seems a little less grandeur than raising a little girl from the dead. Here Jesus attempts to feed about 5,000 men (~7,000 total people) in this desolate place, outside of Bethsaida. This miracle deals with an overwhelming amount of need. 

Time: Near 6pm or 6:30pm in the evening.

Luke 9:12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 

- The disciples use the command form to say "send the crowd away"

Luke 9:13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”

- Christ emphasizes the "YOU"... give them something to eat.

John 6:5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, *said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”

- 200 denarii was about 8 months' wages.

- Andrew finds a meal of bread and fish from a boy.

The remedy: The Power of the master.

Jesus gives thanks for the meal. 

Blessed the meal, Broke, and KEPT ON giving the pieces out.

(Past-tense), (Past-tense), (Imperfect tense). The miracle happens in His hands.

Jesus creates, gives power & life. 
The Disciples' job is then to distribute (the pieces).
All the sufficiency comes from the master. The power is not that of the disciples.

It is God who cares about the mundane details (for us). This is the nature of our God.

Luke 9:17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

- "satisfied" a word used in the "fattening of animals"
- They stuffed themselves. 

- Significance of the 12 baskets: 12 full baskets is one for each disciple. A life lesson for them that they could accomplish things they could never have contemplated of doing before.

His all surpassing sufficiency to provide what we need for this moment. A lesson the disciples must learn; we must learn.

// You're not a Super Hero.

http://paultripp.com/articles/posts/youre-not-a-superhero

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014. Paul Tripp.

You're Not A Superhero

Human beings were built with limits. God didn't design you to be a superhero.

You and I were created to live dependent lives, never surviving on the basis of our own strength, wisdom and control. From the moment of our first breath, we were limited, weak, and fragile beings.

If you're a parent, or an older brother or sister, you know this to be true. Think about how long your newborn child or sibling would have lasted if you left them alone. I was shocked when we had our first child - there was never a moment when we could leave him alone, except during sleep, and even then we were only a few feet away.

As we grow older, we think that we become more independent. We get married, have children of our own, buy our first house, and make significant life decisions. Sure, a 40-year married adult can feed and dress himself much better than a 4-month old infant, but I'm afraid that we don't fully accept our limitations.

I want to reinforce the point that you're not a superhero. "Sure, Paul, I obviously can't fly or make myself invisible," you might say. But I want you to consider eight limits of your humanity:

1. Time: Think about the benefits of controlling time. I could pause time in a moment of difficulty, thinking about my next word or decision before speaking or acting. Or, I could rewind time and right the wrongs of my own life, or stop crimes against humanity before they happen.

2. Space: I don't know about you, but I would love to be in more than one place at a time. Imagine how productive I could be! I could write my next book while speaking at a conference while shopping for dinner.

3. Knowledge: I wish that I knew everything about anything. I would be a walking encyclopedia, able to solve any problem that might complicate my day. I wouldn't ever have to worry about being stumped.

4. Wisdom: If I was filled with wisdom, I could give people the proper advice, sifting through the clutter of information and directing them on the path to success. I would be the world's best counselor.

5. Control: I would love to be able to control the weather- the Tripp family would never have a rainy beach day! Or think about the time I could save if I controlled the traffic lights!

6. Power: I wish I could get people to do things my way. Right now, Philadelphia roads are riddled with potholes because of the winter storms. If I was all-powerful, the city government would be out there immediately until every hole was filled! Or maybe if I'm feeling an extra zeal for justice, I could combine my wisdom with power and solve world hunger while fighting political corruption.

7. Ability: I not only wish that I knew everything - I wish I could do anything. There would never be a physical task that I would be unable to accomplish. I could cook the best meal, repair any car, and paint the best art, all while doing it better than anyone else on the planet.

8. Gift: Sometimes I wish that God had given me every spiritual gift available. I could be the most creative writer, the most sophisticated thinker, the most efficient administrator, and the most gifted preacher - all at the same time!

I ALREADY KNEW THAT...

So what's the point? This Article is a bit nonsensical, because you already know that you can't control the weather, pause time, or solve any dilemma that pops up. But let me ask you to be honest for a moment - if I were to poll the people you live with, would they tell me that you live like you're a superhero?

What happens when someone violates your schedule? Do you act as if know everything, stepping in to comment when someone makes a verbal mistake? Are you a controlling person? And are you, at times, arrogant enough to think that there is no one out there that can give you advice and counsel?

You see, when you admit your limits, you're a humble and restful person. You're humble enough to admit weakness, always open to learning. And you're restful, because you know that control is in the hands of God - and not yours.

Let me encourage you here - there's only one Superhero in the Bible. His name is Jesus Christ. Every other man and woman documented in Scripture was a failure. Rest and peace is found when you abandon control and admit your limits.

Sunday Morning IBC. 2/16/2014. Ephesians 3:20-21.

Are You a Doxological Christian? Ephesians 3:20-21.

Dr. Paul Felix.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Doxological: Give glory with our voices and our lives.

Do we fulfill the command in 1 Corinthians 10:31? This is a Doxological Christian/Church.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

God is Worthy of Glory: Why?

A: Paul points to the power & might. God can do all things when not out of alignment with His constant character. Power & Works.

Dr. Felix takes joy that God is ABLE.

IE. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

God can show His power or His purpose (if He chose not to save them from the furnace).

IE. Daniel in the Lion's Den.

Psalms 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

But to Your name give glory

Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.

2 Why should the nations say,

“Where, now, is their God?”

3 But our God is in the heavens;

He does whatever He pleases.

4 Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of man’s hands.

5 They have mouths, but they cannot speak;

They have eyes, but they cannot see;

6 They have ears, but they cannot hear;

They have noses, but they cannot smell;

7 They have hands, but they cannot feel;

They have feet, but they cannot walk;

They cannot make a sound with their throat.

8 Those who make them will become like them,

Everyone who trusts in them.

- Our God is able to hear and answer our prayers (unlike these idols).

"BEYOND all that we ask or think"

- Sometimes we don't formulate our bold hopes into prayer requests. But God can even see our thoughts and bring these things to pass. 

Apostle Paul believes it. Do you? That God is ALL POWERFUL.

Is there evidence to show that we believe this?

Paul prays great spiritual things for the believers in Ephesus:

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

God is worthy of worship because He is POWERFUL.

Power that is evident in the lives of believers.

Point 2: God be given the glory.

Ephesians 3:21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

- We are to praise Him. Give Him glory due to His name. Ascribed to His name.

- God's glory is displayed in 1) the Church. 2) in Jesus Christ.

Ask yourselves: "Who gets the glory when IBC gathers?"

Hymn: "to God be the glory, great things He has done..."