Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
Ephesians 3:11, “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”
Step by step, Paul moves forward to define the eternal purpose of God.
First, he mentions the mystery hidden in God; second, he links it with the purpose of creation; and finally, he specifically tells what the purpose is:
Ephesians 3:10-11, “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”
The vision Paul opens up consists of God’s eternal purpose, which He executed in His Son and which is now being worked out in and through the church.
This purpose revolves around the church.
The church, as the Body of Christ exhibiting and displaying God’s manifold wisdom, is the governing vision that Paul and the apostles were under.
Concerning the church, Paul could testify, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).
To have this governing vision means that my Christian life is not wasted.
I am not aimlessly going on.
I know why I am saved.
I know why I am filled with the Spirit and growing in the Lord.
I am saved and growing in the Lord for the purpose of being in the church, which displays the unsearchable riches of Christ and manifests the wisdom of God.
The meaning of life centers in living the kind of church life that expresses God to the universe.
This is the major thing on God’s heart.
This is the heavenly vision that directed and controlled Paul, and that he sought to open up to others.
If God would light up neon signs in the universe to declare what is the major thing on His heart, those signs would tell us that His Son is producing and building His church for the display of His manifold wisdom.
Thus, my life should be under this kind of vision that sees the major things on God’s heart.
This is what vision means in the New Testament.
It is something more than a charismatic experience.
It is more than my own personal experience of the Lord’s leading and guiding.
It is more than the Lord showing me something new in my life.
As wonderful as these things are, the highest vision and revelation for every believer is to see what is on God’s heart and to know that our lives are counting on this earth for that.
Our daily life is intended by God to be the testimony of Jesus–the builded church.
This is the major thing on His heart.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
WEDNESDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
June Cronan
Lee Cronan
Darlene Thaxton
Darlene Wiggins
Amy Garner
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Brandon’s Dad
Charlene Palmer
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
David Burnette
David Harrison
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Easton Fielder
Eric Ward
Erik Magnusson
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner’s Friend
Jillian Gray
Jim Mabe
Jodi Bateman
John Austin
John McClain
June Cronan’s Sister
Karen Slane
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lamar Knight
Larry Barker
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Alexander
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Ricky Gipson – Ashley’s Brother
Ricky Stubbs
Rose Fuller
Roseleigh Osborn
Sandra Graham
Scott Lanier
Terrell Loyd
Tom Witcher