Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
Ephesians 3:11, “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed (accomplished) 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 (accomplished ) 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
TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
Bill Lawhead – Hospice
Richard Blount
Mr. Bankston Sr.
The Graham Family – Brandon’s Friends
Amy Garner’s Mother/Dad
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Barbara Shed’s Family
Bill Moody
Carol Lawhead’s Brother
Charles Rambles
Charlie Sessom – Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Darlene Thaxton
Denise Stubbs – Kim Allison’s Mom
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
Hanna Hall – Pray for Grace
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Michael Stanley
Nora Allison – Dustin’s Mom
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Rod Gustafson – Cancer
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sheila Simmons Cousin
Tom Witcher