Ephesians 4: CALLED TO BE PART OF GOD’S DIVINE BUILDING

 

CALLED TO BE PART OF GOD’S DIVINE BUILDING

Ephesians 4:10–16 (ESV)  “He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Paul has been revealing throughout the previous chapters of this epistle the Mystery that was hidden in ancient times, but which God has now revealed to His apostles through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:5 (ESV) “which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”

The mystery is that God accomplished everything in Christ Jesus. He is the life, the way, the resurrection. When we are in Him, through the Spirit of God, we become one with Him. This is the entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven: being in Him. We pass: from death to life, from darkness to light, from a carnal nature to a spiritual nature.

This has eternal implications: we are no longer independent beings. We become members of His body, where He is the head and we are the body.

Ephesians 1:20–23 (ESV) “that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

When we receive Christ as our Savior, we become part of Him, active members of the work of salvation that God planned from eternity. Salvation is not the end—it is the beginning of a new life with one purpose: to participate in the building of the body of Christ, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

1. JESUS APPOINTS SERVANTS  TO BUILD HIS BODY, following what He did when he was in the flesh, Ephesians 4:11–12 (ESV) “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

Christ begins a work of perfecting each one of us through the members of His own body. This work is necessary in every believer. If we are not perfected, we cannot participate in the building.

Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV), “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2. THE BUILDING OF EACH MEMBER BEGINS WITH KNOWING JESUS CHRIST AND MATURING IN OUR NEW IDENTITY, we must respond as his disciples.  Ephesians 4:13–14 (ESV). “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood… so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro…”

Ephesians 4:23–24 (ESV) “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Each of us is called to go through this process of perfection through the knowledge of Jesus. If we know Him, we will know who we are—our identity, calling, and purpose.

3. THE BUILDING OF EACH MEMBER CONTRIBUTES TO THE BUILDING OF GOD’S COMPLETE WORK, when the disciples obeyed the body start to be build, Ephesians 4:15–16 (ESV), “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…”

Mar 16:20  And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

REFLECTION

Being in Christ means living in His body—the Church. We cannot separate what God has united. This unity does not come from human control. It is God who united us by His will and His Spirit. Christ, the head, governs, and we must depend on Him.

Each member is called to be built, to grow, to mature, receiving the growth that comes from God. 1 Corinthians 3:7 (ESV) “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”

Each member must decide whether to listen to the voice of the Spirit and allow the perfection that God brings through the Church—the body of Christ.

In JCRC, this growth happens through:

• daily devotionals,
• Equipping
• Experience in CM
• Go to the mission

We must make a personal decision.

1. If we say YES to the Spirit: we will be built,  perfected in God’s love, matured, and become active participants in the building. This is the fulfilment of the Great Commission: becoming disciples who grow and then multiply in others what we have received.

2. If we do NOT respond to the call: we remain spiritual children, easily deceived, affecting the building of the body, instead to give we will demand always from others

Beloved remnant, God has accomplished a perfect work in Christ, and His eternal purpose will be fulfilled. He is the fullness who fills all in all. We must decide whether we will be active participants in His purpose. Ignoring His call is not neutral—it against of his eternal purpose.

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PASTORA ANDREA - JCRC DUBAI

 

EPHESIANS 3 — “YOU ARE PART OF GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN”

 

EPHESIANS 3 —  “YOU ARE PART OF GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN”

 Ephesians 3 speaks deeply about purpose, calling, mission, spiritual strength, and God’s power working through His people.

“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
— Ephesians 3:11

 

1. YOU ARE NOT AN ACCIDENT—YOU ARE PART OF HIS PLAN

Ephesians 3:6 reveals that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ.

There was a time when you may have felt like an outsider, unqualified, or insignificant.

But God says:

“I have brought you near. You belong to Me, and I have a purpose for your life.”

Your past does not cancel God's purpose.

Your weakness does not cancel God's purpose.

Your limitations do not cancel God's purpose.

You are part of what God is doing.

 

2. GRACE DID NOT ONLY SAVE YOU—GRACE GAVE YOU AN ASSIGNMENT

Paul said:

“I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God.”
— Ephesians 3:7

Paul received grace, and that grace became a calling.

The rhema is:

“What I placed in you is not only for you.”

Your testimony is for someone.

Your experience is for someone.

Your gift is for someone.

Your resources are for someone.

Your calling is connected to God's greater purpose.

Grace received must become grace released.

 

3. DON’T LET YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES MAKE YOU FORGET YOUR CALLING

Paul was suffering and imprisoned, yet he continued to fulfill God's purpose.

“Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you…”
— Ephesians 3:13

Paul's circumstances changed, but God's purpose did not.

Sometimes we think:

“Because I am going through difficulties, maybe God has forgotten me.”

Ephesians 3 says:

The prison did not cancel Paul's calling.

Your difficult season does not necessarily mean your assignment has ended.

What God called you to do is greater than what you are currently going through.

 

4. GOD WILL STRENGTHEN YOU FROM THE INSIDE

Paul prayed:

“That he would grant you… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”
— Ephesians 3:16

The prayer wasn't simply:

“Lord, change their circumstances.”

It was:

“Lord, strengthen them inwardly.”

There are seasons when God changes the situation.

There are also seasons when God changes you in the situation.

The rhema:

“I will give you strength for what I have called you to carry.”

 

5. LET CHRIST BE THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.”
— Ephesians 3:17

God's purpose is not merely that you accomplish something for Him.

His deeper purpose is that Christ be formed in you.

Before God uses your hands, He wants your heart.

Before He sends you outward, He works inward.

Christ in you must come before ministry through you.

 

6. BE ROOTED IN LOVE, NOT IN CIRCUMSTANCES

“Rooted and grounded in love.”
— Ephesians 3:17

A tree with shallow roots can easily fall when the storm comes.

Likewise, if your faith is rooted only in:

• answered prayers,
• good circumstances,
• financial provision,
• successful ministry,
• people's approval,

your faith can be shaken.

But when you are rooted in Christ's love, you can remain standing even when circumstances change.

Rhema:

“Don't let the storm determine your identity. Let My love be your foundation.”

 

7. GOD IS ABLE TO DO MORE THAN YOU CAN SEE

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…”
— Ephesians 3:20

This is perhaps the strongest rhema of the chapter:

GOD IS ABLE.

When you cannot see the way—

God is able.

When the resources seem insufficient—

God is able.

When the assignment seems too big—

God is able.

When you feel inadequate—

God is able.

When you don't know how the promise will be fulfilled—

God is able.

Your faith does not rest on how much you can do.

Your faith rests on how much God can do.

Ephesians 3:21

“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

The plan is His.
The calling is His.
The strength is His.
The power is His.
And the glory is His.

 

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PASTOR NHONG – JCRC SORSOGON

Ephesians 2: Saved by Grace Through Faith

 

Saved by Grace Through Faith

Scripture

Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Observation

Grace is undeserved favor from God, and Ephesians chapter 2 says that when we were dead in the trespasses and sins in which we once walked, God “made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” All of us were children of wrath like the rest of mankind. Therefore, salvation could not come from human merits, but from the grace of God. When we are talking about grace, it is not a result of human works, but the result of God’s love and mercy. However, faith is the means through which we receive God’s grace. Now He shows “the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Application

When a believer understands the amazing grace received through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and such great love that moved God the Father to send His own Son as the payment for our transgressions when we were still living in them, “following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air,” we have to ask ourselves: What can we do to let everyone around us know about the grace of God?

It is important to understand that God “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Then, when we are “in Christ,” we have been transferred to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:13), and we are called to represent Him as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Through us, God can show others the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness through the good works that He prepared beforehand for us to walk in.

“We are saved by grace through faith, not by works, but we are saved for good works, through which God’s grace can be manifested to others.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, let us understand the amazing grace manifested through our Lord Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross when we were dead and lost in our old ways. There is nothing we can do to earn this gift of salvation; we can only receive it by faith. We pray that the works of Jesus would be manifested through us, so that the people around us may see His love, hear the Gospel, believe in Him, and receive the same grace and salvation that You have given to us.

In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

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PASTOR JOHNY – JCRC LATIN

GALATIANS 1: THE TRUE GOSPEL: RECEIVE → SHARE → LIVE → GLORIFY

 

What truly the Gospel is?

What do we do with it?

Who do we live for?

Who receives the glory?

Galatians 1

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” — Galatians 1:6

1. CENTERED ON JESUS — SAVED BY GRACE
Galatians 1:3–5

- Jesus gave Himself for our sins.
- The true Gospel is centered on what Jesus has done, not what we can do.
- We are saved by grace.
- Salvation is through Jesus.
- Our faith is not a performance.
- We don't earn God's love.
- We respond to the grace we have received.

Jesus is the center of the Gospel.

2. SHARED WITH OTHERS — MAKE CHRIST KNOWN
Galatians 1:15–16

- God revealed His Son to Paul “so that I might preach him among the Gentiles.”
- Paul received the Gospel, and then he shared the Gospel.
- The true Gospel is not something we keep to ourselves.
- Grace received → Gospel shared.
- We are called to tell others what Jesus has done.

What God has done in us becomes a message we share with others.

3. SEEK GOD'S APPROVAL — LIVE TO PLEASE HIM
Galatians 1:10

“Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”

- Once we know Christ, our goal changes.
- We don't live for:
      people's applause
      people's acceptance
      people's opinions
      people's recognition
- We live to please God.
      Paul says:

           “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

 

Don't live for people's approval; live for God's approval.

4. GLORIFY GOD — LET YOUR LIFE POINT TO HIM
Galatians 1:23–24

When people saw the transformation in Paul's life:

“They glorified God because of me.”

- This is the ultimate result.
- Paul didn't want people to say:
     “Look how great Paul is.”
-  His transformed life caused people to say:
     “Look how great God is.”
- Our salvation, testimony, service, and ministry should ultimately point people to God.

The Gospel changes our lives so that God receives the glory.

Jesus saves me à I share the Gospel à I live to please God à God receives the glory

Stay centered on Jesus. Share the Gospel. Seek God's approval. Give God the glory.

The true Gospel begins with Jesus, moves through our witness, shapes the way we live, and ends with God receiving all the glory.

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PAS MATET - JCRC HANOI

 

2 CORINTHIANS 13: TEST OF FAITH

 

2 Corinthians 13:5

‘’ ⁵ Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!’’

This verse speaks loudly to me. Paul did not simply say to the Corinthians to take the test, but to test themselves. It is like putting yourself in the fire and seeing whether you can withstand it.

How can we test our faith?

Sometimes, it is easier for us to see something in others than to see it within ourselves, and that is what makes testing difficult. So, we must ask ourselves:

• Am I in the faith?
• Am I still walking in faith?
• Am I truly living in faith?

We can only attest that we are in the faith if we can still see and recognize Christ in us. However, faith cannot be tested when we remain within the four walls of a room — when we simply read the Bible, pray, listen to preaching, and sit comfortably. In James 1:22 says, ‘’ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.’’ Faith is tested when we are exposed to the world outside, when we do God’s word outside even when it’s hard or difficult.

·       When we serve people

·       When we go and preach

·       When we minister alongside other people

1.     Serving people is hard because it requires the compassionate heart of Christ toward them so that we can willingly give our time, effort, and energy.

Mark 10:45

‘’ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’’

 

2.     Preaching the Word is difficult when we are rejected because it requires the love of God for us to continue even when people do not receive what we share.

 

1 John 2:5

‘’ but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him’’

 

3.     Ministering with our co-laborers can also be hard because we are different individuals, and it requires a unified spirit for us to continue the work together.

1 Corinthians 12:12 – 13

^‘’12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves^[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.’’

To test our faith is to be willing to take on uncomfortable service for God. We should not choose our work based only on what is convenient or comfortable for us. Taking on uncomfortable tasks helps build God's passion in our hearts and reveals our faithfulness to Him.

Faith is not merely something we profess; it is something that is tested through how we live, serve, persevere, and continue to follow Christ—even when it is difficult.

James 2:17, 26
[17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
[26] As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for Your Word today. May we be willing to take the test and be found faithful. May our service reflect Your compassion, may our lives reflect Your love, and may our faith be seen through the faithfulness of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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ELDER MALYN - JCRC CAMBODIA

2 CORINTHIANS 12: GRACE IN THE MIDST OF WEAKNESS

 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”  - 2 Corinthians 12:9

There are moments when life exposes the limits of our strength. There are times when we feel tired, overwhelmed, inadequate, disappointed, or stretched beyond what we think we can handle. Like anyone else, Paul wanted his suffering to stop. He prayed three times for God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” Yet God’s answer was not to remove the weakness, but to give Paul sufficient grace to endure it.

Paul discovered that God’s grace was enough—not because the pain disappeared, but because God’s sustaining presence enabled him to remain faithful.

In the same way, we can receive that same grace today. God does not always change our circumstances immediately, but He gives us the strength to remain faithful in the middle of them.

1.       God’s Grace Is Sufficient When the Weakness Remains

- Grace saves us, but it also strengthens us. It forgives our sins, yet it also upholds the weary. Grace welcomes the broken and empowers the weak to continue walking in faith.

2.       God’s Power Is Made Perfect in Weakness

- When we are strong, we may be tempted to depend on ourselves. But when we reach the limits of our own ability, we learn that God is greater than what we lack. Our weakness does not disqualify us from being used by God. Instead, it can become the very place where His power is revealed.

3.       Paul Learned to Boast in His Weakness

- We do not have to pretend that we are always strong. We can honestly acknowledge our limitations, struggles, and weariness while trusting that Christ is present with us.

4.       Weakness Can Teach Us Deeper Dependence

- Depending on God does not mean that we stop doing our part. We still work, serve, lead, love, forgive, endure, and persevere. But we do these things with the humble recognition that God supplies what we lack.

Instead of constantly hiding our flaws, exhaustion, or limitations, we can bring them before God. Human weakness reminds us that we were never meant to live by self-sufficiency.

- When our strength runs out, His grace remains.

- When we feel inadequate, His power is sufficient.

- When we cannot see how to continue, His presence gives us strength for the next step.

God’s grace is sufficient—not because we are strong enough, but because He is.

Reflections:

Ø  What weakness, struggle, or situation in my life am I currently asking God to remove, and how might He be inviting me to depend on His grace instead?

Ø  When I feel tired, inadequate, or overwhelmed, do I tend to rely on my own strength or turn to God first? Why?

Ø  How has God sustained me in a difficult season, even when He did not immediately change my circumstances?

Ø  What is one area of my life where I need to surrender self-sufficiency and trust that God’s grace is sufficient for me today?

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E  ELDER BAYIS - JCRC HANOI

2 CORINTHIANS 11: DISCERN FALSE APOSTLES & THEIR TEACHINGS

Are you being led to different gospel? different kind of Spirit? similar but different Jesus?

⁴ You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

Who are False Apostles?

a)      They are opportunists. (they came, but not sent nor appointed by Christ)

¹² … those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. ¹³ These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. -2Cor11:12-13

b)      They boast of being same work as true apostles. (for a claim of high spiritual authority and demands as same recognition as true apostles)

¹⁷ Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. ¹⁸ And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too.

¹⁵ So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

c)      Being lifted up as greater “super-apostles” but not worked as true apostles have on their service (lack the sacrificial service, humility, and hard labor that define true apostles)

⁵ But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things.

²⁰ You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. ²¹ I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!

d)      They impart different teaching (leads people astray from Christ since they themselves are non-Christlike and imparts different spirit and teaching)

⁴ You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

 

Therefore we are to DISCERN: (False apostles and teachings may come by people around us or through other open sources such as internet or social media claiming authority to teach and preach different gospel, different Jesus and imparting different spirit)

How can we not be led astray?

a)      Pray for God’s guidance, discernment and protection from people and teachings.

²⁷ For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. -1John 2:27

b)      Don’t just follow someone for being charismatic and skilled in speaking. Check their background, character and fruits.

⁵ But I don’t consider myself inferior in any way to these “super apostles” who teach such things. ⁶ I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge.  -2Cor11:5-6

c)       Be knowledgeable in God’s word to see for oneself if the teaching is true, in context, having additions or subtractions.

⁶ my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.   -Hosea 4:6

d)      Have the jealousy of God for brothers and sisters to have undivided, non-corrupted and pure devotion to Christ to protect them from being led astray

² For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. ³ But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.

e)      Fellowship with Jesus’ believers, be taught and equipped with guidance of mature believers such as trusted pastors, elders and mentors.

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 

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PAS MELODY - JCRC CAMBODIA