Pastor Scott Velain Ephesians Chapter 3 GREETINGS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BE CARFULE WHAT YOU HEAR IN THE CHAT ROOMS! (Jesus is Melchizedek because Jupiter says so?) TALK ABOUT ASTROLOGY: Dan 2:26 The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?" Dan 2:27 Daniel answered the king and said, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, Dan 2:28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. THE GREAT MESSAGE TO BABYLON: Isa 47:1 Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans! For you shall no more be called tender and delicate. Isa 47:2 Take the millstones and grind flour, put off your veil, strip off your robe, uncover your legs, pass through the rivers. Isa 47:3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will spare no one. Isa 47:4 Our Redeemer the LORD of hosts is his name is the Holy One of Israel. Isa 47:5 Sit in silence, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. Isa 47:6 I was angry with my people; I profaned my heritage; I gave them into your hand; you showed them no mercy; on the aged you made your yoke exceedingly heavy. Isa 47:7 You said, "I shall be mistress forever," so that you did not lay these things to heart or remember their end. 1
Isa 47:8 Now therefore hear this, you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me; I shall not sit as a widow or know the loss of children": Isa 47:9 These two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day; the loss of children and widowhood shall come upon you in full measure, in spite of your many sorceries and the great power of your enchantments. Isa 47:10 You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, "No one sees me"; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, "I am, and there is no one besides me." Isa 47:11 But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing. Isa 47:12 Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror. Isa 47:13 You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Isa 47:14 Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before! Isa 47:15 Such to you are those with whom you have labored, who have done business with you from your youth; they wander about, each in his own direction; there is no one to save you. DIVINATION, FORTUNE TELLERS, DIVINERS: Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer Deu 18:11 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, Deu 18:12 for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. Deu 18:13 You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, Deu 18:14 for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortunetellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this. WILL THERE BE SIGNS IN THE SUN MOON AND STARS? YES! To let us know where we are in time, and to give us warning, and to ring in his feast days... but 2
not to tell the future or to determine the past... that my friends... is divination. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. (Psalms 20:7 and 8) Deu 4:19 And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. If we are looking to the sun, moon, and stars and the host of heaven for our answers rather than looking to the one true God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob... then who are we serving? Our Messiah tells us who to look for our answers from... and it's not the sun, moon, and stars my friends! Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Joh 16:15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 1Co 2:9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" 1Co 2:10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1Co 2:11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1Co 2:12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1Co 2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1Co 2:15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 1Co 2:16 "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. RAPTURE NONSENSE: One of the newest things out on the internet today is the 23rd Of September matching Revelation 12:1 and 2.. and is supposed to be the next date of the Pre-tribulation 3
Rescue!... How many times my friends... have we watched these date setters fall flat on their false doctrines? How many times do we have to see it... to hear it... to experience it? Once again.. if there is going to be a Pre-Tribulation Rescue... his Holy Spirit.. the Ruach Hakodesh of God.. will be the one to notify us... and he does not need astrology, divination, magic, or diviners, to tell us what he wants us to know. So please my friends... do not put your eggs... all into that basket. God told ancient Babylon that they were wearied with their many counsels... he said let them stand forth and save you... those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars... who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. And he said and I quote my friends... They are like stubble, the fire consumes them.. they cannot even deliver themselves from the power of the flame. When it comes to astrology my friends... as they say in Texas... That dog won't hunt MOVING INTO EPHESIANS CHAPTER 3: Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles Eph 3:2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, Eph 3:3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. Eph 3:4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, Eph 3:5 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. Eph 3:6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I want us to think about what Paul says in verse 1 about being a prisoner for the Messiah. Here was Paul... a man who was a Pharisee... full of Judaism, and the teachings and the traditions of the Jews (that our Messiah hated by the way).. who went around rounding up Christians to be killed and stoned to death. So these Gentile's knew Paul as a Christian killer. And here he was standing before them totally and irrevocably convinced... that Yahshua Hamashiach (Jesus the Messiah) is indeed the Messiah that they Jews have been waiting for. What stronger message could God have sent to them? The one true God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.. has just taken their enemy... and turned him.. for their sake Paul says. Paul says in verse 2 that the stewardship of God's grace was given to him for us! So that we would know... with 4
out a doubt.. that this message was true. What stronger message could God have sent to us... than this Pharisee of Pharisee's.. who hated Christians... now... a dedicated servant of God... imprisoned by the truth of God's word... so that all Gentiles would know... that his word is true? Think about that for just a moment. Think about what they must have been thinking. And notice also what is written in verse 5. Paul tells us that not only he... was given the answer to this great mystery of who our Messiah is... but that it was also given to his holy Apostles and prophets by what? By astrologers?... No my friends... by the Spirit. And he's very clear about this mystery in verse 6. He tells us that this mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in the Messiah Yahshua Jesus through the Gospel. Which goes right in line with what we already know to be true found again in Galatians 3:26-29: Gal 3:26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. And this completely destroys the false doctrine of so many of today's modern day denominational charters of men who teach that Paul was the only one given the Gospel message, and only Paul truly had it, and that today's new found Christian denominational charters have now replaced the Jews. Talk about those who's eyes can not see and who's ears can not hear, and who are forever studying but never perceiving or understanding. How easily they forget that Yahshua Jesus himself was an Apostle! Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, Heb 3:2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. Once again my friends... how lost must we be to think... that our Messiah is come kind of triune God... three gods in one... three co-equal gods... all pre-existing... all equal in power and glory. When right here once again we see that these things were and I quote... Appointed to him... by the one true God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. This Apostle... called Yahshua Jesus... this man... who is the only mediator between God and man... this High Priest of men that came from among men.. and from out of the house of David and the tribe of Judah who was begotten by his Father, born of a virgin woman... and given his place at the right hand of the one true God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob... by the one true God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. The Apostle... Yahshua Hamashiach Jesus the Messiah. 5
LETS CONTINUE IN VERSES 7 THROUGH 10: Eph 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. Eph 3:8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Eph 3:9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, Eph 3:10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Notice once again how Paul tells us in verse 8... that Gods grace was given to him to preach to the Gentiles. And lets be perfectly clear my friends... this was indeed Gods plan even before Paul was born. God had already planed... in his great wisdom... that he would send this man Paul.. who he would raise up as a great Pharisee... to be one of the most powerful and prolific Apostles to share the mystery of what he had already planed clear back even before the law was given. God had chosen Paul... before Paul was even born. Listen to what Paul tells the church at Galatia: Gal 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, Gal 1:16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; How great is our God who knows things before things unfold? Not even the Son can say that he is greater than his Father! Joh 14:28 You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And once again I would be re-missed if I did not bring our attention to verse 10. Eph 3:10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. That word Church does not belong in our bibles. That word Church is translated from the Greek word Ekklesia... which means a religious congregation... a Jewish synagogue which is where they were at that time. They were in a Jewish synagogue... not a Christian church with a pagan steeple, organs and all of the things that we think of when we hear the word Church. Once again we must remember what the English translators believed when they translated our English speaking bibles. Many of them believed that it was the Christian Church that came to 6
replace Gods chosen Israelite's... and that my friends... is not found anywhere in our bibles. And this is so techtonically important to understand my friends. Just as we clearly stated in last Wednesday's study in the 7th chapter of the book of Hebrews... we must stand on what the scripture says. There is all kinds of hype out there... all kinds of belief systems, and doctrines and theologies, and understandings and speculations... but my friends... if the word of God... in our God breathed scriptures rebukes these belief systems, and doctrines, and theologies, and understandings and speculations... we must throw them to the ground.. and stand on the given scriptures. Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Rom 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Faith comes from what my friends... what does faith come from? Does it say that faith comes from divination, and magical flying reindeer, and magical elves? Does faith come from astrology, or fortune tellers? NO!.. Faith comes from HEARING... AND HEARING THROUGH THE WORD OF THE MESSIAH! And we'll never hear about faith coming from divination or magical flying reindeer, or magical elves, or magic bunnies that lay colored eggs, or a first day of the week Sunday Sabbath. But we will hear about the true unadulterated Gospel message that God sent the Apostles, the Prophets and his only begotten Son to give us. And let me say this as well my friends... notice what it says in Romans 10 verse 15: Rom 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" I can not tell you how many times I have heard men who have been called to preach... say that they are not Pastors. I can not tell you how many times I have heard men who have been called to preach say that they have not been sent to preach... and why?... because the Devil has fooled them into thinking that they have not been. They read Matthew 23 8 through 11 and think that no one has been called to preach because they don't understand Matthew 23:8 through 11. Eph 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, Eph 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Eph 4:13 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, Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried 7
about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. MOVING ON TO EPHESIANS CHAPTER 3 VERSES 11 THROUGH 21: Eph 3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, Eph 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. Eph 3:13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. Eph 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, Eph 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith that you, being rooted and grounded in love, Eph 3:18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, Eph 3:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. And this my friends is why we must and I repeat... MUST stand on the scripture of Gods breathed word. Those who do not... will not be a part of who he is: Mat 13:43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Mat 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, Mat 13:46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Mat 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. Mat 13:48 When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. Mat 13:49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 8
Mat 13:50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And let us remember that it is indeed the love of our Messiah that surpasses all knowledge. It's not the knowledge of men, or the wisdom of men, or their grand institutions, or their illustrious brick and mortar cathedrals and basilicas. It's not astrology or divination, or fortune-tellers that surpass all knowledge. It's not Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, or those little pagan nomes that people have sitting in their flower beds... It is indeed.. the love of our Messiah who came to write his Fathers laws in our hearts and in our minds just as we're told in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 15 through 17 and again in Jeremiah 31:33. And once again if we understand the word Love... and what that means... we will understand what the word Faith means. The words Love and Faith and Obedience are synonymous my friends, and it's monumentally important to understand that. The love of our Messiah was that the not only kept the commandments of his Father but that he preached and taught the commandments of his Father. Love is faith, and with out the obedience of faith we have nothing. 1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1Jn 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 1Jn 2:4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 1Jn 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: 1Jn 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Rom 3:31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. And so it is... that we indeed do have the eyes to see... and the ears to hear. 9