Latest / Providence Baptist Church - Sermons / Ephesians 2:8-10

Transcript

Ephesians 2:8-10 · Providence Baptist Church - Sermons

0:00
I invite you to take your copy of God's Word and turn to the book of Ephesians chapter 2.
0:30
For the Christian, when we sin, we are functionally forgetting the gospel that has set us free from sin.
0:40
You see, walking in the gospel is like walking a tightrope. There are always two ways to fall off.
0:48
On the one hand, we can err when we think that because we are accepted by God in Christ Jesus, then we can live however we would like.
0:56
On the other hand, we can err when we think that having been accepted by God in Christ Jesus, we must now continually earn his favor.
1:08
Both are errors and both are egregious misunderstandings of the good news of Jesus Christ.
1:15
Amongst our congregation, people who generally take the commands of God seriously, we are more likely to err in that second way.
1:24
To think that we have to continually earn God's favor.
1:30
And we are all susceptible to this.
1:34
In Galatians chapter 3, Paul calls the Galatian believers fools because they were being tempted in this very way.
1:43
We all need to be reminded that the gospel makes us new.
1:48
It changes our very nature.
1:51
We don't differ in degree, but we differ in kind.
1:56
And we have been set free from the power of sin.
2:01
Not because of any intrinsic worth of our own, but because God desires to express loving kindness to a people for the praise of his name.
2:10
If you are in Christ this morning, then it is because God has saved you.
2:16
Any obedience that follows ought to be the outflow of a thankful heart to that salvation.
2:23
And we all need to hear this.
2:25
I think that moms especially need to hear this.
2:30
So today's sermon is for us all.
2:33
Don't check out.
2:34
Oh, it's a mom's day sermon.
2:35
I'm going to check out.
2:36
It's for every single one of us.
2:37
But I want to try to give some particular application to our moms this morning.
2:43
So Ephesians chapter 2.
2:46
I'll read verses 8, 9, and 10.
2:49
Before I do, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's word to us.
2:53
It was written for his glory and our good.
2:55
And so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands.
3:01
Ephesians 2, verse 8 and following.
3:05
For by grace you have been saved through faith.
3:09
And this is not your own doing.
3:11
It is the gift of God.
3:13
Not a result of works so that no one may boast.
3:17
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
3:30
Now, this is an incredibly rich text.
3:34
It is a text that deserves weeks of deep exploration and meditation.
3:38
But for today, in the limited time that we have, quite sure there are lunches planned for today, and specifically for the good of our mothers,
3:48
I want to begin by drawing our attention to two phrases in the first half of verse 10.
3:55
First phrase, for we are his workmanship.
4:02
Second, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
4:07
If you are in Christ Jesus, then you are God's workmanship.
4:14
But what does that mean?
4:17
Workmanship is a noun which communicates artistry or handiwork or skillfulness.
4:25
It is from this Greek word that we get our English word, poem.
4:31
So to write with artistry or handiwork or skillfulness.
4:37
David expresses the idea of workmanship in Psalm 139 and verse 14, where he says,
4:43
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
4:47
Wonderful are your works.
4:49
There's the workmanship.
4:51
My soul knows it very well.
4:54
So, all people are fearfully and wonderfully made.
5:00
All people, regardless of age or stage or position of development, are image bearers of the one who made them.
5:09
But, Paul does not have all people in mind in this text.
5:16
He is referring specifically to those created in Christ Jesus.
5:25
So there is a creation being expressed in Psalm 139.
5:29
A workmanship of God making each and every one of us as image bearers.
5:34
But there's a special and a particular workmanship happening for those created in Christ Jesus.
5:42
There is a change in kind as God makes us new in Christ.
5:53
The implications of being created in Christ Jesus are massive.
5:58
What a glorious truth this is.
6:02
And I think it's a truth that we too readily forget.
6:06
We have identity crises all the time.
6:12
If we're in Christ, we've been set free from the power of sin.
6:16
We've been accepted by God.
6:18
And therefore, we ought to thankfully obey.
6:21
Thankfully worship.
6:24
But we forget this constantly.
6:27
So let's consider this idea briefly in a simple two-point outline.
6:34
It'll go as follows.
6:35
Number one, you did not and cannot save yourself.
6:40
And number two, you will not and cannot keep yourself.
6:47
Number one, you did not and cannot save yourself.
6:54
Paul says it, and he says it clearly here.
6:57
For by grace, the gift of God, you have been saved through faith.
7:05
And this, referring to the faith, is not your own doing.
7:10
It, referring to the faith, is the gift of God.
7:15
There are those out there who want to do hermeneutical acrobatics to say that that's not what he's referring to.
7:23
But I will tell you, with a massive amount of study and leaning on people much wiser, smarter than myself,
7:30
There is no way around the grammatical structure of this sentence.
7:35
We have been saved by grace through faith.
7:40
And that faith is a gift.
7:41
It's given to us by God.
7:45
Because, verse 9 says, it's not a result of works.
7:50
That faith itself, a gift to us, not a result of works.
7:53
So that no one may boast.
7:56
It is impossible for me to say that I contributed anything to my salvation.
8:04
God saved me.
8:08
Notice at the beginning of verse 8, there's a 4.
8:10
And we do well when there's a 4 to look previous to that.
8:14
What has Paul communicated up to this point to help us understand what he means in verse 8 and verse 9?
8:22
So he begins in verse 1 of chapter 2.
8:25
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.
8:33
Following the course of this world.
8:35
Following the prince of the power of the air.
8:38
The spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
8:42
You were actively dead.
8:46
You were living in contradiction.
8:49
You were running against God.
8:53
Verse 3 goes on.
8:54
And among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh.
8:58
Carrying out the desires of the body and the mind.
9:01
And were by nature.
9:03
By kind.
9:04
Children of wrath.
9:06
Like the rest.
9:08
Of mankind.
9:11
Verse 4 says.
9:13
But.
9:15
God.
9:16
But God.
9:18
Being rich in mercy.
9:20
Because of the great love with which he loved us.
9:24
Even when we were dead in our trespasses.
9:28
Made us alive together.
9:31
With Christ.
9:33
By grace.
9:34
You have been saved.
9:35
And if you're using the ESV version.
9:37
They use em dashes there.
9:38
And it's actually this verse that makes me love em dashes.
9:41
You probably never have seen my notes.
9:43
Unless you've asked for them.
9:44
But I em dash things all the time.
9:46
And it's because of Ephesians chapter 2.
9:48
Verse 5.
9:49
I love a good em dash.
9:50
By grace.
9:51
You have been saved.
9:52
It's inserted in there.
9:54
Even when we were dead.
9:55
Like we were dead.
9:57
And no life in and of ourselves.
9:59
God made us alive.
10:01
Together.
10:02
With Christ.
10:03
By grace.
10:04
By grace.
10:05
Free gift of God to us.
10:06
You have been saved.
10:10
And raised us up with him.
10:11
And seated us with him in the heavenly places.
10:13
In Christ Jesus.
10:14
So that in the coming ages.
10:16
He might show the immeasurable riches.
10:17
Of his grace and kindness toward us.
10:20
In Christ Jesus.
10:22
Right?
10:23
God wanting to show himself merciful.
10:27
Us deserving eternal damnation.
10:29
To be clear.
10:31
God wanting to show himself.
10:33
Kind and merciful.
10:35
And loving toward us.
10:37
Did this wonderful work.
10:39
On our behalf.
10:41
We are saved monergistically.
10:43
He does it.
10:46
And this might rub you the wrong way.
10:48
But it is what the scripture teaches.
10:50
And I will tell you.
10:50
That it teaches this for your good.
10:53
For you to know.
10:55
This is the way.
10:56
That you came.
10:57
Into Christ.
10:58
You added nothing.
11:00
To the equation.
11:01
It was God's doing.
11:03
On your behalf.
11:04
Praise him.
11:06
For his extended.
11:07
Loving kindness.
11:08
Toward us.
11:09
A kindness that we.
11:10
Did not.
11:12
Deserve.
11:14
You may be sitting here.
11:16
And think.
11:16
Well.
11:16
But that's Paul.
11:18
As some people will do.
11:20
Let me tell you.
11:21
That Jesus says.
11:22
In John chapter 6.
11:23
In verse.
11:24
44.
11:25
No one can come to me.
11:27
Unless the father.
11:28
Who sent me.
11:30
Draws him.
11:31
And there's.
11:32
There's.
11:33
Controversy.
11:33
About what is it.
11:34
That Jesus is saying.
11:36
Here at this.
11:38
Point.
11:39
And so.
11:40
I want to read to you.
11:40
In a.
11:41
Extended.
11:42
Quotation.
11:43
From.
11:43
R.C.
11:44
Sproul.
11:44
That explains this.
11:45
Well.
11:46
If you have the time.
11:47
I'd encourage you to.
11:48
Look this up.
11:49
Type in a couple key phrases.
11:50
And you'll find him.
11:51
Actually saying it.
11:51
Because it's.
11:52
More enjoyable.
11:53
To hear him say it.
11:54
But I'll.
11:54
Do my best to read it.
11:56
Well.
11:57
For you.
11:57
Speaking about this text.
11:59
R.C.
11:59
Sproul.
12:01
Said.
12:01
The dispute about that passage.
12:03
Has to do with the meaning.
12:04
Of the word translated.
12:06
To draw.
12:08
What does it mean?
12:10
There are those biblical scholars.
12:11
And Christians.
12:12
Who believe that it means.
12:13
To entice.
12:14
To woo.
12:15
Or to seek.
12:16
To persuade.
12:18
For them then.
12:19
What Jesus is saying is.
12:21
People.
12:22
If left to themselves.
12:22
Are not going to seek me out.
12:24
There has to be something.
12:25
Added.
12:26
To their normal.
12:27
Inclinations.
12:28
Before they would be moved.
12:30
To come.
12:30
In my direction.
12:33
Jesus is saying.
12:33
That God has to do.
12:35
Something.
12:36
Some people.
12:37
Hold the strong opinion.
12:38
That wooing.
12:40
Is the very opposite.
12:41
Of compulsion.
12:42
That God doesn't compel people.
12:43
To come to Jesus.
12:45
But he does entice them.
12:46
And encourage them.
12:47
And try to woo them.
12:48
And show them.
12:49
How attractive Jesus is.
12:51
So that they will incline.
12:52
Themselves.
12:53
To respond.
12:54
To Jesus.
12:56
I once had a debate.
12:57
This is still.
12:58
Spruel.
12:59
I once had a debate.
13:00
On this subject.
13:01
With a professor.
13:01
Of New Testament studies.
13:03
Who was an expert.
13:04
In the biblical languages.
13:06
I was taking the position.
13:07
That God does more.
13:08
Than invite.
13:09
And entice.
13:10
And woo.
13:11
I think the word here.
13:12
Is very strong.
13:13
Because it is the same word.
13:14
That is used.
13:15
In the book of Acts.
13:15
When Paul and Silas.
13:17
Are dragged.
13:19
Into prison.
13:19
It's the same Greek word.
13:21
Used there.
13:22
It's not like the jailer.
13:23
Went inside.
13:23
The bars.
13:24
And tried to woo.
13:25
Paul and Silas.
13:26
Saying.
13:27
Come on fellows.
13:28
Please come on in here.
13:30
He compelled them.
13:31
To go inside.
13:33
That jail.
13:34
I think the word.
13:35
There is strong.
13:37
And I pointed.
13:38
That out.
13:39
To the New Testament.
13:39
Professor.
13:41
Then he surprised me.
13:42
Somewhat.
13:42
Because he quoted.
13:43
The use of the same verb.
13:44
That he found.
13:45
In some other Greek literature.
13:47
Where the verb.
13:48
Was used.
13:48
To describe.
13:49
The human activity.
13:50
Of drawing water.
13:51
From.
13:52
A well.
13:54
And the professor.
13:54
Went on to say.
13:56
Now.
13:57
You don't compel.
13:58
Water.
13:58
To come up.
13:59
Out of a well.
14:01
And I said.
14:02
But I have to say.
14:03
You don't woo it.
14:04
Either.
14:06
You don't stand up there.
14:07
And say.
14:07
Here.
14:08
Water.
14:08
Water.
14:08
Water.
14:09
Water.
14:09
Which again.
14:09
Sproul doing this.
14:10
Is wonderful.
14:12
Here.
14:13
Water.
14:13
Water.
14:13
Water.
14:13
And expect the water.
14:14
On its own power.
14:15
To jump up.
14:16
Out of the well.
14:16
Into your bucket.
14:18
You have to go.
14:19
Down with your bucket.
14:20
And take that.
14:21
Water.
14:22
I think the force.
14:23
Of that verb.
14:24
Is to say.
14:25
That we are in.
14:25
Desperate need.
14:26
Of the assistance.
14:27
Of God.
14:27
To come to Christ.
14:29
And we will not.
14:30
Come to Christ.
14:31
Unless the father.
14:32
Brings us.
14:33
To him.
14:34
Right.
14:35
Dead.
14:36
In our trespasses.
14:38
Incapable.
14:39
Of coming.
14:40
To him.
14:41
But God.
14:42
Loves us.
14:43
Enough.
14:44
To bring us.
14:46
To him.
14:47
Right.
14:48
For by grace.
14:49
You have been saved.
14:50
Through faith.
14:51
And this is not your doing.
14:53
It's the gift.
14:54
Of God.
14:56
Not a result.
14:56
Of works.
14:58
So that no one.
14:59
May boast.
15:02
And so.
15:02
If you're in Christ.
15:03
This morning.
15:04
You find yourself.
15:05
In Christ.
15:05
Because of.
15:06
The saving work.
15:07
Of God.
15:09
In Jesus.
15:10
On your behalf.
15:12
What wonderful news.
15:15
Wonderful news.
15:16
And it becomes.
15:16
The foundation.
15:18
For a life lived.
15:19
Waiting for.
15:21
The full.
15:22
Final realization.
15:24
Of the kingdom.
15:24
Of God.
15:25
Because having been set.
15:27
Free from the power.
15:28
Of sin.
15:28
We still live.
15:29
In our flesh.
15:29
We are still.
15:31
We are still so feeble.
15:32
And so.
15:33
Broken.
15:34
And often.
15:35
So inclined.
15:37
To sin.
15:39
Each and every one of us.
15:40
This week.
15:41
If we are at all honest.
15:42
With ourselves.
15:44
Must confess.
15:45
That we have not lived.
15:45
A sinless life.
15:47
This past.
15:48
Week.
15:48
I would venture to say.
15:51
Even this morning.
15:53
From the time.
15:53
Your eyes opened.
15:55
Until.
15:56
Now.
15:56
You have committed.
15:57
Some sin.
15:58
Against.
15:59
Our God.
16:00
If we were to think.
16:03
That we contributed.
16:04
Anything to our salvation.
16:05
Whatsoever.
16:07
What a shaky thing.
16:09
It would be.
16:09
To know.
16:10
If we could remain.
16:11
In that.
16:12
Position.
16:15
But beloved.
16:15
We are not changing.
16:17
In degree.
16:18
We are changed.
16:19
In.
16:19
Kind.
16:21
God.
16:22
Has made.
16:23
Us.
16:23
New.
16:25
God.
16:25
Has.
16:26
Taken us.
16:26
From this.
16:27
Dead.
16:27
State.
16:28
And made us.
16:29
Alive.
16:30
In.
16:31
Christ.
16:33
We are.
16:34
His.
16:35
Workmanship.
16:36
This is what Paul is driving home for us.
16:37
We are.
16:38
His.
16:39
Workmanship.
16:40
Created.
16:41
In.
16:42
Christ.
16:43
Jesus.
16:46
So you will not.
16:48
And you cannot.
16:50
Save yourself.
16:52
I am so grateful.
16:54
For a loving.
16:55
Kind.
16:56
God.
16:56
That is.
16:57
About the work.
16:58
Of saving.
16:59
A people.
16:59
A people.
17:00
A people.
17:01
This doctrine.
17:02
Ought not.
17:02
Work.
17:02
Pride.
17:03
In any of us.
17:03
But great.
17:05
Humility.
17:07
Why.
17:07
Oh Lord.
17:08
Such love.
17:09
To me.
17:11
I was your enemy.
17:12
I rejected you.
17:13
At every.
17:15
Turn.
17:15
I thought.
17:16
I knew.
17:17
How to rule.
17:18
My own.
17:18
Life.
17:19
I would have.
17:20
Rather.
17:20
You.
17:21
Dead.
17:22
And me.
17:22
On the throne.
17:23
And yet.
17:25
God.
17:25
Love me.
17:26
And yet.
17:27
God.
17:28
God.
17:28
Continues.
17:29
To extend.
17:30
His mercy.
17:31
Toward me.
17:32
In Christ.
17:33
I am positionally.
17:34
In.
17:35
Jesus.
17:36
When God.
17:38
Looks at you.
17:39
If you're in Christ.
17:39
He sees.
17:41
Christ.
17:42
You're in.
17:43
Christ.
17:45
So secondly.
17:46
You will not.
17:49
And cannot.
17:50
Keep.
17:51
Yourself.
17:53
Having been saved.
17:54
By God.
17:54
It is God.
17:55
That keeps you.
17:57
Because his reputation.
17:59
Is at stake.
18:00
He has saved you.
18:02
And he will save you.
18:03
To the.
18:04
End.
18:06
We are his workmanship.
18:08
Created in Christ.
18:09
Jesus.
18:10
For something.
18:11
For a purpose.
18:12
For.
18:13
Good.
18:14
Works.
18:15
Which God.
18:16
Prepared beforehand.
18:17
That we.
18:18
Should walk.
18:19
In them.
18:20
And I want to spend.
18:21
The next couple of weeks.
18:22
On that last half.
18:22
Of verse 10.
18:23
Although we.
18:24
Won't.
18:25
God's.
18:27
Sovereign reign.
18:27
Over all things.
18:28
In our lives.
18:29
Including our own.
18:30
Activity.
18:31
In our lives.
18:33
But the point.
18:33
Here being.
18:34
The driving point.
18:35
That Paul is making.
18:36
Is that.
18:37
Our lives.
18:38
Having been created.
18:39
In Christ.
18:40
Jesus.
18:41
Will express.
18:42
Thankfulness.
18:43
To him.
18:44
Right.
18:44
We will.
18:45
Show ourselves.
18:46
To be these new creations.
18:48
In Christ.
18:49
By the way.
18:49
That we live our lives.
18:51
We will show.
18:52
That we.
18:53
Love this God.
18:54
That our hearts.
18:55
Have been turned.
18:56
Toward him.
18:56
That we.
18:57
Hate sin.
18:58
We'll be putting it off.
18:59
And putting on.
19:00
The righteousness.
19:01
Of God.
19:02
Right.
19:03
We will be inclined.
19:04
Toward.
19:05
Good.
19:07
Works.
19:08
It is a wonderful thing.
19:10
To be positionally.
19:12
Found in Christ.
19:12
Positionally.
19:14
Accepted by God.
19:16
So that.
19:17
We can be free.
19:18
To love and serve him.
19:20
With our lives.
19:22
It is a wonderful thing.
19:24
For there to be no condemnation.
19:26
For those who are in Christ Jesus.
19:28
Right.
19:29
Regardless of our successes.
19:30
Or our failures.
19:31
Over this past week.
19:32
Moms.
19:33
Regardless of your successes.
19:34
Or your failures.
19:35
With your children.
19:36
Over this past week.
19:37
Right.
19:38
If you are in Christ Jesus.
19:41
Your standing before him.
19:42
Has not changed.
19:44
What a freeing thing.
19:46
This is.
19:47
To walk that tightrope.
19:49
Right.
19:50
To be in Christ.
19:51
And therefore.
19:53
Wants to do things.
19:55
That are good.
19:56
Works.
19:58
Nothing can take us.
19:59
Out of this.
20:01
Position.
20:01
Let me read to you.
20:04
Extended bit of Romans.
20:05
Chapter 8.
20:07
Beginning in verse 29.
20:09
Those whom he foreknew.
20:10
He also predestined.
20:11
Be conformed to the image of his son.
20:14
In order that he might be the firstborn.
20:15
Among many brothers.
20:17
And those whom he predestined.
20:18
He also called.
20:19
And those whom he called.
20:20
He also justified.
20:21
And those whom he justified.
20:23
He also glorified.
20:25
Don't trip over all of those words.
20:27
Just see that God.
20:29
Saved you.
20:29
What then shall we say.
20:32
To these things.
20:34
Paul asks.
20:36
What shall we say.
20:36
To these things.
20:38
If God is for us.
20:41
Who can be against us.
20:43
He who did not spare his own son.
20:45
But gave him up for us all.
20:46
How will he not also with him.
20:48
Graciously give us all things.
20:51
Who shall bring any charge.
20:53
Against God's elect.
20:55
It is God who justifies.
20:57
Who is to condemn.
20:59
And hear me moms.
21:01
Including yourself.
21:03
Who is to condemn.
21:04
Christ Jesus is the one who died.
21:06
More than that.
21:06
Who was raised.
21:07
Who is at the right hand of God.
21:08
Who indeed is interceding.
21:11
For us.
21:12
Praying for us.
21:13
Who shall separate us.
21:14
From the love of Christ.
21:16
Shall tribulation.
21:17
Or distress.
21:17
Or persecution.
21:18
Or famine.
21:19
Or nakedness.
21:20
Or danger.
21:21
Or sword.
21:22
Lord.
21:24
As it is written.
21:25
For your sake.
21:25
We are being killed all the day long.
21:27
We are regarded as sheep.
21:28
To be slaughtered.
21:29
No.
21:30
In all these things.
21:31
We are more than conquerors.
21:32
Through him.
21:33
Who loved us.
21:36
For I am sure.
21:36
That neither death.
21:37
Nor life.
21:38
Nor angels.
21:38
Nor rulers.
21:39
Nor things present.
21:40
Nor things to come.
21:41
Nor powers.
21:42
Nor height.
21:42
Nor depth.
21:43
Nor anything else.
21:44
In all creation.
21:46
Including stubborn kids.
21:48
And snotty noses.
21:51
Failed laundry.
21:52
None of this.
21:53
Will be able to separate us.
21:54
From the love of God.
21:55
In Christ Jesus.
21:56
Our Lord.
21:58
Nothing.
21:59
If God has saved you.
22:01
God.
22:01
Will.
22:03
Keep you.
22:05
John Durant.
22:06
Old.
22:07
Puritan writer.
22:09
This is the quotation.
22:09
On your bulletin.
22:10
This morning.
22:11
Once wrote.
22:12
As nothing in believers.
22:13
Was so good.
22:14
As to cause God.
22:15
To love them.
22:17
Nothing is so bad.
22:18
As can cause him.
22:19
To withdraw.
22:20
His love again.
22:23
Mom's.
22:25
Work.
22:27
You have a blessed.
22:27
And important.
22:28
Task.
22:29
Ahead of you.
22:30
Work.
22:31
But do not work.
22:33
As if your identity.
22:34
Is found.
22:35
In.
22:36
Your work.
22:39
Your identity.
22:39
Is found.
22:40
In.
22:42
Christ.
22:43
The one who created you.
22:45
Who reigns.
22:46
Over all things.
22:48
Is pleased with you.
22:49
In.
22:50
Jesus.
22:52
God loves you.
22:53
And he does not love you.
22:55
Because of you.
22:56
You.
22:57
This is good news.
23:00
This is good news.
23:02
He loves you.
23:03
Because he is love.
23:05
And your successes.
23:07
Or failures.
23:07
Will not change him.
23:09
So it will not change.
23:11
His love.
23:12
For you.
23:13
It's rooted.
23:14
In his very character.
23:16
On your behalf.
23:17
A.W.
23:20
Tozer.
23:20
In the knowledge.
23:21
Of the holy.
23:22
Wrote.
23:22
What comes into our minds.
23:23
When we think about God.
23:25
Is the most important thing.
23:27
About us.
23:28
So.
23:31
When you think of God.
23:32
Does God stand over you.
23:33
As a judge.
23:34
Nitpicking.
23:35
Your every decision.
23:36
Your every success.
23:37
And your every failure.
23:40
Or is God.
23:40
A loving father.
23:42
To you.
23:43
Because you've been adopted.
23:45
In Christ.
23:47
Does he care about you.
23:48
Does he extend.
23:50
Grace towards you.
23:52
Because you're his.
23:56
So some application.
23:57
And again.
24:00
Gentlemen.
24:01
Non-mothers.
24:02
You can replace the words.
24:03
I'm using.
24:04
And have this application.
24:04
For yourself as well.
24:05
But moms.
24:06
I want you to hear.
24:07
Especially.
24:08
This.
24:10
You can.
24:10
And you should.
24:11
If you're in Christ.
24:13
Mother.
24:14
From.
24:16
Rest.
24:18
Know.
24:19
That you're accepted.
24:20
Before God.
24:21
The greatest problem.
24:22
Of humanity.
24:23
Has been resolved.
24:24
In Christ Jesus.
24:25
For you.
24:26
You can rest.
24:28
In his presence.
24:29
And then.
24:30
Go about.
24:30
The work.
24:31
And I know.
24:32
It's a work.
24:33
So don't hear me.
24:35
Telling you.
24:35
That you're going to walk around.
24:36
Serenely.
24:37
In your home.
24:41
I don't want the job.
24:42
Of mother.
24:44
It's a difficult work.
24:45
I.
24:46
I have a difficult work.
24:48
But it's a focused work.
24:49
I get to sit at a desk.
24:51
And be uninterrupted.
24:52
While I'm doing.
24:53
My work.
24:54
I.
24:54
On occasion.
24:56
Not as often.
24:57
As I probably should.
24:58
But.
24:58
Give Sam a day off.
25:00
And.
25:00
Wrangle.
25:01
The boys.
25:03
I get a lunch break.
25:04
When I work here.
25:06
It's great.
25:07
I actually clock out.
25:09
By the time I get food.
25:10
For the boys at lunch.
25:11
And I'm trying to sit down.
25:12
And eat mine.
25:12
They need something else.
25:14
There is no.
25:15
Break.
25:16
It is a.
25:17
Wearisome.
25:18
Task.
25:18
So I am not saying.
25:20
That it just shouldn't be hard.
25:21
Anymore.
25:23
So mothering.
25:24
Is difficult.
25:26
I.
25:26
In the measure I can recognize.
25:28
But.
25:29
Mother.
25:30
From.
25:32
Rest.
25:32
And let me give you some.
25:33
Things I mean.
25:34
By that.
25:36
The mom who mothers from rest.
25:38
Works.
25:39
Hard.
25:40
But does so.
25:42
For the good of her children.
25:44
And for the glory of God.
25:45
Right.
25:45
This is the aim.
25:46
This is where her mind.
25:48
Is going.
25:49
Right.
25:49
She is not trying to build.
25:51
Status or identity.
25:52
For herself.
25:52
And her mothering.
25:54
Right.
25:54
So she is mothering.
25:55
She is doing all of those difficult things.
25:56
That must be done.
25:57
As a mom.
25:59
To love and serve her children.
26:01
And to praise God.
26:03
Secondly.
26:04
The mom who mothers from rest.
26:06
Does not discipline her children.
26:08
In anger.
26:08
In private.
26:10
Because they are inconveniencing her.
26:13
But delights in them.
26:14
And wants to see them.
26:15
Walk in the ways.
26:17
Of God.
26:18
Seize all of those.
26:21
Obnoxious.
26:22
Sin filled moments.
26:24
In our children's lives.
26:25
As opportunities.
26:26
To help our children.
26:28
Know.
26:29
Fear.
26:30
Love.
26:31
And serve.
26:32
God.
26:33
Right.
26:33
Doesn't see kids as inconvenient.
26:35
Right.
26:36
Seize this as the task.
26:37
That God has put.
26:39
Before you.
26:40
In order for you to.
26:42
Serve your kids.
26:43
Third.
26:45
The mom who mothers from rest.
26:47
Does not discipline her children.
26:48
In anger.
26:48
In public.
26:50
Because they are making her.
26:52
Look.
26:53
Bad.
26:54
But sees opportunity.
26:55
To display her love for them.
26:58
In their correction.
27:00
This impulse.
27:01
In us.
27:02
To correct our kids.
27:03
In public spaces.
27:04
Because we want to have it all.
27:07
Together.
27:09
See it as an opportunity.
27:10
To be humble.
27:11
And to express to others.
27:12
I don't have it all together.
27:14
But I want.
27:15
To show.
27:16
I want to display.
27:17
What loving kindness.
27:18
Looks like.
27:19
For my kids.
27:21
Fourth.
27:22
The mom who mothers from rest.
27:24
Does not think.
27:25
She has arrived.
27:27
But seeks to learn.
27:28
And looks for learning.
27:29
From the Bible.
27:31
And teachers.
27:31
Who point her.
27:33
To the Bible.
27:34
The mom who mothers from rest.
27:36
Has the space.
27:38
For humility.
27:39
Has the ability.
27:41
To say.
27:41
I do not have this.
27:42
All.
27:43
Figured out.
27:45
And I will say to you women.
27:46
And men as well.
27:47
Parents come to you.
27:48
And tell you that they.
27:49
Have it all figured out.
27:51
They don't.
27:54
The best parents.
27:55
We have a family.
27:56
In our congregation.
27:57
Who has 14 children.
27:59
And those two.
28:01
Wonderful.
28:01
Blessed parents.
28:02
Will tell you.
28:02
That they don't have it all.
28:03
Figured out.
28:05
There's a humility.
28:07
About them.
28:08
And they will say.
28:08
No.
28:09
We're not experts at this.
28:10
And if there's anybody.
28:11
Who could be an expert.
28:12
They should be.
28:15
Have the humility.
28:16
To look for answers.
28:17
But find it in the scripture.
28:19
The Bible gives us.
28:20
What we need.
28:22
To raise up our kids.
28:23
It's sufficient for the task.
28:25
And teachers.
28:25
Who point us to the Bible.
28:26
There's some wonderful books.
28:27
Out there.
28:27
That do this.
28:28
Helpful work.
28:30
For us.
28:32
Fifth.
28:33
The mom who mothers from rest.
28:35
Does not compare herself.
28:37
To other mothers.
28:40
Ladies.
28:40
Comparison.
28:41
Can be.
28:42
The death.
28:43
Of holiness.
28:45
Either because you don't measure up.
28:47
And so you become despondent.
28:49
Or because you're doing better.
28:50
And you become.
28:51
Proud.
28:53
Don't compare yourself.
28:54
To other.
28:55
Mothers.
28:56
But.
28:57
Ask for advice.
28:59
And help.
29:00
From those you see.
29:01
Excelling.
29:02
At various tasks.
29:04
In your mothering.
29:05
Sixth.
29:08
The mom who mothers from rest.
29:10
Can.
29:11
Use.
29:12
Social media.
29:13
But she does not need.
29:16
Social media.
29:17
She does not need.
29:18
To keep everyone informed.
29:19
Of how good she is doing.
29:21
The little corner.
29:22
That got cleaned up.
29:22
For the picture.
29:23
She is not concerned.
29:25
With her online.
29:27
Presence.
29:28
Or perception.
29:29
She does not care.
29:30
About.
29:32
Likes.
29:32
Moms.
29:34
Please use social media.
29:35
I love seeing pictures.
29:36
Of your kids.
29:37
It's a wonderful thing.
29:38
To see pictures.
29:39
Of your children.
29:40
It's a neat tool.
29:41
To share those things.
29:42
To keep a record.
29:44
I'm so glad our family.
29:45
Is building this digital.
29:47
Record.
29:47
Of our.
29:48
Kids lives.
29:49
It's a wonderful.
29:50
Helpful.
29:51
Thing.
29:52
But not a necessary thing.
29:54
You find yourself.
29:55
Needing that.
29:56
That impulsive.
29:57
Approval.
29:58
Online.
29:59
Recognize that you may not be.
30:01
Mothering from.
30:02
Rest.
30:04
And then seventh.
30:05
And lastly.
30:06
The mom who mothers from rest.
30:08
Deals with the mundane.
30:10
In the light.
30:11
Of eternity.
30:13
You.
30:14
You likely.
30:15
Have heard the phrase.
30:17
The days are long.
30:18
But the years are short.
30:19
Right.
30:19
Our kids are going to grow up.
30:21
Extremely.
30:22
Quickly.
30:23
But beyond that.
30:24
Our lives are very fleeting.
30:27
They are fleeting.
30:28
And if you're in Christ.
30:31
You're God's workmanship.
30:32
Created in Christ Jesus.
30:33
For good works.
30:35
Which he prepared beforehand.
30:36
That you.
30:37
Should walk.
30:39
In them.
30:40
And all of those.
30:41
Little tasks.
30:43
All of those.
30:44
Diapers.
30:45
And.
30:45
Changed bed sheets.
30:47
And.
30:48
Stains on the floor.
30:49
And.
30:50
Dropped food.
30:51
Snotty noses.
30:53
All of those things.
30:54
All of the whining.
30:56
Right.
30:56
All of the disobedience.
30:57
All of those things.
30:59
Every.
30:59
Single.
31:00
Bit of it.
31:01
All of those.
31:02
Mundane.
31:03
Steps.
31:03
Those things that feel to you.
31:04
So incredibly.
31:06
Insignificant.
31:07
Have a significance.
31:09
In eternity.
31:11
Every little.
31:12
One of them.
31:14
Our catechism.
31:15
Question today.
31:17
Was what hope.
31:18
Does everlasting life.
31:19
Hold.
31:20
For us.
31:22
And the long answer.
31:23
Is it reminds us.
31:24
That this present.
31:25
Fallen world.
31:26
Is not all.
31:27
There is.
31:29
Soon.
31:30
We will live.
31:31
With.
31:31
And enjoy.
31:32
God forever.
31:33
In the new city.
31:34
In the new heaven.
31:35
And the new earth.
31:37
Where we will be fully.
31:38
And forever.
31:38
Freed from all sin.
31:39
And will inhabit.
31:40
Renewed.
31:40
Resurrection.
31:41
Bodies.
31:42
And a renewed.
31:43
Restored.
31:44
Creation.
31:46
Every ounce.
31:47
Of everything we do.
31:48
Should be done.
31:49
In the light.
31:50
Of eternity.
31:51
For.
31:51
If we are in Christ.
31:54
We did not save ourselves.
31:56
We cannot.
31:58
Keep ourselves.
31:59
But we will be kept.
32:00
By God.
32:01
For that.
32:03
Wonderful day.
32:05
So be encouraged this morning.
32:06
Whether you're a mother.
32:07
Or otherwise.
32:08
To do whatever it is.
32:09
That God has called you to do.
32:11
From.
32:12
Rest.
32:13
Assurance.
32:14
In.
32:14
The fact.
32:15
That you have been changed.
32:16
In.
32:17
Kind.
32:18
You are his workmanship.
32:20
Created.
32:20
In.
32:21
Christ.
32:22
Jesus.
32:24
If you don't know.
32:25
If you're unsure of this.
32:27
I'd like to pray for you.
32:28
Let's pray together.