Realizing our Riches | Ephesians 6: 23-24

Ephesians 6:23-24 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. TO [THE EPHESIANS WRITTEN FROM ROME, BY TYCHICUS.] We have come to the final words of this letter written by Paul at the hand of Tychicus but far more important than the Author and Penman of this epistle is the one who inspired it, The Holy Ghost. I don't mean inspire in the way that the word is used today, The Holy Spirit wasn't just a thought or idea provoking Paul but he was breathing in Paul to write this letter. The words proceeding out of the mouth of Paul and being written by Tychicus had their source is in the eternal Spirit of God. The Spirit that moved on the face of the deep, The Spirit that was in Moses, Joshua, David, and all the other OT Prophets, The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and the same Spirit that lives in every true believer. Paul didn't know that this letter was going to be read throughout the ages but God did and inspired it in such a way that the truths we find in it, and all the church epistles, are not just for the church they were written to but they were written to the church universal. Paul became a Moses of sorts for the church. Moses received the Law that Israel fashioned their life and religion around for thousands of years, although they strayed from it. Paul received the mysteries of the Gospel that the church has fashioned their life and religion around now for roughly 2,000 years, although we have strayed from it. All of the scripture was written for us but not all of it is written to us. This is not the case with the church epistles [Romans-Jude] these letters are written to the Church like the law was written to Israel. Familiarize yourself with these letters and apply them "as is." "Peace be to the brethren" peace is a wonderful thing and we often don't value its worth until it is gone. Paul wished peace specifically to the brethren. If you are a brother/sister in Christ then peace should be a normal part of your life. Of all people, we should have peace. The times that we don't have peace are when we have decided to carry our load instead of casting all our care upon the Lord, or sin has crept in and for the purpose of chastisement, his peace is removed to correct us and bring us back into the right path. The normal Christian life should have peace, sadly, many Christians are living a life abnormal from the Christian life we find in the scripture. On the other hand, those that are outside of Christ should have no peace at all, the peace mentioned here was for brethren and no one else. The worst thing that happens to men is they are filled with peace in this life and never see the need for the peace that Christ offers. They may have peace all around, all may be well but if you don't have peace with God, then every peace you have here is smoke and mirrors, like a mirage in the desert, your life will come to a close, and the peace you thought you had will fade into the horrible reality that all the comforts of life won't make up for one second of the discomforts of hell. We should pray that God removes every ounce of earthly peace and comfort from those who don't yet know him. I would much rather be awakened by a horrible truth than slumber my way into hell. Sadly the so-called churches of today are wishing peace to everyone, the homosexuals, the abortionist, the religious unsaved that sit in our congregations week in and week out. These churches wish them peace. I shouldn't be so, we should hope that every peace they have would be removed so that they could be driven to find peace with God through Jesus Christ. All peace is false if a man or woman is not a brother or sister in Christ. I thank the Lord for the horrible conviction[removal of peace] that flooded my soul, it was that lack of peace that drove me to Christ and it is the same thing I pray happens to all unbelievers. "Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Love and faith come from God. That is why we should have the same love for the brethren and the same faith because the source is the same. God gave me love and gave me faith and he gives my brothers and sisters that same love and faith. "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen." This entire Epistle was written to brethren, that is the first stipulation, the second need for a person to enjoy this epistle is that they be "sincere" and as Paul said at the beginning of this letter: "to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:" This letter was written to a group of faithful, sincere Christians. The heavenly riches that are found in this letter are for all the church but aren't made useful to the carnal, lukewarm Christians. Paul wanted to bring meat to the church at Corinth but he couldn't because of their carnality. This book is meat that isn't enjoyed by babes. So is the case with us as Christians, we'll never crave or enjoy the deeper things of God so long as we are still indulging the flesh and living a carnal life. The more you grow, the more you will desire the meat of the word and this is an epistle for "faithful" and "sincere" brothers. Just like at a dinner party we have an array of food that all are welcome to eat. If the adults want to taste some of the sweets that were prepared for the children they are welcome, and they enjoy them, the children are welcome to try the foods that are usually only enjoyed only by the adults. No part is restricted to any but some dishes are only enjoyed by matured taste. The Scripture is like this, the only restriction that is set is that you be in Christ. Once you are no part is restricted, the only restriction you will meet will be your taste. As you mature in the Lord, You also mature in the Word. Grow in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord and you will begin to crave all of the scripture, the plain truths, and the "Things that are hard to be understood." This epistle is written to all but enjoyed by the "faithful" and "Sincere." So let us grow into faithful sincere brothers and sisters. Amen.

Onward Christian Soldiers!!