Sermon Central
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His Workmanship-1
Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 11, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: 1 of 2. The apostle Paul related that the intent of Jesus’ sacrifice was to release man to affect God’s purposes. Christians are the purposeful workmanship of God. But How/Why? Christian workmanship entails a hallmark...
HIS WORKMANSHIP-I—Eph. 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Attention:
We use the phrase ‘He/She’s a real piece o work!’ to describe someone who is a loose cannon, a little ditzy, or seems to ‘have a screw loose.’ In other words, the ‘work’ producing that particular person is obviously flawed! They’ve got some a specific observable slant to their thinking which doesn’t put two-&-two together properly.
Christians are also a ‘piece o work’ but in a very positive sense!
Christians are the very workmanship of God Almighty in Christ Jesus!
Need:
Why are you here?; Who am I?; How do I find my way?
Most people think Christians are a little wacky, right?
We will answer that statement/question with a resounding “Yes,” but will also offer you great reasons as to why you may think them to be so wacky.
An apostle of our Lord Christ Jesus related that the intent of Jesus’ sacrifice was to release man to affect God’s purposes.
Christians are & exemplify the purposeful workmanship of God.
How/Why are Christians identified with the purposeful workmanship of God?
5 hallmarks of Christian workmanship.
For Veteran’s Day—
1)All those who serve in the military, support the mind/rationale(that which/who made them) of the military. To provide for the common defense of the people/nation.
2) Military men/women have all been ‘made’ with an express purpose.
3)You served the US for the sake of the nation/people/others of the US, of whom you yourself are one.
4)Some of you serve(d) because you were made to & others of you serve(d) because you chose to. Regardless of why you serve(d) you serve(d), putting your life in harm’s way in doing so!
1—Christian workmanship entails a hallmark...
BELONGING(:10a)
Explanation:(:10a)His workmanship
“For we are His workmanship...”
Paul is including himself with those who are God’s. All who “are” true blood-bought believing Christians. All these/such are “His.”
The referent to “His” hearkens to :4, where it speaks of “God” who “made us alive together with Christ.”
Those who are “His” are not only “His” possession but are the finished product(“workmanship”) which He Himself has made.
Being the workmanship of God implies that we are something other than this world’s workmanship.
Thereby we are markedly different in our makeup—our thinking, manner, attitude(s), direction & directive(s), focus(God thru Christ), purpose, power, influence, etc.
Our church cannot claim to be perfect in the sense that only we hold the line of truth.
However at the same time, this church also holds an obligation to faithfully & rightly honor God, knowing that other churches may not do such. We must examine, know, & exemplify the ‘whole counsel’ of God. We attempt this by correctly interpreting the written word of God, recognizing it as the written revelation of God to Man!, & confirming it by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
We also measure/interpret reality by God’s revelation/truth, & not the other way around!
We ‘belong’ as a result of God’s loving desire for us.
“We are”—esmen—1) first person plural of “to be.” Strong—first person plural indicative of eimi[I am/exist]; “We are.”
“His”—autov(autou)—Pronoun—1) Himself, herself, themselves, itself; 2) He, she, it; 3) The same. Strong—from the particle au[perhaps akin to the base of ahr[Breathe/Respire/Blow/“Air”] through the idea of a baffling wind](backward); the reflexive pronoun--Self, used(alone or in the comparative eautou[Himself, herself, itself, themselves]) of the third person , & (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons.
“Workmanship”—poihma—Noun Neuter—1) That which has been made; 2) A work—2a) Of the works of God as creator. Strong—from poiew[To make or do(in a very wide application, more or less direct)]; A product, i.e. Fabric(literally or figuratively). Used 2X, here & Rom. 1:20.
Rom. 1:20—“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made[poihma], even His eternal power & Godhead, so that they are without excuse,”
Argumentation:
Mat. 5:1-16—“And seeing the multitudes, He[Jesus] went up on a mountain, & when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth & taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile & persecute you, & say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice & be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out & trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp & put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, & it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works & glorify your Father in heaven.”
