Healthy Spiritual Community – God’s DNA

God’s DNA can be found anywhere and everywhere, but you have to be looking for it. In our study through Ephesians, we are going to uncover a lot of His DNA and by doing so we’ll be able to see more clearly some of the traits and characteristics that we need to be imitating (see Ephesians 5:1). 

Today’s text was written in the style of a Jewish blessing. Paul launches into what one scholar calls “a controlled state of ecstasy.” He repeatedly uses a Greek word, eulogetos, translated “praise” that was used exclusively of God as the only one worthy of worship. If we were CSI investigators at a crime scene, we would be looking for DNA evidence to discover who was at the scene. The crime in our study is that more of us are not utilizing the amazing access that we have been given to the blessings that God provides; and that many, in both their (the Ephesians) culture and ours, give affections to the wrong things.

So before going further, read Ephesians 1:3-14. Look for the four times Paul uses the word for “praise” and notice what he is so excited about (verses 3,6,12 &14). If there was any doubt that you are loved by God and that He really does have a wonderful plan for your life, this DNA evidence should help clear up your self doubt! He has provided you with every spiritual blessing (verse 3). He takes pleasure in you (verse 6). He will be reflected through the first believers and through us, the future believers (verses 12&14). God is absolutely effusive about being our Father and having us as His children!

There are four predominate characteristic about God that we can imitate and in deed, should be seen in our own DNA as His children. 

1. God is relationally responsible. Even though the Bible never uses the word “Trinity” we can clearly see the triune God throughout the Scriptures. For ages, the church has been united on this fundamental doctrine. Augustine, the early church father said, “If you deny the Trinity you are in danger of loosing your salvation; if you try to explain the Trinity, you are in danger of loosing your mind.” The evidence in this passage is undeniable; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are all functioning to provide God’s blessings. If God has chosen to reveal Himself within community as three functioning members and He has made us in His image, wouldn’t He want us to function within community, too? Look up Genesis 1:26 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 as further examples.
2. God is proactively loving. As you read through our passage, look for the times that speak of God’s plans and His predestining us for a loving connection to Himself. I love knowing that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Before time began, God was already determining to express His love to us. His love never had a beginning and will never have an end. God predetermined to pour out His love on us. If we are waiting to feel love before we express love, we have missed the point. Who can you predetermine to love this week? Why not be more like your Father God and refuse to wait to love and decide to love instead? Share with a few friends three ways you can proactively love this week. Agree together to hold one another accountable this week and then share with each other what happened.
3. God is sacrificially committed. Martin Luther said, “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffering nothing, is worth nothing.” Jesus didn’t come simply to introduce us to God – He came to remove the sin barrier keeping us from God. And it cost Him his life. I love the deeper meaning behind the two key words that describe Christ’s work: “redemption” and “forgiveness”. The DNA testing shows that “redemption” is the giving of freedom to a slave or a prisoner. In our sin, we were both slave and prisoner and He has emancipated us! How awesome is that? The second word, “forgiveness”, specifically means to loose someone from what binds them. He not only wants to give us the blessings that go with these gifts, but to also use us to be dispensers of redemption and forgiveness. Do you rub it in or do you rub it out? With these two words in mind, how can you be more like Jesus?
4. God is intimately connected. The Spirit of God is what keeps us connected. Ephesians hints to the broader work of the Spirit but what He guarantees is a non-stop, never-ending, securing, sealing, and sanctifying presence and inheritance. I love the three steps that stand out as a DNA map on how to be “included” in God’s family. Look closely at verse 13. You first, “heard the word of truth”. Second, you “believed” and third, you were “marked” or “sealed”. When God’s Spirit comes into our life, He is our guarantee that we are now His children. No more DNA testing needed. His presence in us sealed the deal! What is the evidence of the Spirit’s presence in our lives? See John 14:15-21; 16:7-15 and 1 John 4:2-6 & 13-21, and share your observations with a friend or two.

In His Love,

Pastor Jeff

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