Message Notes

BILINGUAL WORSHIP 30 AUGUST 2020
Theme: The Kingdom of Heaven
Text: Ephesians 1-4
Title: “Built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit”

INTRODUCTION

1. Celebration of Bethany’s 47 years of Ministry as a Church

a) Today we celebrate Bethany’s 47th Church Anniversary

b) We celebrate God’s blessings for all these years!

2. Remembering our humble beginning

a) Small house church

b) God’s wonderful provision of our own church building

3. Celebration in the past

a) Special Worship at Shangri La

b) Thanksgiving Fellowship Lunch after the Worship

4. Celebration in 2020
We will still maintain the spirit of celebration!

a) To rejoice in the Lord

b) To praise Him for His blessings

c) To give thanks to God for yet another year of blessing

BLESSED BE THE LORD
Ephesians 1:3

1. Blessing the Lord

a) In humility

b) In great praise

2. For who God is to us

a) He is our God

b) He is our Father in heaven

3. For who the Lord Jesus is

a) He is our Saviour

b) He is our King

The counting of our blessings rightly begins with the Lord!

COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS
Ephesians 1:3-14

1. Thankful for every spiritual blessing Ephesians 1:3

a) Recall the Beatitudes Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-23

b) Some spiritual blessings:

i) He has chosen us to be His children in love Ephesians 1:4-6

ii) He has given us redemption (salvation) Ephesians 1:7

iii) He has given us grace and wisdom Ephesians 1:8

iv) He has given us the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13-14

2. Thankful for what He has given us

a) He made us come alive Ephesians 2:1-5

i) We were dead because of sin

ii) He has given us grace that we might be saved Ephesians 2:8-9

b) He has given us

i) His great love Ephesians 2:4

ii) He has raised us to sit in heavenly places Ephesians 2:6

iii) He has given us exceedingly great grace Ephesians 2:7

iv) He has given us salvation and eternal life Ephesians 2:8-9

c) Thank God for the results of these blessings

i) We are no more aliens/ strangers/foreigners Ephesians 2:12, 19

ii) We are brought near to God Ephesians 2:13

iii) We are citizens of heaven Ephesians 2:19

iv) We are of the household of God Ephesians 2:19

THANKFUL FOR THE CONTINUING WORK OF GOD

1. Individually

a) We are God’s workmanship Ephesians 2:10

b) We are created anew

i) For good works

ii) This was always God’s plan

2. As a Church (doctrinally)

a) We are built on the Lord Jesus and His apostles Ephesians 2:20

b) We are fitted together Ephesians 2:21

c) We are being built up like a holy temple Ephesians 2:21

d) We are being built as the dwelling place of God Ephesians 2:22

3. Practically

a) Thank God for His wonderful provision

b) Thank God for all who are serving in different ministries

c) Thank God for all who make up Bethany

i) Children

ii) Young people

iii) Young adults

iv) Older brethren

IMPORTANT PRAYERS AS WE CELEBRATE BETHANY’S 47TH ANNIVERSARY

1. Prayer of Thanksgiving
Ephesians 1:3

2. Prayer for further understanding
Ephesians 1:15-19

a) Knowledge

b) Enlightenment

c) Empowering

3. Prayer
Ephesians 3:14-20

a) Greater strength

b) Deeper knowledge

c) Filled with the fulness of God

CONCLUSION

1. Thanksgiving for the Past
This is appropriate

2. Rejoicing in the Present
This is natural

3. Trust for the Future
This is essential