The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

1.1.5. SERVE, MARVELLING AT GRACE PRIVILEGE

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. "

Marvel At God's Plan Of Grace
"By the which will" (Hebrews 10;10 KJV ) links with "I come ... to do thy will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7 KJV ). The whole mission of Christ Jesus found completion in His perfect sacrifice for sin, that was the detailed carrying out of the counsel and plan of God (Revelation 13:8; 1 Peter 1:20 ). The body of Christ is not a human institution set up to advance some purpose of man. It was planned by God that we would be the centre of every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Ephesians 1:4 "4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: "

He has selected us for heavenly blessing and to be all He designed in eternity past. We enjoy body life because He chose us for Himself - chose us in Christ. He chose from all eternity. The body of Christ was His intention. He chose us to be specially His - we are the chosen of His love. To be part of the body of Christ is something to marvel about. It originated in the heart thought of God which found its accomplishment in the full extent of the obedience of Jesus the Son of God who loved, came, gave Himself, felt and suffered; He endured, He triumphed as the Saviour of the body (Ephesians 5:23 )

Do you find it awesome to be a part of His body?

How does your knowledge of God's grace plan affect your value of other members?

Marvel At God's Purpose Of Grace

Hebrews 10:10 "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. "

Placed for body life
Jesus, in fulfilling His Father's will in His once for all sacrifice, has positioned us as set apart unto God, sanctified, made holy with lasting effect. The purpose of grace for the believer is a "we are" state. The divine will purposing our redemption has been established in Christ's once for all sacrifice.

Progressively expressing body life
Marvel at what you "are" in Christ, holy. This should positively affect your responsiveness to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, that progressively you will manifest what you are in Christ, before others (Hebrews 10:14 ). We can say that marvelling in the reality of our grace position results in personally appropriating that holiness as a life-style, making our body life an expression of Christ in the community.

Participating in body life
Christ's work being a finished work, we are said to be made to "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6 KJV ). This is in contrast to those who served in the tabernacle, where there were no chairs - the priests laboured continually - there could be no sitting. Because Christ accomplished a finished work, and His blood shall never lose its power, we are seated. We are positioned by the worthy one as worthy participators.

Hebrews 13:15 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. "

We do not labour for right relationship with God - we are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6 ). We have the privilege of being a worshipping body that expresses itself in practical serving:

Hebrews 13:16 "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. "

Practicalities of body life

SERVE as those accepted, not as those striving for acceptance.

SERVE confidently because of your sufficiency in Christ, not with uncertainty because of occupation with your lack of ability.

SERVE in the strength of being part of His body, not in the weakness of attempting to do it alone.

SERVE in the knowledge and comprehension of God's will, not with the blind ignorance of your own planned program.

SERVE with healthy wholeness of being, not with destructive double-mindedness.

SERVE as those set apart to show the fulness of His glory (Ephesians 1:23 ), not to show off fleshly self-importance.

SERVE, looking to your Saviour, the sovereign Lord who is seated in absolute authority, and in expectation of the subjection of all opposition.

Hebrews 10:13 "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. "

SERVE the Victor - all enemies are rendered powerless before Him, not entertaining the false notion that His enemies are equal in power to resist, knowing this is contrary to God's Word (Psalm 2:8; 72:8-17; Daniel 7:13-14; Philippians 2:10-11 ). Remember the Head of the body which you serve has all authority. He said

Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."

SERVE exercising your body member privileges, namely those of Hebrews 10:19-25. Your regulated human spirit has access to the most intimate presence of God. "Boldness to enter the holiest" (Hebrews 10:19 KJV ). The innermost recesses of God's heart are open to you. He is intimate with "a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15 KJV ).

All your privileges are "by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19 KJV ). You can with bold confidence express your heart to the heart of God. Christ Jesus has effectively opened for you a permanent entrance and right, into the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 10:20 ). You are encouraged to tread the new way of indescribable closeness because you have Jesus as "High Priest over the house of God (Hebrews 10:21 KJV ). Your great Priest and King is for you, and you are in Him, and He is over all. There is no need to hold back. "Draw near with a true heart" never doubting your right of access (Hebrews 10:22 KJV ) assured of your purity of heart and life through faith in Christ.

Hebrews 10:23 "... (for he is faithful that promised;) "

Share your spiritual life and insight out of thoughtfulness for "one another in order to stir up love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24 NKJV ). To accomplish this, don't neglect the privilege of gathering together (Hebrews 10:25 ).

To help in understanding how you respond to these wonderful privileges, answer these questions:-

Do you find body members attractive who really have a deep intimacy with God?

Do you boldly represent other body members and their needs before God?

What are the practical effects in your own life of intimacy with God?

Could you name some of the privileges grace has bestowed on you?

Would you expect body life to be practical and rewarding?

Do you put a greater value on body life when you marvel at the cost to Jesus to make it all possible?

How do you maintain enthusiasm, serving in body life?

	Do you find it awesome to be a part of His body?
	How does your knowledge of God's grace plan affect your value of other members?

	SERVE as those accepted, not as those striving for acceptance.
	SERVE confidently because of your sufficiency in Christ, not with uncertainty because of occupation with your lack of ability.
	SERVE in the strength of being part of His body, not in the weakness of attempting to do it alone.
	SERVE in the knowledge and comprehension of God's will, not with the blind ignorance of your own planned program.
	SERVE with healthy wholeness of being, not with destructive double-mindedness.
	SERVE as those set apart to show the fulness of His glory (Ephesians 1:23 ), not to show off fleshly self-importance.
	SERVE, looking to your Saviour, the sovereign Lord who is seated in absolute authority, and in expectation of the subjection of all opposition. Hebrews 10:13 "From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. "
	SERVE the Victor - all enemies are rendered powerless before Him, not entertaining the false notion that His enemies are equal in power to resist, knowing this is contrary to God's Word (Psalm 2:8; 72:8-17; Daniel 7:13-14; Philippians 2:10-11 ). Remember the Head of the body which you serve has all authority. He said Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."
	SERVE exercising your body member privileges, namely those of Hebrews 10:19-25. Your regulated human spirit has access to the most intimate presence of God. "Boldness to enter the holiest" (Hebrews 10:19 KJV ). The innermost recesses of God's heart are open to you. He is intimate with "a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15 KJV ).

	Do you find body members attractive who really have a deep intimacy with God?
	Do you boldly represent other body members and their needs before God?
	What are the practical effects in your own life of intimacy with God?
	Could you name some of the privileges grace has bestowed on you?
	Would you expect body life to be practical and rewarding?
	Do you put a greater value on body life when you marvel at the cost to Jesus to make it all possible?
	How do you maintain enthusiasm, serving in body life?