Teague Bible Church

I walked into a theatre in Waco, getting no further than the ingress hallway. I realized I had stepped into a movie, but it was not the one I had paid to see. Got the picture? (No pun intended.)
I tried to figure out the story of that movie, based on 2 minutes of scenes. For two more weeks I tried to figure out ,from that tidbit of information, its full meaning. I had beautiful theories build up in my mind, but all those theories were destroyed but a ruthless gang of ugly facts when I actually saw the movie, in its entirety.
Paul’s prayer for believers, Ephesians 3:16-19 states,” That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” Now that, my friend, is a bit more than a two minute view!
This verse is about a “full, and long experience” of relationship with the Lord. It seems today that the demand is for “sound-bite” theology. It is no wonder believers fold up like lawn chairs at the least temptation. It is obvious that too many believers are trying to, “Work God into their busy schedule!”
When we came into this world we were dropped into the middle of an ongoing drama of eternal dimensions! You desperately need to know how the drama began and how it will end, because all you will ever be is wrapped up in it!
One of the best, “Now, finally I get it , and can do something with it” passages, in all of scripture, is Romans 5: 12-21. We plumb the depths of that tomorrow. You will be convinced that God’s grace is more powerful that all of the forces of hell, when you understand it, ” Everywhere sin increased, grace super-abounded beyond it!”
If you want a vital Christian life, then stop being “played” by your enemy! You have to tell your moods where to get off, and then get onto the living, breathing, Word of God. ” Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” Romans 10:17.
It is more than simply gaining knowledge by seeing the whole movie, it is an experience, soul-deep, while gaining the knowledge. It’s seeing the movie with a friend sitting beside you. You thought you knew the life of that friend, but somewhere, while watching the film, you realized the movie was about your friend, and all He has done for you. You are overwhelmed; you are undone at first, then greatly relieved !
That Ephesians passage ends this way, ” Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, Amen.” Ephesians 3: 20-21.
There is another movie called, “Gladiator.” As Rome’s glory is degraded, this captured and exploited x-general remembers the greatness of Rome and states to his fellow gladiators, ” There was an idea that was Rome, and this is not it!”
There is a vital walk to be had with the Lord today. Nothing about it has faded with time! This “drive-by; please entertain me,” mentality has to stop! There is a ” joy inexpressible and full of glory” but what too many are experiencing is not it, never was it, will not become it.
What is it in the forefront of your mind that has replaced seeking and loving God? Let me encourage you today with this; you will find that the road back to God is not a long one. That ambient sound you heard the whole time you were drifting away was the Lord’s steps.
You turn, expecting a long road home, and realize He was standing right behind you! Could you pray right now and say, “Lord, keep me in the place I need to be, no more games, no more wasting time running and entertaining myself; find me; bring me to a deep place where I see you today; this hour; this moment!” JWP