Now, if you have your Bibles, open back up to the book of Ephesians, chapter 1. We're going to focus this evening on verses 22 and 23, as Pastor Mitch has already mentioned. Ephesians chapter 1, having laid out the glorious plan of salvation that began before time began with the ordination of our Lord Jesus Christ as the mediator of His church, of His people, of His blessing and coming to accomplish our salvation, and then the Spirit of God coming to apply that salvation to the hearts of all who would believe. We look at these words in verses 22 and 23 of Ephesians 1. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church. which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Let's pray once more, shall we? And Lord, as this is the word of God, the very words that the spirit of God has indicted, has chosen, we pray that you would help us to appreciate and admire our Lord Jesus Christ And Father, what you have done in your son, we pray that you would help us to be encouraged, to be challenged by these words to the end that Jesus Christ would have the preeminence both in each of our hearts and in our church as well. In his name we pray, amen. So if you recall with me in our previous studies, we've been focusing upon our Lord Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant. He is our prophet, he is our priest, he is our king. And has continues to gather according to Revelation 5, 9, that they sang a new song saying, worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals for you were slain. And by your blood you ransomed for God every tribe, every language, and people and nation. And so as we look through Paul's prayer, as Pastor Mitch has read it for us this evening, Paul has just expressed in prayer his humble adoration and thanks for the grace of the Father, Son, and Spirit in bringing the Ephesians to believe in Jesus Christ. That same powerful force that enabled their hearts to believe in Christ also raised Christ from the dead and has exalted Him to the highest position in heaven. Both miracles share the same cause. And that cause, as you can see in verse 19, is the immeasurable power, the immeasurable greatness of his power. In other words, your faith in Jesus Christ, who is your certain hope of heaven, is brought about by the greatest power ever exercised, ever seen in the universe, both seen and unseen. A miraculous faith we have. and as miraculous as Christ's own rising from the dead. So we want to ask ourselves, for what purpose is Christ so exalted? And Paul is going to state that for the benefit, that it is for the benefit of the church. And so here's the main thrust of these two verses, and I have it on your handout from John Flavel. Jesus Christ orders and determines all the affairs of God's providence, specifically for the eternal benefit and advantage of his redeemed people. So we're going to follow along the track of our brother John Flavel for these verses here. Christ is King. He is Lord. He is Sovereign. He is Preeminent. He is Supreme. and His supremacy over the universe is laser-focused on the eternal benefit and good of His redeemed people. His limitless, unstoppable power is directed to the eternal happiness of His people for whom He died and redeemed. And that purpose, as we've looked at through this chapter, that purpose is certain to be accomplished. So we're going to consider these two verses here at the end of Ephesians 1 under these three main points. First, Christ's universal dominion. Now, those of you who don't use the word dominion every day, it just simply means his rule, his supremacy. Point number two, Christ's dominion focus, that rule has a particular focus. And then number three, Christ's inseparable body. as we look at these verses. Consider with me first, Roman numeral 1, Christ's universal dominion or rule as we find it in our text, the beginning of verse 22. First, under that heading, A. His dominion is real. It is real. Christ, or rather Paul, adapted two wonderful verses from the Old Testament to his theme of praise here, as he looks back to 1st Psalm 8, verse 6, where David writes, you have given him dominion over the works of your hands, you have put all things under his feet, as well as Psalm 110, beginning at verse one, where the Lord says to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. And so as we consider verse 22a. Every power, past, present, and future is placed under Christ's feet, showing a complete and total submission to his rule. Recall with me the words that we looked at earlier today from Matthew chapter 28, the Great Commission, where Jesus came and said to them, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. That's complete, isn't it? We also find in 1 Corinthians 15 verse 25 that he must reign until he has put all enemies under his feet. And so it doesn't matter whether these earthly powers will acknowledge Jesus Christ or not, they have been made to be under his feet. All powers, including His enemies, are under His divine supremacy. His rule is as far-reaching as it is unstoppable. His rule is universal. And so look back with me to verses 20 and 21 in the text. Verses 20 and 21, just as the father worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And so the father's demonstrated power was made known through an historical event, which is Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. James Montgomery Boyce makes this comment. He says, Christ's exaltation over all rule and authority involves all earthly powers and angels, but in the context of the Christian struggle to live a godly life, and in the context of this book as a whole, the emphasis is certainly upon the hostile spiritual powers of the corrupt world system. The Bible teaches that demonic powers stand behind all evil rulers, so that Paul says later in this book that we struggle not merely against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, which comes from Ephesians 6.12. And so these spiritual forces have been made subject to Christ. And so when we are told that Jesus has been exalted over them, we need not fear attacks from these forces. And so when we consider Christ's universal dominion, that dominion is real. It is marked by historical event of his resurrection from the dead, as well as his being exalted into the highest place in heaven, above all rulers and powers, above every name that is named. Let's consider as well under part B, His dominion is also present now. His dominion is present now. And so right now, according to verse 22, He put all things under his feet. Now, it's unlikely that you're looking at your Greek New Testament this evening, but when you look at the verb here, we're looking at the Greek past tense, what's called the aorist tense. Christ has already subjected the universe under his feet. It's already taken place. Christ's victory over death in the resurrection, his ascension to the Father's side has already occurred. Flaval comments, he rules from sea to sea, even to the utmost bounds of God's creation. All creatures, rational and irrational, animate and inanimate, angels, devils, men, winds, seas, all obey him. And so we can see this illustrated, for example, in Mark chapter four. You need not turn there. In a terrifying scene, the disciples find themselves in the midst of a terrible storm, waves crashing over their boat, while Jesus is sleeping on a cushion in the back of the boat. And so they desperately wake him. Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? And you know this story, rising he commands the sea, peace be still. And immediately the wind ceased as well as the waves, and there is a great calm that followed, as in verse 39. And so this event serves as a preview, as it were. The one who brought quiet to that sea, Galilee, is now enthroned. And so realize that every hurricane, including Hurricane Melissa that just swept through Jamaica, Every earthquake, every virus, even every bullet that is fired in war is under the control of Jesus' nail-scarred hands. Think of Joseph. sold by his brothers, falsely accused, left forgotten in prison. And yet Genesis 50 verse 20 is still true. You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. And so behind Potiphar's wife, Behind the cupbearer's forgetfulness, behind Pharaoh's dream, stood the hidden hand of that greater Joseph, our Lord Jesus Christ, who today rules every betrayal. every diagnosis, every election for the good of his people. And so the evil intent of others, their lack of insight, even the weakness of Christ's own people does not limit Christ's rule in the lives of his people. Think with me about Daniel chapter four, verse 35, King Nebuchadnezzar's confession after his mind has been restored to him, where he says, all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. And he does according to his will, according to the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say to him, what have you done? And so as we turn to the New Testament, we find Paul making this statement in Colossians 1, 16 and 17, where he says, For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him. and for him. And he is before all things, and in all things hold, and in him all things hold together. And so Christ Jesus, the son of his father, presided over the creation of the universe, Paul says here. The only authorities ever made were by his sovereign creation. Now is God at some point going to lose control over the beings he has created? No, that's not going to happen. A cause cannot have an effect more powerful than itself, can it? And so Christ is still sovereign. He will always be sovereign over His creation. And what's more, death itself cannot stop Him. Why? Because He is risen. He reigns now and forevermore. Think of the Messianic Psalm, Psalm 22, almost to the end of that Psalm, verse 28. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations. Now the writer to the Hebrews in chapter two will mention further that we don't yet see all enemies under his feet. But at the same breath, he states that nothing is outside Christ's control. All of his enemies, though dethroned and chained by an unseen hand, still express their ill will and they fight against God. And we're aware of that, aren't we? And yet there's a coming day when all of that will come to an end. Christ still reigns supreme today, even turning their evil designs for good purposes. Benjamin Markle makes this comment. Although Christ's ultimate victory is certain, the final subjugation of all things will not occur until death is defeated and God is all in all. But believers, excuse me, but because of Christ's present enthronement, which guarantees the certainty of future victory, Paul writes as if it were already accomplished here in Ephesians chapter one. And so by way of application, how's it going with that stubborn sin you've been struggling with? Or as we heard this morning, have you given up? Have you quit on it? and rolled over on it. Well, let me remind you from Romans 12, verse 11, do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. And so Christ's power is available according to this passage to cause you to persevere in diligence and serving him in your calling, whatever demands God has legitimately placed upon you, for that's always legitimate, He's going to give you the grace and the power that power is available to you and to me in order to pursue his calling in our lives. Are you taking captive the corrupt, the disquieting thoughts that may tempt you to despair? Or do you feel somehow overwhelmed by the impact of this present world on your family, on your loved ones? Well, remember this, the Lord reigns, doesn't he? And so when we look at verses 22 and 23, our Lord is, these verses here are intended to recalibrate our minds to the grand reality of Christ, who is supreme over the world, over the flesh, and over the devil. Their power has already been broken. As we turn to James, we're reminded to submit ourselves then to God, to resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Chapter four, verse seven. So impossible to do by ourselves, isn't it? And yet this power, he has already been made available to us through Christ's resurrection and exaltation. And he has already overcome every foe, amen? Okay, now where is Christ's power made most evident when we think of this? There is the power. Christ is risen from the dead. That power is also evidenced in you personally believing in Jesus Christ to the saving of your soul. According to Ephesians chapter two, you have been raised with Christ from spiritual death. And so where is Christ's power most evident today? If you were to look, where would it be made most evident? And actually, Roman numeral two, we want to consider Christ's dominion focus. Christ's dominion focus. And it's easy for us to see in verse 22 at the end of that verse, isn't it? And gave him his head over all things to the church. That may surprise you, right? We don't see the news vans pulling up in the parking lot, do we, this evening? And yet this is where Christ's power is made most evident. Everywhere his people meet in Jesus' name, there may only be two or three gathered in their midst, and yet there Christ is exerting his power. And so first of all, under A, we need to remind ourselves, well, what is the church? We need to have clear views. We're not talking about brick and mortar. We're not talking about something out there on the internet, are we? No. Let's focus on what Paul is talking about. Paul is primarily focused on the church, the ecclesia, throughout this whole epistle. If you want a short course on ecclesiology, go to the book of Ephesians to understand the nature of the church. It's his congregation, his called out ones. And so this refers to all of God's elect, all who embrace Christ from every age, every people group, but there's also a local congregational application regarding this word here. We can see it in Matthew 16, 18 where Christ promises to build his church. If we were to turn over two chapters later to Matthew's gospel, we'll see that application of that word church being used in a situation of church discipline. If we turn forward to the book of Acts, however, we can see that this is the people for whom Christ has died. As you know, the Ephesian elders are meeting there. It's the same group of people this letter was written to. Paul is going to meet with them and in his farewell address to them, he reminds these elders to take care of the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood, Acts 20, 28. And so these, along with all believers, have been ransomed by Christ's own blood, according to that passage. Most of the remaining uses of this term in the book of Acts focus upon local gatherings of believers, such as the church in Jerusalem, the one in Damascus, the one in Antioch, in Caesarea, to name a few. And the same word is used to describe the assembly of citizens of Ephesus in Acts 19. And so we can therefore take the sense of the term as individual believers who have formally identified themselves with Jesus and his people. have joined into local assemblies who advance his rule in their lives and seek to represent him to this world. And so this meaning is reinforced pretty much every New Testament book that you go to, whether it's either directly written to a local church or indirectly by inference, all of these are going to help us to arrive at the same conclusion. So, why does Paul focus on the church? Well, I want you to consider with me, be in your outline, the church is Christ's beneficiary. The church is Christ's beneficiary. In other words, it's the church that gets the goodies, okay? They benefit from Christ's reigning power. Another way of saying this is the whole providential kingdom of Christ is administered for his bride. A godly husband directs all his activities of his life as well as his career to maximize the benefit to his wife, even in self-sacrificing ways. Amen, men? Okay, good, you better say that. All right, and so this is what Christ has done and continues to do, and that perfectly. John Flavel puts it this way. All the affairs of the kingdom of providence are ordered and determined by Jesus Christ. Why? For the special advantage and everlasting good of his redeemed people. He purchased the church. and that he might have the highest security that his blood should not be lost. God the Father has put all things under his hand or into his hand. And so this has always been true. It has always been true. When you think back with me of the book of Esther, Haman plots genocide. The gallows have been built there. Esther is terrified to approach the king. And yet Mordecai says, who knows whether or not you've come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And that night the king cannot sleep. Right? He reads the Chronicles. He remembers Mordecai. Haman is hanged on his own gallows. The entire Persian empire is turned upside down so this one Jewish girl and her people might be saved. And so this is a tiny picture of what Christ does daily with the entire cosmos and all for his bride. And so we observe this in Jesus' miracles, right? The five loaves, the two fish, the 12 baskets left over. Why the miracle? In John 635, remember what he says, I am the bread of life. And so Jesus is gonna multiply the bread so that the crowd might taste and see that he himself is the true bread by way of analogy. Every answered prayer, every spared life, every service or gift we render to him, Christ is feeding his church through us. Again, with glimpses of himself. When you serve Christ in serving one another, you're creating a small portrait of Jesus serving his people. From John 17, verses one and two, Christ's high priestly prayer. We've come back to this very often. John 17, beginning at verse one. When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your son so that the son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. So we ask of verse 1, how is the Lord Jesus to be glorified by the Father? And verse 2, to what end is his authority over all flesh exercised? And the answer is at the end of verse 2, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And so, as you know, this led the Lord Jesus immediately to Gethsemane, didn't it? That's where we find him next. And in a few hours, to his arrest. And then ultimately to suffer that utter humiliation and horrific sacrifice of himself in the death on the cross. And in so doing, he atoned for all the church's offenses. And so our application here is if Christ is so willing to do the hard thing for you and for me, is it too much of a stretch of our faith to trust him with the lesser things of this life? When we read in passages such as Romans 8 verse 32, he who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? We see in Hebrews 1, the angels are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. He's using the angels, where? To care for his church, for those for whom Christ has died. We look back to Matthew 6, where we're told to seek the kingdom, seek first the kingdom of God. And all these things will be added to you. The nations worry about food and clothing, the church seeks the king. and finds the whole world arranged for her adequate supply. I hope that brings comfort to you. Are you seeking the kingdom of Christ first? And so the king presides over the galaxies. He also governs your Monday morning commute for your sanctification as well as for his glory. And so as we consider this past year, we're reaching the end of 2025. There have been challenges to overcome, haven't there? For us personally, as well as for us as a church. But when you think about it, our Thanksgiving service, it had to be extended over into prayer meeting, didn't it? On Wednesday night, because we have many things for which to be grateful. And we still have unanswered prayers. and serving our King, don't we? There are prayers that are yet to be answered, still some needs that we're waiting upon God to answer. So may we continue to seek that grace. which we need for every challenge, every spiritual battle, every unsaved loved one, every opportunity to bear Christ's name fairly to our generation. And all with a settled confidence that Christ is continuing to preserve us, to preserve his church for himself and to build his church. Now, just how does this work in us? How does that all work out? We've seen that Christ has a dominion, that he rules over all, that that rule is present. He is actively ruling over all the universe and that the church is the beneficiary of that rule in every situation. Well, let's look at Roman numeral three. Christ's inseparable body, Christ's inseparable body, and we see this in verse 23, don't we? If you look at verse 23 with me, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. This verse, it actually presents a challenge to land on Paul's precise meaning here. So it is clear that Christ and his believers, his body, are inseparable from each other, and that from all eternity. If we were to go back to John 17, Christ's prayer that we just looked at a moment ago, down to verse 24. Jesus prays, Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me may be with me where I am. to see my glory that you have given me because you love me before the foundation of the world." I want to give you three takes on what this verse means. Jonathan Edwards, until he had attained this, his church, He was pleased not to look on himself as complete, but as wanting something, as lacking something, as the first Adam was not complete before the creation of Eve. Calvin says something similar. He says, this is the highest honor of the church, that until he is united to us, the Son of God reckons himself in some measure imperfect. Martin Lloyd-Jones also endorses this view, but in a more guarded way. He says, A head alone is not complete. A head needs a body, and you cannot think of a head without a body. So the body and the head are one in this mystical sense. As such, we Christian people are part of the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, the sentiments of these towering theologians, it may be true. and yet it gives me pause to think that Christ, who is fully God, is somehow incomplete, except for Christ's desires for us. I would guess you could consider that. His prayers are yet to be fully answered, aren't they? James Montgomery Boyce moderates this view slightly, given the context. He says that it's more natural to say that Jesus fills the church as he also fills the universe than to say unnaturally that the church somehow completes him, which doesn't quite fit with the context. And so since Paul is talking about God's power displayed in Christ, it is natural for him to portray Christ as filling and thus empowering the church, which is his body. And so Christ transforms. He empowers the church, his body, with his own power. And so remember the context, the power that raised Christ from the dead, the power that seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above every rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also the one to come. That same power was granted so that the Ephesians would be able to embrace this, that in him also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, you were sealed with a promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory. Spurgeon makes this comment further. There must be the same divine power in the member that there is in the head. We are joined to Christ. If that same immeasurable power is in Christ the head, then it must also be in the body. Or else where is the union? Our head is much like fine gold. And he goes on, a body of God's making will be of the same material all the way through. And so where Christ is and he is our head, that's where the power of the authority is, then that is communicated all throughout his body. So we find verses like this in 1 Corinthians 12, 12. For just as the body is one and has many members, so it is with Christ. Or Colossians 2 verses 9 and 10. In him the whole fullness of deity dwells in bodily form. And Paul goes on, and you have been filled in him. So you see the connection between Christ the head and his body, the church. And so we see verses like this in Revelation 19, verses seven and eight. The marriage supper of the lamb, his bride has made herself ready. It was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure. Why? Because she's wearing the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And so here, in these verses, we find us, don't we? In this little church in Downingtown, though insignificant in the eyes of the world, hardly ever to be noticed, and yet we are not distant subjects to our King. It's not like we are some Roman outpost off in the in the British Isles somewhere way distant from Rome. We are joined to Jesus Christ. In Christ we are inseparably joined to him who is our head and spiritually joined to the rest of his body both in this world and in the heavenly places in Christ. And so how does this apply to you and to me in 2025? Well, let's take a look at that. Letter A on your points of application. First, we're to fear no creature, to fear no circumstance. Flavel goes on, let none that are Christ henceforth stand in a slavish fear of creatures. Our head and husband is Lord General. Of all the hosts of heaven and earth, no creature can move hand or tongue without his leave or order. He loves you too well to sign any order to your harm. And so when the doctor says the word cancer, when the pink slip comes, when the child wanders. Remember, nothing can touch you until it passes through Christ's nail-scarred hands. Who is your head? Now, though your faith will be exercised surely, it is for your good. It is only for your good. The worst that can happen for you is that you die and go to heaven. Okay? So, and that's a promotion, by the way. Martin Luther standing before the Diet of Worms, my conscience is captive to the word of God. I can do no other, here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Empires threatened him, but he feared the king who rules the empires more than those prelates and other dignitaries from the Roman's church. We're to fear no creature, no circumstance. May God embolden us as we bear witness for Christ by just the reality that he is the head and he has all authority and dominion and power. We need to be reminded of that. Fear no creature, no circumstance. Secondly, submit gladly to your king. Submit gladly to your king. Flaval goes on, I, Christ, in all the events of providence, I, Christ, in all the events of providence, study his sovereignty, his wisdom, his tenderness and compassions, his love to your soul, even in affliction. And so learn to read, what is said, learn to read Providence backwards. When the fig tree does not blossom and there's no fruit on the vines, how does Habakkuk respond? He says, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. We have to learn to read what is God doing. George Mueller cared for 10,000 orphans without ever asking for money. And so when the orphanages were empty of food, he set the table and he thanked God, waiting for what God was going to do next. Learn to read Providence backwards. He said, I read the newspaper only to see what God is going to do next. We can imitate that example, can't we? Submit gladly to your king and his providence. Finally, live as completed by your head. live as completed by your head. Edwards, again, thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Another one he has written, he says, your Monday faithfulness, your hidden prayer, your forgiveness of the brother who wounded you, these are jewels in the crown of Christ. The world will never applaud them, but heaven applauds. We need to remember that, don't we? Your savior, your king will honor you in those unseen services to him. When we think of William Carey, spent seven years in India before the first convert. His wife went insane. His child died, his mission house burned, and yet he translated the Bible into dozens of languages and is remembered to say these words, expect great things from God, attempt great things for God. Why? Because the success of the mission did not ride on William Carey. It was riding on the king who rules over the universe and presides over his church. Go back to your handout. At the top of the page, Jesus Christ orders and determines all the affairs of God's providence, specifically for the eternal benefit and advantage of his redeemed people. And so that ought to encourage us tonight You look at your life and there's so many things that you feel like you can't control, are there? Well, I can't do anything about that, I can't do anything about that, I can't do anything about that. I don't have direct control over so much in my life. If we were honest, we would say that, wouldn't we? And yet Christ orders and determines all the affairs of God's providence specifically for the eternal benefit and advantage of his redeemed people. And so what is our responsibility? Well, we turn to Philippians 2, verses 12 and 13. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, yeah, as you've always obeyed, right? You've always obeyed. So now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. How? For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Are you tired? will lift up your eyes to refocus, to recalibrate your faith, to recalibrate all that you're doing as there's to fear no creature, to submit to your King, to live as completed by your head. The one who is dead is alive forevermore. He has the keys of death in Hades, Revelation 118. He wears the crown because he wore the thorns on our behalf. and he will not rest until every one of his blood-bought jewels is set perfectly in the crown that makes his own joy complete. Be that jewel. One day the skies will part again, and the same Jesus who ascended will descend, and every knee will bow. But until then, walk as those who are already seated with him in the heavenly places. Chapter two, verse six of Ephesians. loved with the same love with which the father loves the son, John 17, 23. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all and all. And finally, to those of you who are at this moment not trusting in Christ as your savior from God's wrath, you have an urgent task before you. At this moment you are viewed as a rebel by him since you have either been indifferent or have actively resisted his law. His rule over your life, he has a legitimate claim upon your highest love since he made you and he seeks a relationship with you that you be reconciled to him, that you get right with him. He has that desire. He has made this plane by sending Jesus into this world to become so much like you in becoming man. Think of that. And this is so that you would know him in Jesus, the God man. And yet until now, you've ignored him altogether or put him off as you think at your own convenience. Was that wise? You who clearly do not know what tomorrow will bring are not right with, not at peace with the judge of all the earth. Is that really wise to ignore him? In your own self-interest, is that wise? Is that for your best interest? So being almost a Christian is not going to do, is it? I pray that you are not satisfied until you are really and truly a Christian. So what in Christ, what aspect of his character holds you back? Is he not altogether lovely in every aspect of his being? And so I leave you with the words from Isaiah 55. Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the Lord. that he may have compassion on him. And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And so trust him now. Amen? Amen. Well, let's go ahead and pray, shall we? Lord, as we look over the words of Ephesians chapter one, we are more than satisfied of the work that you have done, that you have planned out from before the creation of the world to send your son to accomplish so great a salvation to those that were dead in their trespasses and sins. There are some sitting in this room that are yet in that state. They are dead spiritually. They are not alive to you. And yet they sit here under the hearing, the sound of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that by faith as they exercise, even that weak faith toward Jesus Christ, that you would fulfill your promise. in saving them. Cause them, dear Lord, to trust in you. We think of those that are far off that we've already prayed for, those that have sat here and that have not yet heeded the call. We know that they are not beyond your reach. We pray that you draw near to them in grace and salvation at a time of your choosing