Please turn your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 3. Thank you men for that beautiful rendition. We've been going verse by verse through the book of Ephesians. We find ourselves in the third chapter. Would you please stand with me as we read verses 14 and 15 and then pray? For this cause, I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Our Father, we thank you for the Word of God. We thank you for the Spirit. We thank you for the Son of God who died for us, who was buried, rose again, ascended into heaven, is coming again. We thank you, Father, for all You have done, we know that in Thy book they were written all the days that were ordained for us when there was not yet one of them. And we can safely trust in Thee to lead us from where we are all the way to the end. We're mindful of what's going on in the Mideast with Iran, Israel, and the rest. And we pray, Lord, for Thy strength and comfort and wisdom to those in positions of authority. We pray, Lord, that there would be a turning to the Savior. We're mindful of the challenging situation this weekend with our friend and fellow Christian, the Yoder family, passing away their 16-year-old daughter. And we pray, Lord, that you would give much comfort and turn sorrow into rejoicing as only the Lord can. We pray for all that are here. that the Holy Spirit would use the Word of God to direct our thoughts, to know what God would have us to do, where to repent, what mission to take, what to say, how to think, how to desire, what cause we should live for. Bless especially our visitors today. Bless our folks who are on the road and elsewhere today. May thy grace be with those who are in authority over us. And we pray, Lord, that you would take these words that we'll just now encounter and use them in a way that will redound to your glory. In Christ's name, amen. Thank you. You may be seated. Obviously from the title you can see the topic is a cause. For folks like me who went to college in the 70s, you heard a lot about causes. You heard about a people, a generation who seem to be without a cause. They're searching for meaning, any meaning in life. I've heard the story of writers like Kurt Vonnegut who might step out in the back porch of his house and there'd be 30,000 hippies sitting out there looking for him to say something that may give them a reason to live. If it wasn't Kurt Vonnegut, it was Bob Dylan or somebody else. Why live? Or should we be rudderless, drifting? Is this a meaningless world? Or is there a cause? What you notice in our text today, Paul says, for this cause I bow my knees. The topic is cause. Now some of you have heard me speak on this topic before. I've tried to circle around and deepen and improve the message. For some of you it may be a new topic. But I think it's a germane one and it's in the scriptures. It's really a very important question. If this were a writing class and not a church, I might ask you to take out paper and pencil right now and write what your cause in life is. If you had to succinctly put it down in a sentence or two, here is why I am alive. This is the cause that has gripped my life. This is what I'm willing to die for. Now I know in a very general sense many would put down my cause is to give God the glory, and that's certainly true and thoroughly biblical. I'm looking even for a more articulate answer than that. What has God taught you? What has gripped your heart? Is there not a cause? The word cause means the thing that urges a mind to decide and act. Cause is an idea that triggers commitment. It is that which makes a thing begin to be. These are all dictionary definitions. It is that which produces an effect, cause and effect. Synonyms would be words like principle, purpose, conviction. What's the old saying? If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. motive, grounds. Maybe in what you're reading there's a different word, but cause is a good word. It's a thoroughly biblical word. We can follow it through and I think learn many things today. Let's start here. King David, before he's king. Would you turn to 1 Samuel chapter 17? David is a young man. He comes through the battle lines, Israel on one side, Philistines on the other, there's Goliath. And we read in 1 Samuel 17, 29. Well, I'll tell you what, let's start with 28. And Eliab, his eldest brother, heard when he spake unto the men, and Eliab's anger was kindled against little brother David. And he said, why camest thou down hither? And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thy heart, where thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, what have I now done? Is there not a cause? Yes. giant Goliath was mocking, making little of the God of Israel. And the cause is to turn that Philistine about and to have honor restored to God, the Creator. Is there not a cause? David cries out. We see something similar in Paul in our text for today. We want to go to Ephesians chapter 3. In verse one. Paul says, for this cause, I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. And then he goes on, and there are these parenthetical phrases and clauses, kind of a difficult sentence to conjugate. And then he gets back to verse 14 and says, now, for this cause. So he started in verse 1, this cause. Then he puts in these phrases. He has all this stuff to talk about. Then he gets back to the topic, which is, I tell you, I got a cause here. Here's the cause. He says in verse 14 and on, great men have godly causes. The Bible lists many causes for us to embrace. How much of a list could you develop? How many causes can you think of that scripture speak of? For this cause, here's a cause, here's a cause. You'll see there are quite a few. Among them are, number one, bringing the dead to life now there's something to live for bringing the dead to life we read about it in 1st Peter chapter 4 verse 6 for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead that they might be judged according to men in the flesh but live according to God in the spirit go to those who are dead bring them to life Would you please turn with me to Ezekiel chapter 37? The scriptures do tell us that a woman who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. And the scriptures tell us that there was a time when we were all dead in trespasses and sins. Ezekiel chapter 37, and I know the primary application here is for the nation of Israel, but there's something that goes on to us as well. Chapter 37, Ezekiel, verse 1. The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, and caused me to pass by them round about. And behold, there were very many in the open valley, and lo, they were very dry, and dead a long time. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered wisely, O Lord God, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones, Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded, and as I prophesied there was a noise, and behold, a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above, but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God, Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded, and the breath came into them, and they lived. and stood up upon their feet an exceeding great army." Now, the primary application here is to the nation of Israel, of course, and we're looking at a nation that was decimated in God's prophecy. He says, they're going to come back. I'm going to make you come back and live again. But it does point to a God who can take the dead and cause them to live. So what is true politically for Israel is true spiritually for us. Here's a cause to live for. For this cause, he says, when the gospel preached, Peter says, 1 Peter 4, 6, that they might be judged according to men of flesh, but live according to God the Spirit. You're dead, you can live. Bringing the dead to life is a cause. Second cause, encouraging the lost to glorify God. Romans 15, 9. and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy as it is written, for this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy name. It's the cause of seeing the Gentiles convert to Christ and to believe and be born again. Could you turn with me to Lamentations in chapter three? We'll start reading in verse 22. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness. The interest of Paul, as you see in Romans chapter 15, is to have a presumptuous people who are not thinking of themselves as offenders of God, are not thinking that they are continuing to live, their hearts beating, their lungs are expanding and contracting due to their own goodness or something. They are not aware that it is God's mercy that's sustaining them moment by moment. We have Old Testament examples and people like Nabal, the fool, who lived only by the mercies of God, because David and his men were ready to put him to death. And we have something that applies so much directly in our culture today. Perhaps you've memorized Ecclesiastes 8.11. Would you turn there, please? Ecclesiastes 8.11. What we're talking about in this second cause is to deliver people from presumptuous sins. to have them realize that they are walking this earth, they're not in hell yet, because of the mercies of God which are new every day. And what a great ministry it is to have the lost recognize that they are lost and they must convert and glorify God while yet there is time. You see, verse 11 tells us, because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily. That is, the moment you curse, bam, God knocks you dead. The moment that you lust, the Lord takes you away. The moment that you contemplate evil imaginations, the Lord drives you out. Because sentence against evil work is not executed that fast, not that speedily, but there's grace, there's mercy, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set on them to do evil, just the opposite of what they should do. I'll just keep going the direction I'm going. Third cause. Preaching the gospel. Romans 15, starting with verse 20. I strive to preach the gospel not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation, for which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. Paul has a cause of preaching the gospel. We love spreading good news. Why not the good news of deliverance from the penalty of sin? 4. Teaching the Church. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ as I teach everywhere in every church. The cause is to send a teacher. Churches need teachers. That's what we're told in Ephesians chapter 4, starting in verse 11. God gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. from whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. That's the work of teaching. Churches that are based on experience or something else but do not teach the word of God are not biblical. One cause for which we are to live is to teach the church. Number five, making the wisdom of God known to angels. There's a calling. There's a cause. We read in Ephesians chapter three, for this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, This is a reference to angels, could be a reference to demons as well. They're both called principalities and powers. But here's the cause. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers and heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. What do we have that angels will never know? You know, we know that in the scriptures, those who sing in glory are redeemed saints. Very rarely, if ever, do we see the angels singing. And perhaps it is because those of us human beings who have tasted the grace of God have something to sing about that the angels never have. Angels have never known grace. Unfallen angels have never known grace. They have not needed it. Angels have not known forgiveness because they've not sinned. They've not known new life. They've not known what it is to have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in them. There are a number of things that angels must look at the church to imagine and comprehend what that must be like. So a question we might ask ourselves here is how would spirits see each of these things in us? Principalities and powers observe this church and note whether or not... So that's what it's like to have the Holy Spirit of God inside a person. So that's what it's like to be forgiven. That's what it's like to be given the grace of God, the desire and power to do His will. That's what a new life is. Now, that's a cause to consider. You could minister to angels in this regard, making the wisdom of God known to angels. Another cause, glorifying God through suffering. I know there's a lot of suffering in any body of believers. It certainly is with us here, physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationship-wise, others. We read in 2 Corinthians 4, starting with verse 15, For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God, for which cause we faint not. But though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. The context here is all the suffering. But he says, don't grieve over us. We don't faint, don't you faint. We can glorify God in the midst of suffering. Indeed, that's the context for Philippians 2. We're told in verse 13 that it is God which worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. If that's true, what in the world are we doing complaining about what he's doing? That's the idea of verse 14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings. that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." If you and I complain about our troubles in the same manner as do the lost, then the efforts of the Lord working in us are in vain. There's the measure of vanity or success, how we know how to do all things without murmurings and disputings. Here's a great cause and a great way to edify other believers, how to glorify God through suffering. The seventh cause, serving others. Philippians 2, 17 and 18, this is the next topic in the book of Philippians, what we just read. Yea, and if I be offered upon a sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy and rejoice with me. Yes, if I die serving others, then I rejoice. That's what Paul said. Do you feel that way? Here's the cause. Who can best reflect the nature of our Lord through tireless, boundless service? Nothing too low, nothing too simple, nothing too mundane, nothing too simple or hard. but to serve. Paul says, I'll joy and rejoice when I go to glory if I fulfill this cause successfully. What did Jesus say? Who's the greatest in the kingdom? He who serves the most. That's a cause to live for. I know that not everybody can grasp 15 causes and carry them all away. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will take at least one cause for each of us and carry it away. Number eight, honoring others. Romans 13.6, for this cause pay you tribute also, for they are God's ministers. And I'll grant you, we live in a time when there are many opportunities not to give honor to certain people who are in high positions of authority. We can state the obvious and study the not obvious and have much arsenal But we have the charge from the scriptures to find a way. Is there no way that we can still show honor to this president, to these people, that political party at the national level? It's a cause. Surely there is some way. Surely the people would be blessed if somebody here studied and meditated and learned and carried out such a cause. Honoring others in positions of authority. Showing respect for those in authority as a pattern of respect for God. Another cause, number nine, praying that others would be strong in Christ. strong in Christ. Ephesians 3, 13 and 14, that's our text for today. Wherefore, I desire that you faint not in my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am praying that you won't faint. I am praying that you will be strong to the end. Do you pray that concerning our church, our individuals, other people you know, other believers? See, people are fading. Rare it is to find souls staying strong to the end. We must support through prayer. Number 10. Fulfilling God's design for marriage. Ephesians 5.31, for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and they too shall be one flesh. There's a cause. Half of all marriages end in divorce, we're told. Many that don't end in divorce are still unhappy. What a cause this is to fulfill God's design for marriage. Marriage is to be an object lesson of the Lord's love for the church. So is Hosea's marriage, an object lesson of Jehovah's love for Israel. And that would involve interpreting all imperfections of one's spouse as opportunities. What, she had to be perfect before you could love her? What, he could never do anything wrong? Had to be very small? Is that the way the Lord loves us? Three strikes and you're out? What a great cause. to fulfill God's design for marriage. Number 11, illustrating God's design for genders, relevant topic today. 1 Corinthians 11.10, for this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. And so on an outward way, she's communicating she's under the authority of her husband. Is there anything more obvious than that God made man and woman different and for a reason? We must rediscover and honor these roles both inwardly and outwardly. It's a great cause. 12. Helping others know and do God's will. Galatians 1.9, for this cause we also since the day we heard it do not cease to pray for you and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We have a church like this. We've been here a number of years and seen people born, grow up, marry, and have their own children. What a fitting prayer it is, we've seen them since inception virtually, all through the years, that they be somebody for God. We live in an age where many people fall away, as we said. Why will people say true? Perhaps there are those praying. It's a blessing here today to have the Brants. This will be about 40 years, 40 years? Is that possible? Mid-30 years, 35, 36. I taught in a one-room Christian school and their two sons were part of that fellowship at that time. And I was just talking with them a minute ago, a little time ago, and they said they'd pray for me. I appreciate that. They're from Avon. Why do those who stay true, stay true? Perhaps there are those who are praying for them. What a cause that is to live, to rise up in the morning, to pray hard, to be faithful through the day, helping others know and do the will of God. Number 13, we're about done. Another cause is to aid seeing the Bible as the word of God. Isn't that important? For this cause, we read in 2 Thessalonians 2.13. Also, thank we God without ceasing Because when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. There's a cause to live for, to elevate the authority, the reverence for, the perfection of, infallibility of the word of God. Do others respect the Bible more for being around you? Number 14, here's a cause manifesting what Christ is like. And I know there's some overlapping many of these causes we list, and that's all right. We read in 1 Timothy 1.16, Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Paul says, what I went through, it was to manifest what Jesus Christ is like. I was a sinner, he forgave me. I was directionless, he set me on a path. manifesting what Christ is like. I was reading this week about a Catholic servant girl in China. She said she learned what Christ was like and was converted by looking on the glowing face of the missionary, Jonathan Goforth. She heard the gospel then, but what attracted her to the gospel was the glowing face she saw of that missionary. We have as a primary direction verse for us as a church, 1 Peter 3.15. where we're told, sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready to give answer to everyone who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. They look at your countenance and say, something's working there. There's some success there in drawing near to God. So we pray, lift up the light of Thy countenance, O Lord. Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put joy in my heart more than they have when their harvest goes well. May be seen in my countenance. Number 15, another cause is organizing local churches. Titus 1.5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city as I have appointed thee. So we're setting up churches in every city. God's design for his work in this age is primarily through the local church. Many people who hear this message appreciate the high and important calling of staying faithful to and helping the church. Well that's 15 causes, is that enough for today? Paul says, for this cause I bow my knees. In our text today we see Paul is compelled to act based on a calling from heaven. He's got a principle, he has a purpose, a conviction, a cause. May God give us grace similarly to know and act on our cause. Amen? May we pray. Our Lord, we know that every born-again believer, before the creation of the world, had been selected for a work by our God, equipping us, giving us the desires, giving us the experiences, enlightening us through the scriptures, giving us opportunities whereby we can serve God in a manner that gives glory to God, gives us a meaningful life. We don't want to be rudderless, drifting, phlegmatic, bored and boring. unproductive. No, we want a cause to live for, to die for. There are general causes that all of us are to comply with, and part of our compendium of experience and desires. And there are specific things that apply to us, given our gender, our life experience, our age, our talents, all the rest. We just pray, Lord, whatever is Thy will for each of us, we yield ourselves to Thee as those alive and the dead. Do whatever Thou will. In Christ's name, amen.