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Parkerville Baptist Church

The Bigger Picture

Pastor Jason Brooks will be bringing us the Message from Psalms 23 and Ephesians. Jason says “Life is filled with challenges and throws us lots of curve balls. At times it can be difficult to stay focused on what is important. Sometimes when we think we are focused on what is “truly important” we can lose sight of the bigger picture. When I think about this dilemma my thoughts are taken to Psalm 23 and David’s poetic words "The Lord is my Shepherd". Throughout life we all need a guide to help us through, and Jesus is not only your Saviour, but also your personal shepherd, who will love, protect, and guide you through the highs and lows of life. Come along on Sunday to hear more.”

Locations & Times

910 Seaborne St, Parkerville WA 6081, Australia

Sunday 9:30 AM

About Parkerville Baptist Church

Why we exist … Love God, love others, make disciples … that’s the commission Jesus left his followers. At Parky, it’s our mission to do this by sharing our lives and creating pathways that inspire people to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. Visit www.parkerville.church to learn more about our church.

Psalms 23:1-6

Ephesians 3:20-21

How should we understand these Scriptures?

The wider context
We can look at the context. What is Paul referring to? What has Paul just been writing about?
I'm sure many of us are familiar with Ephesians Chapters 1 through 3.

Chapter 1
We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, until the redemption comes

Ephesians 1:4-5

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!
He raised us up and seated us with Him in the heavens in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-10

You are saved by grace through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.

Ephesians 2:14-18

Jew and gentile have been made one, we who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
He made the law of no effect to bring Jew and gentile into one body.
We are now citizens of the household of God.
The Gospel has gone out to the gentiles.
The message of the saving grace of God through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Paul’s affliction the closer context
The more immediate context of this passage Paul is talking about something more specific.
Paul talks about his afflictions which he is enduring, he encourages the saints at Ephesus not to be discouraged. He talks about the length, width, height, and depth of God's love,
He speaks of that love which surpasses all knowledge, that you might be filled with the fullness of God.

Think about Paul's afflictions

2 Corinthians 11:25

Facing death often, receiving flogging, beatings, stoned, shipwrecked, perils from robbers’ perils from the Jews, perils from the gentiles, perils from false brethren, many nights of sleeplessness, hunger, cold, nakedness.
And then he talks about the love of God which surpasses all knowledge!!

Paul talks about God being able to do above all that we think or ask. Yet Paul has all these afflictions!!

There is a way to understand all of this, it is to understand the bigger picture.

Paul saw past the afflictions and realised what God was doing through him, the church and the world.

There is the bigger picture, of redemption and the church. Also, consider your own life and how God is wonderfully connecting with you!

It can give us so much joy to see God working in our lives. Always consider the bigger picture of life and see what God is doing right now in preparation for the future. Have courage in the challenges you face and see how God is working in you, look how he is changing you to be more caring, compassionate, patient, loving and to represent his grace in the world.

Praise God who infinitely works in all His children!

Psalm 23

Read Plan

Grace In The Valley By Heath Adamson

Read Plan

Podcast

Listen to the podcast of this message

http://parkerville.church/sermon

Online giving

We’re reliant on the giving of those committed to our community to fulfill our mission of helping people become wholehearted followers of Jesus, and we’re deeply grateful for your participation. GiveWay is a convenient, secure way to give your tithings/offerings/fees to Parkerville Baptist Church. Payments are anonymous and can be given by direct deposit or Visa/MasterCard. Recurring payments can be made or a one-off payment.

https://www.giveway.org.au/bfsgiveway/Parkerville-Baptist-Church-iGive