Past Tense
Speaker: Paul Stoaks
Date: February 8, 2026
A few weeks ago, we sang a worship song about being delivered from the power and penalty of sin. It reminded me of something in the New Testament that has always fascinated me: the Bible often speaks about things as finished facts, even if we haven't fully experienced them yet. This is especially true when it comes to our identity in Christ and everything Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.
The scripture that came to mind as an example that morning was:
Ephesians 2:1-10 (NKJV)
And you He made alive , who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved ), and raised us up together , and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus , that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship , created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NKJV)
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God , having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
We Once Were
● Dead in trespasses and sins
● Which was our lifestyle
● Slaves of the desires of our body and mind
● Children of wrath (enemies of God)
But God
● Showed us mercy
● Loved us
● Made us alive with Christ
● Raised us up with Christ
● Seated us with Christ in heavenly places
● Saved us (from slavery and death)
● Created us in Christ for good works
One of the things that is fascinating about this instance is that Paul goes on to address issues in the Church at Ephesus that shouldn’t be happening in a community of believers. Later, in chapter 4, he encourages the Ephesians in the basics (unity, love for one another, humility, long suffering) and to avoid the ways of the world around them, to stop lying, stealing, speaking evil, and otherwise grieving the Holy Spirit! (Ephesians 4:17-32).
Clearly, there was somehow a completed work in their lives that wasn’t yet fully developed.
But this is only one example among many. Here are some more:
John 5:24 (NKJV)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life , and shall not come into judgment , but has passed from death into life .
Galatians 3:26-29 (NKJV)
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ . There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus . And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed , and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
And because you are sons , God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son , and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Colossians 1:13-14 (NKJV)
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins .
Colossians 1:21-23 (NKJV)
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
The truth is that, just like the metamorphoses of the caterpillar into a butterfly, when we believed in Jesus and turned to Him through repentance, not only our nature changed but our entire life story took a turn. Our motivation, our path, and our destination all changed and, above all, our relationship to God changed.
But we still have to learn to fly!
Scripture creates a clear picture of the dynamics of our salvation. There are three major “phases”, all of which are spoken of with finality and assurance.
New Birth
We hear about Jesus and His good news, believe it, and respond. (Romans 10:17)
What happens?
These are all spoken of as completed.
● Redemption – We are set free from slavery to sin (1 Peter 1:17, John 8:36)
● Forgiveness of all of our past sins (Colossians 1:13-14)
● Adoption into God’s family, making us joint heirs with Jesus! This is a transfer of kingdoms! (Colossians 1:13-14) Romans 8:14-17 clarifies and says that the Holy Spirit gives us assurance of our membership in our new family!
Justification & holiness in God’s sight (made right with God, Kingdom of priests) (Colossians 1:21-23, John 15:3)
● We receive the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 4:6)
● We become ambassadors of God’s grace ourselves! (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) ● We begin bearing fruit in God’s kingdom (John 15:3-5)
How?
● We believe in Jesus – Implies turning to Him and accepting His sacrifice on our behalf. Does not require fully understanding. Romans 10:9-10 points out that we bear witness to this through speaking it out (confession).
Sanctification
Having begun, we grow into fruitful maturity and the image of Jesus.
What happens?
These things occur continuously and progressively. They are accomplished by the Holy Spirit but require our active cooperation. In a sense, we are growing into the new identity that has already been given to us.
Philippians 2:12-16 (NKJV)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling ; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure .
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NKJV)
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely ; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
● We are being transformed (Romans 12:1-2)
● We are working out our salvation (Phillipians 2:12)
● God is working in us (Phillipians 2:13)
● We are becoming lights in the world (Phillipians 2:15)
We are being guarded by God’s power (1 Peter 1:5)
How?
● We continue to trust Jesus and the Holy Spirit for our righteousness (Galatians 3:2-3, Colossians 1:23).
● We cooperate with God’s work in our lives through submission and obedience. (Colossians 1:23)
Glorification and Eternal Life
The end is to be like Jesus, not only spiritually but with Him in heaven.
What happens?
● We will be raised (1 Corinthians 15:52)
● We will be like Christ (1 John 3:2)
● God will complete His work (Philippians 1:6)
● We are glorified (Romans 8:30 - prophetic aorist!)
How?
● This is the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Conclusion
During the course of Jesus’ life and through His death and resurrection, EVERYTHING needed to reconcile mankind to God was provided and completed. The means of our continuing growth in righteousness was given to us through the Holy Spirit being given to us. As Jesus was hanging on the cross, he looked back over His life and saw that it was good, all things had been accomplished. He was able to say, with satisfaction and finality, “It is finished”.
John 19:28-30 (NKJV)
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished , that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “ It is finished! ” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Our response is simple:
● Believe in who He is and what He has done for us, and our need of it
Begin walking it out, which is really learning to live in the new nature we have been given. We don’t do this alone, and it is always the Holy Spirit who makes it possible.
● Look forward to the day when we will be like Jesus and live with Him for eternity!
2 Corinthians 5:15-19 (NKJV) and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
The Ministry of Jesus
Speaker: Paul Stoaks
Date: August 17, 2025
The Ministry of Jesus Luke 4:18-21 (NKJV) “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” This is Jesus’ manifesto for His ministry, quoted from the beginning of Isaiah 61. He finishes in vs. 21 with the statement “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus and His ministry are the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus is saying, “Watch me, and you’ll see that I do these things.” When John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to ask him whether He was the promised one, the Messiah, Jesus said: (Luke 7:18-23, vs. 22 & 23) “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Jesus did what He said He would do, and He’s still doing it today through His Church. He has passed His ministry on to us. Let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ ministry. The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me Pastor Steve talked about the role that the Holy Spirit has in equipping us for ministry last week. Jesus, while He was on earth, was also equipped by the Holy Spirit. When He was preparing to leave and return to heaven, He told His disciples that they would also be equipped by the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8 (NKJV) Page 1 of 5 The Ministry of Jesus August 17, 2025 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The Book of Acts is filled with the work that the apostles and the early Church did as they carried on Jesus’ ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Today, the Holy Spirit is still working through people to accomplish this ministry. To preach the gospel to the poor We’re all familiar with the beatitude in Matt. 5:3 (NKJV): “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Poor people are hungry Matt. 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” The world ignores or drives away the poor, both monetary poverty and spiritual poverty. Jesus loved the poor. He didn’t ignore them, He met them where they were. He pursued them. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 is a great example of this. Zacchaeus had money, but He was spiritually hungry and Jesus saw this. We, too, should be attuned to the needs of those around us. Often, meeting physical needs opens doors for the good news of the salvation Jesus offers. To heal the brokenhearted We see many examples in Jesus’ life and the early Church of ministering to the brokenhearted. Jesus took time out to minister to those who were hurting. When I was thinking about this, I remembered that Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. You can find this in John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, and John 16:7. (This word is also translated Advocate and Helper.) Examples of Jesus’ ministering to the brokenhearted include the healing of Jairus daughter, (Mark 5), raising Lazarus from the dead (John 10), and raising the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7). John 11:33, 35 (NKJV) Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. Jesus wept. Jesus was compassionate and sympathetic. He didn’t avoid people’s pain, but reached out to them. The Holy Spirit knows what people need and will lead us, often without us even knowing. Page 2 of 5 The Ministry of Jesus August 17, 2025 We don’t need to worry about what we should say. Often, just being near is enough. And who knows, you may see a miracle! To proclaim liberty to the captives The words used in this phrase indicate the release of spiritual captives, those who are bound up in sin. Jesus said in John 8:34 that whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. He came to set the captives free. I think one of the most striking examples of this is the deliverance of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5. In vs. 18, it says: Mark 5 (NKJV) vs. 18: And when He (Jesus) got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Folks all around us are in bondage to sin and all kinds of addictions. Many people feel trapped by their habits and addictions and don’t know how to get free. Jesus is the answer! Recovery of sight to the blind The Gospel of John records (chapter 9) that Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth. When the religious authorities implied that Jesus was evil and asked the man what he had to say about Jesus, he said this (vs. 30): The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing. His miraculous healing was evidence enough to this man that Jesus was from God. Jesus healed people of every kind of disease and raised the dead. Physical healing is still part of Jesus' ministry today. Set at liberty those who are oppressed The word translated “oppressed” here means that, and also “crushed”. Do you know people who are crushed? Crushed by job stress, debt and financial stress, depression, or maybe a toxic relationship? During Jesus’ day, people were crushed by these things, but also by their governments. Jesus came to set at liberty, not just relieve, those who are oppressed and crushed. Page 3 of 5 The Ministry of Jesus August 17, 2025 One of Jesus’ old testament names is “Emanuel”, which means God is with us! Romans 8:31-39 says: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord What does the “acceptable year of the Lord” mean? Many biblical scholars believe it may refer to the Year of Jubilee, established in Leviticus 25. God commanded that the land have a Sabbath every seven years, and that on the 50th year, after seven land sabbaths, there would be a special year which was called the Year of Jubilee. In this year, all debts were forgiven and all Jewish slaves or indentured servants in the land of Israel would go free. Land that had been sold was returned to the family that it had originally been allotted to. Leviticus 25:8-10 (NKJV) ‘And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. Can you imagine what a blessing this was? Families who had suffered terrible financial setbacks and were forced to sell their land and work as indentured servants would be set free and be able to return to their land. I can just imagine the joy. Page 4 of 5 The Ministry of Jesus August 17, 2025 Jesus inaugurated this Jubilee for us when He died on the Cross in our place and was raised again from the dead. When we turn from our own ways to Him and accept His sacrifice for us, personally, we experience a spiritual Jubilee. Our spiritual debts are forgiven, we are set free from slavery to sin, and we are returned to our Father’s house. And one day, each and every member of this family will enter eternity with our God. Application There are two applications that I want us to make sure we take away today: 1) Are there places where we need the ministry of Jesus in our lives today? a) Do we feel poor and marginalized? Jesus is reaching out to us, He is not offended by our need, He loves us and wants to meet our need. b) Are we brokenhearted and grieving? Jesus cares and will minister to our broken hearts if we will reach out to Him. He has sent His Holy Spirit as our comforter to be with us all the time, in our darkest hours. c) Do we feel bound up in chains of sin and addiction? Jesus can set us free, if we will only turn to Him, let go of the bind us and cling to Him. d) Do we need physical healing? Jesus cares about our bodies, they are His instruments for good in the world. e) Do we feel oppressed or crushed? Jesus wants to give us liberty from that. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) 2) Jesus’ ministry is our ministry. We have the privilege to extend the good news of freedom to the people around us. All of these facets of Jesus’ ministry are just as relevant and needed today as they were then. So, what do we need to do? If we need the ministry, let’s get it. We’re here for each other. Free, whole people make the most credible advocates for freedom. And then let’s be there for the people around us who are poor, brokenhearted, captive, and need healing. Ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the need around us. Page 5 of 5 The Ministry of Jesus August 17, 2025