Sermon Central
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The Ephraim Gate Series
Contributed by Monte Brown on Sep 28, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Our journey as believers is symbolized in our journey as we are in bondage to sin, to the Gate of Ephraim, which symbolizes abundant fruit.
“The Ephraim Gate Message 4”
The Spiritual Application of the Gates
Notes from Thompson Chain Reference Bible; Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible; Monte Brown’s personal translation (MB)
Nehemiah 8:16 Monte T. Brown
August 17, 2014 Sunday Evening
Stapp Zoe Baptist
Prelude
“The Ephraim Gate” was so named because of the tribe of Ephraim.
This is a wonderful gate the word Ephraim means ‘double fruit.’
God wanted Ephraim not only to be fruitful, but to be doubly fruitful.
While the enemy of our souls comes to “rob, kill, and destroy”, God has a totally opposite agenda.
He delights in fruitfulness and increase.
“The Ephraim Gate” is associated with the Feast of Tabernacles, which is God’s pattern for the last day harvest.
As we learn of the fruitfulness in our lives as believers, we want to go back to Nehemiah 8:13-16 and read what information we can find about the Ephraim Gate.
Scripture
13And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
14And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
15And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
16So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim. Nehemiah 8:13-16
Prayer
Introduction
Our God delights to see fruitfulness in our lives. It is His desire that our fruitfulness would abound.
Our journey as believers is symbolized in our journey as we are in bondage to sin, to the Gate of Ephraim, which symbolizes abundant fruit.
As we walk in freedom we will bear fruit for His glory.
Here we have a gate with a name of a person or tribe.
The meaning of the word ‘Ephraim’ is double-fruit and speaks of the first-born who receive a double portion of the inheritance as Elisha did via Elijah.
Joseph of old was Ephraim’s father and his life depicted the double portion experience for he was the firstborn of Jacob and Rachel.
Joseph had the promise and went through all the processing’s to see the vision fulfilled.
The double-portion is given to the firstborn at the time they are adopted of the Father.
What glorious provision has been given to us via the cross!
Fruitfulness Requires Alertness
Remember that the weakest point in the wall of Jerusalem was between “The Corner Gate” and
There is a lot of true in that statement. Satan always attacks just before we reach “The Ephraim Gate.”
The devils success in the battle against us depends upon OUR IGNORANCE of the WORD of God.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5
We base our life upon what we believe, that is what faith is.
We do the things that we do because of what we believe.
Paul tells us to look at ourselves, to Test yourselves, to see if you are holding on to what you believe and are not a CAST-A-WAY.
We need to put ourselves to the test and judge ourselves, to find out whether we are living in faith.
Standing Strong in Life
You must be born again and GROWING.
Fruitfulness means Christ in you.
What does it mean to have Christ in you? Peace
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15
The Peace of God is a marker of Christianity.
The test of Christ in you is Peace should rule in your heart.
Peace should rule as an umpire in your heart.
Peace is not the absent of conflict but is the way that you respond to the conflict.
We live in a World of stress and they say that we as a nation consumes 15 tons of aspirin EVERY DAY.
Tranquilizers sales are at an all time high, peace of mind books are on the best sellers list God is the maker of peace.
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33
It is the devils business to keep you confused and disturbed in your Spirit.
