May 3, 2020: Flesh It Out

Ephesians series message 25

Text: Ephesians 4:17-24

"No longer walk...put on the new self..." Few passages sum up the Christian life like this one - out with the old, in with the new. We must no longer live like we used to or like those who don't know the Lord. We are united with Christ and sealed with His Spirit, so we have everything we need for life and godliness. In this message we'll paint with a broad brush and then drill down deeper next week to more fully extract the abiding principles of this transformational passage. 

April 26, 2020: Christian Unity

Ephesians series message 24

Text: Ephesians 4:7-16

Christ is our champion; the author and perfecter of our faith. HE has come, HE is victorious, and HE has given us His Spirit. We'll focus on the desired end of the gifts and leaders God's given to the church: spiritual maturity and doctrinal purity. Paul has just urged us to maintain the unity of the Spirit which involves demonstrating meekness and patience with one another. Authentic Christian unity is built upon sound doctrine and spiritual growth. In a word, discipleship.

April 19, 2020: Church Foundations

Ephesians series message 23

Text: Ephesians 4:7-16

We'll spend two weeks on this passage. This Sunday we'll lay the groundwork for the different gifts/offices within the church, and what it means that Christ descended to the lower regions. God uses people and their unique gifts and offices to build up the church and prepare her for ministry. If we are going to walk in the manner worthy of our calling, we need order in God's House to facilitate this. Next week we'll continue with the desired end: that Christians mature and are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. 

April 12, 2020: The Truth About the Resurrection

Text: Acts 2:29-36

The early church was no stranger to pandemics, natural catastrophes, and persecution - they were well acquainted. The resurrection formed their entire worldview; it's where they drew their strength and courage. Jesus stood in the place of sinners, but God would not abandon Him to the grave. God freed Him from the agony of death. It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him! Our Lord and Savior now stands in glory, having sent the promised Holy Spirit who is the earnest of our inheritance!  

April 5, 2020: Laments

Text: Psalm 13

As we approach Resurrection Sunday, we will step away from Ephesians to address biblical laments. Just as the rain falls on the just and the unjust, so too God’s people experience plagues, pestilences, and various tribulations. God always invites us to cast our burdens upon Him, because He cares for us. We will examine the prayers of the saints of old in the context of our Christian hope; our heavenly inheritance - the basis of which we celebrate on Resurrection Sunday. 

March 29, 2020: Walk With Purpose!

Ephesians series message 22

Text: Ephesians 4:2-6

A key aspect of walking in a manner worthy of our calling is to promote unity within the body of Christ through honoring and supporting others in all that we say and do. That's our focus this Sunday! It's not always easy and sometimes it's downright difficult but, particularly during these uncertain times, it's absolutely crucial.

March 22, 2020: Walk Worthy!

Ephesians series message 21

Text: Ephesians 4:1

One word this Sunday: walk. We used to walk according to the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air. Now everything's different. We've been redeemed and God's Spirit lives in us. Now, we are to walk the opposite direction, in a manner worthy of our calling to eternal glory in Christ Jesus. Moment by moment, we need to learn to walk by the Spirit in each and every situation! In our current Covid-19 reality, how would we think and act differently, knowing that we are called to glory! Remember, Paul just literally reminded us that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work in us! 

March 15, 2020: Far More Abundantly!

Ephesians series message 20

Text: Ephesians 3:20-21

Blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen in eternity, redeemed by the Son, indwelt by the Spirit, and gifted a heavenly inheritance. The unsearchable riches of Christ and God's love beyond comprehension: what is the logical conclusion to it all for the Ephesians? God is awesome, and able to do far more than we ask or imagine! Stop putting God in a box. Walk by the Spirit and don't be afraid to ask and expect great things of God!

March 8, 2020: Rooted and Grounded!

Ephesians series message 19

Text: Ephesians 3:17-19

Paul is preparing us well to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. He's shown us the towering grandeur of our heavenly inheritance and the unsearchable riches of Christ. He's prayed for us, that Christ would dwell in our hearts by faith. Now, he prays that we would be baptized (my word choice) into the love of God. How else can we be the hands and feet of Christ to others, but to immerse ourselves into the love God has for us and live securely in it? Knowing and believing that we are immeasurably loved by God is what prepares and enables us to love others well.

March 1, 2020: Strength for the Journey

Ephesians series message 18

Text: Ephesians 3: 14-19

Before laying down some Christian ethics, there is one more stop along the way; more prayer for the Ephesians. He prays specifically that we will be strengthened in the inner-man by the glorious hope of the gospel AND that we will be baptized (my word) in love. Not just any love - GOD'S love. Where Christian ethic is lacking, often there is a corresponding lack of Christian hope, or Christian love. 

February 23, 2020: The Church!

Ephesians series message 17

Text: Ephesians 3:10-13

When you think of church, what comes to mind? Paul says God's boundless wisdom is on full display through the workings of the gospel. Angels are served notice as they stoop to more fully comprehend God's splendiferous power and wisdom made most visible in redeemed sinners - both Jew and Gentile. The church is born from God's eternal purposes, and is the pinnacle of His love, kindness, power, justice, and grace. It is the focal point of God's ministry in the world today and the saints will be His trophies of grace throughout eternity. Our hope is surely not in human wisdom or wealth or power. Let us learn to love and nurture THE CHURCH! 

February 9, 2020: God's Truth God's Way

Ephesians series message 15

Text: Ephesians 3:1-6

Our passage this week and next contains truths that are profoundly important for us to grasp. Paul is winding down the letter's foundation of theology and will soon turn to Christian ethics and what it looks like to follow Christ. As he teaches the "mystery" of Jew and Gentile together, comprising the people of God, and the necessity of special revelation, which brings it to light, let us not overlook the term heir. It is a stupendous gospel truth which sets the stage for the practical truths to come. Indeed, Paul is laying down tracks which inform and comfort us as we say "no" to sin, accept suffering, and endeavor to love our neighbor well. 

February 2, 2020: Family!

Ephesians series message 14

Text: Ephesians 2:17-22

Jesus preaches peace through the gospel because the gospel reconciles us to God and puts us in His family. We Gentiles were formerly aliens to God's people but now fellow-citizens. More than that, we are citizens of heaven and pilgrims passing through this world! We - God's people - are a holy temple held together by Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace. 

January 26, 2020: No Longer on the Outside

Ephesians series message 13

Text: Ephesians 2:11-17

Our salvation is awesome! God raised us up from the deadness of our sinful nature and gave us an eternal inheritance in Christ. But, there's more. For most of us, we were not only dead in sins but completely outside of the covenants and promise. We were without hope. Christ has brought us near through his precious blood. In Jesus, walls come down! 

January 19, 2020: By Grace, Through Faith

Ephesians series message 12

Text: Ephesians 2:8-10

We bring to a close this remarkable section which speaks to our salvation from heaven's perspective. The mighty power of God is displayed in us by His raising us from the dead to new life. By His power, our eternity is sealed and we can expect to see His life manifested in us now as He conforms us to the image of His Son, from one degree of glory to another. We are saved by grace, and faith is the mechanism by which God accomplishes this. Boasting is excluded, 100%, so none of this is by our works or efforts. 

January 12, 2020: Grace, Executed

Ephesians series message 11

Text: Ephesians 2:4-7

What a contrast our text brings! When we were dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ! This is grace executed - dead in sin to dead to sin! Forever we will be showcased as examples of God's great kindness and grace. In this message, we'll focus on the transformative power of grace in our lives. 

January 5, 2020: Grace Magnified Pt. 2

Ephesians series message 10

Text: Ephesians 2:1-3

Grace is magnified as we roll from Paul's prayer in Ephesians one to an in-depth analysis of the human condition. Contrary to our modern perspective, mankind is entirely sinful, alienated from God, and completely unable to please Him in his natural sinful condition and disposition. The only Holy One fulfilled all righteousness into his adult years before offering Himself to save sinners - that's the beauty and simplicity of the gospel. As continue our analysis and application of human nature from Ephesians 2:1-3, we begin to comprehend just how marvelous and staggering God's grace truly is. Without it, we are dead in our sins and without hope - in this life and in the one to come. 

December 29, 2019: Grace Magnified

Ephesian series message 9

Text: Ephesians 2:1-3

Grace is magnified as we roll from Paul's prayer in Ephesians one to an in-depth analysis of the human condition. Contrary to our modern perspective, mankind is entirely sinful, alienated from God, and completely unable to please Him in his natural sinful condition and disposition. There is a stark contrast between the Holy One we preached on last week and those He came to redeem. Our desperate need for a Savior truly highlights everything we cherish in this Advent Season.