2013 Sermon Series
The Book of Ephesians
Paul's epistle to the church in Ephesus.
Ephesians 4:20-22
- September 8, 2013
The Third Race Reality: The joyful reality in the life of the genuinely transformed Christian
This week we begin looking at the four characteristics of our new lifestyle, in direct contrast to the characteristics of the unsaved we studied last week. When we have been saved, we think and live differently.
Ephesians 4:23-24
- September 15, 2013
The Third Race Reality: The joyful reality in the life of the genuinely transformed Christian
"Who am I? What am I here for? Where am I going? What should I do?" These are the questions that shape our personality and character. The unbelieving mind is always answering these questions with selfish, sinful, and worldly thinking. This old self is what we are able to lay aside once we are saved. Christ completely transforms us so we can mirror His character and tell others how he changed our lives.
Ephesians 4:25-27
- September 22, 2013
The church’s ethical “body language” – Part 1
This passage describes the spiritual “body language” of the church. The Holy Spirit through Paul’s pen gets laser-specific about what things the new nature does and should not do. These are instructions for how we behave within the local church. If they are not lived out, we grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder His ability to work among us.
Ephesians 4:28-32
- September 29, 2013
The church's ethical "body language" - Part 2
When we are owned by Jesus Christ, we no longer desire to communicate sinfully. The church ought to be known as the most ethical family in the community. Last week we learned how this plays out in two areas - speaking truth and addressing anger. Biblical anger can become unbiblical over time. Things in the body of Christ can disappoint you, but they need to be addressed. We are all fellow saints.
Ephesians 5:1-2
- October 6, 2013
As a church, our highest ethic is love.
In this passage, we find a unique command to be like God, a call to non-emotive love, and the ultimate example of both.
Ephesians 5:3-7
- October 13, 2013
The worthy walk of a Christian is filled with light contrasting the spiritual darkness of the world.
In these verses, Paul gives a pretty specific description of the lifestyle of darkness. The passage is not assuming that Christians are still living in the darkness described – rather, the Holy Spirit gives us a reminder of what we are not to go back to. It’s not worth going back! Our delight, as people transformed by His grace, is to live to serve Jesus.
Ephesians 5:8-14
- October 20, 2013
The worthy walk of a Christian is filled with light contrasting the spiritual darkness of the world.
God is light, and as we experience His work of dramatic transformation, we will find ourselves shining as lights in a world that loves darkness. The Bible knows nothing of a saved person who has a lifelong lifestyle of struggle with sin. God’s effective grace ensures you will grow more like Christ over time. These verses continue to describe what Light looks like.
Ephesians 5:15-17
- October 27, 2013
Living as light in any culture entails having an acute understanding of spiritual wisdom.
This section is the climax of Ephesians 4-6. We have just talked about black-and-white areas that a Christian, as Light, clearly avoids. Now we focus on Light’s desire to make wise choices in “gray” areas.
Ephesians 5:18-21
- November 3, 2013
Living as light in any culture entails having an acute understanding of spiritual wisdom.
The next few verses continue the application of our worthy, obedient, loving walk. Christians who are Light not only make wise choices but also embrace divine influence. This has a negative side and a positive – we are to avoid negative influences and instead be governed by the Spirit. The verbs of these commands are in the present active tense, which tell us they are to be continuous actions.
Ephesians 5:22-33
- November 10, 2013
A worthy, loving walk in light provides a warm and joyful reality in the Christian home.
In this passage, we learn what marital and domestic relationships look like in Christ. When this passage is preached apart from its context, it can lead to bitterness, regrets, and disillusionment. We need to remember that all of us have been baptized into Christ and are brought into Light to live moral lifestyles (Eph. 4:1-6). Having already covered that ground, Paul assumes that his readers are being governed by the Spirit and living like Jesus in the home. As all members of a home live by the Spirit’s filling, there will be mutual submission to the direction of God. We are to respect, honor, reverence, and learn from one another. Outside of corporate worship, there’s no better place in the world than a Christian home.
