Covenant Naples

Even the most faithful servants of God need encouragement. Whether it's Paul leaning on fellow believers or Jesus being strengthened by a visiting angel, no one is meant to walk this journey alone. We will find out how Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians by encouraging them with the gospel

Outline:

Encourage one another in the fruit of the gospel

Encourage one another in the truths of the gospel

Encourage one another in the response to the gospel

Be encouraged by the gospel

Questions:

1. Why do you think people don’t encourage one another more?

Recall a time when you were encouraged? What made it an effective lift for your soul?

Reflect on the truths of Ephesians 1-3.

2. What truth particularly is encouraging to you in the season you are in right now?

3. Walking the Christian life is a natural outgrowth of a life with Christ. What is important to keep in mind as you encourage one another to live out the gospel truths in obedience?

4. Why is the benediction not just simply a closing statement or well wish at the end of the service? What function does it serve?

5. Who do you need to send an encouragement to this week?

We are all engaged in a spiritual conflict, whether we want to be or not. As God’s people, we are called to be strong in Christ and to stand firm under the onslaught. How can we do that?

Sermon Outline:

I. Stand Firm by Putting On the Armor.

II. Stand Firm by Taking Up the Sword and Shield.

III. Stand Firm by Bowing Down in Prayer.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. Reflect on Paul’s imagery of the armor. How do you personally “put on” the armor of God each day? Are there any areas in your life where you feel unprepared or vulnerable?

2. In a world full of lies and half-truths, how can you better align yourself with God’s truth?

3. What are some of the “fiery darts” (doubts, temptations, fears) that Satan launches at you in your spiritual walk? How can you raise the shield of faith to protect yourself from these attacks, and what promises from Scripture can help strengthen your faith in these moments?

4. How can you better equip yourself with the Word of God to fight against the enemy’s lies and temptations? How has the Bible been a tool for you in spiritual warfare, and how can you make it a more central part of your daily life?

5. Why is prayer so essential in spiritual warfare? How can we be more intentional in praying for others, especially fellow believers, and for those who preach and teach the Word? What are some practical steps you can take to make prayer a consistent part of your daily walk with God?

Our battle is a spiritual battle against spiritual enemies—the devil and fallen angels we commonly call demons. The spiritual war rages around us every day. If we’re going to fight well in this battle, we need strength, defense, and weapons that come from somewhere outside of ourselves.

Sermon Outline:

I. We Have an Enemy.

II. The Enemy Uses Schemes Against Us.

III. We Have a Strong Defense.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. Paul reminds us that our battle is against spiritual forces, not flesh and blood. How does recognizing this shift in perspective influence the way we approach conflicts with others in our lives?

2. We heard several examples of schemes the devil uses to cause us to fall such as temptation and deception. Can you share a time when you recognized one of these schemes in your own life? How did you respond?

3. Paul encourages us to be “strong in the Lord.” What practical steps can we take to cultivate spiritual strength and reliance on God in our daily lives?

4. We should not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes. What areas in your life do you find yourself most vulnerable to spiritual attacks, and how can Christian community help in these areas?

Many hearts are troubled today. From elections to wars to the economy to our personal health, it seems we have several good reasons for being troubled. But Jesus’ words in this passage show us a better way: the way of peace—the way of faith.

Sermon Outline:

I. Our hearts will not be troubled when we exercise faith.

II. Our hearts will not be troubled when we anticipate his return.

III. Our hearts will not be troubled when we remember who he is.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. What specific anxieties or troubles are weighing on your heart currently? How do you relate to the disciples’ feelings of trouble as described in the sermon?

2. Faith is not just something we possess, but something we actively exercise. Can you share a time when you actively exercised your faith and experienced peace in a troubled time?

3. How does the hope of Jesus’ return and the promise of a place in the Father’s house influence your perspective on current events?

4. We may be troubled by the wrong things. What are some issues or concerns that you personally are overly troubled by? What is an area where you may not be troubled enough?

5. How does knowing Jesus make a difference in troubling times? Spend some time in prayer over these things.

When work feels like a battle—employees doing the bare minimum, managers pushing too hard—we are missing the bigger picture. What if we remembered that the true boss isn't in the corner office, but the heavenly one? Seeing our work as service to the Lord will transform how we lead and follow.

Sermon Outline:

I. Service that Pleases God

II. Management that Pleases God

III. A Heart to Please God

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. In Ephesians 6:5-8, Paul encourages bondservants to serve their earthly masters “as to the Lord.” How does viewing your work as service to Christ impact your attitude and actions in your workplace or other areas of responsibility?

2. Both employees and managers can fall into ethical traps such as “faking work” or making unreasonable demands. What are some specific challenges you face in your work environment, and how can the biblical principles from this passage guide your response?

3. Paul reminds us that the ultimate reward for good work comes from God (Eph. 6:8). How can this perspective change the way you approach tasks that may feel mundane or go unnoticed by others? Share an example where this shift in thinking could make a difference in your daily work whether you are employed, retired, or working in the home.

4. The message highlighted the tension between managers who abuse power and employees who avoid responsibility. If you are in a position of authority, how can you ensure that you lead in a way that honors God? If you are under authority, how can you work with integrity even when the leadership may be difficult?

5. How will knowing Christ transform your work this week?

The primary issue we all face in marriage is that marriage works best when a husband and wife are not seeking their own interests, but that of their spouse. Unfortunately, due to our sinful condition, we all have a tendency to do the exact opposite, at least from time to time. In this passage, Paul sets out a radically different approach to marriage than the norm with a radically different result.

Sermon Outline:

I. The Command to Wives.

II. The Command to Husbands.

III. The Gospel Mystery.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. The sermon encourages being “ruthlessly honest” during the dating process. What specific qualities or values should couples focus on during this stage to ensure they are making informed decisions about marriage? For those already married, how can we help our kids make good decisions in this area?

2. In the context of Ephesians 5, how does the call to both husbands and wives challenge current cultural assumptions or norms? How should married couples navigate disagreements in a way that honors the Lord and honors their spouse?

3. Husbands need to love their wives and wives need to respect their husbands. How might unmet needs for love or respect lead to conflict in a marriage? In what ways can couples actively demonstrate love and respect in their daily interactions?

4. A healthy marriage begins with “leaving and cleaving.” What practical steps can couples take to ensure they are prioritizing their marriage relationship over familial or external pressures? What practices or routines have you found helpful for “cleaving” as a couple?

5. How does the gospel provide the power for overcoming selfishness in marriage? Discuss ways in which reflecting on Christ’s unconditional love for us can transform our approach to loving and serving our spouse.

Jesus calls us to go make disciples by baptizing them. What is baptism? What does it mean? And how can it shape our approach to fulfilling the Great Commission in our own spheres of influence? Join us Sunday as we search the word for answers to these questions and more.

1. How do you suppose friends and neighbors who don’t share the Christian faith might feel about the great commission? Why?

2. Why do you suppose Jesus chose baptism as the sign and seal to mark a person’s entrance into the covenant community, and not some other rite, ceremony or credible profession of faith etc?

3. What does baptism tell us about God? What does baptism tell us about ourselves and our role in the world?

4. The bible never hesitates to put the weakness and dysfunctionality of the church on full display. Why do you suppose that is?

5. When you think about “personal evangelism” what kinds of thoughts and emotions does it raise in your mind and heart? Why?

For thousands of years, one thing has shaped the course of history perhaps more than anything else: Christian education. But why is Christian education so powerful? Here's the answer: it is one of God's favorite tools for advancing his kingdom.

Sermon Outline:

I. Doubtful Disciples & The Day of The Lord

II. The Great War for the Nations

III. The Presence of the King

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think Christians over the centuries have invested so heavily in Christian education? What kind of impact do you think this investment has had on the world?

2. In Matthew 28, why do you think some of the disciples still doubted, even after the resurrection? How do you think you would feel if you were in their shoes? Why do we still doubt today?

3. In response to the doubts of the disciples, Jesus offered his presence and declared his authority. How does Jesus’ presence help us with our doubts today? How does Jesus’ authority help us with our doubts?

4. Why do you think King Jesus conquers through baptism and teaching? Why do you think God chose to advance his kingdom in this way?

5. How are you engaging in the practical study of the whole Bible? Have you attended a Covenant Institute class yet? Will you consider going to one this Wednesday or next Sunday?

In a world characterized by darkness, fighting against the devil outside and our flesh inside, we will be tempted to live as those in darkness. Whether it be embracing false teaching, caving in the face of temptation, speaking words that corrupt, or refusing to forgive, none of us are immune. Yet, these ways of living are contrary to who we are now in Jesus Christ. In this passage, Paul exposes the disconnect that often exists between who we are in Christ as children of light and how we actually live.

Sermon Outline:

I. Children of Light Bear Fruit.

II. Children of Light Expose Darkness.

III. Children of Light Walk Wisely.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to “walk as children of light”? How does your identity in Christ as light affect our daily decisions, especially in resisting the works of darkness?

2. How do you discern when to engage with people who live in darkness while not partaking in their sinful actions? What boundaries might you need to set in your relationships to live out this command?

3. Ephesians 5:11 commands us to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” What does it look like to expose darkness in a way that is loving and redemptive rather than judgmental?

4. Verses 15-16 call us to live wisely, making the best use of our time.

Reflect on how you currently spend your time. Are there any habits, activities, or priorities you need to adjust to live more wisely and purposefully to make the most of the time?

5. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul commands believers to be filled with the Spirit rather than with wine. What are some specific ways you can seek to be filled with the Spirit in your daily life? How can prayer, worship, Scripture, and Christian community play a role in this?

In Paul’s day, and down to our own, so-called Christian teachers have effectively duped people into thinking that a life of self-indulgence is compatible with the Christian gospel. But in this passage Paul sets the record straight. Because Christians are God’s children, we must walk in love, not in self-indulgence.

Sermon Outline:

I. Love is Consistent with Your New Identity.

II. Self-Indulgence is Inconsistent with Your New Identity.

III. Christ Came to Deliver Us from the Wrath Coming on Self-Indulgence.

Sermon Discussion Questions:

1. How does being “beloved children” of God influence the way we should live, according to Ephesians 5:1-2? In what specific ways can we imitate God’s kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness in our daily interactions?

2. Paul instructs us to “walk in love, as Christ loved us” (Eph. 5:2). What are some practical examples of self-sacrificial love that align with how Christ demonstrated His love for us?

3. Paul contrasts self-indulgence with a life of holiness. How does the message of Ephesians 5:3-4 challenge contemporary views on sexuality and materialism? How does it challenge your own views?

4. Ephesians 5:6 warns against being deceived by “empty words.” How can we discern whether teachings or beliefs we encounter align with biblical truth, especially in areas like sexuality, greed, and personal behavior?

5. Despite our failings, Christ offers forgiveness and grace. How does understanding this grace influence our approach to repentance and forgiveness, both for ourselves and when we extend it to others? How does understanding the gospel shape our pursuit of holiness?