Ephesians 5:1-20

Pastor Willie Behrends

God calls us to live differently, shining so others see Him. Life can often feel pretty dark, but when we stay connected to the Spirit, even our small light can make a HUGE difference!

Today, Paul gives us four ways to ‘Glow in The Dark’…

I – Glow by ___________________ in love! (1-2)

II – Don’t let the______________________ dim YOU! (3-6)

III – Shine as ______________________ of light! (7-14)

IV – Glow with ____________ – ____________ wisdom! (15-21)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Is MY light _____________ or __________ right now?”

2. “How am I __________________ my time these days?”

3. “Am I _________________ into the Spirit, or empty?”

NEXT WEEK: Our ‘Marriage’ to Jesus! Ephesians 5:21-33

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

CROSSWINDS CHURCH

MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

“Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior, and being in agreement with CrossWinds Statement of Faith, Strategies, Goals and Structure, I am now led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the CrossWinds Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following…”

I – I will protect the unity of my church…

§ By striving to love the church practically and sincerely.

§ By acting in love and kindness toward other members.

§ By refusing to gossip about other members.

§ By following the leaders the Holy Spirit has appointed over me.

II – I will share the responsibility of my church…

§ By realizing that I am part of the Body of Christ.

§ By praying for its healing, growth and health.

§ By inviting the un-churched to attend with me.

§ By warmly welcoming strangers who visit.

III – I will serve in the ministry of my church…

§ By understanding that when I serve the body of Christ, I am actually serving Christ Himself.

§ By diligently discovering my gifts and talents.

§ By being equipped to serve.

§ By developing a servant’s (“Can Do!”) heart, tenacity and conscientiousness.

IV – I will support the testimony of my church…

§ By acknowledging that it is a privilege to be a co-worker with Christ.

§ By attending faithfully.

§ By living an open, godly life.

§ By giving of time, talents and financial resources generously and regularly.

Eph 4:17-32

Willie Behrends

I – “WE’RE NOT GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION!”

II – “I’VE CHANGED…AND I CAN’T GO BACK!”

III – I’VE FOUND SOMEONE BETTER!

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “What old MINDSET or HABIT am I holding on to?”

2. “How am I RENEWING my mind?”

3. “Who should I FORGIVE, or LOVE this week?”

Ephesians 4:1-16

Charlie Painter, Executive Director

Today Paul shifts gears as we start the second half of the book of Ephesians. In the first half we learned of who Christ is and who we are in Him. As we start the second half, Paul is going to challenge the Ephesians (and us) to live out this knowledge in unity for the growth of the Church.

I – Unity where it ______________________ ! (1-6)

II – Gifted to Equip until ________________________ ! (7-13)

III – Empowered to ____________________________! (14-16)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Do I identify more with what _________________________?”

2. “Am I ____________the saints, or ___________ the Church?”

3. “Are we ______________ and are we ___________________?”

NEXT WEEK: What a Difference Jesus Makes in Us! Ephesians 4:17-32

Charlie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

Guest Missionaries

---------------------------------------Jared TemplinScriptures: John 3:16 Psalm 117:1-2Websites: https://radical.net/https://pioneers.org/Books:“The Abrahamic Revolution” by Todd Ahrendhttps://a.co/d/bDYjHOS“Radical” by David Platt https://a.co/d/cqjUOEU----------------------------------------• Missions is for the whole Church, not just a few.• Everyone is called to play a role: sending, supporting, or going.• God invites anyone to be a missionary—to give the gospel to the unreached, to be a frontline or sending worker.⸻Jacob TemplinWhy Missions? Experiencing the Heart of GodI. God’s Heart for the NationsMissions is not just about places—it’s about people. But God’s plan is for every nation to hear the gospel.• God’s mission is that the gospel would be proclaimed to all nations.• There are over 7,000 people groups who are still considered unreached.• There are over 3,000 people groups who are still unengaged.Definitions:• Unreached People Group: A people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians able to evangelize the group without outside help.• Unengaged People Group: A group with no known active church planting efforts being made among them.⸻II. God’s Heart for the ChurchIt’s not just for “super-Christians”—God wants the whole Body involved.• God wants every disciple of Jesus to be participating in the gospel being given to the unreached.• Missions is for the whole Church, not just a few.• Everyone is called to play a role: sending, supporting, or going.• God invites anyone to be a missionary—to give the gospel to the unreached, to be a frontline or sending worker.----------III. God’s Heart for the IndividualJesus came because He loves the individual.• We were once unreached, and someone came to us.• We don’t just experience His love towards us, but through us.• God doesn’t intend His love to be received and end, but to be received and pushed through again.• “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2).• That same joy is available to us when we step into His mission.⸻Final Reflection:Missions is not a burden. It’s a joy—because we get to walk in Jesus’ footsteps.We experience His heart when we take part in the gospel going to those who have never heard it before.----------------------------------------Amy MedinaPowerPoint Presentationhttps://1drv.ms/p/c/c9e97f69772dfc9e/EarhFAttIQ1OgmUEk_KJCzYB79WJgqxuSZSTIfjA-aPUuQ?e=TLld0R

Ephesians 3:14-21

Pastor Willie Behrends

This passage could also be entitled, “When You Gotta Pray, You Gotta Pray!” Through his prayer the Apostle Paul reveals that God’s love is bigger than we can imagine and closer than we think…filling us from the inside-out!

In Paul’s prayer we see…

I – Paul can’t ________________ himself! (14-15)

II – You gotta ________________ somebody! (16-17a)

III – God’s _______________ goes the distance! (17b-19a)

IV – It’s up ________________ and overflowing! (19-21)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Do I pray simply out of ________________ for God?”

2. “Does Jesus __________ in my heart, or just __________?”

3. “Do I believe God can do __________ than I ask or think?”

NEXT WEEK: Going to Our World, and THE World: Mission’s Sunday! Acts 1:8

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

Ephesians 3:1-13

Pastor Willie Behrends

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a place you didn’t choose? That’s where we find Paul today: sitting in prison, yet completely focused on the mission God has given him, and us!

This morning Paul reveals three mysteries…

I – “I’m doing _____________ for a higher cause!” (1)

II – “________________ made me do it!” (2-9)

III – “Show it _____________, Church!” (10-13)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Do I have a ___________ for the ________________?”

2. “Does God’s ____________ move me to _______________?”

3. “Does My World see God’s ____________________ in me?”

NEXT WEEK: God’s Wide, Long, High & Deep Love! Ephesians 3:14-21

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

Ephesians 2:11-22

Pastor Willie Behrends

Last time we saw our personal past, present and future. Today, we see it again…only this time it’s the past, present and future of our group: the Church!

Paul gives us THREE specific changes in our relationships…

I – From ______________________ to siblings! (11-13)

II – From ____________________ to harmony! (14-18)

III – From _________________ to a building! (19-22)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Who is an ____________________ in My World?”

2. “Am I holding on to any ___________________?”

3. “Is my church more of a __________ or a __________ to me?”

NEXT WEEK: The Mystery Revealed! Ephesians 3:1-13

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

Who WE (The Church) are “In Christ!”

As followers of Christ, THIS is who we REALLY are...

We are One Body!

I Corinthians 12:27

We are God’s Family, Children of God!

Galatians 3:26

We are The Bride of Christ!

Ephesians 5:25-27

We are A Holy Temple, the Dwelling Place of God!

Ephesians 2:22

We are Members of The Household of God!

Ephesians 2:19

We are Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms!

Ephesians 2:6

We are Ambassadors for Christ!

II Corinthians 5:20

We are A Royal Priesthood, A Holy Nation!

I Peter 2:9

We are Salt and Light in the World!

Matthew 5:13-14

We are God’s Workmanship, Created for Good Works!

Ephesians 2:10

When we are unified, the world believes that God sent Jesus!

John 17:20-21

IN SUMMARY: The Church In Christ is...

· Unified and spiritually alive!

· Loved and sanctified, (i.e., ‘made holy!’)

· Chosen, forgiven, and empowered!

· A temple of the Holy Spirit!

· God's representative on earth!

Ephesians 2:1-10

Pastor Willie Behrends

We live in a world full of identity confusion—social media bios, personality tests, career titles, etc. They all try to define us, but today God’s Word reveals to us who we REALLY are…

I – I was a ___________________ person walking! (1-3)

II – BUT…God _________________ through! (4-6)

III – I’m not a __________ – ____________ success! (7-9)

IV – I’m not a _____________, I’m a ___________________! (7-9)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’

Are you asking, “Does anyone know who I am?” God answers…

1. “Yes…I saw you ________________!”

2. “Yes…I _________________ you up!”

3. “Yes…I _____________ you by __________________!”

4. “Yes…I ____________ you on __________________!”

NEXT WEEK: Who are WE in Christ! Ephesians 2:11-22

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

Who you are “In Christ!”

If you are a follower of Christ, THIS is who you REALLY are...

I am a new creation!

II Corinthians 5:17

I am a child of God through faith!

Galatians 3:26

I am chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world! Ephesians 1:4

I am accepted in the Beloved!

Ephesians 1:6

I am God’s workmanship, created for good works!

Ephesians 2:10

I am the righteousness of God!

II Corinthians 5:21

I am adopted as His child through Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 1:5

I am not condemned!

Romans 8:1

I have redemption through His blood!

Ephesians 1:7

I have eternal life and peace with God!

Romans 6:23, Romans 5:1

I have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places!

Ephesians 1:3

I have victory through Jesus Christ!

II Corinthians 15:57

I have the mind of Christ!

II Corinthians 2:16

I walk in newness of life!

Romans 6:4

I bear much fruit by abiding in Christ!

John 15:5

I am more than a conqueror!

Romans 8:37

“In Christ, I am not who I used to be. I am redeemed, renewed, and repurposed — by grace, for glory!”

Ephesians 1:15-23

Charlie Painter, Executive Director

Paul writes to the Ephesians of all the blessings God has bestowed upon us believers. Living out these blessings through good works, Paul prays for the Ephesians and us…

I – To Know ____________. (15-17)

II – To Know ____________________ for Us. (18-19)

III – To Know ___________________________. (20-23)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Am I _________________ what I know?”

2. “Am I _________________ His work in my life?”

3. “Am I __________________ on His Masterpiece?”

NEXT WEEK: “Who Am I ‘In Christ?’” Ephesians 2:1-10

Charlie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001

Ephesians 1:1-14

Pastor Willie Behrends

The Apostle Paul opens his letter like a waterfall of spiritual blessings: layer upon layer of what God has done for us in Christ. Each verse seems to say, “But wait, there’s more!”

Today, we see three main categories of blessings…

I – God ___________________ you, on purpose! (4-6)

II – Jesus _________________ it ALL! (7-12)

III – The Holy Spirit is your _____________________! (13-4)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Do I believe that God _______________ Me?”

2. “Am I trying to _____________ God’s approval?”

3. “Am I _______________ in my relationship with God?”

NEXT WEEK: To Know Him More! Ephesians 1:15-23

Pastor Willie preaches from the English Standard Version Bible (ESV) ©2001